HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-02 PC Minutes
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION
1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2010
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Fischer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Commissioner AI Bierbaum
Commissioner Joseph Boeser
Vice-Chairperson Tushar Desai
Chairperson Lorraine Fischer
Commissioner Robert Martin
Commissioner Tanya Nuss
Commissioner Gary Pearson
Commissioner Dale Trippler
Commissioner Jeremy Yarwood
City Staff Present:
Present
Present
Present
Present
Absent
Present
Absent
Present
Present at 7:03 p.m.
Tom Ekstrand. Citv Planner
Michael Martin. Planner
Steve Kummer. Staff Enqineer
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the agenda as submitted.
Commissioner Boeser seconded Ayes - all
The motion passed.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. February 16, 2010
Commissioner Bierbaum moved approval of the minutes of February 16, 2010 as submitted.
Commissioner Desai seconded Ayes - Bierbaum, Desai, Fischer, Nuss, Yarwood
Abstentions - Boeser, Trippler
The motion passed.
V. PUBLIC HEARING
a. 7:04 p.m.: Comprehensive Land Use Plan Amendment for Countryside VW/Saab Parcel from
LDR (low density residential) to C (commercial)
Planner Martin presented the staff report, explaining that John Schmelz of Schmelz Countryside VW/Saab
is requesting that the city reconsider the future land use guide of a lot owned by the dealership. Planner
Martin explained that parcel was guided low density residential during the city's recent update of its
comprehensive plan, but previously was guided M1 (light manufacturing). Planner Martin noted that as a
result of the 2003 comprehensive plan update, all parcels previously guided M1 along Highways 36 and
61 were re-guided to commercial.
Planner Mike Martin said the applicant, John Schmelz, is out of town and unable to attend this meeting.
The public hearing was opened for comments from the public. There were no comments; the public
hearing was closed.
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Commissioner Trippler moved adoption of the resolution approving a comprehensive land use plan
amendment from LDR (low density residential) to C (commercial) for the 0.73-acre site south of the main
parcel utilized for the Schmelz Countryside VW/Saab auto dealership located at 1180 Highway 36.
Approval is based on the following reasons:
1. The Countryside VW/Saab parcel is already developed as a commercial lot and should be
appropriately guided as such.
2. The parcels to the north and west of the Countryside VW/Saab are guided commercial, meaning that
it would be consistent to guide this parcel commercial.
This action is subject to the approval of this land use plan amendment by the Metropolitan Council.
Commissioner Yarwood seconded
The motion passed.
Ayes - all
VI. NEW BUSINESS
a. Rural Conservation Dwelling District (R1 R)-Code Amendment
Planner Martin presented the staff report explaining that since the city council has adopted the 2030
Comprehensive Plan, some adjustments need to be made to the R1 R zoning district to ensure
consistency between land use and zoning.
After discussion by the commission, additional phasing and text revisions to the ordinance were
suggested.
Commissioner Trippler moved that the numbers in Table 44-120.1 be Tier I (0-3 Principles) and
Tier II (6 Principles).
Commissioner Desai seconded
Ayes - Desai, Trippler
Nays - Bierbaum, Boeser, Fischer, Yarwood
Abstention - Nuss
The motion failed.
Commissioner Fischer said she voted no since staff has put a lot of time and effort into developing this
number and they will be the ones implementing it, and she feels staff knows what figure is workable.
Other commissioners voting no concurred.
Commissioner Trippler moved approve the amended text to the R-1 R zoning district with the following
additional language changes: On page 2, first paragraph add "ecological communities" after the word
vegetation; under Sec. 44-120(b) add "and if needed a" before the word well; and on page 6, paragraph 5,
remove the commas from lines 1 and 2.
Commissioner Yarwood seconded
The motion passed.
Ayes - all
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b. Resolutions of Appreciation for Harland Hess and Joseph Walton
Planner Ekstrand presented the staff report for the resolutions of appreciation.
Commissioner Trippler moved approval of the resolutions of appreciation for Harland Hess and Joseph
Walton.
Commissioner Desai seconded
The motion passed.
Ayes - all
VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Gervais Woods-Preliminary Plat and Final Plat Revision
Planner Ekstrand presented the staff report explaining a revision to the plat since last considered by the
planning commission. The proposed revision would accommodate a land swap between the developer
and Ramsey County that would provide increased stormwater pond capacity.
Nathan Fair, of Landmark Development of Minnesota, said that Outlot D would be deeded to Ramsey
County, but would remain an outlot.
Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the preliminary and final plat for Landmark Development of
Minnesota for the proposed eleven-lot Gervais Woods single-family subdivision located south of Labore
Road and East of Arcade Street. This subdivision is subject to the following conditions:
a. Comply with the conditions of approval in the report by Shann Finwall, Maplewood Environmental
Planner and Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator, dated January 27,2010.
b. Comply with the conditions of approval in the engineering report by Steve Kummer, Maplewood
Staff Engineer, dated February 24, 2010 on the revised plan submittal dated February 22, 2010 and
revised computations dated February 22,2010.
c. Approval of a final plat for Gervais Woods from the City of Little Canada.
d. The Cities of Little Canada and Maplewood shall enter into an agreement as to the provision of
police, fire, code enforcement services and utilities. It is the recommendation of the Maplewood city
council that Little Canada provide these services, since the proposed four southerly homes would be
addressed in Little Canada.
e. The accessory building, swimming pool and any other "back yard" construction requirements of
Little Canada shall apply to the Maplewood portions of the southerly four parcels. However, any
construction in the City of Maplewood shall require that the builder obtain a building permit from the
City of Maplewood if required by code.
f. The proposed homes on the southerly four lots of this subdivision shall be constructed in the
footprints shown on the applicant's plans. This would require that they be located in the City of Little
Canada.
g. Within 120 days of recording the final plat, Outlot C shall be combined with the property at 2870
Arcade Street as one legally-described lot. If it is not combined with 2870 Arcade Street by that
time, the developer shall give Outlot C to the City of Maplewood as he proposed to the planning
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commission. This shall be a stipulation of the development agreement.
h. Within 120 days of recording the final plat, Outlot D shall be deeded to Ramsey County. This shall
be a stipulation of the development agreement.
i. The developer shall provide five, six-foot-tall evergreen trees between the homes on proposed Lot 5,
Block 2, and the neighboring house at 2870 Arcade Street prior to the construction of a house on
Lot 5.
Commissioner Yarwood seconded
The motion passed.
Ayes - all
b. Conditional Use PermitlPlanned Unit Development Ordinance Amendment
Planner Ekstrand presented the staff report explaining that this item is coming back to the commission
from the city council with the request to consider the council's questions and comments. Planner
Ekstrand reviewed each of the council's eight comments submitted to the commission.
City council member John Nephew, who is council liaison to the commission, was present and answered
questions and received comments from commissioners regarding the council's eight suggestions for this
ordinance amendment.
After discussion, the commission requested that staff make the following revisions:
Section 44-1092 - add the words to read "they are not specifically prohibited".
Section 44-1093 - replace "planning commission" with "city council", include the last sentence
"Deviations. . . provided that:" and remove the word "whether" from the beginning of each sentence in
numbers 1-5.
Section 44-1097(a) - should read "In addition to any standards or findings for a specific conditional use
found elsewhere in the Maplewood Code of Ordinances, a conditional use permit may be approved or
amended by satisfying all of the following standards of approval:"
Section 44-1097(a)(5) - no revision needed
Section 44-1097(a)(9) - state ". . . no more than minimal adverse environmental affects."
Section 44-1097(b) - strike "balancing of' and "between government units of the state" so it should read
"the public interest would be best served by such waiver."
Section 44-11 03(b) - replace "permitted" with "prohibited" - Councilmember Nephew then mentioned that
by changing Sec. 44-1103(b) to prohibited, each time an allowable change was to be made to a CUP, an
amendment would be needed. Mr. Nephew recommended leaving "permitted" in this language. The
commission agreed and it was decided to leave the original language of "permitted" in this item.
Staff said the recommended changes would be made to the ordinance and it will be brought back to the
commission for review.
VIII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None
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IX. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
a. City Council Meeting of February 22,2010: Commissioner Martin was not present.
b. City Council Meeting of March 8, 2010: Commissioner Boeser will attend.
X. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. Sign Ordinance Amendment
Planner Ekstrand noted a copy of the sign ordinance amendment included in commissioners'
packets that was recently adopted by the city council. The commission said they did not receive
this copy; staff said he would have it at the next meeting.
b. Revised Council Meeting Coverage Schedule
Planner Ekstrand noted the revised commission schedule for attending city council meetings,
which was included in commissioners' packets.
c. Handouts for New Planning Commissioners
Planner Ekstrand reviewed the handout information included for the two new commissioners.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m.