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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008.03.13 PC MinutesMINUTES HUGO PLANNING COMMISSION March 13, 2008 Call to Order Chairman Schumann called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. PRESENT: Kleissler, McRoberts, Moore, Rosenquist, Schumann, and Weidt ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Bryan Bear, Community Development Director (CDD) Kendra Lindau, City Planner Rachel Simone, Associate Planner Comprehensive Plan Schumann asked for a summary of what happened at the Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing on March 6, 2008. Community Development Director Bryan Bear provided a summary of the meeting. He explained that the Planning Commission was provided with handouts before the meeting. They included revisions that were made on the comprehensive Plan, emails that have been sent since the last meeting, and the WMA petitions with additional signatures. He stated that at the last meeting the Planning Commission recommended no changes to the plan regarding keeping eastern Hugo permanently rural, recommended a MUSA line change for the east Oneka Lake properties, and no changes to the growth management plan for 2020 in the comprehensive plan. Some of the issues from the last meeting and emails recieved were: • Concerns about the Paul Hugo Farms Wildlife Management Area • Concern about the Bald Eagle Sportsman's Association • Concern about proposed trail around Oneka Lake • 165th and Elmcrest property owner want to be out of the MUSA • Egg Lake Road down to 132nd street along Goodview Avenue want to be out of the MUSA • Greene Avenue property owners concern about the proposed MUSA boundary • Concerns about the plan to not extend urban services to the rural area McRoberts asked about the emails and about property owners that want to be out of the MUSA, wondering if we have enough information to make a recommendation. CDD stated that staff should make contact with all of the property owners involved. Staff wanted the Planning Commission to be aware of the emails and concerns. Schumann asked for the CDD to give the Planning Commission a brief review of the history of the Paul Hugo Farms Wildlife Management Area Plan. The CDD gave a brief history of the plan, saying the DNR, RCWD, and the City of Hugo been involved for the past several years on working on the Wildlife Management Area. The Plan describes the management of the area Planning Commission Minutes — March 16, 2008 Page 2 around Rice Lake. There were three petitions that were submitted at the last Planning Commission meeting regarding the Paul Hugo Farms WMA. The CDD stated that there is also a trust issue with the DNR and the residents in the area. CDD stated that the Planning Commission could take the WMA out of the plan, change the language that is currently in the comp plan, or lease the plan the way it is and forward the issue on the to City Council. Rosenquist stated that he is comfortable removing the partnership area maps if staff feels that is Okay. McRoberts asked how the partnership area map was originated. CDD stated that is was created in meetings with the DNR and by looking at the natural resources of the area. The City was involved in all of the meetings. Schumann asked Jim Leroux to speak about the history of the DNR in the City of Hugo. Jim Leroux gave an informational presentation on the history. He talked about flooding issues with properties along Judicial Ditch 2 and how the maintenance was not done by the DNR as promised. Tim Bremicker from the MN DNR was present at the meeting and talked about the cooperation between the City and the DNR to create the WMA. Schumann asked Tim Bremicker, from the DNR, if the post acquisition portion of the plan was important to the partnership area of the WMA. Tim Bremicker agreed but it is voluntary, and the DNR wants to work with the property owners. Schumann stated that the partnership map caused fear in the residents that live in that area and portions of the plan should be removed to help the resident feel better about the plan. Tim Bremicker agreed that was a good suggestion. Schumann talked about a bill that is proposed and does not feel it is consistent with the WMA and the cooperation that the DNR has been talking about. Schumann asked for questions. There were none. Gary Gregory, of 15063 Greene Avenue, stated that he did not want to be in the MUSA and asked about the tax value of the property if it was in the MUSA. He also stated the Seever property appears to be in the partnership area, and if they are, why are they proposed to be in the MUSA. Tom Drewry, of 12674 Hilo Avenue, stated that he is opposed to the petitions regarding not allowing hunting on public land and waters. It effects a lot of property in Hugo. Rosenquist made a motion, seconded by Kleissler, to remove language and maps regarding the partnership area for voluntary acquisition from the WMA portion of the Comprehensive Plan. Planning Commission Minutes — March 16, 2008 Page 3 All aye. Motion carried. Weidt made a motion, seconded by Rosenquist, to forward the hunting issues on to the City Council without a recommendation. There was discussion on changing the motion. Rosenquist withdrew his second. Weidt made a motion, seconded by Rosenquist, to forward to the Council the recommendation to maintain the language that is currently in the Comprehensive Plan related to hunting on City property, public land, and water. Aye: McRoberts, Weidt, Moore, Rosenquist Nay: Schumann and Kleissler Motion carried 4-2 Schumann asked staff to hold a meeting with Kevin Rhodes on the Bald Eagle Sportsman's Association concerns. Schumann talked about the proposed trail around Oneka Lake and the concerns from the property owners around there. CDD stated that the Parks Commission recommended having the trail shown on the map, to encourage developers to have a trail if they develop in that area. There are trails shown in the rural area of Hugo also. Weidt stated that this is a long range plan. He said he thought the map should stay, and we could just strengthen language that stated that it would only be proposed if development occurs. The City Planner stated that staff can strengthen that language. Schumann talked about the emails the City received in regarding the area of 165th Street and Elmcrest regarding some of the property owners not wanting to be in the MUSA boundary. He stated that we need to look at this more since only two people emailed. He suggested having a neighborhood meeting. CDD stated that staff can hold a neighborhood meeting. CDD stated that at the meeting of March 6, 2008, the Planning Commission did vote on the east Oneka Lake area including Greene Avenue. McRoberts stated that the change may be a transition issue. Schumann stated that some people in the area had questions about how their taxes would be effected by being within the MUSA boundary. He suggested having a neighborhood meeting with the City Assessor to answer the questions the property owners have. Tom Bina, of 7115 Oneka Lake Boulevard, gave a letter to the Planning Commission from a resident in his neighbor regarding the proposed MUSA boundary. Schumann asked if the Planning Commission can leave the rest of the discussion to the City Planning Commission Minutes — March 16, 2008 Page 4 Council. McRoberts stated that he does not feel comfortable sending the recommendation to the City Council until the neighborhood meeting issues are resolved. CDD stated that that was okay. Schumann stated that there has been a lot of comments about the language in the comp plan referring to keeping the eastern portion of Hugo permanently rural. John Waller, of 14010 Homestead Avenue, stated that he understands that permanently rural means that the sewer pipes will not be sized to serve his property. He would like to be able to hook up to the sewer system at sometime, so he would like to be able to be in the MUSA in the future. Schumann stated that pipe sizing should be considered and that we should make sure that everyone understands that so we do not lock them out forever. Weidt agreed. CDD stated that the Planning Commission has a lot of information on the topic of keeping eastern Hugo rural and cluster housing. There is not much more that staff can provide. The Planning Commission discussed recessing the discussion to the next Planning Commission meeting. Adjournment McRoberts made a motion, seconded by Weidt, to adjourn. All aye. Motion carried. Rachel Simone Associate Planner