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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/01/2008 MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2008 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Fischer called the meeting to order at 7:02 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 Staff Present: Present Absent Present Present Present Present Present Absent Present Tom Ekstrand. City Planner III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the amended agenda adding 1 O.c.-Summer Tour Followup. Commissioner Boeser seconded The motion passed. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. June 17, 2008 Ayes - all Commissioner Pearson moved approval of the amended minutes of June 17, 2008, changing "keyboarding" to "clerical" on the bottom of page 3. Commissioner Trippler seconded The motion passed. V. PUBLIC HEARING None VI. NEW BUSINESS Ayes - Fischer, Hess, Martin, Pearson, Trippler Abstentions - Boeser, Yarwood a. 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update - Review and Discussion of Land Use Plan Update City planner Tom Ekstrand introduced Mike Martin, consultant with MFRA. Mr. Martin explained that the drafts of the transportation and sanitary sewer chapters would be reviewed tonight, followed by discussion of a concern brought up at the last meeting concerning a land use designation. Planning Commission Minutes of 07-01-08 -2- Brandon Bordon and Jon Horn of Kimley-Horn were present at the meeting. Mr. Bordon gave a presentation on the following three components of the transportation chapter: roadways, transit related components, and bicycling and pedestrians. Mr. Bordon said traffic trend information predicts that traffic in Maplewood is projected to increase between .5 and 2 percent per year and averages 1 percent. Commissioner Trippler suggested the consultants check on whether future bus traffic usage on the Vento Trail is still being considered as an option. Jon Horn of Kimley-Horn gave a brief overview of the sanitary sewer chapter. Commissioner Martin asked if the commissioners could have access to an interactive map for use as a review tool. Mike Martin responded that there are neighborhood maps in PDF format as part of the comprehensive plan on the city's website. Commissioner Trippler discussed recent gas price increases and the downturn in the economy and suggested that something be noted in the plan regarding changes in driving patterns. Mr. Bordon said this suggestion makes sense and will be added to the draft. Commissioner Boeser said he is not impressed with the public transportation planning noted in the draft transit chapters and suggested that public transportation will become more important in the future and should be encouraged in this plan. Mr. Boeser suggested consideration be given to what can be done to increase the use of public transportation and accommodate any potential use of public transportation in the city. The commission suggested changes to the second to the last paragraph on page four referring to telecommuting. There was consensus that there is a problem with the meaning of the paragraph and that appropriate changes would be made to the draft. Commissioner Trippler asked that "walking and biking" be added to the last paragraph of Transit Policies on page five before "bus usage". Commissioner Fischer suggested "and pedestrians" be added after "bicycles" in the second line of the third bullet on page two. Commissioner Pearson said "should" in the first sentence of page seven infers that the city does not work closely with Ramsey County and could be replaced with "should continue to work closely". It was agreed to this change. Commissioner Fischer said "try to" be added before "limit" in paragraph seven on page seven. Commissioner Trippler suggested "the use of impervious surfaces and" be added after "encourage" in the first sentence of paragraph ten on page seven. The verbiage in the last sentence on page seven was discussed and requested it be replaced with more user-friendly language. Mike Martin explained all of the maps that the commission is given at these meetings are available on the city's website for public access. Planning Commission Minutes of 07-01-08 -3- Mike Martin explained a land use discussion point was brought up at the last commission meeting about parcels currently being guided low density residential, even though they may be an acre or larger in size and whether this is the proper designation. Mr. Martin said there are approximately 350 parcels or three percent of the city that this currently affects. Mr. Martin said many of these parcels are unique in shape. Mr. Martin also explained many of the parcels are located in wetlands, which would require extra regulation in addition to the zoning code with any proposed development. Mr. Martin said the neighboring parcels' designations should also be considered. Mr. Martin said under the consultant's analysis, finding where these parcels are located and what the situation is surrounding these parcels, it would be best to keep these parcels under the low density residential designation. Mr. Martin explained that protecting the character of a neighborhood such as lot widths or setbacks is done through zoning and not through the land use designation. City planner Ekstrand explained the upcoming meeting schedule mentioning there will be an additional planning commission meeting scheduled on July 29 at 7 p.m. for further review and discussion of the land use plan update, a city council workshop on Monday, July 7 from 5-7 p.m., and a public hearing for the comprehensive plan update tentatively scheduled for August 19 with the planning commission. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VIII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None IX. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS . June 9 Council Meeting: Mr. Boeser reported on this meeting. . June 23 Council Meeting: no planning commission items . July 14 Council Meeting: Mr. Martin will attend. . July 28 Council Meeting: Mr. Walton is scheduled. X. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. TIF Review Process The planning commission criteria required for this proposal has been satisfied and therefore, the planning commission does not need to review the Gethsemane TIF proposal. b. Special Meeting: July 29 for Continuing Comprehensive Plan Update Discussion An additional July 29 planning commission meeting has been scheduled for further discussion. c. Summer Tour Followup The commission discussed the recent summer city bus tour. XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Planning Commission Minutes of 07-01-08 -4- X. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. TIF Review Process The planning commission criteria required for this proposal has been satisfied and therefore, the planning commission does not need to review the Gethsemane TIF proposal. b. Special Meeting: July 29 for Continuing Comprehensive Plan Update Discussion An additional July 29 planning commission meeting has been scheduled for further discussion. c. Summer Tour Followup The commission discussed the recent summer city bus tour. XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.