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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/10/2024 P & Z Minutes APPROVED MINUTES CITY OF LINO LAKES PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Root called the Lino Lakes Planning & Zoning Board meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on January 10, 2024. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented. 4. NOMINATION OF CHAIR & VICE CHAIR Mr. Evenson made a motion to nominate Mr. Root for Chair and Mr. Wipperfurth nominated Mr. Laden for Vice Chair. Mr. Root confirmed they would proceed with the nominations for Mr. Root as Chair and Mr. Laden as Vice Chair. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Vojtech moved to approve the November 8, 2023 meeting minutes. Motion seconded by Mr. Laden. Motion carried 6– 0. 6. OPEN MIKE Mr. Root declared open mike at 6:32 p.m. There were no public comments. DATE: January 10, 2024 TIME STARTED: 6:30 P.M. TIME ENDED: 7:50 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Isaac Wipperfurth, Nathan Vojtech Michael Root, Perry Laden, Neil Evenson, SaraJo Stewart, Patrick Kohler MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Michael Grochala, Katie Larsen, Diane Hankee, Julie Whitney Planning & Zoning Board January 10, 2024 Page 2 APPROVED MINUTES Mr. Vojtech moved to close open mike. Motion seconded by Mr. Evenson. Open mike was closed at 6:32 p.m. 7. ACTION ITEMS A. Jansen Addition Preliminary Plat Ms. Larsen presented the staff report. The applicant, Boulder Contracting, submitted a land use application for preliminary plat for Jansen Addition. The applicant proposes to subdivide the existing parcel located at 523 Lois Lane into three (3) single family lots for the purpose of constructing two (2) new single family homes. The lot is 1.11 gross acres (48,510 sf). Mr. Evenson questioned the verbiage requiring sod in all areas not improved. He recalls a new state law that cities cannot require that. Ms. Larsen said that is correct they could do native plantings. Ms. Larsen went on to say we could add that to our standard language. Josh Mattson, 3656 236th Lane NW, St Francis, MN 55070. Mr. Mattson was in attendance representing the applicant, Boulder Construction. There were no questions or comments for Mr. Mattson. Mr. Root opened the public hearing at 6:44 p.m. No public comments were made. Mr. Evenson moved to close the public hearing. Motion seconded by Mr. Vojtech. The public hearing was closed at 6:45 p.m. Mr. Evenson moved to approve the preliminary plat subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. Motion seconded by Mr. Laden. Motion carried 6-0. B. Water Treatment Plant Property Rezoning from R-1X to PSP Ms. Larsen presented the staff report. The City is rezoning the property located at 6590 12th Avenue from R-1X, Single Family Executive to PSP, Public and Semi-Public for the purpose of constructing the City’s water treatment plant. Mr. Laden questioned why the City is rezoning. Ms. Larsen stated it was to be consistent with other public buildings. Planning & Zoning Board January 10, 2024 Page 3 APPROVED MINUTES Mr. Evenson asked if there would be noise from the facility. Ms. Larsen stated there would be no noise and there would be minimal employees. Mr. Root opened the public hearing at 6:51 p.m. Lisa Beckman, 6524 White Oak Road, Lino Lakes, MN 55038. Ms. Beckman questioned if anyone on the Board had been to a water treatment facility? She had heard that they are quite a bit louder. Mr. Grochala stated there would be no noise. Jack Burch, 6572 White Oak Road, Lino Lakes, MN 55038. Mr. Burch questioned if the City had purchased the property. Mr. Root confirmed that it had been purchased. Mr. Burch also inquired about the five other well locations and why they were not selected as the location for the water treatment plant. He asked if there were going to be any other uses for the property such as wildlife ponds or bike trails. Mr. Burch asked where the funding came from and if taxes would go up. Mr. Burch also wanted to know why he was not informed of the meeting. He stated when he called the City he was told the City would be sending out notices. He said he did not receive the notice. Mr. Burch also wanted to know the cost of the project. Mark Groff, 6613 Ruffed Grouse Road, Lino Lakes, MN 55014. Mr. Groff said Ms. Larsen stated the tax accessor said the plant would not have an effect on property value but he wanted to know what realtors say about it affecting the value. Barb Christensen, 6520 White Oak Road, Lino Lakes, MN 55038. Ms. Christensen does not understand why the City needs to rezone and would like to see the property also preserve wildlife. She also wanted to know if any studies were done on the sound level at water treatment plants. Wendy Kufner, 6606 Wild Turkey Trail, Lino Lakes, MN 55014. Ms. Kufner had questions about cost, location choice, emanating odors and if other uses are planned for the building. Ms. Kufner wanted to know if the public would have input on the design of the building and outside landscaping. She stated there are deer that leave her backyard and go into the direction of the water treatment plant and wanted to know if that was going to be addressed. She feels it is a safety issue where they are crossing. Ms. Kufner also questioned the possibility of increased traffic in the future. Chris Kufner, 6606 Wild Turkey Trail, Lino Lakes, MN 55014. Mr. Kufner thought after having a conversation with the Mayor, he got the impression that the plant would be set lower on the property but this is not shown in the rendering. He said he would like to see it also set further back on the property if that is a possibility. He added screening on the property would be appreciated to decrease noise. Planning & Zoning Board January 10, 2024 Page 4 APPROVED MINUTES Lisa Grone, 6624 Wild Turkey Trail, Lino Lakes, MN 55014. Ms. Grone wanted to know why the parcel was being rezoned and why they did not select the area near the water tower for the water treatment plant. Mark Braun, 6625 Wild Turkey Trail, Lino Lakes, MN 55014. Mr. Braun questioned if the existing land behind the water treatment location would remain open land or would it be used for a housing development. He also wondered if it would affect the runoff with the Rice Creek Watershed District going into the wetland across the street. Jack Burch, 6572 White Oak Road, Lino Lakes, MN 55038. Mr. Burch wanted to know how the water flow is going to work the water towers to the water treatment plant and back to the water towers. Marcella Raine, 1205 Chokecherry Road, Lino Lakes, MN 55038. Ms. Raine wanted to know what the treatment plant would look like from 12th Avenue. Charles Grafstrom, 6495 White Oak Road, Lino Lakes, MN 55038. Mr. Grafstrom asked if there would be any hazardous chemicals that could catch on fire at the plant. Gloria Pederson, 6658 Ruffed Grouse Road, Lino Lakes, MN 55014. Ms. Pederson requested more environmental information due to the creek that runs through the property. She also said Ms. Larsen stated that property value would not be impacted due to the water treatment plant and wanted to know if research has been done by anyone other than realtors. She wanted to see the reports and not just take the City’s word for it. Mr. Kohler moved to close the public hearing. Motion seconded by Mr. Wipperfurth. The public hearing was closed at 7:07 p.m. Mr. Wipperfurth stated the P & Z Board did not have input on the design of the building and it was their first time seeing the rendering of the building. He questioned if the design would be coming to them in the future. It was determined that it would not be coming to the P & Z Board for review and that it is more administrative. Mr. Grochala said the City has few months before bids are open for the project and there is the possibility of having an open house. Mr. Root also addressed the concern of the notification of the project to the public and questioned how we would get notice to the public regarding an open house. Ms. Larsen stated we would come up with a way to get notification to the public. She further stated in regard to the public hearing that notices were sent out to residents within 600 feet of the property, and it was published in the Quad Press, which is the official City newspaper. Planning & Zoning Board January 10, 2024 Page 5 APPROVED MINUTES There were concerns regarding noise emanating from the property. Mr. Grochala said the facility was made of enclosed concrete walls. He stated he would follow up and verify the noise level and the only noise level that was addressed was the backup generator that will be located outside. They have decibel readings on the generator which is equivalent to a lawnmower noise level. It would be in the perimeter of the noise level ordinance. He also addressed the concern of property values. Mr. Burch approached the mike and stated there were many people that did not receive the notice and that he was more than 600 feet from the property and had no idea it was in the paper. Mr. Grochala stated it was in the Quad Press. Mr. Root asked staff to verify that the mailing went out. Mr. Root again stated the concern of property values. Mr. Grochala stated there was no evidence to show it affects property values. Mr. Grochala stated they checked with the County Assessor’s office as a courtesy as they are familiar with these types of facilities. They indicated no impact. Mr. Root addressed the question as to why this location was selected and if there are other uses planned for the property. Mr. Grochala stated the property is zoned R1-X. Mr. Grochala stated that absent the City purchasing the six acres, the rest would be developed as single family housing throughout that area. The area south of the property is zoned R1-X and he anticipates that area will also be single family housing. Mr. Grochala explained how the water system works and explained this area was selected due to the location of the wells we have now and future wells. He said it was most cost effective to tie this building into the infrastructure that was already in place. Mr. Grochala said the estimated cost of the facility is about $30 million dollars. The City received a state appropriation of around 13.5 million dollars and the City is also eligible for a couple million dollars additionally due to the Manganese levels in the City water. A portion also comes from development charges that pay for the trunk utility system as well as water rates. There is a fixed fee on the water bill that residents have been paying for years that will go to pay for this system. Mr. Root asked if there were any additional uses for the property. Mr. Grochala stated there was not. He said there will be a stormwater pond going in on the west side of the property which was created due to the new impervious surface. He also stated due to the wetlands that are there, wetland buffers will be incorporated. Mr. Grochala said regarding the landscaping, it will be native prairie on the south and west sides. Turf will be used in the front of the building on the northeast side. Mr. Grochala said there will be a lot of trees around the building. Mr. Grochala addressed the raised elevation of the building and said it was due to the minimum elevation between the ground water and the basin and that there is a storage tank on the south side of the building and it must be above those. This is what dictated the elevation of the building. It will show a slight incline from 12th Avenue and more visible from Birch. Mr. Root asked if the area would Planning & Zoning Board January 10, 2024 Page 6 APPROVED MINUTES remain sand hill crane friendly? Mr. Grochala stated it would especially on the west side of the building. Mr. Root asked what the project would look like from 12th Avenue. Mr. Grochala said the view from 12th Avenue will be the front of the building. It will consist of a lot of glass and two garage doors. The overall size of the building is approximately 17,000 square feet. Mr. Laden asked what the purpose of the green roofing material was. Mr. Grochala stated it was proposed roofing made of plant material. They are still reviewing the benefits of this type of material. Mr. Root questioned other uses for the building. Mr. Grochala stated there would be none. There are no other community facilities in the building and will mainly consist of one person checking the facility each day. Mr. Root asked if there would be chemicals stored at the facility. Mr. Grochala stated the facility uses biological treatment and not chemicals. The system is designed to remove manganese and iron and it is not a water softener. Mr. Root asked if there would be an odor emanating from the facility. Mr. Grochala said not that he was aware of. Mr. Laden moved to approve the rezoning from R-1X to PSP subject to conditions listed in the staff report. Motion seconded by Mr. Evenson. Motion carried 6-0. Mr. Laden motioned to recommend the City Council hold an open house early in the process to include the engineer, architect, and staff. This open house would be used to receive feedback from the community regarding the water facility. Mr. Wipperfurth seconded the motion. Motion carried 6 – 0. C. ZOTA Renumeration and Codification Ms. Larsen presented the staff report. The City is renumbering and codifying the zoning ordinance. Mr. Root opened the public hearing at 7:41 p.m. No comments were made by the public. Mr. Kohler moved to close the public hearing. Motion seconded by Mr. Laden. The public hearing was closed at 7:42 p.m. Mr. Wipperfurth moved to approve the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment Renumeration and Codification subject to conditions listed in the staff report. Motion seconded by Mr. Vojtech. Motion carried 6-0. Planning & Zoning Board January 10, 2024 Page 7 APPROVED MINUTES 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Project Updates Staff provided an update on projects. Mr. Wipperfurth moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Mr. Laden. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Julie Whitney – Community Development Administrative Assistant