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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/20/20041. Call to Order MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, January 20, 2004, 7:00 PM City Hall Council Chambers 1830 County Road B East 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes a. January 5, 2004 5. Public Hearings None o New Business a. Legacy Village Ponds, Trails and Amenities Plan (Kennard Street and Legacy Parkway) b. Gladstone Neighborhood Redevelopment Planning Process c. Ohlson Landscaping (1949 Atlantic Street) 1. CUP for Metal Building 2. CUP for Outdoor Storage d. Resolutions of Appreciation - Mr. Rossbach and Ms. Monahan-Junek e. Election of Officers 7. Unfinished Business None 8. Visitor Presentations o Commission Presentations a. January 12 Council Meeting: ?? b. January 26 Council Meeting: Mr. Desai ¢. February 9 Council Meeting: Mr. Bartol d. Possible Planning Commission Interview Questions 10. Staff Presentations 11. Adjournment MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION 1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2004 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Fischer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Chairperson Lorraine Fischer Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Present Jeff Bartol Present Tushar Desai Present Mary Dierich Present Paul Mueller Present Gary Pearson Present Dale Trippler Present Staff Present: Tom Ekstrand, Project Manager Bruce Anderson, Parks and Recreation Director Shann Finwall, Associate Planner Chuck Vermeersch, Engineer Lisa Kroll, Recording Secretary III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Ekstrand said Chairperson Fischer requested an update on Legacy Village so he will give a brief update under number 10. Staff Presentations. Commissioner Pearson moved to approve the agenda with the addition. Commissioner Trippler seconded. Ayes- Bartol, Desai, Dierich, Fischer, Mueller, Pearson, Trippler The motion passed. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the planning commission minutes for January 5, 2004. Commissioner Pearson moved to approve the planning commission minutes for January 5, 2004. Commissioner Desai seconded. Ayes - Bartol, Desai, Dierich, Fischer, Pearson, Trippler Abstention - Mueller V. PUBLIC HEARING None. Planning Commission Minutes of 01-20-04 -2- VI. NEW BUSINESS a. Legacy Village Ponds, Trails and Amenities Plan (Kennard Street and Legacy Parkway) Mr. Ekstrand introduced Mr. Bruce Anderson, Parks & Recreation Director for Maplewood, for the presentation on Legacy Village. Mr. Anderson said Legacy Village is an 80-acre planned unit development project located west of Maplewood Mall between County Road D and Beam Avenue. This is a significant development project and includes residential, both rental and owner occupied, corporate center, senior citizen complex, restaurant, and commercial properties. As part of the planned unit development process, the city received a 10-acre site with the primary purpose of storm water holding ponds to serve the development. In addition, the city would be receiving between $1.3-$1.6 million in park dedication fees. Mr. Anderson said the Hajicek family planted some beautiful pine trees many years ago. In order to preserve some of those pine trees the plan has been converted from one large ponding area into three smaller ponding areas. Mr. Anderson said through a series of elevation changes and culverts the city would be able to preserve some of the highland areas and pine trees to create a trail system on the 10-acre site. Mr. Anderson said the concept they are trying to preserve is to develop a passive park with a sculpture park theme. He said the proposed park would have arbors, a walking path, and sculptures. Mr. Anderson said the city received its first commitment from the restaurant Noodles Inc. to purchase the first sculpture for this proposed park. He said the city feels this park proposal would work very well with the proposed senior center to be built nearby. Mr. Anderson said at one time the concept was to build an active water park with fountains but the location would have been right underneath the power lines and the crackling was not conducive for a water park. Mr. Anderson said the city believes this park would have great potential with the intense building that will take place and the proximity to the Maplewood Mall, as well as for the public/private partnership. Commissioner Dierich said she thought this was a great plan. She asked if this plan would take the place of the water park, which would have been underneath the power lines? Mr. Anderson said the developers have each agreed to pay into a playground equipment fund to construct a large playground structure. Rather than building small tot lots they have agreed to build one large playground structure that would cost between $150,000 and $175,000. He said there would be a tunnel underneath Kennard Street so the playground sight would be accessible by using the trail. The other half of the site would be set-aside as an open space to be maintained by the developer. Commissioner Dierich asked what class the original wetlands were? Mr. Ekstrand answered the wetlands are a class 2, which is a 1 O0 foot buffer and can go down to 50 feet. Commissioner Dierich asked if the city was okay with the city's ordinances building a boardwalk over the wetlands? Mr. Ekstrand said yes, there are exceptions to the wetland ordinance that permit that. Planning Commission Minutes of 01-20-04 -3- Commissioner Trippler asked what the elevation relief would be? Commissioner Trippler's concern was with the senior center being so close to this proposed park that the seniors have difficulty accessing the park. Mr. Anderson said it's a relatively flat site but he believed the elevation difference between the lowest and the highest point would be four feet. Commissioner Trippler said the proposed park is estimated to cost about $500,000, he asked Mr. Anderson what the plans were for the remaining $1 million in park dedication money? Mr. Anderson said the Parks Commission has many ideas of what to do with the money. Joy Park is one park that needs to be improved. Commissioner Trippler asked if the developers of the Legacy Village have a problem with the city spending the park dedication money somewhere other than at Legacy Village? Mr. Anderson said the developers have no input into the process it is strictly a decision by the city council where the park dedication money is spent. Commissioner Desai asked if the other areas or parcels will be developed at the same time that the park is developed? Mr. Anderson said Mr. Ekstrand can discuss that issue further but his understanding was that the other parcels are going to be restaurants. Mr. Ekstrand said there are no approved or conceptual plans other than the fact that it had been approved in the planned unit development for retail and restaurant. Those sites are to be developed through the Community Design Review Board process. The city would make sure proper linking takes place where appropriate to this trail network and that proper space is required for parking. Commissioner Mueller said regarding the proposed sculpture park, art is in the eye of the beholder, he asked who would determine what art would go into this park? Mr. Anderson agreed that issue would come up at some point. He said if this park proposal gets approved the city would probably have to establish an arts committee to determine what would be appropriate for the park. However, ultimately the city council would make the final decision. Mr. Anderson pointed to the small pre-cast bronze statue. He said the statue comes from a new firm that does bronze casting and more of the sculptures may come from that company. The issue of who would maintain the sculptures when things like corrosion and graffiti happen would have to be determined. Commissioner Trippler said personally he liked the material and concept. What he doesn't like is when the commission looked at the Legacy Village as a whole they saw recreational facilities to be provided and now he hears that is not going to happen which he thinks is unfortunate. He said he would rather see the whole package at one time rather than seeing one development at a time. Planning Commission Minutes of 01-20-04 -4- Mr. Anderson said because of the power lines they found that a water park was not conducive in that location. Commissioner Pearson said he liked the concept of this park proposal especially with the vicinity to the senior housing. He asked if this park would be accessible to the seniors or handicapped persons? Mr. Anderson said this park would be 100% handicapped accessible. Mr. Bartol said he feels at a loss since he is new to this process and to the Legacy Village discussion. He said he agrees with the comments made by Commissioner Trippler that it is difficult to evaluate this as an individual without looking at the overall plan. What he sees he really likes as long as there are more active areas and not just the passive park. Mr. Anderson thanked the planning commissioner's for their comments and input into this process. b. Gladstone Neighborhood Redevelopment Planning Process Mr. Ekstrand said the Gladstone area is an aging neighborhood considered by many long-time residents to be the core of the city. This neighborhood contains businesses that have generally not invested in large-scale property improvements. As a result, the commercial properties have a tired appearance with a disjointed array of businesses in need of revitalization. Surrounding the commercial properties is a strong residential neighborhood as well as recreational amenities like the Gateway and Vento Trails that bisect the area. Also in this neighborhood is the city-owned open space at the southwest corner of Frost Avenue and English Street. Mr. Ekstrand said staff has contracted with Rick McLaughtin, of Architecture and Town Planning, to evaluate and create a design plan for the redevelopment of the Gladstone Neighborhood. The following meetings have been scheduled regarding the Gladstone Neighborhood Redevelopment Planning Process. Wednesday, February 11, 2004: There will be a joint session with advisory boards and city council. The first week in March 2004: There will be two evening informational sessions with the neighborhood for business owners and residents. Monday, March 29, 2004: council. There will be a presentation/update to advisory boards and city Monday, May 10, 2004: There will be a final presentation on the Gladstone Neighborhood Redevelopment Planning Process given to the city council. Commissioner Dierich asked why the open space would be more valuable? Planning Commission Minutes of 01-20-04 -5- Mr. Ekstrand said on page 3 of the staff report, in the second paragraph, the statements made regarding open space were made before the city contracted Mr. McLaughlin. Mr. McLaughlin said there is potential for the open space but he wants to discuss it. Commissioner Dierich asked Mr. Ekstrand if he could give a ballpark figure how much per acre it costs to redevelopment verses raw land? Mr. Ekstrand said no he couldn't give a ballpark figure. He said if there are viable businesses there and rental properties where people make a living from the renters living there the land is more expensive verses raw land or open space. Commissioner Dierich asked Mr. Ekstrand if he foresees the city doing any condemnation of property because the property no longer looks good? Mr. Ekstrand said that had not been discussed but he doesn't believe so. Commissioner Trippler said he likes the idea of redeveloping Gladstone because it needs renovation. He wondered if it was such a good idea for the city to be involved with redevelopment. It's good as long as people are willing to participate in redevelopment but what would happen if a quarter or half of the residents are not interested in selling or being a part of the redevelopment? Is the city going to start condemning property to make sure the redevelopment continues? He asked how proactive or reactive the city would be? Mr. Ekstrand said that is something the city has to determine and that decision is up to the city council. He doesn't think the city's attitude is to go and condemn property. There are many factors to consider such as the condition of the buildings or homes that play into this redevelopment. Commissioner Trippler said he is concerned that the city will invest money into the streets, sidewalks, curbs, etc. but what if the commercial properties and residents don't want redevelopment and the city has already invested time and money? Mr. Ekstrand said the street and sidewalk projects are a starting point and time will tell what will happen with the redevelopment of this area. More will be known at the upcoming meetings with the business owners and residents. Commissioner Mueller said if the city doesn't do anything the area will keep deteriorating. Any type of redevelopment is a long-term process. These are small steps but to do absolutely nothing would be the wrong decision in his opinion. He asked staff how the process would work with the sale of the mobile home park? Mr. Ekstrand said the city has to go through the state law requirements. Whether or not the city purchases the property there will be relocation costs and finding new places for people to live. It will be a very lengthy process. Chairperson Fischer asked staff if the city thought this area would be paid for by a citywide payment, area assessment, individual assessment or a mixture of the above? Planning Commission Minutes of 01-20-04 -6- Mr. Ekstrand said that is a very good question, and these are the types of questions the city needs to get answers to. Hopefully these types of issues will come up in discussion at the future meetings for the city to follow up on. Commissioner Dierich asked how much curbing will the city be installing and how would that affect the redevelopment of this area so there isn't a need to make more curb cuts? Mr. Ekstrand said the city would look at street improvements. He is aware that various neighborhood streets have been redone in the past. He isn't sure of the schedule for street reconstruction that is handled through the Public Works Department. The city may want to reconsider the schedule for street reconstruction if there would be drastic changes proposed for the redevelopment of the Gladstone area. Commissioner Dierich said she appreciated the opportunity to review this plan early in the process and she is certain the people in the neighborhood appreciate it as well. Commissioner Pearson said the streetscape improvements wouldn't require purchasing of property, most of the improvements would occur in city easements and right-of ways. Mr. Ekstrand agreed. Chairperson Fischer asked if this discussion was open to the public or should the public wait until the upcoming scheduled meetings? Mr. Ekstrand said that was up to the planning commissioners. The planning commission agreed it would be okay for residents to voice their concerns. Mr. Robert Overby, a Maplewood resident and the Chair of the Historical Preservation Commission, addressed the planning commission. In November there was a public meeting regarding Gladstone where several questions were discussed. The Historical Commission held a special meeting in December to discuss those questions and as a result sent a three-page copy of those questions to Melinda Coleman. (Mr. Overby gave a copy of the three-page report to Tom Ekstrand during the meeting to provide to the planning commissioners.) Mr. Overby said the reason he mentioned the report was because the staff comments and market study didn't mention anything about the historical significance. Which buildings should be saved in their present form and/or which buildings should be restored? The Historical Commission isn't against redevelopment in the Gladstone area. However, because Gladstone was the original village of the township prior to downtown Maplewood the historical significance is important. The Historical Preservation Commission hasn't been included in the discussions regarding the Gladstone area redevelopment so they are trying to catch up in the process. The Historical Commission just wants to be kept in the loop of any discussions or meetings. Mr. Overby said they have requested a copy of the Mixed-Use Zoning Ordinance from city staff for discussion. Their concern is that it may not be appropriate to treat the Gladstone Area the same way you treat the Hillcrest Area. Frost Avenue and English Street are not major arterials like White Bear Avenue is. Planning Commission Minutes of 01-20-04 -7- Mr. Ekstrand said city staff would make sure the Historical Commission is kept in the loop of upcoming meetings. Commissioner Bartol asked if he could get a copy of that report that was g~ven to Melinda Coleman? Chairperson Fischer mentioned to staff it would be a good idea to get a copy of the report for all of the planning commissioners? Mr. Ekstrand said staff would make sure the commissioners receive a copy of the report. c. Ohlson Landscaping (1949 Atlantic Street) Ms. Finwall said Erik Ohlson and Stephanie Jacques (Ohlson) and Thor and Jenny Oehrlein are proposing to subdivide 1949 Atlantic Street into two parcels. This property is located north of Frost Avenue and south of the Gateway Trail, within the Gladstone neighborhood. The ©ehrleins will retain Parcel A for the storage of equipment associated with their property maintenance business, Outdoor Property Maintenance. The Ohlsons will retain Parcel B for the development of a 3,264-square-foot metal building for their landscaping business, Ohlson Property Maintenance and Landscapes. Commissioner Dierich wanted to thank staff for the wonderful job that was done on this report. Commissioner Dierich said the report was very thorough and complete and one of the best reports she has seen in a long time. She is concerned about the landscape bins. Her concern is if the drainage pond is right behind the bins will the bins drain into the area and plug it up? Mr. Chuck Vermeersch, Engineer for Maplewood said regarding the landscape bins, the grading of the parking lot is such that the drainage is directed to the northeast corner of the lot where there is a structure. The city hopes the drainage is going to be directed by the bins and the structure at the northeast corner. Hopefully it will be like a sub catch basin to remove some of the sediment before it enters the pond. He said that is one of the reasons the applicant is required to pave the lot in order to keep the fines out of the water garden. Commissioner Dierich said walking along the Gateway Trail she noticed that area is pretty sparse of trees. She asked if the city could put an additional condition on to add some additional landscaping outside the fence or is that something the city wouldn't allow? Ms. Finwall said the Oehrleins are proposing to construct a fence up to their property line, which was requested by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources when they reviewed this proposal last year. She said the city could condition additional landscaping as long as they pulled their fence closer onto their property. Commissioner Dierich said she would like to see the additional landscaping done because there isn't much vegetation behind that area. Commissioner Dierich asked if the city were to allow this permanent structure would the CUP allow the business to go with the land? Ms. Finwall said the CUP goes with the land. She said if another business similar to the Ohlson's or the Oehrleins were to purchase the land they could operate their business there as long as the business followed the same conditions. Planning Commission Minutes of 01-20-04 -8- Commissioner Dierich said in her opinion there were a lot of questions in this application and she would like to have this application tabled. There are questions that were raised from the various departments that the applicant has not provided plans for. Based on what the commission knows so far she thinks it would be difficult to comfortably approve this. Commissioner Mueller asked staff why a CUP is needed for a metal building? Ms. Finwall said the metal building is not a high quality building material and therefore, is allowed in the business commercial area with a CUP with several conditions. However, it would be allowed as a permitted use in a light manufacturing zoning district. Commissioner Mueller asked if it had to do with aesthetics? Ms. Finwall said yes. Commissioner Mueller said there are things in the report that make him hesitant to approve this. The south side of the property needs some work. Regarding the north side of the property, the applicants are storing a lot of things on the property. He asked what surface they are storing those items on? Ms. Finwall said it's a gravel surface. Commissioner Mueller asked if the reason staff did not require the area to be paved was because it was not going to be used for anything other than storage whereas the other area would be driven on? Ms. Finwall said staff is hoping this is a temporary situation and doesn't foresee the need for paving. Secondly, the city allowed Quality Restoration to operate under similar circumstances and were not required to pave the lot for storage of vehicles on the exterior. Commissioner Trippler said he is familiar with this area because it is in his neighborhood. He called and spoke with Ms. Finwall and Chris Cavett regarding several issues that appeared in the report and he feels comfortable that the issues are covered in the recommendations on page 6 of the staff report. The concerns raised by engineering have been covered in the recommendations that the applicant would have to follow. When you get on the Gateway Trail starting on English Street and you walk to the west, there is no fencing by the some of the businesses. Commissioner Trippler said the bowling alley has a wire fence that looks terrible and where the applicant is there are junk cars, which also looks terrible. He said the only thing that keeps people out of the area are some German Shepard dogs that guard the area. Commissioner Trippler believes the six-foot high fence will look fine for the range of five years or so. If it gets run down the city can require the applicant to fix the fence. He felt the applicant had provided the city with ample information and therefore, there is no need to table this item. He asked staff if there would be enough time to table this item with the 60 day rule? Ms. Finwall said unless both applicant's agreed to a time extension the city would have to continue with the process because of the 60-day rule. Planning Commission Minutes of 01-20-04 -9- Commissioner Mueller asked if the applicants had agreed to the conditions outlined in the staff report? Ms. Finwall said the applicants looked at the conditions but she believed they had some concerns to bring up this evening. Commissioner Mueller said he had nothing against fences but if he had a choice between looking at a line of spruce trees or a cedar fence, he would choose the spruce trees. Commissioner Pearson said because of the nature of this operation the applicant would need a fence to protect their property and in this case spruce trees would not help protect their property. Screening of the fence would be appropriate but not in place of the fence. He said the staff did a nice job of writing this report and indicating the appropriate conditions. He said he sees no need to table this proposal. Commissioner Desai said he seconds Commissioner Pearson's comments. He said because of the equipment that would be stored on the property a fence is crucial. Chairperson Fischer asked the applicant to address the commission. Ms. Stephanie Jacques Ohlson, representing Ohlson Property Maintenance and Landscapes at 1949 Atlantic Street, residing at 1706 Barclay Street, Maplewood, addressed the commission. She said she thought they were getting approval for an "amended" CUP. She said they did have a falling out with the previous partners and they decided to go their own direction, which they respect. Through this process they have been working with Chuck Vermeersch and Chris Cavett and have worked through all the complications. She believed all of the information had been given to the city and she sees no reason to table this. Ms. Ohlson said they have scaled down the building with the understanding that the Gladstone area would be redeveloped and they would be moving to another location in five or ten years. They only want to use the land they have been waiting to build on for the past several years. She said this project would have been up and running a while ago but then the delay happened with the falling out with their partner. She said they have regrouped and they are ready to move forward. Chairperson Fischer asked the applicant if they are comfortable with the conditions listed in the staff report? Ms. Jacques Ohlson said yes. Commissioner Mueller said the reason the question is asked is the planning commission has no way of knowing what the applicants have agreed to, therefore, the question has to be asked. Commissioner Bartol said he thinks confusion lies on page 23 of the staff report in the engineering plan review. He said it stated at least 2 things have not been done to satisfy the engineering department. He asked if anybody could respond to that? Mr. Vermeersch said the engineering department has been in communication with the applicant and these are the conditions for this proposal to move forward. He said when the next run comes through they will be checking to make sure the conditions are met. Planning Commission Minutes of 01-20-04 -10- Commissioner Bartol asked if that meant that all ten conditions would have to be met before the applicant could move forward? Mr. Vermeersch said correct. Chairperson Fischer asked the other applicant to come forward and address the commission. Mr. Thor Oehrlein, representing Outdoor Property Maintenance, residing at 1650 Payne Avenue, St. Paul, addressed the commission. He said the reason they want to build a wood fence on the property is because there is a junkyard behind their property and the fence would cover the junk and maintain security of their property. He said the previous owner dumped all kinds of stuff on the property and he and his former partner cleaned up the area, hauled it out and because of that the natural growth is gone. Commissioner Pearson moved to approve the lot division request to subdivide the property at 1949 Atlantic Street into two lots. Approval is subject to the following conditions: a. Provide a certified land survey showing the existing and proposed property lines and proposed building and parking lot. b. Deeds describing the two new legal descriptions, which must be stamped by the city. Ramsey County requires the city acknowledgment of approval to record the deeds. City code requires that the deeds be recorded with Ramsey County within one year of the date of lot division approval (February 9, 2005) or the lot division becomes null and void. Commissioner Pearson moved to approve the resolution on pages 26 and 27 of the staff report. This resolution approves a conditional use permit for Thor and Jenny Oehrlein for exterior storage within the Business Commercial (BC) zoning district in order to store lawn care maintenance vehicles on Parcel A (north parcel) at 1949 Atlantic Street. This approval shall be subject to the following conditions: a. Exterior storage is limited to vehicles associated with a property maintenance business. All vehicles must be licensed and operable. No landscape material can be stored on the property, including but not limited to, lawn clippings, landscape rock, etc. b. A 6-foot-high, solid wood, screening fence must be installed and maintained on the north property line. c. There shall be no noise-making business activity conducted in the lot, or made by vehicles entering or leaving the lot, between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., Monday through Saturday, or all day Sunday as required by city code. d. The city council must approve a revision to this permit if the owner wants to put a permanent building on the site. e. The city council shall review this permit in one year. f. This permit ends on February 9, 2009. Planning Commission Minutes of 01-20-04 -11- Commissioner Pearson moved to approve the resolution on pages 28 and 29 of the staff report. This resolution approves Erik Ohlson's and Stephanie Jacques Ohlson's request for a conditional use permit to construct a 3,264-square-foot metal building within the Business Commercial (BC) zoning district on Parcel B (south parcel) at 1949 Atlantic Street. This approval is subject to the following conditions: a. All construction shall follow the site plan approved by the city. The director of community development may approve minor changes. b. The proposed construction must be substantially started within one year of city council approval or the permit shall become null and void. c. The conditional use permit shall be reviewed by the city council in one year. Commissioner Pearson moved to approve the resolution on pages 30 and 31 of the staff report. This resolution approves Erik Ohlson's and Stephanie Jacques Ohlson's request for a conditional use permit for exterior storage on Parcel B (south parcel) at 1949 Atlantic Street with the following conditions: Exterior storage is limited to four landscape bins (8 feet wide x 8 feet deep x 6 feet high in size). The bins shall be constructed of treated lumber that is brown in color. Storage within the bins is limited to landscape goods or materials such as rock, mulch, sand, woodchips, etc. b. The four landscape bins must be placed on the southeast side of the lot and must be screened from Atlantic Street with landscaping. Co There shall be no noise-making business activity conducted in the lot, or made by vehicles entering or leaving the lot, between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., Monday through Saturday, or all day Sunday as required by code. d. The conditional use permit shall be reviewed by the city council in one year. Commissioner Trippler seconded. Ayes- Bartol, Desai, Fischer, Mueller, Pearson, Trippler Nay- Dierich The motion passed. This item goes to the CDRB January 27, 2004, and to city council on February 9, 2004. Commissioner Mueller commented that he believes anytime the city can improve the Gateway Trail with plantings the city should take advantage of it. Commissioner Trippler said he knows the right of way on either side of the Gateway Trail is owned by the DNR. Right after the DNR paved the trail they made an attempt to plant some pine trees on both sides of the trail but 80% of the trees died from lack of watering. He thinks if someone wanted to plant trees along the Gateway Trail they could call the DNR up to see what the restrictions were. Planning Commission Minutes of 01-20-04 -12- Commissioner Mueller said his point was that the view from the Gateway Trail to the business property could be improved by planting trees. d. Resolutions of Appreciation - Mr. Rossbach and Ms. Monahan-Junek Mr. Ekstrand said with the elections of William Rossbach and Jackie Monahan-Junek to the city council and their resignations from the planning commission, attached are the resolutions of appreciation for the two of them. Commissioner Pearson moved to approve the attached resolutions of appreciation for Will Rossbach and Jackie Monahan-Junek. Commissioner Dierich seconded. The motion passed. This item goes to the city council on February 9, 2004. e. Election of Officers Ms. Finwall said the planning commission's rules of procedure say that the commission will elect a chairperson and a vice-chairperson at the second meeting of each year. The current Chairperson is Lorraine Fischer and the most recent Vice-Chairperson was Will Rossbach. After taking a vote Lorraine Fischer was nominated as Chairperson and Gary Pearson and Tushar Desai were nominated for Vice-Chair. However, Gary Pearson respectively withdrew his name from the voting process so Tusar Desai was the nominee for Vice-Chair. Commissioner Pearson moved to recommend Lorraine Fischer as the Chairperson and Tushar Desai as the Vice-Chairperson to the city council to serve through January 2005. Commissioner Mueller seconded. Ayes - Bartol, Desai, Dierich, Fischer, Mueller, Pearson, Trippler The motion passed. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. VIII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None. IX. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a. There were no planning commissioners needed at the January 12, 2004 city council meeting. Planning Commission Minutes of 01-20-04 -13- b. Mr. Bartol will be the planning commission representative at the January 26, 2004. Items to discuss include the Planning Commission's 2003 Annual Report, the Mixed-Use Zoning Change, and the Vacation of 2416 Teakwood Drive c. Mr. Desai will be the planning commission representative at the February 9, 2004, city council meeting. Items to discuss include the CUP's for Ohlson Landscaping and the resolutions of appreciation of Mr. Rossbach and Ms. Monahan-Junek. d. Possible Planning Commission Interview Questions Mr. Ekstrand said Lorraine Fischer submitted a list of possible interview questions for vacancies on the planning commission. The application form that gets filled out by prospective commission members is listed in the staff report. Chairperson Fischer asked for any suggestions from planning commissioners. Some of the suggestions were: 1. Do you have any difficulty reading blue prints or maps? 2. Do not ask questions that only require yes or no answers. 3. Are you comfortable being in the eye of the camera? 4. Define the process better by defining the role between the city staff and city council. Let the applicants know there is a plethora of information available from city staff and they are available to answer questions and for telephone calls. Let the applicants know they should be at ease approving or disapproving items as a new commissioner, everyone respects your decision and the vote made by commissioners is only a recommendation and the city council makes the final decision. 5. Do you have any special interests or causes to bring to the commission? 6. Explain that this commission is an advisory commission. People have all different levels of experience as citizens or residents of the City of Maplewood. You don't have to have any special experience to serve on this commission. 7. Are you comfortable expressing opposition to decisions? 8. Candidates should be encouraged to watch several meetings on cable so they have a better understanding of what happens during a meeting before serving on a commission. X. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Update on Legacy Village Mr. Ekstrand gave a brief update on what is happening with Legacy Village to the planning commissioners. Xl. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.