Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/04/2008 MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4,2008 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Fischer called the meeting to order at 7:00 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 Present Present Present Present Absent Absent Present Absent Ken Roberts, Planner III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Pearson moved to approve the agenda as presented. Commissioner Desai seconded The motion passed. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None V. PUBLIC HEARING 7:00 p.m. Ayes - all Dynamic Display Signs Moratorium Ordinance Planner Ken Roberts presented the staff report about the proposed moratorium on the construction or installation of dynamic display signs within the city. Planner Roberts said that one dynamic display sign has been installed on Highway 36 according to the previous agreement between the city council and Clear Channel. Commissioner Trippler suggested that the city should abide by its rules and not allow the city's community center sign to be exempt from the moratorium, but either abide by the moratorium or install the center's sign before the moratorium goes into effect. The public hearing was opened for comments from the public. Lisa Heilman, representing the White Bear Avenue Business Association, said the Association is concerned with the length of the six-month moratorium and also requested that when the ordinance is completed the city will work with the Association for mutual benefit. There were no further comments from the public; the public hearing was closed. Planning Commission Minutes of 02-04-08 -2- Commissioner Trippler commented that the moratorium is proposed for six months, but if the issues are resolved quickly the city could end the moratorium sooner. Commissioner Trippler moved approval of the ordinance that places a moratorium on the construction or installation of dynamic display signs (both on-site and off-site) to allow time for the city to prepare, study, and adopt a dynamic display sign ordinance. The moratorium recommends a time-frame of six months or until the city council adopts a dynamic display sign code. The city council's second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for February 25, 2008. Commissioner Pearson seconded The motion passed. Ayes - all Commissioner Trippler moved the moratorium include the installation and operation of the city's dynamic sign from Clear Channel at the community center. Commissioner Pearson seconded The motion passed. Ayes - all VI. NEW BUSINESS Comprehensive Plan Update Introduction to Comprehensive Planning Background Report SWOT Analysis Results Planner Ken Roberts presented the staff report concerning the update of the city's Comprehensive Plan and introduced Mr. Michael Martin of MFRA. Mr. Martin gave a presentation on roles and responsibilities, introduced the review and drafting of the new Comprehensive Plan and also reviewed the background report. Planner Roberts mentioned that the city has hired a separate consultant to complete a natural resources inventory for the city to identify the key natural resources and the natural resource corridors within the city. Commissioner Fischer asked Michael Martin for clarification of the differences between the requirements for a developed community as opposed to our former status as both a developed and developing community. Mr. Martin responded that the requirements would be the same for either category. Commissioner Fischer suggested the following items be reviewed: 1) that the year of the first school built in Maplewood stated as 1889 be reviewed with historical documents, 2) the description for 3M Company be updated, 3) the number of public elementary schools in the city be corrected, and 4) the number of private high schools be corrected. Commissioner Trippler requested the address for the new Maplewood Library be included. Commissioner Fischer also suggested that the commute times of "average" workers' travel time be changed to "mean" travel time. Planning Commission Minutes of 02-04-08 -3- Commissioner Hess questioned how the possibility of new bus lines or light rail might impact established trails. Staff responded these trails should be identified as possible future transit ways. Commissioner Pearson mentioned that on page 18 under the R2 zoning district, manufactured homes in the R2 zoning district should be listed. Mr. Pearson also mentioned an R1S zoning might be considered for manufactured homes. Commissioner Fischer asked for clarification on whether wells need to be included in this plan. Staff responded that this question will be researched by Mr. Martin. The commission felt that at a minimum it should be noted that there are some existing private wells in the city. Commissioner Pearson asked that manufactured housing be added on page four under the area specified as "communities must plan to accommodate life cycle and affordable housing." Staff thanked the commissioners for their comments. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VIII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None IX. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a. February 11 Council meeting: Commissioner Pearson will attend. b. February 25 Council meeting: Commissioner Martin will attend. c. March 10 Council meeting: Commissioner Trippler will attend d. March 24 Council meeting: Unscheduled e. Commissioner Trippler mentioned the website earthhour.org regarding information about a possible city event to turn off all electricity for one hour on March 29. f. Commissioner Martin reported on a training session put on by GTS that he attended at the University of Minnesota. X. STAFF PRESENTATIONS None XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.