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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-26-04 PZMCITY OF LAKE ELMI MO 65 l /777-55 l 0 3800 Laverne Avenue North / Lake Elmo, MN 55042 The Lake Elmo Planning Commission Will hold its regular meeting on Monday, January 26, 2004 at 7:00 n.m. In Council Chambers, Lake Elmo City Hall 3800 Laverne Ave. N. Lake Elmo, MN 55042 AGENDA 1) Pledge of Allegiance 2) Agenda 3) Minutes of January 12, 2004 4) Public Hearing : Concept, OP Development — WHISTLING VALLEY 2N ADDITION 5) Fences (No Materials Provided) 6) City Council Update 7) Adjourn The public is invited to attend. Enclosure: Minutes 2004 Work Plan - Amended WHISTLING VALT.F,Y 2N13 ADDITION 34 printed on recycled paper APPROVED: 2/09/04 City of Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of January 26, 2004 Chairman Helwig called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Berg, Ptacek, Sedro, Bunn, Pelletier, Deziel (7:14 p.m.). STAFF PRESENT: Charles Dillerud, City Planner and Kimberly Schaffel, Recording Secretary. Pledge of Allegiance Agenda Agenda changes were made by the City Planner. He reported that the portion of the new code dealing with Fences did not arrive in time for tonight's meeting, so there was no point discussing fences tonight. He added a report on the schedule of the new Zoning Ordinance and a rescheduling of meetings in March. M/S/P, Berg/Ptacek, to accept the Agenda as amended. VOTE: 6:0. Minutes M/S/P, Ptacek, Bunn, to accept the Minutes of January 12, 2004 as presented. VOTE: 6:0. Public Hearing — WHISTLING VALLEY 2ND ADDITION - OP Concept Plan The City Planner reported that the proposed development is planned for the northwest quadrant of Keats Avenue and 10a' Street North (CSAH 10) on a site of about 45 acres. It is across from Stonegate and east of Whistling Valley. There was once a Conditional Use Permit approved by the city to build a riding stable on this parcel. That CUP was renewed in 2000 and it has since expired. This use would replace that CUP. FIe noted that OP standards require steep slopes be deducted from the original parcel size leaving a total of 44.8 acres. There are small Jurisdictional wetlands on the site, but no DNR Protected Wetlands. He reported that the plan appears a bit short on trail length per OP standards. The Planner's primary concern for this Concept is the extensive length of the cul-de-sac, which is over 3,000 feet long. A clause in our subdivision code limits length of cul-de-sacs. There is a proposed access road for emergencies, but Washington County Transportation said that point of access along Keats will not be approved. He suggested an extension to 10th Street North in WHISTLING VALLEY. The County requires additional right-of-way dedication on 10a' Street North, and will not approve the proposed private trail connection to the Regional Park or the proposed "emergency access" on Outlot D to Keats Avenue. He suggested that perhaps the "emergency" exit could instead become an alternative trail link to the park. Finally, he noted that the most southwesterly lot would fail to meet the 100 feet of buffer setback, since the Concept suggests that the structure on that lot would be 85 feet from the common property line with an adjacent OP neighborhood. He suggested that this design feature may be a candidate for a City Council 4/5 OP Variance, since none of the other proposed lots would have less than a full 200 foot buffer setback to the adjacent OP property line. Findings and Recommendations: 1. The Concept Plan is consistent with the goals, objectives and policies of the Comprehensive Plan. 2. The Concept Plan is consistent with the purpose of the Open Space Preservation Ordinance. 3. The Concept Plan, except as noted by the January 22, 2004, Planning Staff Report, complies with the development standards of the Open Space Ordinance. Conditions 1. Reconfiguration of the street system to delete the proposed cul-de-sac and connect the north street leg with the north street leg of the WHISTLING VALLEY OP. 2. Deletion of Outlot D as an emergency access. Subject to conformation with Washington County, Outlot D should be considered as a trail Link to Keats Avenue. 3. Increase in the centerline length of internal trails to correspond with the centerline length of streets — including street created by #1 above. Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of January 26, 2004 1 APPROVED: 2/09/04 4. Compliance with the recommendations of the City Engineer, City Attorney and those of the Valley Branch Watershed District and Washington County found by the City to be reasonable and proper. Commissioner Bunn asked why the county rejected the proposed trail link to the Regional Park. The City Planner responded that the county appears to want to limit points of access to the park by private trails. The county has indicated a willingness to consider Limited public trail access to the park. Commissioner Berg advised that all wetlands in Minnesota are protected. He also reported that he had spoken with Washington County Parks Staff today regarding the trail access issue. The County Parks Commission will recommend that the County Board not allow any private trail access to any County parks. They will recommend that public trail links can have access to the parks. Commissioner Helwig noted the concerns expressed by the City Engineer regarding the road configuration that result from proposed Outlot G. Bob Close. Close Landscape Architecture WHISTLING VALLEY 2ND ADDITION is extending the concept of open space that was begun in Phase I. Contiguous open space and a contiguous trail system were the goals for this phase. Common septic is planned to be in the southeast corner of the site. Lots are sized from'/a to about 1.25 acres. The plan calls for planting heavily for the lot in the southeast corner along the road with berms and such. The plan attempts to allow every lot to be connected to either open space or the park. Commissioner Sedro asked if the applicant had considered an overpass or underpass for the road connection that is recommended by the City Planner between the two cul-de-sacs. Mr. Close responded that they had considered that approach, but that it was expensive. Commissioner Ptacek observed that there are several areas in Whistling Valley where the trails have to cross the road at grade, so that has not been considered a problem in the past. Commissioner Pelletier suggested that in HOA documents developers should provide information on the wetlands and Preserved open space, to make sure new residents understand where the protected areas are. The City Planner said he is looking at old OP projects to see about getting unobtrusive signs posted to clearly mark the boundaries of the protected lands. The City can pursue this approach since the City co -holds the conservation easements with the Minnesota Land Trust in all OP developments. Commissioner Deziel stated that he would like to see the developer minimize paving while adding trail length, and also maintain the contiguous/continuous open space. Chair Helwig observed that from his experience there is a safety issue with long cul-de-sacs for fire truck tankers being able to go back and forth with tanks full of water. THE CHAIR OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:41 P.M. Jim Kaufel Mr. Kaufel's stated that his son owns the 10 acre property on the corner southeast of the OP site. He is concerned about viewing the houses facing his property and their view of his more rural property. He asked if his son may continue to do things on his land without neighbors complaining. He asked if the berms proposed at his son's property line will be high enough so people won't complain, and if noise will be filtered. THE CHAIR CLOSED THE PUBLIC HN ARUNG AT 8:44 P.M. Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of January 26, 2004 2 APPROVED: 2/09/04 Dave Sorenson, Anderson -Sorenson Homes The developers have not determined an exact height for the berms yet. He noted that the site has tree stock along 10`1' Street to relocate to these berms, and that there probably will also be some hardwoods planted on the berms. He suggested that the height of the berm will be about five to seven feet tapered, with plantings on the top. Chair Helwig asked how far the proposed trail is from the entrance to the park. Mr. Sorenson responded that it is very close. Mr. Sorenson said he feels strongly about continuous open space. He is aware of potential problems with long cul-de-sacs and hammerheads. He would be willing to extend the street from Phase I and end it with a cul-de-sac to trade off for the connection of the road to this Concept Plan cul-de-sac. Commissioner Bunn observed that contiguous open space is desirable, but there are fire safety ramifications that must be considered in this case. She noted that fire trucks and tanker trucks can't even pass each other on this proposed narrow street. Chair Helwig stated that speed is of the essence when there is a fire or there will be nothing left but ashes. He observed that there is difficulty for even an ambulance trying to pass fire trucks on a narrow street. He reported that firemen brought in 70 tankers full of water for the fire at his home. Commissioner Ptacek stated that safety is most important. He also noted that he found it hard to turn around with just his truck on the existing WHISTLING VALLEY hammerhead. He concluded that connecting to the north road from Phase I would be a natural extension. Commissioner Deziel observed that 85 feet of buffer rather than 100 feet is not a big deal, and that he would prefer to be more lenient with that issue than with the road extension issue. M/S/P, Ptacek/Berg, To recommend approval by the City Council of the Concept Plan of WHISTLING VALLEY 2ND ADDITION as proposed per plan staff dated January 22, 2004, based on findings and subject to conditions of the Planning Staff Report, together with an OP Variance to allow an 85 foot buffer from the structure on proposed Lot 1, Block 1. VOTE: 7:0. City Council Update The City Planner reported that a recommendation of the Community Facilities Commission for the City to purchase the Brookfield II property for City Hall and Public Works was preliminarily approved by the City Council. The plan would make the existing City Hall potentially available as a new library location. The Planner also reported that the Reed garage variance was approved by the City Council subject to a condition that the new driveway be setback at least 5 feet from the north property line, and that the existing driveway be removed. Finally, he reported that the PRAIRIE RIDGE OFFICE PARK Final PUD Plan and Plat was approved by the City Council with 100% brick exterior surfacing and subject to the other conditions recommended by the Planning Commission. Schedule of New Zoning Ordinance The Planner reported that he met with Dick Thompson recently to express his concern that the City was losing direction and time on the new Zoning Ordinance. He noted that Dick Thompson will have a complete draft of the Zoning Ordinance to the City Planner by January 30, and that at least one week will be needed for staff review. The Planner suggested a Planning Commission Workshop on the ordinance in March on a date after March 9. MIS/P, Bunn/Deziel, to change the Planning Commission meeting schedule from March 8 to March 15, and March 29 instead of March 22 to accommodate the City Planner's scheduled absence and Spring Break at the public schools. VOTE: 7:0. Lake Elmo Planning Conunission Meeting Minutes of January 26, 2004 3 APPROVED: 2/09/04 Adjourn 8:18 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kimberly Schaffel Recording Secretary Lake Elmo Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of January 26, 2004 4