HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-8-09 PZMAPPROVED AS PRESENTED: 9-14-09
City of Lake Elmo
Planning Commission Meeting
Minutes of June 8, 2009
Chairman Van Zandt called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Planning Commission
at 7:00 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Anderson, Britz, Hall, McGinnis, Pearson,
and Van Zandt. Absent: Bidon, Fliflet, Van Erem, and Ziertman. STAFF PRESENT:
Planning Director Klatt and Planner Matzek.
Agenda
Minutes – April 22, 2009
Commissioner Pearson was in attendance at the meeting.
M/S/P, Hall/Pearson, approve as amended. Vote: 6:0.
May 11, 2009
M/S/P, Anderson/Hall, approve as presented. Vote: 4:0. Abstension: McGinnis and
Pearson.
Public Hearing – None
Business Items – Discussion of Economic Development Activity
Planning Director Klatt summarized what economic development means, how that
activity pertains to Lake Elmo and to provide input to the Council regarding potential
activities and standards.
Chairman Van Zandt stated that cities and/or a state can offer incentives to businesses to
locate in their jurisdiction, should the government choose to utilize one of those
incentives. He said that like nearby cities have done, Lake Elmo needs to think about
what would make the city a destination and then what other amenities are needed to
support the destination location. He said that transportation is an issue as the city does
not have a park and ride or much for bus routes.
Commissioner Hall said you notice where Lake Elmo’s boundaries are when you drive
on the main routes as the city is markedly different than neighboring communities. The
city must have different policies and those should be identified.
Planning Director Klatt stated that the city has taken some strict stances in the
Comprehensive Plan with the land use guidance and in the city code. This has restricted
what can be done, some of which find this to be a positive.
Commissioner McGinnis said she would like to support the path of being proactive in the
economic development. She said she leans more to inclusivity and is nervous about
identifying which businesses should be included.
Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 6-8-09
APPROVED AS PRESENTED: 9-14-09
Lake Elmo Planning Commission Minutes; 6-8-09
Commissioner Anderson said she thinks a vision statement would be helpful although
there is current mention of the rural character of the city.
Commissioner Pearson said it might be helpful to come up with a list of existing
businesses in the city and see if they have some thoughts of missing opportunities.
Commissioner McGinnis suggested polling other cities of a similar size to see how they
went about promoting economic development in their communities.
Commissioner Anderson said the city will receive helpful data with the 2010 census.
The commission felt this was a worthwhile effort and the commission would like to be
involved.
Business Item – Future Meeting Schedule and Long-Range Planning Issues
Planning Director Klatt suggested that specific meetings or times be set for review of
long-range planning issues at the commission meetings especially with upcoming
development in the city.
The commission felt a second meeting a month would be worthwhile beginning in
September as long as the agendas were well utilized.
City Council Updates
Planning Director Klatt identified that the Comprehensive Transportation Plan was
approved on May 19, 2009 at the Council meeting.
Planner Matzek said that the Hugec variance at 2931 Jonquil Trail North was approved
after the site plan had been revised to be more in conformance with the recommendation
of the commission.
Planning Director Klatt identified that an open house was planning to be held that
Wednesday for the Wireless Telecommunication Tower Ordinance.
Planning Director Klatt said that a predominant planner was giving a free talk in the
upcoming weeks and encouraged commissioners to contact him if they would like to
attend.
Adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kelli Matzek
Planner