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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/04/2007 MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA TUESDAY, September 4, 2007 I. CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chairperson Desai called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Vice-Chairperson Tushar Desai Chairperson Lorraine Fischer Commissioner Harland Hess Commissioner Gary Pearson Commissioner Dale Trippler Commissioner Joe Walton Commissioner Jeremy Yarwood Commissioner Robert Martin Commissioner Joseph Boeser Staff Present: Present Absent Present Present Present Absent Present Present Present Ken Roberts, Planner III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Pearson moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Trippler seconded. The motion passed. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ayes - Desai, Hess, Pearson, Trippler, Yarwood, Martin, Boeser Approval of the planning commission minutes for August 21,2007. Commissioner Trippler had a correction on page 3, fifth paragraph from the bottom, line 1; insert "original developer to the" so the sentence will read, "... provided by the oriqinal developer to the city and is..." Commissioner Trippler had a correction on page 3, sixth paragraph from the bottom, line 3; insert the word "a" and change "parking" to "park" so the sentence reads, "... map for E. parkiflg, ..." Commissioner Boeser had a correction on page 10, paragraph 4 under section a, first line; replace Commissioner Boeser with Commissioner Walton. Commissioner Trippler had a correction on page 10, third paragraph from the bottom, line 2; change the word "currently" to read "current" and remove "the" so the sentence will read, "The currently the atmosphere..." Planning Commission Minutes of 09-04-07 -2- Commissioner Hess had a correction on page seven, paragraph 10, line 4; the word "incase" should read "in case". Commissioner Boeser had a correction on page 11, the first line of the first paragraph; replace "Commissioner Walton" with "Commissioner Boeser". Commissioner Hess had a correction on page 11, first paragraph, line 3; insert the word "art" so the sentence will read "...about the use of public art and to be sure to..." Mr. Roberts had a correction given to him by Chairperson Fischer. Chairperson Fischer had a correction on page 13, under section b, first paragraph, line one and two; reword the sentence to read, "The citv council vote on the land use clarification i=laG-a was 3-2.vote at and passed." Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the Planning Commission minutes for August 21,2007. Commissioner Hess seconded. Ayes - Desai, Hess, Pearson, Trippler, Yarwood, Martin, Boeser The motion passed. V. PUBLIC HEARING None. VI. NEW BUSINESS 1. Executive Summary Report - South Maplewood Study (South of Carver Avenue) Ken Roberts, city planner, went over the report. The city recently received this report as prepared by Schoell Madson. The Planning Commission is to review this report and decide what actions or changes, if any, they think the city should take for land use regulations and for future development for this part of Maplewood. On November 13, 2006, the city council adopted a moratorium ordinance for the area of Maplewood that is south of Carver Avenue. This ordinance prohibits any new development or land divisions in the moratorium area until after the city adopts a new land use regulation or until after the moratorium expires. On March 12, 2007, the city council authorized the hiring of Schoell Madson to continue the South Maplewood Study for the city. The city hired Schoell Madson, in part, to do an objective analysis of the entire study area. Schoell Madson then prepared two general concept plans for the area and findings for the area and the city. The consultants conclude their findings by stating, "The city is in the position where it can determine the best land use for this study area as the future plan can be any combination of land uses." In other words, the city, according to the consultants, may decide what type of land use pattern (and thus land use designations and zoning classifications) the city wants to implement for this part of Maplewood. Planning Commission Minutes of 09-04-07 -3- Staff recommends the Planning Commission direct city staff, the planning consultants and the city council as to what land use and development patterns (and thus land uses and zoning designations) are appropriate for the South Maplewood Study area. This could include the possibility that the land use and designations for some properties are not consistent with each other (and that the city should make land use or zoning changes to the make the designations consistent with each other) and possibly changes to the comprehensive plan or to the zoning code. Commissioner Trippler asked why the R-1 (R) zoning doesn't appear in either attachment 8 or 6 in the land use. He questioned why city staff doesn't recommend changes to the land use. Mr. Roberts stated that the list he is referring to is the current listing in the comprehensive plan, not the zoning codes. The zoning codes are listed on page 15. Commissioner Trippler asked why the R-1 (R) is not listed on page 15. Mr. Roberts stated that it is handwritten on the page. There is not an updated copy at this time. Mr. Roberts stated R-1 (R) was a main point in discussions which questioned if it is inconsistent to have R-1 (R) as a zoning category but not include it in the comprehensive plan or the land use plan. When the city adopted the R-1 (R) zoning code in 2003, the city did not amend the comprehensive plan because it was thought at the time that R-1 (R) is a type of single-family land use, which is listed in the neighborhood land use legend. A possible point of discussion for the commission is if the commission and the city are happy with the R-1 (R) designation and where it currently is. If the commission is happy with the designation, should the city amend the comprehensive plan, both the text and the map, to add R-1 (R) to be consistent with the zoning maps? Commissioner Trippler stated the commission is supposed to be updating the comprehensive plan for the most recent update, and is hoping that these issues could also be resolved. He does not believe the Planning Commission has the information to do that. He asked if city staff would hire someone to aid in making those amendments. Mr. Roberts stated that at the first council meeting in August, the same meeting that the council agreed to hire Shoell Madson to complete the South Maplewood Study, they also considered proposals from Shoell Madson to update the parks, trails, and open space amendments to the comprehensive plan and to help staff update the entire comprehensive plan. The council tabled an action on those two items, in part to get proposals from other firms. Commissioner Martin asked how increased density in the area around 494 would affect traffic patterns in the whole south Maplewood area. Mr. Roberts stated that is a concern expressed by the neighbors. This is a concern that the consultants will help city staff address. Commissioner Hess stated he would like to see this area (south of Carver Avenue) stay rural. Mr. Roberts went over the existing sewers in the area and how future sewers might be involved. Planning Commission Minutes of 09-04-07 -4- Commissioner Hess asked what the average age of the existing sewers are in this area. Mr. Roberts stated there is a large variety of ages due to older and newer homes in the area. Commissioner Yarwood said he is encouraged to hear that the Metropolitan Council won't restrict the density of this area. He would like to preserve the lower density feel of this area. If he had to pick a concept, he favors concept 2 over concept 1. Commissioner Yarwood questioned some of the sizes of the designated lots. Mr. Roberts stated he assumes it is because of the access to the sewer. Specific reasons for these designations would have to be explained by the consultants, who were not able to attend this meeting. Commissioner Trippler likes that south Maplewood is different than north Maplewood and would like to see this rural setting remain. He recommends that the city council change the ordinance to make R-1 (R) stand on its own. He recommends that the wording be changed to state that the R- 1 (R) zoning is a rural-residential landscape that the city wants to reserve. This area mayor may not have sewer, now or in the future. This would maintain the rural setting even if sewer were extended to this area. Mr. Roberts clarified what area of the report should be changed. Mr. Roberts then confirmed that some language should be added to the land use plan and the comprehensive plan as well to reflect this change. Commissioner Desai stated that all areas in this plan, which are already classified as R-1 (R), should be kept as such to maintain the rural setting. Commissioner Hess asked if Woodbury had any plans for expansion that would affect the sewer plans. Mr. Roberts confirmed and went over possible development plans and how those would affect the sewer system. Commissioner Pearson asked iflhere is a concern about Bailey Nurseries annexing their land in Maplewood to Woodbury in the future just for the sake of higher density development, if the property should ever be sold for development. Mr. Roberts stated that anything is possible, but any type of development would have an effect on the sewer system, which would have to be done in cooperation with Maplewood. Commissioner Yarwood asked if the consultant is making any considerations for commercial liability of these developments. Mr. Roberts stated that is the type of question the commission can send to the consultants so they can start analyzing those issues. Planning Commission Minutes of 09-04-07 -5- Commissioner Boeser stated he also is in favor of keeping this area rural. He asked if Woodbury has any kind of comprehensive plan that addresses the area near south Maplewood. Mr. Roberts said they do. Commissioner Hess confirmed that this moratorium is planned to be finished by November of 2007. Commissioner Hess questioned some of the areas that showed no change in the Comprehensive Plan and Mr. Roberts clarified. Mr. Roberts went over possible future sewer plans. The Planning Commission can recommend parameters that state what they think are best for the city. Commissioner Hess questioned grading issues if the Copar Developers plan to tie into the Dorland Road sewer system. Mr. Roberts stated that their engineers had prepared a plan that would not require a lift station for their sewer. The city engineers are comfortable enough with that plan, to a point, that it was recommended for approval. That plan was studied under an EAW. Commissioner Yarwood asked if this required any kind of recommendations by the commission. Mr. Roberts stated it is up to the commission to decide on what they want to do. Commissioner Yarwood stated he understands that the commission neither favors concept one or two but would rather edit the zoning within the comprehensive plan. Commissioner Martin stated the commission will need to see more studies on the traffic flow patterns that affect this area, both existing and projected. Commissioner Trippler made a formal recommendation, in the form of a resolution, to the city council that the: 1. South Maplewood area retain the lowest density possible. 2. Make the ordinance, land use, zoning maps, and comprehensive plan consistent with each other, specifically about the R-1 (R) designation. 3. Clarify that R-1 (R) is retaining rural characteristic or designated for areas that do not and may not have sewer. 4. Re-zone the areas in south Maplewood currently zoned as farming to R-1 (R). Commissioner Pearson seconded the motion. Mr. Roberts suggested a friendly amendment be added to include Commissioner Martin's concerns about traffic flow studies. Planning Commission Minutes of 09-04-07 -6- 5. Traffic studies be done to analyze the impact on traffic flow. Ayes - Desai, Hess, Pearson, Trippler, Yarwood, Martin, Boeser The motion passed. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. VIII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None. IX. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a. August 27 Council Meeting: Mr. Yarwood Commissioner Yarwood attended the city council meeting. The changes to the city ordinance proposed by the Planning Commission were approved unanimously. Commissioner Yarwood stated he left the meeting at 10pm and the meeting was only half way through the agenda. Mr. Roberts stated the meeting adjourned at 11 pm. b. September 10 Council Meeting: Mr. Desai The items to be discussed include the second reading of the code amendments about the Planning Commission and the Regents Senior Housing Development, which was discussed at the last Planning Commission meeting. c. September 24 Council Meeting: Mr. Walton There would be a Planning Commission meeting before this date to get an update to Commissioner Walton to see if he will need to attend. The items to be discussed may possibly include the South Maplewood Study. X. STAFF PRESENTATIONS None. XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m.