Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008.03.06 PC MinutesMINUTES HUGO PLANNING COMMISSION March 6, 2008 Call to Order Chairman Schumann called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. PRESENT: McRoberts, Moore, Rosenquist, Schumann, Weidt ABSENT: Kleissler ALSO PRESENT: Bryan Bear, Community Development Director (CDD) Jay Kennedy, City Engineer Kendra Lindau, City Planner Michele Lindau, Secretary Rachel Simone, Associate Planner Resignation of Commissioner Kelly Bailly Chairman Schumann announced that Commissioner Bailly had submitted a letter of resignation from the Planning Commission. Her family was moving out of the Hugo area. Schumann thanked her for her years of service on the Commission. Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing The Commission held a public hearing to consider the 2008 Comprehensive Plan. Planner Kendra Lindahl provided a summary of the plan and highlighted some of the recent changes. Community Development Director Bryan Bear talked about a petitions that the City had received. One petition was from residents located on the east side of Oneka Lake requesting their property be removed from the proposed 2030 MUSA. The CDD presented a revised plan showing most of those properties removed, and the ones to the north and to the south along Greene Avenue designated as Very Low Density (VLD) to provide a transition area. Three other petitions were received by the City that involved a request to exclude all references to the Paul Hugo Farms Wildlife Management Area (Rice Lake) in the Comprehensive Plan, ban hunting activities within the WMA, and prohibit the discharge of firearms within the City of Hugo. The Commission had received the following comments via mail or email. The following requested to leave the Rural Preservation Program in the Comprehensive Plan: Lois Viector, 16566 Jeffery Avenue North Steve anderson, 16490 Jeffrey Avenue North Lucille Engstrom, 9916 170th Street North Mark Anderson, 16290 Jeffrey Avenue North Ellen and Bill St. Sauver, Jeffrey Avenue North Planning Commission Minutes — March 3, 2008 Page 2 Bob Berger wrote that his property borders the WMA on the north and west sides. He didn't object to the presence of the WMA or public access to it, but believes it should be managed more safely. Joe Gadbois wrote he was opposed to removing cluster housing as an option on development, the increase from 10 acres to 20 acres as the minimum parcel size, and the designation of the area as permanently rural. Paul Schreier, General Manager of Azure Properties, Inc., wrote on behalf of Morgren Landscaping, who own an 80 -acre parcel east of the BESA range. He wrote that they were opposed to a Comprehensive Plan proposal that would permanently eliminate the future possibility of municipal utilities reaching these parcels and that they approved of cluster development. Harold Wiens, 8565 136th Street north, wrote he and his wife Claudia strongly supported eliminating the potential to extend municipal utilities to eastern Hugo, and strongly supported removing references to cluster housing and the Rural Preservation Program from the Comp Plan. Brian Kass, 12460 Heather Avenue North, wrote he was in favor of the plan not to allow cluster housing in eastern Hugo. Paul and Carrie, wrote with questions about what the potential cost of sewer and water would be to their property. John Belisle, 12315 Heather Avenue North, wrote that he was curious as to why Sunset Shores was given a 2.5 year extension when the City was changing their plan to eliminate these types of developments. Tom Larkey, 8765 136`h Street North, wrote that he supported the change to keep eastern Hugo rural. Malcolm Cammack, 9052 140th Street North, wrote that he supported the change to keep eastern Hugo rural. Schumann opened the public hearing. Kathy Scobie, 2676 120th Street North, asked if the Metropolitan Council approves the Comp Plan showing the eastern half of Hugo being permanent rural, would the Council still be able to allow cluster development. The CDD responded saying the ordinance would still be in effect. John Waller, 14010 Homestead Avenue North, asked if quasi -public property would need to be sewered. The CDD responded it would only need to be sewered if located within the MUSA. Kevin Aufderhar, 7325 132nd Street North, asked if staff was confident that the Met Council would approve the plan for permanent rural. The CDD responded that when you consider all the factors, he thought it made sense in the regional context. Kevin said he appreciated the Council Planning Commission Minutes — March 3, 2008 Page 3 and Commission listening and responding to residents by removing the cluster housing from the draft plan. Jeff Gruett, 7285 137th Street North, said he lives on Branch 2 of Judicial Ditch 2 and feels his right to develop his property is being taken away. Tom Raster, 15227 Greene Avenue North, said he was disappointed to see the latest map shows him in the 2030 MUSA and the land use as Very Low Density (VLD). If the property was to be developed, more homes on the land would be better than VLD. If he is included in the MUSA, he would like a letter from the Council stating he would not be forced out by infrastructure. He was opposed to the petition that would prohibit hunting on Oneka Lake. Tom Gadbois, 17901 Inwood Avenue North, said the pipe should be constructed to accommodate housing on the east side of the ditch in case it should be decided to bring the property into the MUSA some time in the future. The City Engineer said the sewer plan has to be consistent with the land use plan. Kathy Scobie, 7676 120th Street North, said not everyone in eastern Hugo was opposed to cluster housing and it should be allowed. She reminded the Commission of the petition that had been signed by property owners in favor of cluster housing Clyde Wagner, 8651 136th Street North, asked for clarification on "permanent" rural. The CDD explained it was an area where there would be no municipal services extended to it that would drive higher density. A gentleman who said he resides at 477 Omaha Road, Hudson, WI, said his family owns a 100 acre parcel located at the northwest corner of Jody Avenue and CSAH 7, and he was opposed to removing cluster housing from the Comp Plan. He said there was no good argument to remove it. John Lutz, 8051 157th Street North, said he has 240 acres and does not want to see cluster housing removed from the plan. Larry Ehert, 14604 Keystone Avenue North, said he was a strong supporter of the Open Space Ordinance, and agrees it should not be sewered. Yvonne Stoner, 8520 140th Street North, said she would like to keep cluster housing out of the ordinance. Lee Roebke, 13130 Hadley Circle, said he lives in a cluster housing development and thinks it's a marvelous addition to the City. Twenty four acres are preserved as open space, and he supports the Cluster Ordinance. Jim Bever, 7131 132nd Street North, expressed approval of the cluster ordinance, and said that should his property be developed under the Cluster Housing Ordinance as approved (Enchanted Waters), there would be 67 % of the land preserved as part of the development. Planning Commission Minutes — March 3, 2008 Page 4 Victoria Hoffbeck, 8110 120th Street North, was against the housing ordinance as written. Farmers can still develop with the one home per ten acre rule. She said cluster housing does not preserve land because the ordinance did not require three layers of protection for preservation. Malcolm Cammack, 9052 1401h Street North, said some want to develop their property and then leave Hugo. Cul-de-sacs are not "rural". Phil Watkins, 13345 Homestead Avenue North, said cluster housing was nothing but greed and it should be left as one home per ten acres. He said he couldn't understand the construction of the soccer fields (at Rice Lake Park), and the City should leave eastern Hugo alone. Steve Anderson, 14400 Jeffrey Avenue North, commented that the Met Council was proposing a high increase in population in Hugo, and he would like to see it controlled and manageable. He questioned if Hugo could accommodate the growth. The Planner stated that the currently proposed land use plan would accommodate the growth. Fred Hummel, 7225 Oneka Lake Boulevard, said he was the spokesperson for the east Oneka Lake neighborhood. He said they approved of the change along the east side of the lake, but was disappointed that those along Greene Avenue were not excluded from the MUSA. Richard Graves, speaking on behalf of his mother Joyce Seever (owner of property located at 6822 Oneka Lake Boulevard) was concerned about not being able to reach the owner of the property at 165th Street and Harrow Avenue to get their opinion on the MUSA issue. He thanked the Commission for trying to hear everyone. Alice Waller, 14189 Finale Avenue North, commented that the WMA ties the hands of those in the area that want to remain rural and maintain farming. The land would go to non -taxpayers. She said shooting should be prohibited on the WMA because it was irresponsible to allow hunting near the soccer fields. Andy Goiffon, 8124 147th Street North, agreed that soccer fields and guns do not get along. Jim Leroux, 4360 165th Street North, reminded the Commission of the previous work done on Judicial Ditch 2, and he objected to references of a transition area around Paul Hugo Farms. Larry McMurray, 6617 145th Circle North, said he moved to the Diamond Point development 18 months ago and he did not think guns were compatible with the uses in the area. Gene Zerwas, 6732 Egg Lake Road, said opposes what the DNR wants. The CDD reaffirmed the DNR has nothing to do with the 20 acre rule. The Commission took a short recess. Mike and Cathy Atkinson, 5560 140th Street North, had questions about their property located on the northeast corner of TH61 and 140th Street. The CDD explained it was currently residential and was proposed to be commercial. Planning Commission Minutes — March 3, 2008 Page 5 Kevin Rhodes, 12160 Upper Heather Avenue, said Chapter 7 does not say anything about reconciling any land use issues around Bald Eagle Sportsman Club (BESA), and he had problems referring to the club as a public/semi-public parkland in Chapter 2. The CDD explained BESA had not previously been brought up as an issue in the Comprehensive Plan, and State Law would preside over City land use regulations in regard to gun clubs. Schumann closed the public hearing. The Commission discussed the area on Oneka Lake and asked staff to make an accommodation for a transition area for the north end of Oneka Lake and properties along Greene Avenue on the south. Weidt made motion, McRoberts seconded, to shift the MUSA area to exclude the properties around eastern Oneka Lake. All Ayes. Motion carried. The Commission discussed the petition regarding removal of the WMA from the Comp Plan. Jane Waller, 14310 Homestead Avenue North, said the DNR was proposing to forcefully acquire property. John Waller, said the WMA should not be in the plan. Weidt made motion, McRoberts seconded, to table discussion until the next meeting of the Planning Commission on Thursday, March 13, 2008. All ayes. Motion carried. Adjournment Weidt made motion, McRoberts seconded, to adjourn at 10:00 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Michele Lindau, Secretary Planning Commission