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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997.11.19 PC MinutesMINUTES OF THE HUGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 11-19-97 The regular meeting was called to order by Chairman Peltier at 7:05 p.m. PRESENT: Peltier, Rubenzer, Schumann, Kellison, Malaski, Harrison, Ed Elliott and Joanne Hensley Motion made by Schumann, seconded by Harrison to approve the minutes of the October 22, 1997 meeting as written. All aye. Motion passed. REQUEST FOR SPECIAL USE PERMIT FROM ADRIAN KRAMARCZUK Chairman Peltier read the ad for the Public Hearing as published regarding this matter. She then asked Adrian Kramarczuk to tell everyone present what he wants to do. Mr. Kramarczuk said he is proposing to build at least one and possibly two ice rinks on the north east corner of the End Zone property. He anticipates the rinks will be level with the surrounding wetlands, and he is planning on six lights per rinks. Mr. Kellison wanted to know how the wetland area will be handled. Mr. Kramarczuk said he is trying to create a natural holding pond and will actually increase the wetland area. Mr. Kellison asked if the lighting would be temporary. Mr. Kramarczuk said the trunkline will remain in place, but the poles will come down. Mr. Schumann asked if the rinks would be used during evening hours. Mr. Kramarczuk answered 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and until 8:00 p.m. on Sundays. Mr. Kellison asked if he intends to serve alcohol out there. Mr. Kramarczuk said, "No". Mr. Elliott said the liquor license rules won't allow that. Mr. Kramarczuk thought Mr. Elliott was wrong about that, but since there will be no spectators and the players wouldn't be able to drink and play at the same time; it's probably a non -issue. At this point, the hearing was opened to the public. Ed Waugh, 14032 Flay Avenue North, said he owns the property behind the End Zone property. He has some concerns about this request, because he is negotiating to build townhouses on his property at the present time. He feels the light and the noise level could be a negative for the approximately $1,000,000 worth of buildings on which he is currently working. Any outdoor activities would be unattractive to the area. There were no others present who wanted to be heard on this matter, so Chairman Peltier closed the hearing. Ms. Harrison asked Mr. Kramarczuk if there would be more requests to come. PC meeting, 11-19-97 - page 2 Mr. Kramarczuk answered that there would be nothing further, since he now has something for each season. Mr. Elliott said that the noise level is less annoying in the winter. There should also be few if any spectators due to the cold. The 60 degree angle of the lights will allow some light to spill about fifteen feet on the adjacent property. Mr. Schumann asked Mr. Kramarczuk if he had thought about a fence to reduce sound and visibility. Mr. Kramarczuk said some time in the future, especially if people move in, he would be willing to fence. Mr. Schumann also asked about an earlier evening closing time. Mr. Kramarczuk said if he gets two rinks it might be possible, because that would speed play. Mr. Kellison made a motion to approve one rink, amend item two of Ed Elliott's recommendation to say set up no earlier than December 1 and remove by March 15, renew the permit annually in time for the Planning Commission's November meeting. Use cut-off, shoe -box type lights. Limit the hours of operation to 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., weekdays, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays. Prior to the 1998-1999 season, a fence must be installed. Ms. Malaski offered his motion a second. Robert Kramarczuk introduced himself. He said he was Adrian's father. He wanted the commission members to know that there are trees in the area that create a natural barrier. He also said he doesn't think noise will be an issue, since there will be from 20 to 40 people maximum. In closing, he added that one motel unit will be used as a combination warming house/restroom facility. All aye. Motion carried. Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan for City Dave Wanberg; of Sanders, Wacker, Bergly; was back to go over the Park Plan again as requested at the October meeting. He told the commissioners that a great deal of public participation went into the Plan. Forty park committee members met once a month for a year. At their last few meetings, attendance was up to 160 people. The committee spent a lot of time listening to residents. From their research, they established the following objectives ---a trail system; a large community park, with athletic fields; preservation of open space; and neighborhood parks. Using the easel, he again showed each of the drawings. Ms. Peltier asked how large the community park would be. Mr. Wanberg said, perhaps, forty to eighty acres; but this is a long-term plan. We are not looking for a location right away. He also repeated that there are no plans to condemn land for trails. A letter from Bill Sanders; of Sanders, Wacker, Bergly; had been received. It addressed some of the concerns a few residents expressed at the last meeting. It went on to outline three possible policies for the City to follow. Mr. Schumann commented that option two reflects what Hugo is and has been doing PC meeting, 11-19-97 - page 3 Ed Waller, 14310 Homestead Avenue North, commented that the City won't take land through eminent domain, because they don't want to pay for it. Ms. Malaski said most park land will be obtained from developers, as they are currently required to allow 7 percent of the acreage for parks. That requirement remains the same whether the land in question is in the green area or the white area on the drawing. Mr. Kellison made a motion to adopt the Park Plan as proposed. Ms. Malaski offered a second for the motion on the floor. The vote was four ayes, Chairman Peltier abstained. Downtown Redevelopment Plan Fred Hoisington, of Hoisington Koegler, was back to get Planning Commission input on the Downtown Plan he had originally presented last February. Mr. Schumann said a post office building has been constructed in a location different from the one in the original plan. The city hall building by Highway 8 is out of the picture, but it would be a nice location for some type of civic structure. He went on to say the number one priority should be the Highway 61 improvement. Number two would be the properties on the east side of 61, between the dental office and the chiropractic clinic. (The area involved starts just south of 145th and goes north to 147th Street.) All other redevelopment should come after that. Mr. Elliott asked if the compact grid format is to the Planning Commission's liking. Most members said it is. Mr. Hoisington said any plan ought to have a center and then you create edges. In Hugo's case the open space becomes the edges. Mr. Schumann said he'd like to see us avoid the use of billboards. Ms. Peltier said she'd like to try to protect the old in an effort to keep Hugo's character. Mr. Elliott said this is not a firm plan. He doesn't see is as an as -built, but merely as a concept plan. The esplanade may never be built. Ms. Malaski said she would like to see a walkway near the lake for the senior citizen area. Mr. Schumann started to move for approval of the plan; but Mr. Kellison interrupted. He said he would like to see tonight's changes incorporated into the plan and have an opportunity to review it before a vote is taken. Mr. Elliott suggested that Mr. Hoisington highlight the changes for that review. Concept Plan - Clearwater Creek Preserve Jeff Shopek of Loucks and Associates said he was here looking for ideas, direction and input from the Planning Commission prior to requesting preliminary plat review of a proposed 165 acre development one-half mile north of the new post office building. The land in question is located PC meeting, 11-19-97 - page 4 in the new MUSA boundaries and near an existing water main. Two hundred thirty five lots are planned in phases for this development. Mr. Schumann said if the Pelican Industrial Park goes through as planned, that would be helpful to you. He also asked of the 51.1 acres of open space shown on the drawing, how much is dry? Mr. Shopek didn't have an exact figure, but indicated much of it is upland area. He was concerned about the 7% park land dedication figure. He wanted to know if cash would be acceptable in lieu of land. Mr. Elliott suggested that they consider the 14 acres in the southwest corner, if this is upland. Mr. Shopek said that land is designated as upland, but he must recheck. Mr. Schumann asked about the projected value of these homes. Mr. Shopek answered from $140,00 to $200,000. The next concern of the Planning Commission was stormwater. Mr. Shopek said as it is so early in the planning, they haven't designed any ponding areas as yet; but they are working with the Corps of Engineers and the Rice Creek Watershed District on those issues. Mr. Schumann asked if curb and gutter and storm sewers are planned. The answer was yes and sidewalks on one side. Mr. Elliott tried to sum up what we need ---ponding areas, runoff control, one long cul de sac must be addressed, sidewalks. Mr. Shopek asked again about the park space ---whether a tot lot is what we have in mind. Mr. Elliott answered just 7% of good ground. Cash in lieu of land might be considered. Ms. Malaski suggested Mr. Shopek contact Dave Wanberg for advice on this subject. Mr. Kellison made a motion to adjourn at 9:20 p.m. Ms. Malaski seconded. All ayes. Motion passed. /Joanne Hensley 1 Planning Commission ecretary