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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/06/1993PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Jaralary 6, 1993 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Alan Felkner called the Planning Commission meeting of January 6, 1993 to order at 735 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Members Present: Chairman Alan Felkner, Frank Blundetto, Marcia Gowling, Karen Edgeton, and Jeannine Churchill. Members Absent: Eugene Kitzman and Jim Norris, Staff Present: Richard Kelley, Lon Anne, Meg McMonigal, Ken Brackee, and Dennis Welsch. Others Present: See the sign -in sheet. 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA The agenda was approved with the following changes: Item 211, a presentation by Mayor Branning, was added to the agenda. Item 2C, a resolution congratulating retiring member Gene Kitzman, was added to the agenda. Item 8B, Roberts Rules of Order, was added to the agenda. Item 8C, Mission Statement Review, was added to the agenda. Item 8D, Videotaping of Planning Commission Meetings, was added to the agenda. Item 8E, Acting Secretary Appointment, was added to the agenda. Item 8F, Appointment of Committee Members to Planning Commission, was added to the agenda. Item 8G, Economic Development Committee Joint Meetings, was added to the agenda. With the above mentioned additions, the agenda was approved unanimously. Planning Commission Minutes January 6, 1993 Page 2 2B. Discussion with Mayor Branning Chairman Alan Felkner introduced Mayor Branning who discussed feedback he had received throughout the community during the fall. He listed them as follows: 1. High roof and pavement cover on the Wensmann area. 2. Higher densities in residential areas equate to higher crime rates. 3. Older homes in some areas have become run down. 4. Commercial development should be kept downtown. 5. Not supportive of unplanned strip centers. 6. Southport Centre and Wendy's/Blockbuster is a more acceptable type of commercial shopping center. 7. Cut -de -sacs are used too often -- was there a time when the City policy changed to allow more cul -de -sacs? 8. The Mayor and the Council would like to work directly with the Planning Commission on policy issues. 9. Taco Bell was the most often requested restaurant from constituent comments. 10. Traffic corridors need study and they include: 160th Street, Whitney Drive, 157th Street, and Pennock Avenue. A general discussion ensued regarding the method of communicating between Commissions and Committees, as well as a discussion of the intent of rezoning parcels. The Commission requested the Council to establish a time at which the Planning Commission and City Council could jointly discuss planning philosophy. Mayor Branning presented the Planning Commission with the City of Apple Valley Service Award to be presented to retiring Planning Commission Member Gene Kitzman on behalf of the Planning Commission and Council. Chairman Alan Felkner explained to Planning Commission Members that Commission Member Gene Kitzman had asked to resign from the Planning Commission due to failing health. Chairman Felkner and Members of the Commission noted how much they will miss Gene Kitzman's insights and wit at Planning Commission meetings. 2!C. MOTION: Member Blundetto moved, seconded by Member Churchill, to adopt resolution 1/06/93a expressing appreciation and congratulations to retiring Planning Commission Member Gene Kitzman. The motion carried unanimously. Members of the Planning Commission signed the resolution. 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 16, 1992 The minutes of the December 16, 1992 meeting were approved unanimously with the following corrections. Planning Commission Minutes January 6, 1993 Page 3 On page 2, paragraph 1, the last sentence should read "...work is completed by June 15, 1993.." On page 7, paragraph 1, the last sentence should read "The next Planning Commission meeting after January 14 is Wednesday, January 20" MOTION: Member Gowling moved, seconded by Member Edgeton, to approve the minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously. 4. CONSENT AGENDA None - 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS None - 6. LAND USE/ACTION ITEMS A. Highpoint - Amendment to Comprehensive Plan, Rezoning, & Preliminary Plat for 21 Single Family Lots LOCATION: SW Corner of Cedar Avenue & McAndrews Road PETITIONER: Maurer Companies, Inc. & Steve Cheney (PC92- 093 -PZS) STAFF REPORT: Richard Kelley, dated January 6, 1993 City Planner Richard Kelley provided a background report in which he described the project in detail including the tree cover, building pads, tree removal, street grades, and variances requested to allow the grades of the streets to be 10% instead of 8 % He reported on the results of the public hearing and the concerns about traffic, sidewalks, and protection of trees. Member Gowling asked if the north /south road would continue through the Adelmann property to Hallwood Highland, Applicant Terry Mauer responded that the developers have not received an affirmative response from the Adelmann family to date but expect it soon. Member Churchill asked if there would be concern about the number of turnaround vehicles on the cul -de -sac. The Staff responded that the 16 lots that would be created would not generate enough traffic to reduce the functional aspects of the cul -de -sac. Chairman Felkner asked for details regarding the preservation of the trees on the site. City Planner Kelley responded that approximately 20% of the trees in the areas currently shown for "clear cutting" could be saved if the road could be raised and the trees properly protected and fenced off from excavation equipment. Ken Brackee explained the process for protecting trees and noted that trees were adequately protected in Mr. Maurer's Oaks IV Development. Planning Commission Minutes January 6, 1993 Page 4 Mr. Mauer indicated that if the street could be kept higher (at a 10% grade) more trees could be saved. Bill Maurer, representing Probe Engineering, stated that the City still needs to install utilities along the north /south road. The developer and his engineer will work with the City Engineering Staff to obtain either an 8% or a 10% grade along the north /south road but that an 8% grade would be acceptable if the north /south road does not extend through the Adelmann site. Member Blundetto listed the reasons for approval of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment, the Zoning Amendment, and the Preliminary Plat. He stated that the project fits the site, conserves the limited amount of trees remaining on the site and is a good low density development, similar to other developments that this developer has done and is compatible with the surrounding developments. MOTION: Member Blundetto moved, seconded by Member Churchill, to recommend a change in the Comprehensive Plan map from "MD" to "SF ". The motion carried unanimously. MOTION: Member Blundetto moved, seconded by Member Edgeton, to recommend changing the zoning designation on the site from "R -1" to "R -3 ". The motion carried unanimously. MOTION Member Blundetto moved, seconded by Member Edgeton, to recommend approval of the Preliminary Plat of Highpoint, subject to a use of a maximum 10% street grade contingent upon simultaneous construction of 133rd Street road connection through the Adelman property, individual lot grading at the time of building permit issuance, establishment of a comprehensive boulevard tree replanting program, and working out grading plans and street grades with Staff if the Adelmann property is not acquired. The motion carried unanimously. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Comprehensive Plan Update Associate Planner Meg McMonigal presented information regarding upgrading the City's Comprehensive Plan by reviewing the City's goals and policies. She explained population and demographic changes in the community based upon the 1990 census. The Planning Commission listed milestones that they felt the community had accomplished over the last 10 years including: Parks, schools, housing, good location, neighborhood development, children, small town feeling, good athletics, a good place for small business, and the low crime and high safety levels. Meg McMonigal also presented a list of milestones in Apple Valley's history as prepared with the help of the City Staff. It was the consensus of the Commission to review all goals and policies beginning with discussions at a work session on January 20.1f the meeting needs to be started at 6:00 pm., the Staff will provide Planning Commission Minutes January 6, 1993 Page 5 a light lunch at the same time. The Commission will then adjourn until 730 p.m. at which time the normal Planning Commission meeting will ensue. B. Palomino Drive Realignment at County Road 11 City Project Engineer Lon Anne presented background information and discussed the realignment of the intersection of Palomino Drive with County Road 11. He noted that the current traffic load on County Road 11 is 16,000 vehicles and in the near future it will approach 20,000 vehicles per day. The realignment would create a safer intersection. A general discussion ensued with Planning Commission members asking for details regarding the alignment with the shopping center entrance across County Road 11 in Burnsville. Member Gowling asked for further details regarding the ability to create a safety island in the middle of a 4 -way road. Engineer Lon Anne stated he would provide additional details at a future meeting. No action was taken. S. OTHER BUSINESS A. Sand and Gravel Final Environmental Impact Statement and Schedule City Planner Kelley described the schedule for public information meetings and decision making schedule currently within the final environmental impact statement for sand and gravel operations south of County Road 42. No action was taken. B. Robert's Rules of Order Chairman Alan Felkner asked the Planning Staff to prepare a presentation on Roberts Rules of Order for the January 20 meeting. The Planning Commission concurred. C. Mission Statement Chairman Alan Felkner asked the Planning Staff to prepare a discussion and presentation on Mission Statements that the Staff and Commission have adopted at the January 20 meeting. The Planning Commission concurred. D. Video Taping of Commission Meetings Chairman Felkner described the remodeling of the City Council Chambers for potential videotaping of all public meetings. A general discussion ensued regarding the merits of taping Planning Commission meetings. MOTION: Member Edgeton moved, seconded by Member Gowling, to recommend to the City Council that the Planning Commission meetings not be broadcast or televised at this time. The motion carried. The Commission did state that at some future time if the public is interested in Planning Commission Minutes January 6, 1993 Page 6 having the meetings broadcast, the Commission would reconsider but at this time there appears to be no interest on the part of the public. E. Acting Secretary Appointed MOTION: Member Edgeton moved, seconded by Member Blundetto, to appoint Member Marcia Gowling as the Acting Secretary of the Planning Commission until the March 1993 business meeting. Member Gowling would replace retiring Member Kitzman. The motion carried unanimously. F. Appointment of New Members to Planning Commission By consensus, the Commission encouraged the City Council to consider filling vacancies on the Planning Commission with members of the various other commissions and committees within the City structure as well as look for new members from the community. G. Economic Development Committee Joint Meetings By consensus, the Commission encouraged the City Council to establish joint informal study meetings with the Planning Commission and Chamber Economic Development Committee invited to participate on a regular basis. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:13 pan.