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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/18/2008 MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA TUESDAY, MARCH 18,2008 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Fischer called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Commissioner Joseph Boeser Vice-Chairperson Tushar Desai Chairperson Lorraine Fischer Commissioner Harland Hess Commissioner Robert Martin Commissioner Gary Pearson Commissioner Dale Trippler Commissioner Joe Walton Commissioner Jeremy Yarwood Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Staff Present: Tom Ekstrand. City Planner Ken Roberts. Planner Jon Jarosch. Staff Enqineer III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Pearson moved to approve the agenda as submitted. Commissioner Hess seconded The motion passed. Ayes - all IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. March 4, 2008 Commissioner Trippler moved approval of the amended minutes of March 4, 2008, correcting an error by moving the agenda motion error and correctly including it with the motion for the minutes. Commissioner Desai seconded Ayes - Desai, Fischer, Hess, Martin, Pearson, Trippler, Walton, Yarwood Abstention - Boeser The motion passed. V. PUBLIC HEARING 8:05 p.m. Preliminary Plat - Heritage Square Fifth Addition (County Road D, west of Hwy. 61) City planner Tom Ekstrand presented the staff report regarding the request from K. Hovnanian Homes to redesign their Heritage Square 4th Addition housing development to incorporate a third style of town house in the project. Mr. Ekstrand said there is currently a point of disagreement with the developer regarding use of a $20,000 park dedication fee paid toward park trail corridor improvements for the existing Highline Trail and this issue will need to be resolved with the developer. Planning Commission Minutes of 03-18-08 -2- Commissioner Hess mentioned to staff that he would like to see floor plans and building elevations. Mr. Ekstrand said typically that is submitted to the community design review board only, but he would obtain a copy for the commission. Commissioner Trippler asked staff if the landscaping requirements for the 5th addition require the same number of trees as the 4th addition required. Planner Ekstrand responded that there is some concern with the headlight screening proposed, but said the difference in grade will allow for some buffering of headlights also. Mr. Ekstrand said after he revisited and inspected the site, staff has requested the developer submit a revised landscape plan to ensure there is adequate landscaping. Commissioner Desai asked if sewer and water has been installed previously and is so, if it would need to be modified. Jon Jarosch, civil engineer with the city, said the sewer and water is installed in this area and may need some minor modifications. Kevin Clark and Shawn Siders were present representing K. Hovnanian Homes. Mr. Clark addressed the commission explaining that due to the changes in the market, the applicant is requesting changes to design of this addition to make it more marketable. Mr. Clark explained that because many of the Duluth Street neighbors objected to the south trail planned for their neighborhood and also due to the steep grades in that area, they dropped the requirement for the south trail but required the easement and a $20,000 payment for improvements. Mr. Clark said he believes the developer could construct the trail, even with the steep grade. Mr. Clark proposed the developer build the remaining north trail section from the $20,000 funds paid to the city and any funds left would be used for improvements within the development's area of the trail. Mr. Clark said the proposed housing would be similar to the housing on Kennard Street in the Legacy Village development, except that these proposed building units will have individual sewer and water meters. He said the plan calls for constructing four-and five-unit buildings and one six-unit building. Mr. Clark explained the building materials planned for building construction. He noted that the community design review board recommended a minimum of four bay windows for the County Road D side of the buildings and that the developer is committed to installing these windows. Commissioner Yarwood questioned the amount of visitor parking for the development. Mr. Clark said the proposal more than meets city code for parking and further explained where these parking sites would be located. The public hearing was opened for comments. Aaron Demeny of 3018 Duluth Street said he attended the neighborhood meeting and the neighbors on the west side were asking that parking be prohibited on the west side of the driveways that would be closest to them and impact their view. Mr. Demeny said the neighbors at the meeting had concerns with the elevations but they were addressed by the developer, and also requested keeping the plantings as low as possible to maintain the horizon view. Mr. Demeny commented that cedar would look better for the fencing and requested that wood be considered for fence construction. There were no further comments from the public; the public hearing was closed. The commission discussed issues with requiring the developer to construct trail amenities in the trail easement area. Commissioner Yarwood said he disagrees with the developer being required to install trail amenities in the north trail easement location beyond their property lines. Planning Commission Minutes of 03-18-08 -3- Commissioner Pearson moved approval of the preliminary plat date-stamped February 1, 2008 for the Heritage Square 5th Addition, subject to the following conditions: 1. Staff shall negotiate with the applicant to work out the details of trail construction of the connecting north trail link and financing of the same. 2. The applicant shall comply with all requirements of the city's engineering report dated February 27, 2008. The applicant shall enter into a developer's agreement if required by the city's engineering department and shall be subject to their requirements. Commissioner Trippler seconded A friendly amendment was accepted with the following verbiage added to the end of item #1: "and to complete the trail ahead of the amenities." The commission then voted: Ayes - Boeser, Desai, Fischer, Hess, Martin, Pearson, Trippler, Walton Nay - Yarwood The motion passed. VI. NEW BUSINESS a. 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update - Land Use Plan and Goals Discussion Planner Ken Roberts presented an overview of the commission discussion from the previous planning commission meeting and he also mentioned he has received many of the completed worksheets from commissioners and the compilation will be completed when all of the worksheets are received. Mr. Roberts introduced consultants Rose Lorsung and Mike Martin of M.F.RA Ms. Lorsung asked the commission to consider the information presented at the earlier meeting with the natural area greenways joint commission, to also consider possible overall changes to the Comprehensive Plan, and to simplify the plan by reducing the number of land use designations since the Land Use Plan is meant to be a broad plan. Ms. Lorsung suggested that due to the late hour, this item might be scheduled before a regular commission meeting when there would be more time available for discussion. It was decided to dedicate the entire April 1 commission meeting to discussion of the Comprehensive Plan update including land use and goals discussion. Ms. Lorsung asked the commissioners who have not yet returned their goals and objectives worksheets, to complete the worksheet and return it to one of the planners. Ms. Lorsung mentioned she will present draft plan information at the next meeting. The commission discussed the urban versus rural issues of a first-ring suburb such as Maplewood pertaining to the land use and zoning designations that contribute to the diversity of the city. Staff said the comprehensive plan update meeting schedule will be forwarded to the commission. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Planning Commission Minutes of 03-18-08 -4- None VIII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None IX. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS . March 10 Council meeting: Commissioner Trippler reported on this meeting. . March 24 Council meeting: Commissioner Yarwood will attend. . April 7 Special Council Meeting: Volunteer not needed. . April 14 Council meeting: Commissioner Desai will attend. X. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Special PC Meeting planned for March 25,2008 is cancelled. b. Annual Tour Date: June 30, 2008 c. Staff handed out information about upcoming GTS training classes. XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m.