HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017.06.08 PC MinutesMinutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of Thursday, June 8, 2017
Chair, Kleissler called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m.
PRESENT: Arcand, Kleissler, Knauss, Lessard, McRoberts, Tjernlund, Rosenquist.
ABSENT: Knauss.
STAFF: Rachel Juba, Planner
Rachel Leitz, Community Development Assistant
Kendra Lindahl, Landform
Approval of Minutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of May 25, 2017
Commissioner McRoberts made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Tjernlund, to approve minutes for the
meeting of May 25, 2017.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
2040 Comprehensive Plan: Prioritize Key Issues
Juba introduced Kendra Lindahl. Lindahl is a Planner with Landform, the City of Hugo’s contracted Planner,
and is providing assistance with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update.
Lindahl stated that the Planning Commission meeting was to provide the Commission with information from
the past meetings. From this information, staff was looking for any extra input or missing information that
would be valuable as the Comprehensive Plan document is prepared. Lindahl discussed the Council and
Commission kickoff meeting on February 27th, the community open house on April 19th, and the ULI workshop
on May 16th. Each of these meetings surrounded Hugo’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and barriers.
Lindahl stated that the key issues heard throughout the meetings were economic development/supporting
business growth in desirable areas, managing development to protect natural resources and assets and keep the
small town feel, and multi-modal transportation. Lindahl asked the Commission if there were any other
concerns that the Commission felt needed to be addressed as part of the Comprehensive Plan update.
Commissioner McRoberts stated that there is a discrepancy between what “rural feel” means to residents. He
stated that there is an issue between some residents wanting more trails and restaurants but also keeping open
space and the rural feel. He stated sometimes those do not go together and is unsure how to plan with those
varying perspectives.
Commissioner Tjernlund stated that he believes there will be a divide in opinions between western Hugo and
eastern Hugo in regards to development. He stated that we may have an opportunity to create a partnership
between the two groups.
Commissioner Arcand stated that he believes there is even going to be different perspectives amongst residents
in eastern Hugo.
Juba stated that she believes staff will have a better sense of what the desires are of residents living in eastern
Hugo after the meeting on June 13th.
Commissioner Tjernlund stated that he believes it’s important to keep in mind property owner opinion vs.
resident opinions on future development of Hugo. For example, a property owner making decisions for their
own property instead of general residents making decisions for other property owners.
Planning Commission
June 8, 2017
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Commissioner McRoberts stated that Hugo has never been a proponent of eminent domain and doesn’t want to
see Hugo using this to accomplish some of the key issues seen in the Comp. Plan meetings, like constructing
new trails.
Commissioner Rosenquist stated that planning the trail system is very important. Not only do you have to
decide where they are going to go, but also how they’re going to affect the people around it. He agrees that he
does not want to see eminent domain used to construct future trails.
Commissioner McRoberts stated that he believes trails should be developed on the interior, instead of the edges,
of the City. He believes trails should be used to direct residents to where we want people to go within our
community and constructing trails on the edges, without knowing what may be developed there in the future, is
a risk. Commissioner McRoberts also discussed that the conversation surrounding City identity is an issue for
Hugo, especially when there isn’t a school to affiliate with. He believes there should be one concept and the
community should surround itself with that theme through festivals, décor, a sister City, etc.
Commissioner Tjernlund agrees that there is an issue with a lack of identity in Hugo, but believes there are a
variety of identities already built into Hugo, including a larger equestrian population, snowmobile population,
etc. He believes that the City should be keeping all of these groups in mind when making planning decisions
and that an identity may be produced organically from these existing themes seen throughout the City.
Commissioner Kleissler stated that she was surprised that water didn’t show up as a key issue since the City has
been heavily involved in water initiatives throughout the state and has been recognized for these
accomplishments.
Juba stated that she was also surprised that water didn’t come up more in resident comments. She stated that
the City will have a local water plan connected to the Comprehensive Plan that will discuss water conservation
and projects the City has been doing and plans to do in the future. Juba stated that the City Council has also
opted to draft a resiliency chapter that will go hand in hand with our water conservation efforts.
Commissioner Lessard stated that he believes new residential development will help with commercial
development. He stated that he would like to see Hugo residents stay in Hugo instead of going to other cities
for their necessities. Commissioner Lessard believed that there is not enough residential, currently, to support
what residents are looking for commercially.
Lindahl thanked the Planning Commission for their comments. She stated that the next steps are the June 13th
eastern Hugo workshop, the June 21st Parks Commission meeting, and the August 8th Planning Commission
meeting where a draft Land Use plan and land use options will be discussed with the Commission.
Adjournment
Commissioner Arcand made a motion, Commissioner McRoberts seconded, to adjourn at 7:49 p.m.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Rachel Leitz, Community Development Assistant