Planning Commission Minutes

CITY OF VICTORIA
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 7, 2007

MEETING

Pursuant to due posted and mailed notice thereof, the Victoria Planning Commission met on August 7, 2007, at 7951 Rose in the Council Chambers.

Vice-Chair Vogt opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Members Present: Vice-Chair Vogt, Commissioners James Donadio III, Bud Hiivala, and William Mead VI.

Members Absent: Chair Gordy Simanton.

Others Present: Holly Kreft, City Planner; City Councilmember Jim Paulsen; and Tanya Schmieg, Recording Secretary.

A. Adopt Agenda

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

#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A.  Minutes of the July 10, 2007, Planning Commission Meeting.

Commissioner Hiivala said that on page 3 his comment should read: Commissioner Hiivala commented on the timetable of three to five years being dangerous for the City.

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

B.  Minutes of the July 17, 2007, Planning Commission Meeting.

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

C.  Review Minutes from the July 26, 2007, City Council Meeting.

The above minutes were reviewed.
 

A.  Request by the Sunnymeade Townhomes Association for Preliminary and Final Plat of the right-of-way for the cul-de-sac located in Deer Run 14^th Addition to become a public street (said such plat to be known as the Deer Run 15^th Addition)

1. Agenda Statement No. 07-38
2. Exhibits: Applications, Preliminary and Final Plat

Ms. Kreft showed the location on a map. She noted that currently they meet all the City standards and is being maintained as a City street. There are no proposed changes to the street. Enclosed in the packet is a preliminary and final plat. She stated that Staff is recommending approval with the condition provided.

Commissioner Hiivala asked if the right-of-way is 50 or 60 feet. Ms. Kreft responded that it is 50 feet to match the existing right-of-way.

Vice-Chair Vogt noted that he will not be voting or participating in any discussion on this request because he lives in Sunnymeade.

Vice-Chair Vogt opened the Public Hearing at 6:37 p.m.

Vice-Chair Vogt closed the Public Hearing at 6:38 p.m.

Commissioner Hiivala commented on the danger of private roads being approved as standard roads. Ms. Kreft said there is that risk. Commissioner Donadio stated the new standards for private drives have changed.

A motion was made by Hiivala, seconded by Donadio, to approve the Request by Sunnymeade Townhomes Association for Preliminary and Final Plat of the right-of-way for the cul-de-sac located in Deer Run 14^th Addition to become a public street (said such plat to be known as the Deer Run 15^th Addition). Vote: 3 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried. (note that Commissioner Vogt did not vote)

B. Request by U.S. Home Corporation (Lennar) for Preliminary and Final Plat to create three lots accessed by a private drive for the property located at 395 Highway 7 (plat to be known as "Fox Hollow Ridge", property formerly known as "the Westar property"), Excelsior, MN, Carver County, Minnesota

1. Agenda Statement No. 07-37
2. Exhibits: Application, Preliminary and Final Plat, Comments from Fire Department and City Engineer

Ms. Kreft explained this is a City line of Chanhassen and Victoria. She said this is a three-lot subdivision. Ms. Kreft provided the zoning history. She said this parcel has limited access to the north. Ms. Kreft stated the City of Chanhassen would prefer a one-lot access on to Kings Road.

Ms. Kreft said the Park and Recreation Committee reviewed this and they did not feel a park would be necessary and are recommending cash in lieu of any dedication. They would also like a trail connected to the LRT in the northwest corner of the property and also discussed another trail connecting to the proposed private drive, but need more information.

Ms. Kreft showed the wetlands. She stated the City ordinance does not allow wetlands to be located in lots and they should be in outlots for maintenance and stewardship. Ms. Kreft said she doesn’t have Engineering’s full review on the drainage, which is another reason staff is recommending tabling this.

Ms. Kreft talked about the tree preservation plan. She said this is a very heavily wooded site. She noted they will need to replace 26-27 trees based on staff’s calculations.

Ms. Kreft said the site is proposed to have individual septic systems. Applicants are also proposing wells.

Ms. Kreft recommended opening the public hearing and then keeping it open to allow for additional information.

Commissioner Hiivala talked about the future and having sewer and water. He suggested that there be some provision or easement made for a future road. Ms. Kreft said there was discussion that the City may want to retain ownership or allow for an access point to the private drive. She noted that would be contingent to access connecting to Kings Road. Commissioner Hiivala said water is available on Kings Road and they were receptive to allowing water but reluctant to the sewer. Chanhassen wasn’t interested in all the cars coming out.

Vice-Chair Vogt mentioned Chanhassen would prefer a drive to one home, not three. Ms. Kreft said they did send the submittal to the City of Chanhassen and the initial response was that it would be limited to one access point. She said the concern is if it meets all the requirements.

Vice-Chair asked about the proposed 20 feet wide and commented that it would be tough for fire protection. Ms. Kreft said it is 24 feet and the fire department has reviewed the plan and they have requested that the developer either service city water with Chanhassen or that they research the use of wells to allow for hydrants on site.

Vice Chair Vogt opened the public hearing at 6:52 p.m.

Michelle Hampton, 4198 Red Oak Lane, asked if in the future there will be more than three homes. Ms. Kreft responded that at this time the proposal is for three family home sites. Staff has discussed that the developers agreement would include language that would prohibit future subdivision of those sites. Mrs. Hampton asked about how many homes there would be in the future. Commissioner Mead responded on this piece of property it is three and will always only be three. There could be more homes north and south.

Mrs. Hampton asked if the developer is going to do anything about all the dead trees on that property. Vice-Chair Vogt responded that staff is recommending that there be tree replacement. She commented on how bad it is and how Kings Road flooded and killed a bunch of trees.

Brenda Juneau, 437 Highway 7, asked what other information is needed. Vice-Chair Vogt said the public hearing will extend to the next Planning Commission meeting in two weeks so further information can be prepared from City Staff and Engineering. Ms. Juneau asked about the storm drainage on the property. Ms. Kreft said the applicant provided storm water calculations and that is being reviewed.

Commissioner Donadio commented on the Highway 7 access to the north. Ms. Kreft said that in 2003 MnDOT indicated that they would not support any changes to the access point.

Bob Bunkelman, 4191 Red Oak Lane, pointed to a strip of land and asked who owns that. Ms. Kreft said that is owned by Lennar and is 30-40 feet deep. He questions the type of systems being put in the homes. Vice-Chair Vogt responded for the septic systems there are specific requirements from the County and State. Ms. Kreft said it would be based on the soil borings. The setbacks for the septic systems would be for Carver County to approve. The actual structure would be a minimum of 30 feet. He pointed out all the dead trees on the map.

Kurt Rosenberger, 6929 Foxglove Circle, a lot of questions still outstanding that need to be addressed and he hopes this will be tabled. He said one of his concerns is the topography and he would like to see those maps. Another issue is the access. The third issue is the hours of construction and the clean up. He said there should be some daily clean up on all construction traffic.

Michael Hampton, 4198 Red Oak Lane, asked for more information they can pick up to review. Ms. Kreft said the developer is here this evening and invited him to discuss with them.

It was noted the road that everyone is talking about is part of the parcel to the north of the parcel being discussed.

Alec Wilson, 7080 Kings Road, commented on the trees and said the previous tree survey that was done is way too old. He questioned the soil testing and asked for some updated information and an idea of the plan of what will happen.

The public hearing was recessed to August 21, 2007.

Carole Toohey, Lennar Corporation, responded to some of the questions. She said the soil borings were performed with hand augers by septic specialist to figure out the best locations for the septic mounds.

Ms. Toohey commented on the LRT trail and said that they did talk to Three Rivers Park District and were told that they will not allow the connection because they want to limit the number of interceptors to the trail. She noted they will be sending them something in writing.

Ms. Toohey said there are no concerns with the cash in lieu of for the park.

Ms. Toohey stated there has been a ten-year history on this property with trying to develop it. She said they understand the City policy on the wetlands but they feel this is a unique situation. She said there would be odd shaped home sites. She stated they are willing to put easements and easement accesses over the wetlands and storm ponds so the City can access them and maintain them as an alternative to the outlot situation. Commissioner Hiivala asked why the City ownership of the wetlands would change the configuration of the lot. Ms. Toohey said it would take a way from the lots that are created. She said it would create funny shapes to the platted lots.

Vice-Chair Vogt stated this will continue to the next Planning Commission meeting on August 21, 2007.
 

None.
 

Commissioner Hiivala asked about the Field House. Councilmember Paulsen responded that it is a daily process.

Councilmember Paulsen asked about the watershed district. Ms. Kreft stated that staff has attended the first technical advisory meeting regarding erosion control.
 

A.  Communications.

The Planning Commission meeting scheduled for September 4, 2007 will be held as scheduled.

B.  Other.

The Planning Commission discussed the last public hearing and the properties to the south and north.
 

A motion was made by Donadio, seconded by Mead, to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 p.m. Vote: 4 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
 

Respectfully submitted,

Tanya Schmieg
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.