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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/28/02{-IASTIN6/S PLANNIN6/COMLMIISSION May 28th, 2002 Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Chairman Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. 1. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Anderson, Greil, Hollenbeck, Michno, Stotko, and Twedt Commissioners Absent: Truax Staff Present: Planner John Hinzman, Associate Planner Kris Jenson 2. Approve May 13th, 2002 Planning Commission Minutes With no changes, the minutes were accepted by a unanimous vote. Hidden Lane Addition, Continued - Preliminary Plat #2002-38 to subdivide property to construct eight townhomes units between Whispering Lane and Pleasant Drive. Planner Jenson presented background information on the proposal. Chairman Anderson opened the public hearing at 7:07 pm. John Grossman, 1361 West 4th Street, expressed support for the project, but had concerns about the existing drainage swale on the property, and the effects that any construction requiring crossing of that swale could have on other properties in the area. Hearing no further comment, the public hearing was closed at 7:11 pm. Planning Commission Action: Commissioner Greil moved and Commissioner Stotko seconded the motion to recommend the approval of the Hidden Lane Preliminary Plat and Site Plan to the City Council, subject to the following conditions: Preliminary Plat Conditions: 1. That the developers provide evidence that the private street will be maintained by a homeowner's association and not by the City; 2. That the street and related utilities be designed and constructed according to City policies as determined by the Public Works Director. 3. That final grading and utility comments by the Public Works Director be incorporated into the plans. 4. That the developers shall pay the required per residential interceptor sewer fee prior to release of final plat hardshells; That approval of the preliminary plat and any final plat shall be subject to park/public land dedication requirements as recommended by the City of Hastings Natural Resources and Recreation Commission and approved by the Hastings City Council. The developer shall plant 10 trees at least two inches in diameter as indicated on the landscape plan. That the developers add trees and shrubs to the landscaping plan, along the southern property line. The revised landscaping plan shall be subject to approval by the Planning Director. That no structure may be constructed on Lot 9, Block 1. The developers shall enter into a development agreement with the City of Hastings documenting conditions of approval for Hidden Lane Addition. The development agreement shall be signed prior to the City releasing the final plat hard shells. Site Plan Conditions: 1. The proposed structure and accessory items including, but not limited to streets, utilities and landscaping shall be completed pursuant to the approved site plan. Upon request for occupancy of the building, all uncompleted items contained within the site plan shall be addressed pursuant to city code escrow requirements. 2. That the developers add trees and shrubs to the landscaping plan, along the southern property line. The revised landscaping plan shall be subject to approval by the Planning Director. 3. The applicants shall enter into a development agreement with the City of Hastings. Upon vote taken: Ayes: 6, Nays: 0. Motion carried. o Wallin Property, Continued - Special Use Permit #2002-35 to place fill in a floodway area of the Vermillion River. Director Hinzman presented background on the project. Chairman Anderson opened the public hearing at 7:18 pm. Tom Murray, 10825 160th Street, stated that he was opposed to increased water flows and the erosion that the increased flows will have on the area of the river adjacent to his property. Commissioner Stotko inquired as to what the primary concern is regarding the fill in the floodway. Director Hinzman stated that those questions should be determined by FEMA and/or flooding experts. Mr. Murray expressed concern as to the impacts this will have downstream on residential properties, commercial businesses, and parks and natural features. Commissioner Greil asked about the rumor of the County purchasing land along the Vermillion River for green space. Mr. Murray responded that from what he has heard, there might be a referendum this fall, but obviously no guarantee that the measure would pass. He added that the Extension Service has funding available to help protect riverbanks and expertise for owners along the river. Chairman Anderson closed the public hearing at 7:35 pm. Commissioner Twedt asked if no fill were to be placed in the flood area, would it help Mr. Murray's situation with erosion along the riverbank. Director Hinzman stated that that is unknown. A Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) through FEMA would be the appropriate process to address these issues. Chairman Anderson stated that increasing the bank height wouldn't increase velocity, increased amounts of water and narrowing the channel would increase the velocity. Commissioner Michno asked if the Developers were aware of the situation and if they had done anything to address the situation. Director Hinzman stated that Wallin Partnership and the City have agreed to hire Barr Engineering to review this issue and the bridge impacts to the site. Commissioner Twedt asked whom the pond was a benefit to. Director Hinzman stated that the pond allows for sedimentation settling rather then the direct flow into the river. Commissioner Twedt complimented Mr. Murray for his comments, and expressed disappointment that no Wallin representative showed up at the meeting. Planning Commission Action: Commissioner Twedt moved and Commissioner Greil seconded the motion to approve the special use permit to the City Council, subject to the following condition: Approval of a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Upon vote taken: Ayes: 6, Nays: 1, Stotko dissenting. Motion carried. o Mississippi Office Park - Preliminary/Final Plat and Site Plan Review - #2002-44 to construct an office building at the southwest comer of Pine Street and Highway 55. Director Hinzman presented background on the item. Chairman Anderson opened the public hearing at 7:55 pm. Dan Tillson, Engineer and Project Manager for the development, expressed concerns with conditions # 3 & 4. City ordinances do not specify setbacks for commercial/office projects. The City of Hastings Parks garage addition is only 5' off the property line, and that project is just south of this proposal. Furthermore, any future buildings will have to provide their own parking to meet the requirements. The developer's goal is to have a front door facing Highway 55 for customers to enter through. They will be getting the permission of the school district to discharge stormwater across the district's property. Todd Siewert, developer, stated that the building elevations had changed for the original submission due to a change of the architect, but that they wanted the commissioner's feedback on the location of the building before proceeding. Hearing no further comment, Chairman Anderson closed the public hearing at 8:03 pm. Commissioner Stotko stated that he agreed with the developer that locating the building 10' from the west property line wasn't an issue, as well as locating the building back from Highway 55. Commissioner Michno asked if there was a specific reason to equal the setback to the height. Director Hinzman stated that it's a common practice in many cities that don't have prescriptive setbacks. Commissioner Greil agreed with Commissioner Stotko regarding the location of the building, but he does have an issue with the fact that there are no final building elevations available for approval. Chairman Anderson suggested voting on the plat, but tabling the site plan until more definitive elevations can be submitted. Mr. Siewert asked the Commission for feedback on the building. Chairman Anderson stated that he likes the building being pushed up to Highway 55, and wants to see as much green space as possible along Highway 55. Mr. Tillson stated that there would be about 20 feet of green space between the sidewalk and the parking area. Commissioner Twedt concurred that he was not overly concerned with Conditions 3&4 either. Planning Commission Action: Commissioner Twedt moved and Commissioner Michno seconded the motion to recommend approval of the Preliminary/Final Plat to the City Council, subject to the following conditions: 1) 2) 3) Dedication of a 1 O-foot drainage and utility easement along Highway 55 and Pine Street. Reconfiguration of the existing lot line around the garage at the southeast comer of the property line to meet the five-foot setback requirement. Recording of the Final Plat of MISSISSIPPI OFFICE PARK with Dakota County. Upon vote taken, Ayes: 6, Nays: 0. Motion carries. Commissioner Stotko moved and Commissioner Michno seconded a motion to table the site plan review of Mississippi Office Park to the June l0th, 2002 meeting, in order to permit the developer the opportunity to provide more complete building elevations. Upon vote taken, Ayes: 6, Nays 0. Motion carries. 6. Charles Russell - Variance #2002-45 to vary from minimum side yard setback requirements to construct addition to a detached garage. Planner Jenson presented background information on the item. Planning Commission Action: Commissioner Hollenbeck moved and Commissioner Greil seconded the motion to recommend approval of the variance request to the minimum side yard setback for 1227 Sibley Street to the City Council, based on the following findings of fact: 1) Construction of thc home predates establishment of minimum side yard setbacks. The proposed addition would not encroach any further in the side yard setback than the existing garage. Upon vote taken: Ayes: 6, Nays: 0. Motion carried. 7. Haley Comfort Systems - Site Plan review #2002-47 to construct a deck onto an existing building located at 122 West 3rd Street. Planner Hinzman presented background information on the item. Commissioner Stotko stated that he felt the deck would be a nice addition to the building. Mr. Tom Halcy, applicant, stated that they have been working to give the building more curb appeal. Planning Commission Action: Commissioner Stotko moved and Commissioner Michno seconded the motion to the site plan to construct a deck at 122 West 3rd Street, subject to the following conditions: 1. Adherence to Minnesota Department of Transportation Permit #US-2002-0328. 2. Obtaining a building permit. Upon vote taken, Ayes, 6, Nays, 0. Motion carried. 8. Old Middle School Concept Plan - Residential and Commercial Redevelopment. Director Hinzman presented a brief background the project before introducing Pat Regan, developer of the site. Pat Regan, 1321 Southview Drive, stated that he was very much looking forward to the redevelopment of this site and saw it as an upgrade to Vermillion Street. He reiterated that the plans shown were only concept plans and that they were appearing before the Planning Commission to gather some general feedback. Mr. Regan envisions this site to take advantage of the high traffic counts along Vermillion Street, and to be similar to 50th and France in Edina or Grand Avenue and Victoria in St. Paul. The residential densities shown are minimums, but they would like to have more. A high residential density makes the project more feasible. Jerry Mazzarro, architect and designer for the site, stated that the project would have a plaza area at the comer of l0th and Vermillion Street at which for people to congregate. The 2 commercial buildings along Vermillion could potentially have 2 floors. A restaurant is interested in one site to have banquet facilities above, and the building could have second floor residential units for storeowners. The central building is intended to be a mix of offices spaces with apartments and or condominiums above, as well as underground parking. The townhome units facing Ramsey Street would be 2 ½ level splits with garage access from the rear. Commissioner Stotko stated that he felt this looked like a great project, and would fit well with the area. Commissioner Twedt stated that the concept photos are exciting, and that having styles that fit in well with the area is important. Commissioner Greil felt that it was exciting to have a local developer working on this project, and asked if the developer was acquiring any of the homes along Vermillion Street. Mr. Regan stated that he has a contingent offer with the school district, and that he will be closing on the property at 821 Vermillion Street in June. He also stated that the existing driveway access easements would remain to allow those homeowners who use 9th Street to access their properties. Commissioner Greil stated that green space will be important of this site, and would like to see as much as possible. Commissioner Michno asked the developers where they would like to add additional housing. Mr. Regan said most likely above the C-2 building (along Vermillion Street) Commissioner Hollenbeck stated that she felt the project echoed Hastings' downtown area and it's historic nature. Chairman Anderson complimented the architectural finishes and stated that the quality of materials used will make the project stand out. 9. Adjournment With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 pm.