Planning Commission Minutes

CITY OF VICTORIA
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JANUARY 15, 2008

MEETING

Pursuant to due posted and mailed notice thereof, the Victoria Planning Commission met on January 15, 2008, at 7951 Rose in the Council Chambers.

Chair Simanton opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Members Present: Chair, Gordy Simanton; Commissioners James Donadio III, Tom Vogt and Grant Peterson.

Members Absent: Commissioner Bud Hiivala.

Others Present: Holly Kreft, City Planner; Angie Perera, Assistant Planner; City Councilmember Jim Paulsen; and Allison Burr, Recording Secretary.

A. Adopt Agenda

A motion was made by Vogt, seconded by Donadio, to adopt the agenda as presented. Vote: 4 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion Carried.
 

#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A. Minutes of January 2, 2008 Planning Commission Meeting.

A motion was made by Simanton, seconded by Peterson, to approve the Minutes as presented above. Vote: 4 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

B. Review Minutes from December 27, 2007 City Council Meeting.

The above minutes were reviewed.
 

None.
 

A. Update on 13.5 acres

1. Agenda Statement No. 08-01
2. Exhibits

Ms. Kreft reported that the SWOT analysis completed at the joint workshop regarding the 13.5 acres was presented to the Council last Thursday. The Council voted 3-2 to move ahead with the Shingobee proposal and also recommended the Business Development Committee be the lead committee throughout the process. The Planning Commission will still be involved; there will be a concept plan, preliminary plat, and final plat, which the Planning Commission will be involved with.

Ms. Kreft reported staff met with Keith McDonald today, the CEO of Shingobee, and there are still some questions on the timing which will depend on the grocer. She noted the background information in the packet regarding the Carver County CDA, should the City do a potential senior housing project with that group. She noted staff will provide updates to the Planning Commission every two weeks on this project moving forward.

Commissioner Donadio stated he attended the Council meeting when the Shingobee proposal was discussed, and he appreciated the substantive Council discussion. He stated Councilmembers Paulsen and Amundsen voted against moving ahead. He recalled Councilmember Paulsen’s argument against the necessary leveling of the land on the site for such a large pad and Councilmember Amundsen’s opposition due to possible impact on existing businesses.

Commissioner Vogt asked what the Planning Commission’s role will be in the concept plan other than to hear the plan. Ms. Kreft stated there will be joint meetings if needed. The Business Development Committee will be assisting with outside agencies such as MN-DOT and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. The Planning Commission will see the concept plan as well as make recommendations on that plan.

Commissioner Donadio stated the more people who can provide input in the early stages, the better.

Commissioner Peterson asked about the details of the SWOT analysis. Ms. Kreft explained that concerns regarding impact on existing business, the façade of the building and its facing the park, and need for less impervious surfaces have all been shared with Shingobee, and Shingobee was open to all the suggestions.

Commissioner Vogt commented on the amount of land to be flattened for the parking lot for the grocer.

Commissioner Simanton asked about the Comp Plan survey results from the community. Commissioner Donadio recalled the biggest issues in the survey were expanded services and retail.

Commissioner Vogt asked about the qualitative comments regarding the Shingobee plan among the City Council. Commissioner Donadio recalled there seemed to be a sense of getting going with someone, in order to establish a limited-time exclusive discussion window.

Chair Simanton asked about the two existing properties. Ms. Kreft stated the City has indicated to Shingobee the City will not require any additional land. She noted Shingobee has had verbal commitment from a grocery store but not written commitment.

Chair Simanton stated he was part of the Planning Commission and Council during the Field House decision-making process, and he now believes that the City should have sought outside, expert help. In this process, he does not want to get into a situation where the City tries to dictate what should go in the proposal. Having said that, he believes the City should maximize tax revenue for the land.

Chair Simanton asked staff to generate tax revenue estimates when the concept plans come in. Secondly, he believes the City should encourage a City Hall on the site. A third issue will be the connection of the east/west corridor between the downtowns.

Ms. Kreft discussed the concept plan is anchored by the grocer.

Chair Simanton noted there has been some discussion regarding the future of the Dairy Queen and ensuring the look of it is consistent with the look of the new development. Ms. Kreft stated Shingobee is continuing to meet with the three property owners and has had similar discussions with the Dairy Queen.

Ms. Kreft stated the Town Center constructed in Ramsey was done by Shingobee and is probably most similar to what would be built in Victoria.

Commissioner Vogt asked about the CDA study. Ms. Kreft stated no decision has been made by the Council as to whether that is proceeding.

B. Zoning Ordinance Review for Chapter #30, Zoning & Land Use Regulations

1. Agenda Statement No. 08-02
2. Exhibits: Spreadsheet of Chapter #30, Zoning & Land Use Regulations

Ms. Perera stated the zoning ordinance will be updated as part of updating the Comp Plan. She asked for feedback from the Planning Commission regarding which areas are higher priorities. She noted in February or March, a builder’s seminar is planned. She asked for feedback regarding building permits or certificates of occupancy so those updates can be included at the seminar.

Commissioner Donadio commented the task force has discussed an overlay conservation easement.

Commissioner Vogt commented on sign regulations. He asked about building design standards. Ms. Kreft noted those are in the CBD.

Commissioner Peterson asked whether shoreland overlay districts are standardized. Ms. Kreft stated the City will have the opportunity to update that.

Commissioner Vogt stated the building design standards, that those standards can permeate all other types of districts in order to achieve some kind of consistency. Right now it is just CBD, but there will be similar standards in other areas.

Chair Simanton suggested a first priority is the Central Business District. Another priority is signage. He suggested off-street parking be looked at prior to the development on the west side.

Commissioner Donadio suggested that the changes being discussed with regard to agricultural properties, which is a lower priority than these others.
 

Councilmember Paulsen reported Mayor Hershberger Thun and Councilmember Roden will be taking the Council liaison spot for this year. He thanked the Commission for its hard work.

Councilmember Paulsen stated there are products in the new construction residential market that are selling, but they are not in Victoria. He commented on a successful K Hovnanian development in Maple Grove, and he believes affordability and product are emerging issues. He also suggested that the City take the lead on the new rail line because the impact on Victoria will be significant. He also commented on the problem of the intersecting school districts in Victoria.
 

Ms. Kreft asked if the Commission would like to move the meeting from February 5^th due to it being Super Tuesday. The Commission decided to leave it on the 5^th.

Ms. Kreft also reported the Creamery project is moving forward and there will be a plat review at the second meeting in February.

Chair Simanton asked that any changes from the preliminary Creamery drawings be highlighted for the Commission, since it has been a while since the prior review. He suggested there be a discussion of the thoroughfare between the Clocktower Building and the Creamery, given the development to the west.
 

A motion was made by Donadio, seconded by Vogt, to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Vote: 4 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
 

Respectfully submitted,

Allison Burr
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.