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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMinutes-20061211City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – December 11, 2006 Page 1 of 6 Hastings Planning Commission December 11, 2006 Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m. Chairman Twedt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 1.Roll Call Commissioners Present: Hiedeman, McInnis, Peine, Truax, Twedt, Schmitt, Zeyen Staff Present: Planning Director John Hinzman, Associate Planner Kari Barker 2. Approve November, 2006 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Commissioner Truax requested two changes to the Meeting Minutes. The first change is found on page three, the third from last paragraph. The word “concern” replaces the word “appreciation.” The second change is found on page 5 in the paragraph following the staff recommendations. The word “with” replaces “without” in the last sentence of the paragraph Motion by Commissioner Truax to approve the minutes of the November 13, 2006, Planning Commission meeting with the aforementioned changes, seconded by Commissioner McInnis. Upon vote taken, Ayes: 7, Nays 0. Motion passed. Public Hearings 3.City of Hastings – City Code Amendment #2006-59 – Accessory Structure Ordinance relating to carports. Associate Planner Kari Barker gave a staff report. Chair Twedt opened and closed the public hearing at 7:09. Commissioner Heideman asked how portable carports would be defined. Planning Director Hinzman stated that a portable carport would be open on all four sides with a roof, but would not have a foundation. Commissioner Schmitt clarified the definition by asking if portable carports would not be attached. Planning Director Hinzman stated they would not as portable carports would be open on all four sides. He further stated that of all the examples shown during the staff report, only one would meet the new code. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – December 11, 2006 Page 2 of 6 Commissioner Truax referenced a photo of a carport. He asked if the carport would be in compliance if it had a roof and solid walls. Planning Director Hinzman stated it would be in compliance of the carport ordinance. Commissioner Schmitt stated that he thought the definition was sufficient. He expressed concern over the regulation of seasonal satellite buildings to cover rv’s and Easy-Up’s. Commissioner Schmitt wanted to know how long the Easy-Up’s could be up, if used for graduation or other events. Chair Twedt inquired if the enforcement was being driven by neighbors reporting violators, thus driving the enforcement. Planning Director Hinzman stated that this was the most likely case. Chair Twedt stated he was unsure if the Easy-Up’s should be restricted. Planning Director Hinzman stated that language could be added to the ordinance to allow Easy- Up’s for a temporary time period. Commissioner Schmitt stated it would be better to define the parameters, versus exclude them. Commissioner Peine stated that he was glad to see something in regards to anchoring for wind loads. He inquired how this would be verified. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the Building Department was still contemplating specific requirements. Commissioner McInnis asked if colors should be restricted. Associate Planner Barker stated that this was covered in Letter G. Commissioner McInnis stated that existing portable carports should be taken case by case to bring them up to code. No motion was needed as the ordinance will be modified and another public hearing held at the January 8, 2007, Planning Commission meeting. OTHER ACTIONS nd 4. Habitat for Humanity – Final Plat #2006-45 – Pleasant Acres 2 Addition - North Frontage Road. Staff Report by Associate Planner Kari Barker. nd Commissioner Truax inquired about the Grading Plans for Pleasant Acres 2 Addition and if the retaining wall would match the first one. Planning Director Hinzman stated that this had been discussed; however the grade is about 4 or 5 feet. Thus, the drop off is not as abrupt. stnd Commissioner Truax inquired if it would be possible to tie Pleasant Acres 1 and 2 City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – December 11, 2006 Page 3 of 6 Additions together through linking fencing and retaining walls. He stated his concern was children playing on the fence and possibly getting hurt. Chad Dipman, Land Acquisition Manager for Habitat for Humanity spoke. He stated the slice of land between the developments was privately owned. In addition, the maximum height of the wall is 4.5 feet and it tapers to 0 feet. He further stated it would make little sense to extend the retaining due to the height and also as there are numerous ways to access the fence. Commissioner Truax stated fences are built on zero grade. Dipman confirmed this, but stated that it was a private owner’s decision, not a requirement of plat. Planning Director stated that offsite improvements were generally not required as requirements of plats. Commissioner Peine asked why the property was owned by the City of Hastings. It was clarified that the sliver of land is privately platted property owned by the homeowner. Planning Commission Action: Commissioner Schmitt moved and Commissioner Zeyen seconded to approve the Final Plat nd for Pleasant Acres 2 Addition with staff recommendations. Upon vote taken, Ayes: 7, Nays 0. Motion passed unanimously with the following staff recommendations: 1.Conformance with the plans submitted with the Planning Commission staff report of December 11, 2006. 2.Final approval of the development grading and utility plans by the City of Hastings Engineering Consultant. The applicant shall be liable for any costs involved in consultant review of the plans. 3.All disturbed areas on this property shall be stabilized with rooting vegetative cover to eliminate erosion problems. 4.The disturbed areas of the site shall be maintained to the requirements of the City’s property maintenance ordinance. 5.Submission of an electronic copy of all plan sets (TIF, PDF, or similar format) prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – December 11, 2006 Page 4 of 6 6.Approval is subject to a one year Sunset Clause. If significant progress is not made towards construction of the proposal within one year of City Council approval, the approval is null and void. 7.Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity will be responsible for the maintenance on their portion of the Dakota CDA access road. This includes snow maintenance in the winter. 8.Parking shall be prohibited on the Dakota CDA access road. st 9.Retaining walls and fencing must match material of Pleasant Acres 1 Addition. 10.The applicant must provide proof of access rights to the private Dakota CDA access road. 11.The park land dedication fees shall be waived. 12.The sewer interceptor fees shall be waived. 13.As a condition of the Final Plat, Habitat for Humanity will enter into a development agreement that will transfer property rights into their name. Item is scheduled for the January 2, 2007, City Council Meeting as a Development Agreement is being completed. 5.Vermillion Street Master PlanUpdate – #2006-04. Planning Director John Hinzman gave a presentation on the Vermillion Street Master Plan. Commissioner Truax asked if there was information regarding how many of the 30,000 cars that use Vermillion Street flowed through. He also inquired if it was possible for the new bridge to come in at Bailey Street in an effort to get some of the traffic off of Vermillion Street. Planning Director Hinzman stated that approximately 10,000 of the 30,000 vehicles pass through Hastings without stopping. He further stated that there are discussions about a new southbound access and that right-of-way dedications are currently in place for this. Commissioner Truax stated that moving the bridge would get traffic off of Vermillion Street. Planning Director Hinzman stated that the new bridge crossing was not contemplated in this study. However, he felt that MNDot would not support moving the bridge due to the cost and comparably low amount of trips generated. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – December 11, 2006 Page 5 of 6 Commissioner Truax asked if the Vermillion Street Corridor project took 40,000 cars into effect. Planning Director Hinzman confirmed it did. Commissioner Peine stated he thought the plan looked good and that similar plans in other cities have had good outcomes. Commissioner Zeyen expressed four concerns to the plan. The first concern was if there would be adequate parking if the current on-street parking were removed. Secondly, Commissioner Zeyen expressed concern that the climate will affect the streetscape and pedestrian access. In addition, business owners will be responsible for removing snow. Third, Commissioner Zeyen stated that he felt there might be problems with high-density mixed use being located next to low-density. These problems include traffic and decreasing property values. Finally, Commissioner Zeyen inquired why there was not a rdrd pearl located between 23 and 33 Street. rdrd Planning Director Hinzman stated that the area between 23 and 33 Streets were studied, however there was not a location that MNDot would support. Further, there was concern people would be confused with the existing turn lane. th Commissioner McInnis asked why there was not a pearl location between 10 Street in the Bridge as a pearl may help revitalize the downtown. Planning Director Hinzman th stated that nothing was studied outside of 10 Street. Commissioner Peine inquired where the new bridge location would be. Planning Director Hinzman stated it would probably go to the west of the existing bridge. He further stated that the Bridge Replacement plan is 10 to 15 years out. Chair Twedt stated he was not in favor of closing off the left turn access as it would choke off businesses. He further stated that nobody is going to travel 3 to 4 blocks, do a u-turn, and come back to the business. In addition, Chair Twedt stated he would like to see studies from Law Enforcement as they are currently stating most accidents happen at stoplights. Chair Twedt stated he would also like to see a study on the amount of pedestrian access as there does not appear to be very many. Finally, Chair Twedt stated that a bulldog approach needs to be taken with MNDot as they do live in Hastings. 6.Cancel December 25, 2006 Planning Commission Meeting The December 25, 2006, Planning Commission will be cancelled due to the Christmas holiday. 7. Other Business Director Hinzman updated the Commission on previous Council activities. City of Hastings Planning Commission Minutes – December 11, 2006 Page 6 of 6 Director Hinzman thanked Chair Twedt for his six years of service on the Planning Commission. He stated that Chair Twedt had provided a sound and reasonable voice for businesses in Hastings. Chair Twedt commended the past and current city staff for their professionalism and preparedness. He also encouraged the Planning Commission members to keep up the good work. 8. Adjourn Commissioner Twedt motioned and Commissioner Truax seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Kari Barker, Associate Planner