Planning Commission Minutes

CITY OF VICTORIA
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
APRIL 1, 2008

MEETING

Pursuant to due posted and mailed notice thereof, the Victoria Planning Commission met on April 1, 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, Grant Peterson and Tom Vogt.

Members Absent: None.

Others Present: Holly Kreft, City Planner; Angie Perera, Assistant Planner, Councilmember Kim Roden; and Tanya Schmieg, Recording Secretary.

A. Adopt Agenda

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

#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A. Minutes of the March 18, 2008 Planning Commission Meeting.

Commissioner Vogt corrected page two, paragraph two, second to last sentence to read: Option number 3 would need a 21.34-foot setback from the rear yard. He corrected the first sentence of paragraph 7 to read: Jana Ollinger, 1841 Victoria Circle, stated that the room of her home is not a patio. He corrected the last paragraph to read: Mr. Ollinger talked about the stakes in the pictures and a side entry option for the garage.

Commissioner Vogt corrected page three, second paragraph to read: Chair Simanton clarified that the shed on the west side of the house was surrounded by trees.

Commissioner Vogt added the following to page five under the preliminary plat for Lakeview Meadows: Commissioner Vogt asked if Mn/DOT recommended a left hand turn lane on westbound Highway 7 at the entrance to the development. Ms. Kreft stated that there will be a left hand turn lane on westbound Highway 7 at the entrance to the development.

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

B. Review Minutes from the March 13, 2008, City Council Meeting.

The above minutes were reviewed.
 

A. Review revised request by Michael Comb for a Variance for a proposed garage with reduced setbacks for the property located at 1871 Victoria Circle.

1. Agenda Statement No. 08-09
2. Exhibits: None

Ms. Perera explained that staff had met with the applicant and neighbor and they did not reach an agreement. She said staff is recommended that this be opened up for a public hearing and then continued to the April 15^th meeting.

Chair Simanton said they should provide their opinion to staff and the City Council based on the proposal that was in front of them that serves both the applicant and the neighbor so it is brought to some finale.

Chair Simanton opened the public hearing at 6:37 p.m.

Ralph Ollinger, 1841 Victoria Circle, said he came to see what the advice would be. He noted that they can’t make up their minds on how the garage should be. He talked about a two-car garage that does not have a side delivery.

Chair Simanton closed the public hearing at 6:40 p.m.

Commissioner Donadio asked if the applicant knew this was going to be continued. Ms. Perera responded yes.

Commissioner Hiivala reiterated his two suggestions of moving the garage forward and putting in a two-car garage. Commissioner Vogt said he agreed and that it must be a front entry. He reiterated the request for a three-car garage doesn’t constitute a hardship.

Commissioner Peterson asked what the requirements are for additional storage sheds on the site and outside storage such as boats. Ms. Perera said a zoning permit is required for a shed and that can be up to 120 square feet and can be placed five feet away from the rear and side yard setbacks. Ms. Perera said that for outside storage such as a boat are only allowed on a seasonal basis and a maximum of six months.

Chair Simanton said he agrees with a two-car garage and then having additional storage on the property that would not inhibit the neighbors view.

Commissioner Vogt stated the applicant should be told about the "spirit" of what the Planning Commission discussed on compromising and not hurting the view of the neighbor.

This will be continued to the April 15, 2008 Planning Commission meeting.
 

A.  Provide update of request by Scott Schmitt dba Clearwater Development Group for a revised Preliminary Plat for Lakeview Meadows (currently known as the Swain property located on the north end of Schultz Lake).

1. Agenda Statement No. 08-010
2. Exhibits: To be disbursed at the meeting or sooner if the applicant provides them prior.

Ms. Kreft distributed an updated preliminary plat. She explained the park dedication was discussed the recommendation was that the park stay in outlot B with a fence on the eastern boundary of the pond and a half court basketball. Ms. Kreft said the Park and Recreation Committee also discussed the trail going through outlot A. She noted all of outlot A would be deeded to the city. She summarized the park dedication would be the trail, outlot B and the rest would be cash in lieu of.

Ms. Kreft stated the tree inventory and landscaping plan has not been revised. The developer did widen lot 1 to incorporate additional buffering and plantings.

Ms. Kreft said they will be using lift station no. 9 and it is possible that the force main connecting to Rolling Acres road may need to be replaced and the developer will be responsible for that.

Ms. Kreft explained the two cul-de-sacs have been revised to show one cul-de-sac and the remainder of the right-of-way would be deeded to the city. She stated the full 60-foot width is deeded to the property line.

Commissioner Hiivala asked how much land would be set aside for the trail. Ms. Kreft said it would be 30 feet wide.

Commissioner Hiivala asked who would be policing lot 1 to make sure the additional plantings are put in. Ms. Kreft said it will be included in the landscaping plan and the escrow won’t be released until all the plantings are in.

Commissioner Peterson asked about the developer agreement process and when the city would take over the road. Ms. Kreft said once the plat is filed it becomes the city right-of-way, but the improvements are not accepted until the city engineer signs off. Commissioner Hiivala noted that the road is also bonded for the developer to complete it.

Chair Simanton asked if lot 1 is still 40 feet away from the property line. Mr. Schmitt said that it is 75 feet from the road edge of the road and they added 25 feet to the width of the lot. The property line is not being adjusted but the pad is being shifted over 20 feet and then adding more landscaping and berming. Chair Simanton clarified that the homeowners will be responsible for maintaining the landscaping and berming. Mr. Schmitt responded yes.

Mr. Schmitt talked about needing a monument for the addition and lot 1 would be a good spot. Ms. Kreft said they do require monuments to be in outlots and maintained by the homeowners. Mr. Schmitt stated they will create an outlot in lot 1 and increase the buffer.
 

Councilmember Roden commented on the Shingobee plan and said that based on the current market studies the original plan will not work for the 13.5 acres. She said a dual track process was discussed at the last City Council meeting. Ms. Kreft noted the board of the grocer voted not to move forward with this site.

The grocer and senior housing components were discussed.

Chair Simanton commented on the road and said his thought was to go with a dual loaded road.

Commissioner Vogt asked who will be paying for the road infrastructure and trails. Councilmember Roden stated they have said from the beginning that the city does not plan to make those investments.
 

A. Communications.

Ms. Kreft noted the final draft of the comprehensive plan open houses are on April 26^th and April 28^th.
 

A motion was made by Donadio, seconded by Hiivala, to adjourn the meeting at 7:18 p.m. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
 

Respectfully submitted,

Tanya Schmieg
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.