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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009.03.12 PC MinutesMINUTES HUGO PLANNING COMMISSION March 12, 2009 Call to Order Chairman Schumann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Burmeister, Galler, Kleissler, McRoberts, Moore, Rosenquist, Schumann ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Bryan Bear, Community Development Director Dennis Fields, Community Development Assistant Rachel Simone, Associate Planner Oath of Office Doug Galler read and signed the Oath of Office for the Planning Commission. Approval of Minutes of January 22, 2009 Rosenquist made motion, Kleissler seconded, to approve the Planning Commission minutes of January 22, 2009 as presented. All Ayes Abstain: McRoberts Motion carried. Community Development Director, Bryan Bear explained to the Planning Commission how the two applications they would be seeing may be related because they are on adjacent properties. He noted that they may want to keep the other in mind while making decisions on an application. Public Hearing for Carpenters Restaurant Associate Planner, Rachel Simone gave the background and explained the applications to the Planning Commission. The applicant is applying for a site plan and two variances for the shoreland setback and parking requirements. Rachel explained how the plan fit into the City's Downtown Plan and TIF District. Variance criteria and architecture were also explained to the Planning Commission. Staff recommended approval of the site plan and variances. Schumann opened the Public hearing. Paul Kelliher from White Bear Lake, thinks that the plan is a great addition to the downtown. Planning Commission Minutes — March 12, 2009 Page 2 The applicant, Mike Anderson, added that he thought it works well with the size of the building. They started with something much different and now are very happy with how things have turned out. Mike stated that he would be getting the TIF application in shortly. Galler asked about the timeline of the project. Mr. Anderson answered that he was hoping to start in April. Schumann thought it was a good start to the downtown plan. Schumann closed the public hearing. Commissioner Burmeister stated that he was hoping to see more of a downtown feeling with benches and receptacles for pedestrian use. He recommended a stronger sidewalk connection from Hwy 61 to the front door. He also thought that the concrete curb on the north end of the parking lot wasn't necessary. Bronwen added that she liked the plan and thought they did a nice job with the project. Rosenquist thought they could have done more with the north side parking lot being that the city is the owner of the property. Then they would not have needed a variance. Rachel stated that the property to the north will most likely be developed and they will talk about some concepts on the next agenda item. Schuman likes the walkability of the property. McRoberts made a motion, Moore seconded, to approve the site plan and variances for Carpenters Restaurant. All Ayes, Motion carried. Finn -Daniels Proposal for City Owned Property Rachel gives a background to the Planning Commission on the location of the properties and concept layout. The EDA had a chance to look at the project and they have been promoting the property for development and they believed the park area on the downtown plan could be smaller. Rachel stated that this is not an application but would like informal comments on the concept from the Planning Commission. Mark Finnemann introduced the concept to the Planning Commission and emphasized three dynamics to the property. They are site access, site usage, and siteibuilding location. He discussed the architecture, focus points of the plan, staging, and landscaping. Rosenquist stated that he likes the plan with the buildings setback from Hwy 61. He agrees that Planning Commission Minutes — March 12, 2009 Page 3 there should be more than just a parking area, but likes the building pushed away from the busy highway. Moore likes the idea of the building on the lake. Mr. Finnemann stated that Egg Lake is the unique feature that they were trying to capture. Burmeister asked if this would be a single story building. Mr. Finnemann stated that it was not concrete at this point depending on the tenants but would most likely be 2 single story buildings. McRoberts stated that he liked the concentration on the corner of 147th Street and Hwy 61. He would like to see more access to the lake, but not so sure of the senior housing. Mr. Finnemann pointed out that this was proposed only to show it would be a soft transition to the housing. Kleissler said that she is ok with the building placement. She would like to see more emphasis on similar architecture as surrounding buildings. She thought they could be more functional with parking and she thought they needed more public space. She felt that the public was losing out. Mr. Finnemann explained the landscaped islands to help ease the sense of parking. Schumann asked if he had any tenants interested. Mr Finnemann answered that he thought it would be more of a professional destination orientation verses a retail area. A single tenant would probably take each of the buildings. Galler thought they could add more recreational aspects. Schumann asked for staff comments on the concept plan. Bryan answered that once the city started to demolish the old buildings that were on the property, citizens started to comment about how they really liked the view of the lake and how those people stated they would like to keep the view open. McRoberts stated that he would like to see it phased in a why to keep some open space. Rosenquist added that this wasn't a usable lake. It is dirty and muddy and it is pretty to look at from a distance, but citizens would not be using the lake. Schumann thanked the people from Finn -Daniels for coming in and invited them back to take another look at the plan once they have made some changes. Planning Commission Minutes — March 12, 2009 Page 4 Subcommittees Bryan gave background on the subcommittees to the Planning Commission. The volunteers for the committees are as follows: Hunting Committee: Doug Galler Adam Moore Ordinance Review Committee: Doug Galler Bob Rosenquist Adam Moore Adjournment Rosenquist motioned, Galler seconded, to adjourn. All Ayes. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM Dennis Fields, Secretary Planning Commission