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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009.04.09 PC MinutesMINUTES HUGO PLANNING COMMISSION April 9, 2009 Call to Order Chairman Schumann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Galler, Kleissler, McRoberts, Schumann ABSENT: Burmeister, Moore, Rosenquist ALSO PRESENT: Bryan Bear, Community Development Director Dennis Fields, Community Development Assistant Rachel Simone, Associate Planner Approval of Minutes of March 26, 2009 Galler made motion, Kleissler seconded, to approve the Planning Commission minutes of March 26, 2009 as presented. All Ayes Motion carried. Finn -Daniels Concept Plan for City Owned Property Associate Planner, Rachel Simone, presented the changes in the concept plan to the Planning Commission. Rachel compared the two plans and reviewed project phasing. The applicant is requesting comments from the Planning Commission on the changes to the concept plan. The applicant Mark Finnemann explained to the Planning Commission that he had discussed the design with the EDA and has also scaled down the buildings in trade for some additional open space. He reviewed the changes and showed different building positions. Mark asked if there was anything that he was not achieving from the new design. McRoberts asked if the foot prints to the building were smaller. Mark stated that he reduced the size 1000 sq. ft. Schumann asked if they had talked with Carpenters about walking paths or recreation areas between the businesses and restaurant. Mark replied that it would be hard to move the park with the phasing for the first two commercial buildings. They have made access to the park with trails to Carpenters property. McRoberts asked staff if senior housing was allowed in a commercial zoning district. Planning Commission Minutes — March 26, 2009 Page 2 Community Development Director, Bryan Bear, answered that senior housing is not currently allowed in any zoning districts. He added that the area is mixed use and it is staffs opinion that the park is a good focus point for the area. McRoberts asked what would happen if the phases didn't continue after phase one. Mark stated that one property, that is not controlled by the City, is key to the phasing. Bryan added that the development team's plan is to go ahead with phase one of the plan, and that the Planning Commission should take that into consideration when giving comments. Galler asked about a straight access off 147th ST. Mark answered that it would be hard to fit an access between the existing buildings. Schumann asked if Carpenters Restaurant was contacted and has seen the concept plan. Bryan added that Carpenters was contacted when the concept plan presented to staff. They did not have any comments with regard to the park or parking area. Bryan also commented that the park would be better situated in a location other than next to a parking lot. McRoberts agrees with staff that the park should not be located next to the parking lot. Schumann stated that by having the park in the middle it almost privatizes the park and makes it harder for users to access it. Mark added that the park makes more sense closer to the residential areas to act as a buffer and so the neighbors can enjoy the use of the park. McRoberts asked what the City Council's plan was for the property. Bryan answered that the EDA has had more input than the Council at this point. The EDA liked the commercial development with park space incorporated. Galler stated that he thought the park area and the lake were what made the property unique. He really likes the concept with the changes made. Schumann asked staff if they had any contact with any of the commercial properties to the south of carpenters. Bryan answered that staff has had conversation with property owners to the south. Dominos plans to remain on the property and the small car lot would like to relocated eventually if they could find a better place. Kleissler thought that they did a good job of incorporating the Planning Commissions requests. Planning Commission Minutes — March 26, 2009 Page 3 She also feels that they need to ask what they really want there. Schumann stated that the plan should go to the City Council to see what they envision for the property. Bryan stated that if they would like to make a recommendation to the City Council that this would be the time to do that. McRoberts thinks that it is an amenity for the people and should incorporate more park than commercial uses. Mark thanked the Planning Commission and would bring this to the Planning Commission to see where they would like to go with the project. 2008 Comprehensive Plan Bryan gave background and an update on the Comprehensive Plan status. He explained the three main issues the Metropolitan Council had on the Comp Plan regarding stormwater, wastewater and land use. The Met Council would like the City to change the density to 1 unit per 10 acres or adopt their Flexible Residential Development Ordinance. Bryan gave the Planning Commission 4 possible options: 1. Leave the plan as -is — Make case for approval. 2. Change density to one unit per 10 acres — Remove PUD density of one unit per 5 acres 3. Adopt Flexible Residential Development Ordinance 4. Request change in Diversified Rural category — Permanent Rural, with no future sewers Staff recommends option number 2. This would eliminate cluster development allowing 1 unit per 5 acres. Galler asked what would happen if they selected option 4 to make it permanent rural. Bryan added that the met council main goal was to preserve land for future development in the long term beyond 2030. Schumann pointed out that Hugo is in the gap between areas serviced with sewer and water and non -sewer areas. He doesn't want to shut the door to development for those that want it. 1 unit per 10 acres may actually encourage development. He thought about bringing it back to the public for their input. Bryan added that the Planning Commission has already been through those steps and will unlikely receive any new comments from the public. McRoberts stated that he is not ready to come back to the public just to have it turned down at Planning Commission Minutes — March 26, 2009 Page 4 the Met council level. He would like other input from the absent Commissioners. McRoberts made a motion, Schumann seconded, to table the item. All Ayes, Motion carried. Discussion on Variance Procedures Bryan reminded the Planning Commission that on their goal setting session they added the City's variance procedures. Staff recommends that it go to the ordinance review committee. McRoberts stated that he didn't want to make a decision without the members from the ordinance review committee there. McRoberts motioned, Galler seconded, to table the item. All Ayes, motion carried. Adjournment Galler motioned, Schumann seconded, to adjourn. All Ayes. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned. Dennis Fields, Secretary Planning Commission