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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/17/1990PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF APPLE VALLEY October 17, 1990 1. CALL TO ORDER The October 17, 1990 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 Erickson, Members Carlson, Felkner, Sterling, Kitzman, and Gowling. Members Absent: Edgeton. Staff Present: Richard Kelley, Meg McMonigal, Scott Hickok, Dennis Welsch, and Lon Anne. Others Present: Vince Driessen. 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA The proposed agenda for the October 17, 1990 meeting was approved with the following changes: 6A - Rodeo Hills Porch /Deck Setback Variances - tabled to November 7, 1990 at the request of the applicant. 8A - Mailing procedure for Planning Commission Members - addition. MOTION: A motion was made by Member Gowling, seconded by Member Sterling, to approve the agenda as amended. The motion was approved unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 3, 1990 MOTION: A motion was made by Member Carlson, seconded by Member Gowling, to approve the minutes of the October 3, 1990 meeting. The motion carried unanimously. 4. CONSENT AGENDA (One motion sends items needing no discussion on to the City Council with the staff recommendations.) - None - Planning Commission Minutes October 17, 1990 Page 2 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None - 6. LAND USE /ACTION ITEMS A. Rodeo Hills Porch /Deck Setback Variances LOCATION: Southwest Corner of the Intersection of Palomino Drive and Garden View Drive PETITIONER: Diedrich Builders, Inc. (PC90- 056 -V) Tabled at the request of the applicant until November 7, 1990. B. Cole's Sign Variance LOCATION: Southport Centre, Lot 2 PETITIONER: Ryan Construction (PC90- 057 -V) STAFF REPORT: October 17, 1990 by Associate Planner Scott Hickok Associate Planner Scott Hickok provided a background report and displays to illustrate a sign variance request by Ryan Construction for a tenant named Cole's Hair Salon. The variance requested that Cole's Hair Salon be allowed to have a third building sign and that the sign be placed on a portion of the building which is not occupied by Cole's Hair Salon. Hickok noted that Cole's would be allowed a 160 square foot of sign on the south side of the Ryan Southport Plaza, and an identical sign on the County Road 42 north side of the Ryan Southport Plaza, provided the signage was attached to the space rented by Cole's. Hickok recommended: 1. Denial of a request for a third sign on the building. 2. Denial of the use of the endcap when not leased by Cole's for signage. 3. Not considering an amendment to the planned unit development dealing with signage on the Southport Plaza. Vince Driessen, representing Ryan Construction, explained the request in detail for signage along the three sides of the endcaps of the Southport Plaza. He expressed a need for more visibility. He noted that the building has one continuous sign band around the entire building. Chairman Erickson clarified the issues. Three signs are requested; signage is requested where the building lease is not held. Planning Commission Minutes October 17, 1990 Page 3 Member Felkner asked if this would set a precedent with three signs and wondered how other endcap buildings throughout the downtown would react to this proposal. Member Gowling asked for consistent spacing of the signs throughout the building. MOTION: A motion was made by Member Gowling, seconded by Member Sterling, to recommend denial of the variance request on both the west and south endcaps. Member Gowling noted that there was adequate signage avail- able without these additions. Member Sterling stated that most tenants would like to have their signage on the endcap. In all other cases, this type of request had been denied. Driesscn noted that a building with four faces was requested by the City and that signage should be consistent with those four faces, allowed on all four sides. He also requested that a planned unit development be considered for signage alone. Community Development Director Welsch noted that the sign code is a completely separate ordinance from the zoning code and therefore, planned unit development would not be appropriate. MOTION: The motion to recommend denial carried 6 - 0. Recommen- dation was sent to the Council for action on October 25, 1990. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Transportation Plan & Policies Associate Planner Meg McMonigal provided an outline of the transporta- tion plan study: SCHEDULE FOR TRANSPORTATION POLICY PLAN October 3 Introduction Discuss Travel Trends and "Access" Issue October 17 Describe Roadway System, Trails and Road Policies (Meg /Rick /Lon) November 7 Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (Rick /Beverly Miller, Director) Planning Commission Minutes October 17, 1990 Page 4 Schedule For Transportation Policy Plan (Continued) November 14 Travel Demand Management Strategies December 5 Light Rail Transit December 19 Goals, Policies, Strategies January 2 Transportation Policies and Plan City Planner Richard Kelley described the road system and the classi- fication and programs to meet traffic demand. The Major Arterial roadway system links the region together and roads are spaced 3 - 6 miles apart. Roadways are 4 - 6 lanes wide, divided, and with limited access. In Apple Valley, this system is represented by TH35E, which skirts the City's northwest boundary, and the north /south portion of T.H. #77 (Cedar Avenue) lying north of 138th Street. Since the Major Arterials serve the region, they fall under the jurisdiction of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The Minor Arterial roadway system links subregions together and roads are spaced 1 - 2 miles apart. Roadways are 2 - 4 lanes wide and are often divided. Access is restricted to no more than 1/4 mile intervals for public street intersections having full access; right -turn only intersections may occur as often as 1/8 mile. In Apple Valley, this system is represented by C.R. 023 (Cedar Avenue south of 138th Street), C.R. #31 (Pilot Knob Road), C.R. #33 (Diamond Path), C.R. #46, C.R. #42, east /west portion of T.H. #77 (Zoo Road), future C.R. #38, and existing C.R. #38 east of C.R. #31. Since a subregion is served by this system, it falls under the jurisdiction of Dakota County. The Community Collector roadway system is made up of intracity roads, which may tie into similar roads in adjacent cities. These roads are 2 - 4 lanes wide and spaced 1/2 - 2 miles apart. In Apple Valley, the system consists of Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Galaxie Avenue, Garden View Drive south of future C.R. #38, and 140th Street. There has been discussion of adding 153rd Street east of Cedar Avenue to this system. As an intracity system, Apple Valley is the responsible jurisdiction for these roads. The Neighborhood Collector roadway system ties neighborhoods together and links them to the larger road networks. These roads are space 1/4- 3/4 miles apart and are 2 lanes wide, with unrestricted or slightly restricted access. Since their smaller scale does not act as a barrier or serve to divide neighborhoods, these roads run within neighborhoods as opposed to the periphery of neighborhoods as do the higher classified Planning Commission Minutes October 17, 1990 Page 5 roadways. Although only 2 lanes wide, Neighborhood Collectors are built somewhat wider and straighter than local access residential streets. Since direct driveway access is permitted to them, the construction cost is fully assessed and paid for by the abutting property owner(s). For this reason, construction of Neighborhood Collector roads are often resisted by residential land developers. An inadequate Neighborhood Collector system leads to more traffic on local residential streets, resulting in traffic complaints. An example of this is the Pennock Avenue situation, where north of 140th Street a 3/4 mile gap exists between Pennock Avenue and Garden View Drive. The lack of a second Neighborhood Collector causes more vehicles to use Pennock then is desirable, although the traffic levels are within the physical capacity of the road. Extensions of missing portions of the Minor Arterial and Community Collector systems are programmed within the City's 5-Year Capital Improvement Program. Neighborhood Collectors are constructed in conjunction with adjacent land development. Project Engineer Lon Anne described the 20 miles of trail systems, 3 miles of 8 foot sidewalks, 21 miles of 5 foot sidewalks, and 85 miles of 4 foot sidewalks throughout the community. Associate Planner McMonigal presented a series of potential road system policies. These policies are in draft form and are intended as a starting point to be further developed. The planners intend to work with the Planning Commission and City Council, other staff, and the public to develop these and eventually, adopt them. The potential policies fall into four categories: 1) road system policies, 2) traffic policies, 3) transit policies, and 4) travel demand management policies. 1. ROAD SYSTEM POLICIES - The City will work with the County to develop Capital Improvement Plan for roadways. Each year the City works with the County Highway Department to determine the priorities for County road improvements within the City of Apple Valley. County road improvements are funded 55% by Dakota County and 45% by the City of Apple Valley. - The City of Apple Valley will also adopt a Capital Improvement Plan annually. - The City will work with the County to: - develop both the east and west sections of County Road #38 in 1991, Planning Commission Minutes October 17, 1990 Page 6 - upgrade County Road #46 in sections - the west section of the City in 1991, the middle section from Cedar to Pilot Knob in 1993, and the eastern portion from Pilot Knob east in 1994. Pilot Knob Road is scheduled to be upgraded from a 2 -lane to a 4 -lane road from Eagan to Diamond Path Road in 1991 and from Diamond Path Road south to County Road 42 in 1995. A section of Diamond Path Road is scheduled to be upgraded in 1991. This section is from 139th Street to 146th Street. The intersection of County Road 42 and Cedar Avenue is scheduled to be upgraded in 1992. - Some of the projects in the City's Capital Improvement Plan include: - construction of Galaxie Avenue from 157th to County Road #46 in 1992, - a signal at Garden View and 140th Street is scheduled for 1992, - a signal at Pennock Avenue and 147th Street is scheduled for 1992, - upgrading of 140th Street from Galaxie Avenue to County Road #33 is scheduled for 1991, - a signal at Galaxie Avenue and 147th Street is scheduled for 1993, - and upgrading of Galaxie Avenue from 140th to 147th is scheduled for 1994. - The City will complete its system of collector streets by extend- ing Johnny Cake Ridge Road south and 153rd Street to the east, in the area south of County Road #42 that is currently being studied as a potential gravel mining area. - The City will also provide a collector system from Galaxie Avenue to County Road #31 between 140th Street and County Road #42 when development occurs there. - The City will continue to develop its system of local streets by: - requiring streets to be built to City standards, - connecting streets and neighborhoods wherever possible to assure the most alternatives for local traffic, Planning Commission Minutes October 17, 1990 Page 7 - minimizing cul -de -sacs where possible because of the higher maintenance required, - maintaining streets and right -of -ways as set forth in the Streetscape Management Plan, - and constructing trails in conjunction with road projects, construct trails on collector roads, and on streets that lead to schools and parks. 2. TRAFFIC POLICIES - The City will work to ensure the smooth flow of traffic by: - installing stop signs only where they are needed to prevent a traffic hazard, - installing stop lights when the State warrants are met and when they are deemed necessary by the City, - and designing intersections to function safely and efficiently. 3. TRANSIT POLICIES - The City, as a member of the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, will pursue improved transit service by: - working with the MVTA to develop park and ride lots and routes to service citizens of Apple Valley, - working with the MVTA for transit service to serve the Ring Route, - providing information on transit service at all city offices, buildings, and the public library, - encouraging the MVTA to provide shelters for transit riders, - encouraging car and van pooling and ride share for city residents and employers, - and participating in Light Rail Transit studies with Dakota County. Planning Commission Minutes October 17, 1990 Page 8 4. TRAVEL DEMAND MANAGEMENT POLICIES - The City will work with employers and on site development to reduce trips by: - providing easy pedestrian pathways to transit service, - promoting carpooling and transit, - promoting flex -time among employers - promoting "guaranteed ride home" programs among employers - linking developments to encourage pedestrian movements, - concentrating commercial development in the downtown area, - and providing on -site parking. B. Industrial Land Needs and Zoning Policies Community Development Director Dennis Welsch provided a background report on industrial land needs in the community noting that the City has less than 120 acres of industrial land immediately available for develop- ment. In the report he prepared for the Planning Commission, he indicated that the most likely expansion area for new industrial land will be south of County Road 42. The Planning Commission accepted the report and placed it on file. C. Small Business Loan Policies City Planner Richard Kelley provided a background report and the proposed revolving loan fund program guidelines for small businesses within the community. The Planning Commission accepted the report and placed it on file. D. Energy Conservation Grant Program Associate Planner Scott Hickok provided a background report on the City's energy conservation and shade tree grant program. The Planning Commission accepted the report and placed it on file. 8. OTHER BUSINESS A. Planning Commission Mailings Chairman Erickson requested that all mailings sent to the City Hall for Planning Commission Members be forwarded immediately to Planning Planning Commission Minutes October 17, 1990 Page 9 Commission Members so that timely information and invitations will not be missed. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:37 p.m. kg