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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMinutes-20070813City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – August 13, 2007 Page 1 of 6 Hastings Planning Commission August 13, 2007 Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m. Chair Truax called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 1.Roll Call Commissioners Present: Hiedeman, Stevens, Truax, Zeyen Commissioners Absent: McInnis, Peine, Schmitt Staff Present: Planning Director John Hinzman Associate Planner Kari Barker Associate Planner Justin Fortney 2.Approval of Minutes – July 23, 2007 Motion by Zeyen to approve the July 23, 2007, meeting minutes. Seconded by Hiedeman. Stevens requested a friendly amendment to Condition Number 11 on the Site Plan Review for the Greg J. Homes townhomes Staff Report. The amendment was to add “barrier” before the word “curb.” Friendly amendment was accepted; motion passed unanimously. Public Hearings 3.City of Hastings – Ordinance Amendment #2007-30 – Minimum Lot Size and Uses – st Southeast of Redwing Blvd and 31 Street. Associate Planner Fortney presented a staff report. Chair Truax opened the public hearing at 7:07. No members of the public spoke to the issue. Chair Truax closed the public hearing at 7:07. Chair Truax referenced two letters received from homeowners requesting inclusion into the rezone. He asked where these properties were located. Associate Planner Fortney showed the location on the map, which were indicated by the red highlighted marks. Chair Truax inquired about the former tower site. Planning Director Hinzman stated that this property was part of the Fountain Meadows plat. Chair Truax asked about the negative affect the rezone may have on the property owner. Planning Director Hinzman stated his main concern was that the lot met the minimum lot size. Commissioner Zeyen questioned the uses that would no longer be allowed with the rezone. He asked how these uses which are currently allowed, such as the Montessori School, would City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – August 13, 2007 Page 2 of 6 be affected. Associate Planner Fortney stated that the existing businesses would be grandfathered in. Commissioner Hiedeman asked for clarification on neighborhood commercial uses. Planning Director Hinzman explained these are limited commercial uses. Stevens inquired why the properties to the South East side were not included in the rezone. Associate Planner Fortney informed Stevens that these properties did not meet the minimum lot size and/or were in a different subdivision. Chair Truax stated that if property owners requested inclusion into the rezone and the properties met the minimum lot size, they should be included in the rezone. Zeyen stated he was hesitant to add homes without the home owner’s request. He stated the st home at 450 East 31 Street should only be included if the request for inclusion came from the homeowner. st Planning Director Hinzman stated that 460 East 31 Street should be included only if 450 st East 31 Street is included. Action by Planning Commission: Motion by Stevens to approve the Ordinance Amendment for Minimum Lot Size and Uses st with the addition of 450 East 31 Street with permission of the homeowner and subsequently st 460 East 31 Street. Seconded by Zeyen. Upon vote taken, Ayes 4, Nays 0. 4.City of Hastings – Cornerstone Land – Preliminary and Final Plat #2007-36 – Wal- Mart Hastings Addition. Staff Report by Kari Barker. Associate Planner Barker gave a staff report. Chair Truax opened the public hearing at 7:18. No members of the public spoke to the issue. Chair Truax closed the public hearing at 7:18. Chair Truax asked about the extension of the Frontage Road, which was to be completed as a condition of the Wal-Mart Expansion. Planning Director Hinzman stated it was his belief that this was not a part of Council approval. Action by Planning Commission: Motion by Hiedeman to approve the Preliminary and Final Plat for Cornerstone Land. Seconded by Stevens. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – August 13, 2007 Page 3 of 6 Upon vote taken, Ayes 4, Nays 0. Motion passed unanimously with the following conditions: 1.Conformance with the plans submitted with the Planning Commission Staff Report dated August 13, 2007. 2.All disturbed areas on this property shall be stabilized with rooting vegetative cover to eliminate erosion problems. 3.Final approval of the grading, drainage and utility plans by the Public Works Director, and reimbursement for any fees involved in plan review. The owner assumes all risks associated with the grading and utility placement prior to formal approvals. 4.Sewer interceptor fees in the amount of $400 shall be paid prior to recording of the Final Plat. 5.Any uncompleted site work (including landscaping) must be escrowed for at 125 percent of estimated valuation prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy. 6.The Final Plat must be submitted for recording with Dakota County within one year of City Council approval, or the approval is null and void. 7.Site Plan Review is required before the construction of a building on Lot 2. 8.Access to the existing/future collector street on the west side of Lot 2 (N/S North Frontage Road) is restricted to the north 50 feet of Lot 2. Access to the east/west section of North Frontage Road shall be prohibited. 9.A joint access easement shall be recorded upon all lots to ensure joint ingress/egress access. 10.Drainage and utility easement must be recorded over all facilities which are an extension of the City’s utility systems onto the Wal-Mart property. These easements must be shown on the plat. 11.All underground storage tanks shall be removed. OTHER ACTIONS 5.Comprehensive Plan – Review of Concept Plan Planning Director Hinzman gave an explanation of the process leading up to the Concept Plan. Planning Director Hinzman also stated that an Open House will be held on September 12 for the public to provide comments. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – August 13, 2007 Page 4 of 6 Bill Weber, Comprehensive Plan Consultant, presented a review of the Concept Plan, identifying its parts and main issues. Weber explained that comments received from both the Planning Commission and the public would be incorporated in the Concept Plan. The Concept Plan would then be fleshed out into the larger Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Stevens inquired how the proposed sewage system expansion affected growth. Weber stated that the growth estimates were made with the assumption the sewage system would be expanded. Weber explained that with this expansion, growth could be met. Commissioner Hiedeman stated she was in favor of sidewalks, but only on one side of the street. Commissioner Stevens asked about the proposed decrease in the current width of streets. Commissioner Stevens inquired what the current width was. Weber stated that the current width varies from 32 feet in residential neighborhoods to 34-36 feet in older neighborhoods. Weber stated that most streets could easily go down to 30 feet. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the standard width is thirty-two feet, which allows parking on both sides of the street. He stated that although there are both positive and negative points to a narrower width, safety must be taken into consideration. Commissioner Stevens echoed Planning Director Hinzman, stating that existing roads are already tight for emergency vehicles. He also stated concern regarding loosing the on- street parking. Weber stated that there is little need for on-street parking as most houses are currently being built with two to three garage spaces. He acknowledged that it would be necessary to involve the Fire Department in the planning for these streets. Weber stated that some Fire Departments are acceptable with narrower streets provided there is a larger radius on the corners. Commissioner Stevens stated his preference would be to maintain the current standards unless there was a hardship. Commissioner Truax referenced #2 under Land Use, asking how a small town feel could be accomplished along with compact and dense development. He also expressed concern with #5, specifically the variety of housing. Weber stated that this indicates more variety in a square mile. Commissioner Truax asked for the language in #5 to be softened. Weber concurred. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – August 13, 2007 Page 5 of 6 Commissioner Truax stated he agreed with the importance of sidewalks, but not on both sides of the street. He stated that sidewalks are difficult for older adults to shovel and Hastings’ demographics indicate an increase in older adults. Commissioner Truax also stated that there is a cost to maintain sidewalks. Commissioner Truax inquired how Tom Montgomery, Public Works Director, felt about sidewalks. Planning Director Hinzman stated his belief that Montgomery was fine with sidewalks on either one side or both sides. Planning Director Hinzman stated that Montgomery just needs an answer to the direction to take on sidewalks. Commissioner Stevens inquired into the current sidewalk policy. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the current policy is to require sidewalks along collector roadways only. Commissioner Truax stated that a lack of sidewalks was one reason Hastings has the lowest property values in Dakota County, along with a lack of amenities. Weber stated that sidewalks and parks give a lasting value. He further stated that other cities have higher property values due to proximity to Minneapolis and freeways. In regards to #1 under Economic Development, Commissioner Truax asked if raised standards on the few remaining lots in the industrial park would eliminate affordability. Weber clarified, stating that standards would apply to current design standards, but not raise them. Commissioner Truax referenced #4 under Economic Development regarding retaining and expanding existing industries. Commissioner Truax stated that this should apply to all businesses. Further, the city should help businesses stay and survive. Commissioner Truax stated that #2 under Urban Design should be stricken as it applies to the Vermillion Street Plan. Planning Director Hinzman and Commissioner Truax agreed that the wording should state something regarding “as will be adopted.” Commissioner Truax questioned #9 under Urban Design regarding “both sides of collector streets.” He asked if this was current practice. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the current practice is sidewalks on one side of the collector street. Commissioner Truax inquired about #11 regarding the amount of development that could take place along River Street. Weber clarified, stating that it was the area west of Wal- Mart to Jacob. Commissioner Truax asked about #2 under Housing. He stated that if a developer is willing to put in all single family homes, variety should not be encouraged. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – August 13, 2007 Page 6 of 6 Commissioner Stevens questioned the History of Comprehensive Plans in regards to commercial areas and housing. Weber stated that historically housing along industrial, arterial, and commercial areas is entry level or rental. He also stated that a current trend is for a single developer to come in with several types of housing to meet multiple housing needs. Weber concluded stating the desire was to have a plan that was concise, readable, and usable. 6. Planning Director Hinzman updated the Commission on previous Council activities and upcoming agenda items. 7. Adjournment Zeyen motioned, seconded by Hiedeman. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Kari Barker Associate Planner