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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ Minutes; 5-11-20 City of Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of Monday May 11, 2020 Commissioner Cadenhead called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Cadenhead, Risner, Graen, Holtz, Mueller, Steil, and Weeks COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Roberts, Planner Prchal Approve Agenda: M/S/P: Graen/Mueller moved to approve the agenda, Vote: 7-0, motion carried unanimously. Approve Minutes: a. February 10, 2020: M/S/P: Graen/Steil moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Vote: 7-0, motion carried. b. March 9, 2020: M/S/P; Cadenhead/Graen moved to approve the minutes as submitted. Vote: 7-0, motion carried. Public Hearings A. Zoning Text Amendment: Farm Schools as an accessory use in the Rural Zoning Districts: Planner Prchal presented the staff report for the proposed zoning text amendment that would allow schools by conditional use permit in the rural zoning districts. Prchal noted that the proposed zoning text amendment would allow by conditional use small or micro schools of up to 25 students as an accessory use in rural locations. He explained that the proposed ordinance requires a minimum lot size of 5 acres, that the school site must have access to a collector or arterial road (not local or neighborhood streets), that an applicant have a pre-application on site with the Building Official and that the applicant also have the septic system verified by Washington County as being able to support the proposed number of students and staff. Planner Prchal then answered questions from the Commission. Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 5-11-20 Amy Marotz, Woodbury resident and applicant provided comments about the proposal and answered questions from the Commission. Cadenhead open the public hearing at 8:01. Staff noted one e-mail the City received that expressed opposition to the proposed zoning text amendment. The public hearing was closed at 8:03. The Commission discussed the proposed ordinance amendment and asked City staff questions about the proposal. Holtz moved, Cadenhead seconded, to recommend approval of the proposed zoning text amendment as drafted. Vote: 5-2 (Steil, Weeks nays), motion carried. B. Zoning Text Amendment – Front Yard Setbacks in Residential districts: Director Roberts presented the staff report explaining the proposed zoning text amendment to clarify front yard setback requirements in the residential zoning districts. Roberts explained the proposed ordinance would allow property owners to put additions onto their existing homes or to place a detached accessory building in line with or behind the front yard setback as established by existing single-family homes even if the existing setback is less than required setback. Director Roberts also explained that the proposed ordinance would require County and City approval of any driveways or access points to the public streets to ensure such access would be safe. Cadenhead opened the public hearing at 8:43 pm. There were no public comments. Cadenhead closed the public hearing at 8:44 pm. The Commission discussed the pros and cons of the proposed ordinance amendment. M/S/P: Cadenhead/Steil move to recommend approval of the proposed zoning text amendment about front yard setbacks in residential zoning districts. Vote: 6-1 (Graen Nay), motion carried. C. Comprehensive Plan Amendment – City-owned property located at County Road 14 and Ideal Avenue: Director Roberts presented the staff report about the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendments for the property located on the south side County Road 14 and east of Ideal Avenue. Roberts explained that the City acquired 180 acres of undeveloped land in this area from 3M in 2019 and now the city is starting to explore options for uses and development patterns for the property. Roberts explained that the City Council had directed City staff to prepared a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for the area south of County Road 14 and east of Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 5-11-20 Ideal Avenue (about 65 acres) from RAD (Rural Area Development) to BP (business park). This change would be to accommodate a possible office warehouse development similar to what was shown on one of the Concept Plans for the area. Director Roberts also noted that the properties in this area of Lake Elmo do not have access to municipal sanitary sewer and that all existing developed parcels in the area are now served by on-site sanitary sewer (septic) systems. To serve this area with municipal sewer to serve this type of development, the City will need to develop a plan for extending sanitary sewer service to the property. Roberts also noted that the City would need to amend the MUSA Boundary to include the property in the future sanitary sewer service area and the City would need to amend the Wastewater Service and facilities plan. The City will need to complete a sanitary sewer feasibility study to review the sewering options that may be available to extend sanitary sewer for the 65 acres and possibly other properties. Director Roberts then answered questions from the Commission. The Commission discussed the pros and cons of the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendments. Cadenhead opened the public hearing at 9:05 pm. There were no public comments. Cadenhead closed the public hearing at 9:06 pm. M/S/P: Graen/Risner move to recommend approval of the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment re-guiding the 65 acre of City-owned land located south of County Road 14 and east of Ideal Avenue from RAD (rural area development) to BP (business park). Vote: 7-0 (Ayes all), motion carried. M/S/P: Cadenhead/Holtz move to recommend approval of all necessary amendments to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan (including the land use plan, MUSA Boundaries and the Wastewater Services Plan) to add the 65 acres of City-owned property located south of County Road 14 and east of Ideal Avenue to the city’s sanitary sewer area. Vote: 7-0 (Ayes all), motion carried. New Business None Staff and Commission Updates Roberts reported that at the April 21, 2020 City Council meeting, the City Council held the public hearing for the CUP revocation for the School Bus Terminal located at 11530 Hudson Blvd. Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 5-11-20 Director Roberts noted that at the May 5, 2020 City Council meeting, the City Council considered and denied the CUP Amendment for the school bus terminal and they revoked the CUP for the School Bus Terminal located at 11530 Hudson Blvd. The Council also approved a front-yard setback variance for an accessory structure for the property located at 9495 Stillwater Boulevard. Roberts reminded the Commission of the upcoming PC Meetings on May 27 and on June 8, 2020. Meeting adjourned at 9:13 pm. Respectfully submitted, Ken Roberts – Lake Elmo Planning Director Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 5-11-20