Planning Commission Minutes

CITY OF VICTORIA
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
FEBRUARY 19, 2008

MEETING

Pursuant to due posted and mailed notice thereof, the Victoria Planning Commission met on February 19, 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, Bud Hiivala, and Tom Vogt.

Members Absent: Commissioner Grant Peterson.

Others Present: Holly Kreft, City Planner; Cara Geheren, TKDA, City Engineer; Councilmember Kim Roden; Terry Hartman, Business Development Committee and Tanya Schmieg, 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 the January 15, 2008 Planning Commission Meeting.

Chair Simanton requested that on page 4, second paragraph, second sentence read that he was suggesting a connector route be looked at prior to the development of the west side. He also talked about the off street parking.

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

B. Review Minutes from the January 10, 2008, City Council Meeting.

The above minutes were reviewed.

C. Review Minutes from the January 24, 2008, City Council Meeting.

The above minutes were reviewed.
 

None.
 

A. Pres Review of Transportation Plan and TH 5 Corridor Study Update – Cara Geheren, TKDA, City Engineer:

1. Agenda Statement No. 08-03
2. Exhibits:

Ms. Geheren presented the staff report. She said they have been working on the modeling piece in conjunction with Carver County.

Ms. Geheren reviewed the transportation goals and policies provided in the packet.

Ms. Kreft talked about the transit and said they need to identify a general area for both a bus and rail transit.

Ms. Geheren noted that Highway 5 is the biggest issue and the one that they receive the most calls on.

Commissioner Vogt recommended on page 9 to add a bullet regarding the 45 mph speed limit and the crosswalk. He said the two clash and are very dangerous. He pointed out some of the problem areas being County Road 11, Rolling Acres Road, County Road 18, some on Highway 5 and eventually County Road 43. He stated there needs to be a bullet saying they are going to ensure that all crosswalks are safe.

Commissioner Hiivala pointed out that there are no provisions for pedestrians on Highway 5 and Rolling Acres Road. Ms. Kreft noted that the trail doesn’t go anywhere.

Commissioner Donadio asked who was in charge when it comes to county and state roads with regards to safety and city transportation. Ms. Geheren responded that they need to make phone numbers more assessable of who they need to be calling. She also said there needs to be a partnership with the county and work together.

Ms. Geheren talked about the TH 5 study and said it is identified as a four lane road from Victoria into Chanhassen by Mn/DOT but is currently unfunded.

Chair Simanton questioned the right a way. Ms. Geheren said that is what the study will determine and noted the general alignment will remain the same. She said they will develop three different alternatives of what the roadway will look like. Chair Simanton asked what the right-of-way requirements are for a two lane highway. Ms. Geheren responded 100 feet and noted the range they are looking at is from 130–150 feet for a four lane urban section roadway. The rural section with trails would be 250 feet from one side to another.

Commissioner Donadio clarified the end product of the study is an effect and overall concept plan.

Chair Simanton asked about the timeframe. Ms. Geheren responded that by September they should have the final draft ready.

Ms. Geheren showed the downtown aerial photo. She commented on the bridge and noted that it is a state aid road and would not be able to be realigned without reconstructing the bridge.

The Planning Commission and staff discussed the Gannon building.

Ms. Geheren talked about the fixed points and showed them on the map.

Chair Simanton asked when the feasibility study was done. Ms. Kreft responded that it was done in October of 2006.

Commissioner Vogt questioned having an effective connection between Quamoclit, the bridge and the new area. Ms. Geheren responded that Stieger Lake Lane is the identified route.

Commissioner Vogt commented on having five intersections going onto Highway 5. Ms. Geheren said the only issues so far are the direct access points.

Ms. Kreft noted an estimate for the right-of-way acquisitions was 2.4 million.

Chair Simanton commented on having three separate areas with no continuity. He talked about the truck traffic and said they discussed having a connector route that creates a path from east to west. Ms. Geheren noted the best route for trucks is to come in from the signal.

The Planning Commission and staff talked about the bridge. It was noted that TKDA designed the bridge and the cost was $900,000 of which the state paid $700,000. It was also built up to allow for light rail.

Chair Simanton questioned a frontage road on the north side of Highway 5.

B. Review of Final Site Plan and Building Elevations for the Creamery Redevelopment Project:

1. Agenda Statement No. 08-04
2. Exhibits: Agenda Statement 06-37; Minutes from December 5, 2006 Planning Commission meeting; Minutes from the March 8, 2007 City Council meeting; Resolution 07-40; Site plan and building elevations; Color renderings

Ms. Kreft reviewed the staff report. She explained there would be private and public parking.

The public parking is part of the TIF agreement and states at least 50 parking spaces be public and provided as part of this project. The north building will be a four story condo unit with retail and the south building will be three stories of office/retail uses.

Ms. Kreft stated the exterior design of the building is proposed to be modular face brick.

Ms. Kreft noted that staff is recommended having a neighborhood meeting for the businesses in the downtown.

Commissioner Hiivala questioned the division of private and public parking. Ms. Kreft said there will be a concrete wall.

Mr. Chuck Friburg, Senior Associate with RSP, explained the private parking does have a door with a private entrance and elevator. The public parking will be open.

Chair Simanton asked about the proposed height for the extension of the elevator access. Mr. Friburg said it is approximately 8 ˝ to 9 feet. He noted that it will have the same brick and same detail.

Chair Simanton clarified that as the other uses are determined the parking will have to be looked at. Ms. Kreft said there are different options in the parking ordinance.

Ms. Kreft stated this is not a platting process and there is no timeframe.

The Planning Commission questioned having sufficient parking. Ms. Kreft noted that property owners could purchase parking from the City to meet the requirements. Another option would be to enter into a lease agreement.

Chair Simanton asked about the construction timeframe. Mr. Friburg said the deadline for a building permit for the parking ramp is May. Once the documents are submitted for a permit that secures the TIF financing and construction can start at that point. He noted the shell will be a six to seven month project. Commissioner Donadio asked if they were building both buildings at the same time. Mr. Friburg said yes once the platform is done.

Ms. Kreft said they need to determine a staging area. Mr. Friburg noted that once the parking lot goes in the platform can be used.

Commissioner Vogt suggested having a finished drawing with the elevator shaft in color.
 

Councilmember Roden said her and Mayor Hershberger Thun are trying something new and will be sharing the Planning Commission liaison responsibility.

Commissioner Vogt asked about the 13 acres. Mr. Hartman responded that nothing has been back to them since the decision to choose one developer. Ms. Kreft said they are trying to finalize the term sheet.
 

A. Communications.

Ms. Kreft provided a hand out. She noted a meeting will be held on February 27^th at the community room in the water treatment plant.
 

A motion was made by Hiivala, seconded by Simanton, to adjourn the meeting at 7:56 p.m. Vote: 4 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
 

Respectfully submitted,

Tanya Schmieg
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.