2011.12.19 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for December 19, 2011 Page 8 of 10 Update on Parks Commission At their November 9 and December 11, 2011 meetings, the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission discussed recreation programming for 2012. Parks Planner Shayla Syverson explained that over the past several years, the Parks Commission has been building partnerships with several organizations to expand recreation opportunities for Hugo residents such as the White Bear Lake Soccer Club, Hugo Lions Club, and the Hugo Fireflies. The Parks Commission is recommending several programs to be continued in 2012 as well as the addition of fitness classes, geocaching activities, and roving recreation programs in the neighborhood parks. Upcoming events include Movie Nights and Snow Jam at the Oneka Elementary School and the Sledding Parry in February at Oakshore Park. No formal action was taken. Update on Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA) Grant At its July 18, 2011 meeting, the Council approved the application for grant funds available through the Metropolitan Council's Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA) for redevelopment projects. Staff worked with Pete Sampair, owner of property on the southwest corner of 145th Street North and T.H. 61, on this grant to assist in the planning for the redevelopment of the property. At its December 14, 2011 meeting, the Met Council approved the LCDA Grant. Planner Rachel Juba explained this grant will support activities that lay the groundwork for successful development implementation such as survey work, soil borings, preliminary stormwater design, and updating of the Market Study. City Administrator Bryan Bear explained this was a matching grant, and Sampair would pay the City's portion, not the City. If it goes well, another grant could be applied for to assist in the development work. Staff will be working with the Metropolitan Council and Pete Sampair in January, 2012 on the next steps in this process. No formal action was taken. Approve Molitor Preliminary Plat, Final Plat, Conditional Use Permit, and Sketch Plan for Xcel Energy Xcel Energy has applied for approval of a preliminary plat, final plat, Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and sketch plan for an electric/gas training center to be located at 13676 Fenway Boulevard North. The request includes the platting of a 68 acre piece of property into 1 lot (12.5 acres) and 2 outlots (8.3 acres and 47.2 acres) to be known as Molitor Addition. The proposed 8.3 acre parcel would be dedicated to the City and could be part of the Clearwater Creek Preserve Park. The applicant is proposing to build a 50,000 square foot Xcel Energy training center with associated outdoor electric and gas training on the 12.5 acre lot. The outdoor storage and training area is proposed to be larger than the building footprint; therefore, requires approval of a CUP. At its December 8, 2011 meeting, the Planning Commission considered Xcel Energy's request and unanimously recommended approval to the Council. Planner Rachel Juba presented the application to the City Council. Xcel Community Relations Manager John Wertisch, other Xcel representatives, and property owner Bruce Molitor were available to answer questions. The Council seemed pleased with the plan, and had questions regarding Outlot B located on the south portion of the parcel, which Council felt was a good buffer between the training center and the townhome development to the south. Council questioned whether a trail connection to Clearwater Creek Park Preserve through that outlot would affect Xcel's plans. Planner Rachel Juba stated there would be security fencing around the entire training center to keep it separate from this outlot. Also discussed was the deferred assessment on the Molitor property, which will be collected at the time the final plat is recorded.