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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/16/1991PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF APPLE VALLEY January 16, 1991 1. CALL TO ORDER The January 16, 1991 meeting of the Apple Valley Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman Robert Erickson at 7:34 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the City of Apple Valley City Hall. Members Present: Chairman Robert Erickson, Members Carlson, Edgeton, Felkncr, Gowling, and Kitzman. Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Richard Kelley, Meg McMonigal, Scott Hickok, Keith Gordon, Chelle Benson, and Dennis Welsch. Others Present: See the sign -in sheet. 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA The agenda was approved as submitted with the addition of verbal reports under Item 9 - B (Goal Setting Report), C (Council Liaison), and D (Sign Ordinance). 3. INTRODUCTION OF CHELLE BENSON Chairman Erickson asked Community Development Director Dennis Welsch to introduce Chellc Benson, 1991 Planning Intern from Mankato State University. The Planning Commission welcomed Ms. Benson who will intern with the City Planning Staff from January through May 1991. 4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 2, 1991 The minutes of the January 2, 1991 meeting were approved as submitted. Chairman Erickson commented that (on page 6) his recollection of the discussion and motion was that the Planning Commission wanted to emphasize the Commission's preference for a thirty foot wide drive lane, and a ten foot drop off lane, for a total of forty feet in front of the Cub store. MOTION: A motion was made by Member Carlson, seconded by Member Felkner, to approve the minutes. The motion carried, 4 voting in favor and 2 members, Kitzman and Gowling, abstaining. Planning Commission Minutes January 16, 1991 Page 2 5. CONSENT AGENDA (One motion sends items needing no discussion on to the City Council with the staff recommendations.). - None - 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Embassy Estates Townhome Preliminary Plat and Building Permit Authorization LOCATION: North Side of 144th Street West at Embassy Avenue PETITIONER: Wensmann Homes, Inc. (PC91- 001 -SB) STAFF REPORT: January 16, 1991 by City Planner Richard Kelley Chairman Erickson opened the public hearing and requested City Planner Richard Kelley to provide a background report regarding the Embassy Estates Townhome project. Kelley noted that the Embassy Estates project requires a preliminary plat, a final plat, and a building permit authorization. He slated that the project is consistent with both the comprehensive plan (MD) and the zoning (M -6). Kelley described the existing land use surrounding the site and the details of the 54 unit site plan. He noted that a 5 foot sidewalk would be placed along 144th Street. Kelley listed deficiencies in the site plan, including setbacks of several buildings, drainage swales along the pipeline easements, additional landscaping and street plantings and parking. He noted that the exterior elevations need a conditional use permit if other materials are used besides wood or brick. He also noted that the road entry system which should be a minimum of 20 feet in width. Kelly recommended that a variance be granted to allow the density proposed (5.79 units per acre instead of the minimum 6 units per acre required by the code), citing the physical hardship of the pipeline easement through the center of the site. Chairman Erickson asked for clarification regarding the 5 foot sidewalk along 144th Street and the needs for efficient and effective visitor parking on the site. Kelley noted that the site plan currently has at least one -half additional parking space per unit more than is required by the code. Terry Wensmann, Eagan, applicant for this site, stated that the project will be very similar to the Embassy Estates Townhouse project that is currently under construction. The project will include cedar and brick exteriors and will be marketed to empty nesters. Planning Commission Minutes January 16, 1991 Page 3 Chet Ornat, 5346 144th Street, asked for clarification where the entrances to the townhouse project will be along 144th Street. Kelley pointed out the various entrances. Hal Bradley, 14323 Embry Path, asked for clarification regarding the distance between his backyard and his house to the rear of the new units. Kelley responded that the new units are proposed to be setback a minimum of 50 to 70 feet from the property line of the project. Steve Jacobsen, 5248 148th Street, expressed concern about traffic flow along 144th Street. Kelley responded that the project will generate approximately 378 trips per day based on 7 trips per unit. He noted that 144th Street has a capacity of approximately 2,500 vehicles per day. Chairman Erickson asked the staff to report back with more current traffic counts for 144th Street. Steve Wesner, 5263 145th Street, expressed concern about traffic on 144th Street now and in the future when it is used as an east -west connector between Diamond Path and Pilot Knob Road. Member Gowling asked for clarification regarding the speed limit. Planner Kelley responded that the speed limit is 30 mph. After a general discussion of the traffic flow and need for traffic counts, Chairman Erickson recessed the meeting to hear the President Bush's message on Iraq. Chairman Erickson reconvened the public hearing and asked the Staff to provide traffic information at the next available Planning Commission Meeting. Phyllis Richards, 14319 Embry Path, asked for clarification regarding the number of trees on the site and the landscaping that will be done. Kelley explained the landscape plan. T. J. Rushell, 5224 W. 144th Street, also asked for further details regarding landscaping. JoAnn Carlson, 5170 W. 144th Street, asked if there was a possibility for a road connection between this project and the higher density project, which could eventually be built to the west of this site. Planner Kelley noted that the City does not connect private road systems between projects. He explained that Pilot Knob Road is planned for four lanes of traffic and turn lanes, but the improvements will not be done until after 1995. Planning Commission Minutes January 16, 1991 Page 4 Member Edgeton asked if there was a possibility for an entrance and exit from the future project to the west onto Pilot Knob Road. Planning Staff responded that only the County can approve an entrance or exit onto a County road such as Pilot Knob Road. Hal Bradley, 14323 Embry Path, asked for clarification regarding drainage from this site. Keith Gordon, City Engineer, responded that all buildings and roads are designed to drain away from adjoining property lines, collecting storm water in a storm sewer piping system on the east side of the project, which then runs to a pond near Diamond Path. Rick Witte, Embry Path, asked if there would be any recreation areas proposed in the open spaces on this site. Terry Wensmann responded that there would only be landscaped open space with no play apparatus proposed at this time. He noted that all open space would be maintained by the homeowner's association. Todd Raberge, 5224 144th Street, asked if speed bumps could be installed along 144th Street or in the project site. He stated that the 30 mph speed limit is not adhered to on 144th Street. Kelley responded that speed bumps are not an effective speed preventative and that experience has shown when the development is complete along 144th Street, drivers will begin to slow down. Von Russom, 5249 145th Street West, stated that there are forty children that live on 145th Street who play with the children on 144th Street. He expressed concern about the visibility of the children playing on 144th Street by drivers coming around the curve in the road. Chairman Erickson asked the Staff to look into the traffic patterns at the blind corner in 144th Street and provide some type of safety report or response. Joe Wilking, 5264 145th Street W., expressed concern with the access from this project onto 144th Street, but noted that there is no access to the north either onto Embry Path or onto Pilot Knob Road. Hearing no further comments, Chairman Erickson closed the public hearing. No action was taken. 7. LAND USE /ACTION ITEMS A. Ryan -Cub Foods Grocery Store Building Permit Authorization LOCATION: Southeast Corner of Cedar Avenue and 153rd Street West PETITIONER: Ryan Construction, Inc. and SuperValu Stores, Inc. (PC90- 032 -SB) STAFF REPORT: January 16, 1991 by City Planner Richard Kelley Planning Commission Minutes January 16, 1991 Page 5 City Planner Richard Kelley provided a background review and report on the progress made with Cub Foods to upgrade their existing proposed site plan to include better landscaping; traffic signage; 40 foot drive aisles in front of the building; concrete curbs along the east side of the project; brick trim along the top of the building; rooftop screening for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning units; and parking of trailers along the rear of the building. After a general discussion of the site conditions, the Commission also discussed the need for and placement of handicap spaces. No action was necessary. 8. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Airport Update from Public Hearing (Meg McMonigal) Associate Planner Meg McMonigal provided a background report on an airport hearing she attended that was held to discuss the possibility of either expanding the existing Twin Cities International Airport, or creating an entirely new airport in the Rosemount area or further south along the Dakota /Scott County border. After the presentation by McMonigal, a general discussion ensued in which Member Felkner asked the Planning Commission to consider water quality issues along with other site planning issues that will impact Apple Valley. Chairman Erickson asked the Commission whether a position should be taken by the City or the Planning Commission. The consensus of the Planning Commission was that the City should take a position on this airport process early in the deliberations. Members Carlson and Erickson suggested that the Planning Commission hold a town meeting on the airport alternatives in early April. The Planning Commission concurred. Member Carlson also suggested that the Planning Commission host a meeting with planning commissions from other cities south of the river, or in Dakota County. The Planning Commission agreed. After holding the meetings, the Planning Commission would then make a formal recommendation to the Council regarding the impacts of the airport on Apple Valley and any direction necessary by the City. The Staff was directed to prepare an outline for the two meetings and methods of providing citizen input. Planning Commission Minutes January 16 1991 Page 6 B. Transportation Report (Meg McMonigal) Associate Planner Meg McMonigal continued the reporting process on the transportation plan update to the City's Comprehensive Plan. She provided information on the projected household population and employment of Dakota County and the Metropolitan area, for the year 1990 and the 2010 forecast. She also provided a series of documents on tele- commuting and the methods of reducing car commuting by utilizing homework hours. She provided a handout regarding high speed trains that could utilize the Twin Cities as the western terminus, running southeasterly through Wisconsin to Chicago. She distributed information regarding the traffic counts along Cedar Avenue and County Road 42 as projected in the Dakota County Transportation Study. She provided a handout and diagrams of the Cedar Avenue and County Road 42 intersection illustrating the current traffic counts and the projected traffic counts in the year 2010 with County road improvements and without County road improvements. A general discussion ensued with the Planning Commission requesting clarification as to whether the City Council or the County will hold a public hearing on the potential impact of County Road #38 being extended from Cedar Avenue to County Road 11. The Staff is to get further direction from the City Council at its' next work session. Chairman Erickson asked the Staff to request MnDOT to provide a list of high traffic volume sites throughout the metropolitan area, including the intersection of 35W and Lake Street. 9. OTHER BUSINESS A. Review Valley Wood Estates Single - Family, Large Lot Project in Rosemount Adjacent to the City of Apple Valley Eastern Border Associate Planner Meg McMonigal provided a Staff report dated January 16, 1991 in which she described the Valley Wood Estates proposed plat, which would include 8 residential lots. She stated that the Primary issue regarding the plat is the road setback from the Hearthstone Plat within the City of Apple Valley. There would be damage to oak trees from construction of a road close to the rear property line of the lots In Hearthstone. She noted that Oak Wilt is present in the area and construction does hasten the onset of Oak Wilt in existing trees even though untouched. She stated that such damage should not be shouldered by adjacent property owners and that a 10 foot setback from the road to the Vraa property lines is not sufficient. In addition, she noted that a 10 foot setback creates a "no man's land" in which common area would not be maintained by any direct property owners other than the homeowner's association. If this site did need repair or trees had to be removed, it would be difficult to get the homeowner's Planning Commission Minutes January 16, 1991 Page 7 association to do such work. She recommended that the Planning Commission and City Council recommend to the City of Rosemount City Council: 1) that the road alignment should be moved at least 40 feet east of the Hearthstone property line, 2) that the land between the road and the Hearthstone plat should be added to one or more of the lots within the Valley Wood project clarifying the responsibility for property maintenance in this strip. She also described problems with cut and fill, and street location, as well as site drainage on this location. MOTION: A motion was made by Member Carlson, seconded by Member Gowling, to recommend to the City Council and hence, to the Rosemount City Council that the original proposal for Valley Wood is the preferred method of subdividing this parcel. As an alternative, the Planning Commission would recommend a minimum of a forty foot wide setback from the Vraa east property line for the new road right -of -way. The motion carried 6 - 0. Chairman Erickson asked the Staff to respond to the forestry concerns and the owner responsibility for tree removal in the land between the proposed road and the Vraa development east property line. B. Goal Setting Report Member Felkner reported on the six goals established by the City Council for 1991 and the three long term goals established for ongoing planning purposes. A handout was distributed describing each of these goals. A general discussion ensued regarding the usefulness of the Goal Setting Session. The Planning Commission consensus was that a critique of the Goal Setting Session should be done and turned in to City Administrator Tom Melena by each of the participants. C. City Council Liaison to the Planning Commission City Council Member Virginia Sterling has been selected to be the Council liaison to the Planning Commission. L. Sign Ordinance Amendment Report Community Development Director Dennis Welsch reported that the City Council has requested the Staff and Planning Commission to consider an amendment to the sign code which would prohibit billboards and other off - site advertising currently allowed on vacant, platted industrial lots. A proposal will be submitted to the Planning Commission at their next regular meeting. Planning Commission Minutes January 16, 1991 Page 8 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m. kg Planning Commission Minutes January 16, 1991 Page 9 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SIGN -IN SHEET January 16, 1991 NAME ADDRESS PHONE Terry Wensmann Eagan 683 -0387 Mr /Mrs Chester B. Ornat 5346 144th Street W. 423 -4974 Robert /Cheryl Johnson 5438 144th Street 423 -5232 Robin /Vaughn Russom 5249 14th Street W. 423 -4125 Steve Wesner 5263 145th Street 423 -5227 Steve Jacobsen 5248 144th Street W. 423 -2113 Mr /Mrs Joseph Wilking 5264 145th Street W. 423 -2629 Kathy Glen 14323 Embry Path 423 -5744 Phyllis Richards 14319 Embry Path 423 -1277 Richard A. Worth 14307 Embry Path 423 -4966 Hal Bradley 14323 Embry Path 423 -5744 Deb /T.J. Rushell 5186 144th Street W. 423 -3415 Kathy /Pete Dahl 14505 Embry Path 423 -4263 JoAnn Carlson 5170 144th Street W. 423 -1773 Todd Raberge 5224 144th Street 423 -2376