Planning Commission Minutes

CITY OF VICTORIA
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 15, 2008

MEETING

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

Members Absent: Commissioner Bud Hiivala.

Others Present: Holly Kreft, Community Development Director; Councilmember Kim Roden; Terry Hartman, Business Development Committee; and Tanya Schmieg, Recording Secretary.

A. Adopt Agenda

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

#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A. Minutes of the July 1, 2008 Planning Commission Meeting.

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

B. Review minutes of the June 26, 2008 City Council Meeting.

The above minutes were reviewed.
 

A. Review of Preliminary Plat by Cornerstone Development LLC for an eight lot subdivision to be known at Bavaria Acres located east of Bavaria Road and south of 82^nd Street

1. Agenda Statement No. 08-22
2. Exhibits: Application (dated June 24, 2008), Preliminary Plat, Comments by City Engineer

Ms. Kreft said she will provide an overview of the preliminary plat and noted staff is recommending this be continued to the August 5^th meeting in order for revised plans to be submitted.

Ms. Kreft showed the map of the eight-lot subdivision located on the east side of Bavaria Road approximately nine acres. She explained there is access to the south called Ali way. She noted there is a map that was submitted by the developer’s engineers that shows how the area might potentially be redeveloped. Ms. Kreft explained that providing an access to the north is probably not necessary and the property to the south is more likely to redevelop with potential access on Bavaria Road. The existing conditions are the two parcels and the wetland on the east side. She noted the existing home is proposed to stay. Commissioner Donadio asked if the private home will still maintain its own access. Ms. Kreft said that staff is recommending that it be consolidated, which will show up on the revised plans.

Ms. Kreft explained the developer is suggestion rural section for the street. She noted the geometry on the Ali Way access needs to be revised. Chair Simanton asked about the road tonnage. Ms. Kreft responded that it would be constructed to the standard. Chair Simanton referred to another street set up with ditches and not being set up to specs. Commissioner Vogt asked how big the ditches are. Ms. Kreft responded 20 feet on each side.

Ms. Kreft showed the grading plan. She explained that a bioretention basin will be required to be in an outlot with access to it for maintenance. Commissioner Peterson asked if there has been engineering done on the capacity of the storm pond. Ms. Kreft said yes. She said another issue is with the existing pipeline and noted that staff has requested that they receive a letter from Magellan Company saying they have reviewed the plans. She said there are concerns with the amount of utilities located on the easements on the east side and the depth on lot 5 makes the buildable pad small. Chair Simanton asked what the setback is from the gas line. Ms. Kreft said there isn’t a setback and a structure can’t be built on an easement. She noted the easement is 100 feet.

Ms. Kreft explained the sewer is another issue with the grades on lots 4 and 5. She stated that the current development needs to meet all the requirements for the future. She noted the developer is looking at revising the plans and potentially remove lots 4 and 5 or look at a lift station.

Ms. Kreft noted that revised plans will be received on Friday and engineering will review those.

Commissioner Donadio commented on the grading issues with the property to the south and the lift station. Ms. Kreft said staff is recommending that they pursue the lift station option to better serve the area and noted that there are approximately 38 acres.

Chair Simanton opened the public hearing at 6:44 p.m.

The public hearing will remain open to the August 5^th meeting.

Chair Simanton commented on having the cul-de-sac down by 86^th Street, which may be a controlled intersection at some point. Ms. Kreft said that would be the preference if the grades could work.

Commissioner Vogt recommended that there be buffers and berms on Bavaria Road.

Commissioner Peterson asked if there is enough right-of-way for Bavaria Road to be expanded. Ms. Kreft responded yes and said they are dedicating additional right-of-way.
 

A. Update on Downtown Master Plan

1. Agenda Statement No. 08-23
2. Exhibits: Draft Conceptual Plans

Ms. Kreft explained this plan is looking at tying all the plans together. She showed the regional context map. She said the natural systems were also discussed and noted there are high points in the 13.5 acres. Ms. Kreft said they also looked at the future plan of T.H. 5 with the different access points. She noted the concept plans are being drafted and then there would be a meeting with developers and another joint meeting in August.

Commissioner Vogt asked about Commercial Avenue. Ms. Kreft said the existing Commercial Avenue is showing it to be closed and pointed out the rerouted proposed Commercial Avenue.

Chair Simanton said they also discussed making sure there is traffic circulation for pedestrian, bicycles and automobiles in the downtown. He said there was a lot of discussion on the proposed grocery store location and the concern with stacking on Victoria Drive. Ms. Kreft said the engineer’s recommendation is that there would not be an access on Victoria Drive. Commissioner Vogt said the Tower Boulevard extension is important to keep.
 

Councilmember Roden mentioned that there is an EDA meeting on Thursday to talk about the TIF financing with the grocery store. She said they talked about the proposal at the last meeting and the concerns were with the parking, stacking, access to the adjoining businesses, etc. A number of businesses were present and spoke in favor. She noted the owner of Floyd’s will be impacted by this and they have asked for their feedback. Ms. Kreft stated the staff report is done with the tax increment financing as well as a land breakdown of the City owned properties. Commissioner Vogt asked about the acquisition costs. Ms. Kreft said the City owned properties would be sold for $1.00 and the acquisition cost for the CH Carpenter and residential property is $875,000.

Councilmember Roden reported that she and the Mayor met with representative Paul Kohls on the Highway 5 expansion. She said the goal was to solicit his support. Councilmember Roden noted the meeting was very successful and they will be putting together an action plan.
 

A. Communications.

None.
 

A motion was made by Donadio, seconded by Vogt, to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m. Vote: 4 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
 

Respectfully submitted,

Tanya Schmieg
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.