Planning Commission Minutes

CITY OF VICTORIA
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
FEBRUARY 21, 2006

MINUTES

Pursuant to due posted and mailed notice thereof, the Victoria Planning Commission met on February 21, 2006, at 7951 Rose in the Council Chambers.

Chair Simanton opened the meeting at 6:15 p.m.

Members Present: Chair, Gordy Simanton; Commissioners James Donadio III, Bud Hiivala, William Mead VI, and Tom Vogt.

Members Absent: None

Others Present: Eric Zweber, City Planner; Angie Perera, Assistant Planner; City Councilmember Rick Tieden; and Tanya Schmieg, Recording Secretary.

A. Adopt Agenda

A motion was made by Donadio, seconded by Mead, to adopt the agenda as presented. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A. Minutes of February 7, 2006, Planning Commission Meeting.

Commissioner Hiivala asked that on page 4, the first paragraph to take out "and it had to be hard to write".

A motion was made by Donadio, seconded by Hiivala, to approve the Minutes as corrected above. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

None.

A. Review a request by Hartman Communities and Pemtom Land Company for Preliminary Plat Approval and Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the subdivision of property to be known as Krey Lakes and Krey Lakes East.

1. Agenda Statement No. 06-07
2. Exhibits

Mr. Zweber stated that on August 25, 2005, the City Council approved the Preliminary Plat of a 187 lot single-family subdivision to be known as Krey Lakes and Krey Lakes East. Since that time, Hartman Communities and Pemtom Land Company have been considering selling the subdivision to a national builder. The national builder is not interested in a subdivision with two different lot sizes, so tonight, the submitted revised Preliminary Plat is for a 172 lot single-family subdivision with one consistent lot size. All other features of the subdivision are the same as the August 25, 2005 Preliminary Plat and are describe in detail below.

Mr. Zweber put up on overhead a revised plat that was also included in packet. He noted the street, park and berming layouts are the exact same. This is the second time this will be reviewed.

Mr. Zweber stated that this development will be sold to a national builder. This builder will have 8-10 different models. The lot size increased to the standard 85 feet.

Mr. Zweber reviewed the five previous recommendations from the Planning Commission:

1. That the construction or reconstruction of the Karg driveway onto Street E be designed as a part of the final plat.

2. That all possibilities of a second access to the regional trail from this subdivision be explored, particularly the location of the pipeline easement on the east side of this development. Mr. Zweber stated the regional trail is on the south side and works better for maintenance.

3. That the cul-de-Sac within the Maple Drive/Krey Avenue be determined and designed as a part of the final plat. Mr. Zweber said this is still a condition and will be done in the final plat of phase two.

4. That the Krey Avenue access to MN HWY 5 be disconnected as a part of the first phase of the subdivision, and that the Maple Drive access to MN HWY 5 be disconnected as part of the second phase of the subdivision. Mr. Zweber noted that this is being addressed.

5. That the sanitary sewer and water system improvements are made during the proper phase of the development. Mr. Zweber said that this is being worked on and could be constructed as a City project.

Chair Simanton asked a procedural question on changing something later in an approved preliminary plat and if that is inviting legal issues, similar to the situation with Tamarack. Mr. Zweber responded as far as the final plat goes it could possibly open up to a lawsuit. Mr. Zweber noted that the developer is asking for less and he would have the ability to determine whether there is a significant change. Chair Simanton asked if the City would then rely on him. Mr. Zweber said yes.

Commissioner Donadio asked what would happen if the developer came back and made other changes. Mr. Zweber provided an example of a subdivision not having 100% park dedication and if this came back they would have the opportunity to ask for it or it may not be approved.

Commissioner Donadio asked if the regional trail is built. Mr. Zweber said it would be built in phase two. Mr. Zweber stated that regional funds can be applied for the construction of the trail segment.

Mr. Zweber stated as a part of this development they are providing connection across the wetland complex.

Chair Simanton commented on the farther east property that is owned and besides that one there are only two. Mr. Zweber said there are really owners. Chair Simanton asked if they could anticipate money towards the Right-of-Ways. Mr. Zweber responded yes.

Commissioner Vogt asked is this is considered the final map. Mr. Zweber said yes, this is the final.

Chair Simanton had a question for Mr. Hartman and asked if the builder is planning to do everything all at once or in phases. Mr. Hartman stated that the condition allows for one plat per year. Mr. Hartman said they will be following the same conditions and doing phases. Phase two will be in 2006 and phase three will be in 2007. He noted that he had a meeting with City Staff and the developer is going to be DR Horton, the nation’s largest home builder. Mr. Hartman said that these will be great upper bracket homes.

A motion was made by Simanton, seconded by Hiivala, to recommend approval to the City Council of the approval for Preliminary Plat Approval to be known as Krey Lakes and Krey Lakes East. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

Councilmember Tieden stated that last month they talked about some ideas on roads and new developments and a type of way to come up with a fee structure. He said the City Council was encouraged by that and saw it as a positive move. He noted about a month ago, Senator Julianne Ortmann talked about the road situation here in Victoria and the need to upgrade Highway 5. At the last City meeting, Commissioner Delaney talked about issues the County was looking at and roads. Councilmember Tieden suggested asking Commissioner Delaney if he would be interested in participating in a committee or panel on this issue. He talked about the failing intersections. He has talked to Mr. Zweber about this and the benefit of working with the developers on leveraging, and if there is any additional money from County and State. Councilmember Tieden would like to move in the direction of forming a committee.

Mr. Zweber expanded on Councilmember Tieden’s statement and noted at the future meetings, to invite Juilanne Ortmann and Gary Delaney.

Chair Simanton asked about Paul Kohls who represents this district. Councilmember Tieden said to certainly invite him.

Chair Simanton noted that he is hearing to use the Planning Commission as the forum to bring these people together and make a presentation together to get feedback from them and open up other doors.

Chair Simanton questioned where Mr. Norton is with this. Mr. Zweber said he is looking into it. Chair Simanton said they need a better collective understanding on where they are before bringing in people.

Councilmember Tieden stated the process that needs to be focused on is what they want to do.

Mr. Zweber stated that Mr. Norton as well as some of his staff are looking into the funding mechanism the City can use. Mr. Zweber noted he is currently busy with completing the land swap. He said that the cost improvements need to be identified and who is responsible for those costs. Mr. Norton has been asked to come up with a set of guidelines that TKD has to work with.

Chair Simanton said as far as the Planning Commissioners, they would be happy to discuss sometime in the near future.

Councilmember Tieden said he will continue to talk to Eric.

Councilmember Tieden said if something is in place on how to collect the funds, other cities may want to use the way to generate funds.

A. Communications.

Mr. Zweber handed out information on building permit report, which were passed out last year as well.

Mr. Zweber stated that he has provided a Government Training Service schedule on classes. He noted that there is money in the budget for the Planning Commission to attend. Commissioner Vogt said he attended one and it was very good.

Mr. Zweber noted the two that he thought would be interesting is the advanced zoning applications and site planning basics for non design professionals. He said it wouldn’t change what is done here.

Chair Simanton asked what the enrollment process is. Mr. Zweber stated they would need to fill out a form and email it to him and he would send a check.

Mr. Zweber noted that attendees have been very impressed with how professional the classes are.

B. Other.

None.

A motion was made by Simanton, seconded by Vogt, to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Tanya Schmieg
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.