Planning Commission Minutes

CITY OF VICTORIA
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 5, 2008

MEETING

Pursuant to due posted and mailed notice thereof, the Victoria Planning Commission met on August 5, 2008, at 7951 Rose in the Council Chambers.

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

Members Present: Chair, Gordy Simanton; Commissioners: Bud Hiivala and Tom Vogt.

Members Absent: Commissioners James Donadio III and Grant Peterson.

Others Present: Holly Kreft, Community Development Director; Mayor Mary Hershberger Thun and Tanya Schmieg, Recording Secretary.

A. Adopt Agenda

A motion was made by Hiivala, seconded by Vogt, to adopt the agenda as presented. Vote: 3 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion Carried.
 

#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A. Minutes of the July 15, 2008 Planning Commission Meeting.

Commissioner Vogt corrected page 2, 3^rd paragraph, 1^st sentence to read: Ms. Kreft explained the developer is suggesting a rural section for the street.

A motion was made by Simanton, seconded by Vogt, to approve the Minutes as corrected. Vote: 3 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

B. Review minutes of the July 10, 2008 City Council Meeting.

The above minutes were reviewed.

C. Review minutes of the July 17, 2008 EDA Meeting.

The above minutes were reviewed.

D. Review minutes of the July 24, 2008 Budget Workshop.

The above minutes were reviewed.

E. Review minutes of the July 24, 2008 City Council Meeting.

The above minutes were reviewed.
 

A. Review of Revised 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. 08-24

2. Exhibits: Application (dated June 24, 2008), Revised Preliminary Plat, Comments by City Engineer

Chair Simanton clarified that this is a continued public hearing.

Ms. Kreft stated that there have been updates since the packet was delivered. She explained the Magellan gas line easement runs through the middle of the plat and they did recommend three changes; 1. The bioretention basin needs to be removed from the easement. 2. The watermain and sewer need to be removed from the easement. 3. Landscaping, including boulevard trees, can’t be in the easement. Ms. Kreft said the preliminary plat was updated and staff and engineering have not had an opportunity to review them.

Ms. Kreft showed the alignment map of Ali Court and Ali Way. She noted the configuration of lots 3, 4 and 5 have been shifted. Ms. Kreft also showed the grading plan.

Ms. Kreft stated that staff is recommending that it not move forward tonight.

Chair Simanton clarified that the changes were made with regards to the memo from Magellan.

Commissioner Vogt questioned the agenda statement on page 2, second to last paragraph where it talks about the need for berming and says the construction of Ali Court will require regarding of these berms. Ms. Kreft explained that it should say it would require re-grading and it needs to be shown on the landscaping plan. She noted number 5 is included as a condition relating to landscaping of the berms.

Commissioner Vogt asked how big the berm is. Mr. Rausch responded that it would be six feet high.

Chair Simanton asked what the distance of the berm is from the road Mr. Rausch responded about 20 feet. He noted they left the ditch in place and the berm is on the east side of the ditch.

Chair Simanton explained that they have been looking at Bavaria Road as a major road in the future and have asked for setbacks of 100-200. Mr. Rausch said the homes will exceed that. Chair Simanton said when this comes back it would be helpful to show the distance. He said they don’t want homes backing up right to the road. He said it would be beneficial to have natural barriers to the noise. Chair Simanton emphasized the focus is on providing additional separation and berming with landscaping and estimates of the property lines. Mr. Snader said he thought it was 214 feet from the road. Chair Simanton noted a six feet berm may not be sufficient and suggested looking at other developments.

Mr. Rausch stated the plans didn’t change and said there was an in depth review. Chair Simanton said the number of conditions also needs to be reduced.

Mr. Snader noted they are in the process of moving back here and asked that they make the changes being talked about and move forward.

Commissioner Hiivala stated he thinks the berm should be higher. He asked if there are any sidewalks or trails. Ms. Kreft responded that the plans do not currently show any trails or sidewalks. She said the park and recreation commission recommended a trail be installed along Bavaria Road. She commented on putting in a sidewalk for future connection to the south.

Commissioner Vogt said he agrees that they shouldn’t proceed with this many conditions. He asked that the berms be better defined with more height.

Commissioner Hiivala said he thinks there should be an internal trail or sidewalk. Mr. Rausch asked how the sidewalk should be designed on the rural section. Commissioner Hiivala said it has to connect to the road if development should occur in the south. Mr. Snader talked about doing a sidewalk with a ditch and making it physically work with the easement. Ms. Kreft said instead of a sidewalk a six foot bituminous trail could be installed Chair Simanton reiterated it is important to have connectivity with the trails.

Randy Vanderlinde, property owner to the south, questioned the purpose of the adjacent property to the north and south on the drawing. Chair Simanton explained when development comes in they look at what the whole area could look like. He talked about extending the cul-de-sac to the south down to 86^th Street. He noted it helps to visualize what the area could potentially look like long term. Mr. Vanderlinde asked if this will be slated for a rural, one acre lots. Chair Simanton responded that it is zoned residential. Ms. Kreft noted it is net density. Mr. Vanderlinde commented on the road aligning with 86^th Street and said that is in Chaska. Chair Simanton said they are just looking at the possibility of that happening. Mr. Vanderlinde clarified that the Ali Way stub will have sewer and water in it.

Chair Simanton closed the public hearing at 6:59 p.m.

Chair Simanton said this will be moved to the August 19^th Planning Commission meeting.
 

None.
 

Mayor Hershberger Thun had nothing to report.

Chair Simanton asked about the TIF process with Fresh Seasons Market. Ms. Kreft said the City Council at the last meeting voted to have a public hearing on the establishment of TIF district number 4 on September 25^th. Chair Simanton asked if there is going to be a study done on Victoria Drive. Ms. Kreft responded yes, SRF is looking at access on Victoria Drive and truck access on Tower Boulevard. She noted the preliminary plat will be on the August 19^th agenda.

Commissioner Vogt referred to the Spirit newsletter and the differences in the building square footage. Ms. Kreft noted that was based on the earlier concept. Ms. Kreft said it is now about 28,000 square feet. She noted that Tower and Quamoclit are still two-way.
 

A. Communications.

Ms. Kreft noted that next Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. there is a joint meeting for the downtown master plan to review the three drafted concepts.
 

A motion was made by Hiivala, seconded by Simanton, to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m. Vote: 3 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
 

Respectfully submitted,
Tanya Schmieg
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.