10-10-2013 Planning Comm. Minutes

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION OCTOBER 10, 2013 PROJECTIONS an increase of 2,600 people over the 2030 projection for a total population of 13,900, or an increase of 1,300 households. The Planner asked the Commission to comment on whether or not this was a reasonable projection for Little Canada. He noted that this is the first step in Met Council's process for 2020 Comprehensive Plan updates, and their next step will be to do a systems statement for the City. The Commission discussed this projection questioning how the City's population would increase that dramatically. It was noted that only through significant redevelopment of land to multi- family housing would this increase be possible. The Commission indicated their objection to the population increase estimate feeling that the level of increase was unrealistic to achieve. The Planner reported that this matter will be considered by the Council, and a response would then be forwarded to the Metropolitan Council. COMMISSION The City Clerk reported that based on the Planning Commission's review ORDINANCE and comments relative to an update of the Planning Commission ordinance, the Council has drafted the revision before the Commission this evening. The Clerk reviewed the key updates. The Clerk noted that City staff failed to ask the Council when term limits would take effect, if the ordinance revision is adopted. She asked the Commission for their input on this issue. The Clerk noted that the Parks & Recreation Commission is recommending that if term limits are enacted, sitting Commissioners would have only one term counted toward term limits, i.e. would have the ability to be appointed to two additional terms. Schwalbach asked if the purpose of term limits was to ensure turn -over and to attract new people to the commissions. The Clerk indicated that that is her understanding. The Commission discussed the value of term limits. Duray indicated that he has enjoyed the years that he has spent on the Commission, but could understand the need for new people on the commission. Schwalbach stated that he struggled with the issue of term limits noting that without term limits there technically may not be an opening on the Commission for a number of years. Schwalbach stated that he would prefer that term limits be enacted and that they be retroactive. Fischer noted that the Commission has existed for many years with no term limits, and that the Council has done a good job in appointing new members. He pointed out that 3 of the 7 Commission members were newly appointed within the last couple of years. Fischer felt that the transition to new membership has occurred naturally. Duray indicated that he supported term limits with sitting Commissioners to have one term count toward terms limits, similar to the Park -9-