Planning Commission Minutes

CITY OF VICTORIA
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 19, 2008

MEETING

Pursuant to due posted and mailed notice thereof, the Victoria Planning Commission met on August 19, 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, Community Development Director; Councilmember Kim Roden; Terry Hartman, Business Development Committee; Unsie Zuege, The Chanhassen Villager; and Tanya Schmieg, Recording Secretary.

A. Adopt Agenda

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

#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A. Minutes of the August 5, 2008 Planning Commission Meeting.

A motion was made by Simanton, seconded by Vogt, to approve the Minutes. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
 

A. Review of Preliminary Plat and Vacation Request by Victoria City Center LLC for a plat to be known as Victoria City Center (Fresh Seasons Market) located east of Victoria Drive, west of Quamoclit and north of TH 5 (Arboretum Boulevard)

1. Agenda Statement No. 08-25
2. Exhibits: Application (dated July 31, 2008), Comments by City Engineer, Preliminary Plat, Landscaping and Lighting Plan, Building Elevations, Traffic Study

Ms. Kreft noted that the recommendation tonight will be on the preliminary plat and the vacation public hearing will be next Thursday at the City Council meeting.

Ms. Kreft showed the proposed project location. She referred to the discussions on the access and said that there will be a full access on Victoria Drive, extension on Tower Boulevard and an offset on Quamoclit Street. Ms. Kreft stated that in the packet is a traffic study conducted by SRF Consulting and highlighted the points. She explained that currently there are approximately 50 cars turning onto Victoria Drive during the peak time of 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. She noted they also requested them to look at one year after opening and a 2020 scenario. She said they also requested that they look at a scenario where Tower Boulevard is not extended and the study concluded that Tower Boulevard in or out does not have a significant change in the traffic counts. Ms. Kreft reviewed the three recommendations that came out of the report:

1. The bumpout on TH 5 remain to channelize traffic into the right turn lane.

2. If a full access is allowed onto Victoria Drive, the City should monitor the intersection to determine if it should be switched to an entrance only.

3. The drive aisle on the ease side of the parking lot should be 24’ in width.

Ms. Kreft talked about the pedestrian access to the site, which includes the existing sidewalk on Highway 5 and a full sidewalk on Victoria Drive. Tower Boulevard does not include a sidewalk on the south side but staff will be discussing the possibility of a sidewalk on the north side. She stated a sidewalk is proposed on the east side of Quamoclit Street and would be included as part of a 429 project and the City would assess adjacent property owners for those improvements. Ms. Kreft said there is no sidewalk proposed on the west side of Quamoclit Street, but there would a sidewalk constructed on the east side that would continue north.

Ms. Kreft explained the new parking lot shows 75 parking spaces and based on the shared parking ordinance the required amount would be 51 spaces so it does exceed what the ordinance requires. She noted there are also offsite spaces for employees to park.

Ms. Kreft said Tower Boulevard has approximately a four foot offset and Quamoclit has an offset of eight feet. She noted that staff met with Mn/DOT on the offset and they did not seem concerned with that.

Ms. Kreft reviewed the lighting and showed the standard features which include shoebox lighting and staff has noted a more decorative lighting may be more appropriate.

Ms. Kreft stated the revised landscaping plan was distributed and shows a parking island on the west side of the lot and a patio area that would connect to the inside deli.

Ms. Kreft said the city engineer’s comments were included in the packet and noted that grading will be an issue once construction starts.

Ms. Kreft showed where the traffic enclosure and loading dock would be.

Ms. Kreft said staff is recommending approval of the preliminary plat with the following four conditions:

1. Incorporation of the City Engineer’s comments dated August 9, 2008.

2. Incorporation of recommendations of SRF Consulting Study, including the option to monitor the full access onto Victoria Drive to reduce to an entrance only access.

3. Deliveries utilizing the loading dock shall be minimized during peak hours (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.).

4. Review and approval by Mn/DOT

Commissioner Peterson asked about the snow removal. Ms. Kreft said the snow is proposed to be taken off site.

Chair Simanton asked what the hours of operation are. Ms. Kreft responded the hours are 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Chair Simanton asked who would have to pay for a future upgrade of the Victoria Drive access point. Ms. Kreft said it would mostly be done by signage. Chair Simanton asked who pays for it if the signage doesn’t work. Ms. Kreft responded the developer.

Commissioner Hiivala clarified Tower Boulevard would be a full access. Ms. Kreft said yes and both Tower Boulevard and Quamoclit Street are two-way. She noted that staff is recommending that Tower Boulevard be extended now. Commissioner Donadio asked about Quamoclit closing. Ms. Kreft said that under the Highway 5 study it would be a right-in right-out.

Commissioner Hiivala asked about the property to the north that is colored green. Ms. Kreft responded that it is shown as green space.

Chair Simanton asked if there was any discussion with automating the lights with the neighbors across the street. Ms. Kreft said there was no discussion.

Chair Simanton asked about the loading dock being deep enough so trucks wouldn’t be hanging out on Tower Boulevard. Ms. Kreft said the standard lengths would be within the right-of-way.

Chair Simanton commented on the 150 foot right-of-way with the preliminary Highway 5 plans and asked if there would be more separation. Ms. Kreft said the line stays as is and the impacts would be on the other side.

Commissioner Vogt commented on the snow removal and asked if that is what is happening with the rest of downtown and where it will be moved to. Ms. Kreft said yes and she thought it gets stored at the Field House and other locations.

Chair Simanton opened the public hearing at 6:51 p.m.

Chair Simanton closed the public hearing at 6:51 p.m.

Chair Simanton asked if there were any concerns with Floyd’s on the parking. Mr. Wartman said they did have discussions with Lois from Floyd’s and said they will have some crossovers at peak times. He said it will not be a problem having patrons park there at night and they want to have a good relationship with Floyd’s.

Chair Simanton asked if there were any concerns with automated lights. Mr. Wartman said there would be some concerns with the Floyd’s traffic and they would want it lit so it is safe. He stated the important part is that the lights shine down.

Commissioner Donadio asked if there were any considerations given to this being the only grocery store in town with the traffic study. Mr. Hagen, SRF Consulting Group, said they did get information from the Glen Lake store as far as trip generation and used more conservative numbers which is about 10% higher.

Chair Simanton asked about the concern with the access point on Victoria Drive. Mr. Hagen said the concern is just during the peak periods and the off peak times shouldn’t be much of an issue. Chair Simanton asked what the process is if there is some timing issues with the lights. Mr. Hagen said Mn/DOT is going to be doing a Highway 5 traffic signal timing project this fall. He noted that they made Mn/DOT aware of the potential development. Mr. Hagen said if there were some timing issues the City would need to contact Mn/DOT.

Commissioner Hiivala asked if the traffic study looked at the possible development of the 13.5 acres. Mr. Hagen said they did get information from staff on that development and they didn’t see a lot of traffic using the Victoria Drive intersection.

Commissioner Peterson asked if there was any consideration with Tower Boulevard being extended to the east. Mr. Hagen responded that they looked at where it currently ends.

Commissioner Vogt commented on the 2020 scenario that says unless Highway 5 would be at 4 lanes the level of service would be at unacceptable and asked when the level of service gets detrimental. Mr. Hagen said they looked at one year after opening which is 2010 and 2020. He noted that Highway 5 is reaching capacity. Commissioner Vogt stated that it is important to recognize alternative solutions and further assessment needs to be done with the congestion.

Commissioner Donadio clarified that the engineer’s comments have been incorporated.

Commissioner Donadio asked how the City enforces the hours of operation with the loading dock. Ms. Kreft said it will need to be monitored. Chair Simanton noted that the downtown business district will let staff know if there are problems with the trucks.

Commissioner Donadio asked about the decorative lighting. Commissioner Vogt said they should keep the lighting going down. Commissioner Peterson said he agrees the shoebox lighting is a better solution. Commissioner Hiivala asked how high up the lights are on the pole. Mr. Wartman said they haven’t done an illumination study and will be looking at that so it is comfortably lit. He noted that in Glen Lake it is a larger area and he thought it was 30+ feet.

Commissioner Simanton asked about the signage. Ms. Kreft said that will be coming back and noted there is not a proposed monument sign, it is all wall signage. She noted there is lighting proposed on the building.

A motion was made by Simanton, seconded by Hiivala, to approve the preliminary plat for the Victoria City Center LLC – Fresh Seasons Market and Drugstore with the four conditions outlined by staff. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
 

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. 08-26
2. Exhibits: Application (dated June 24, 2008), Comments by City Engineer (will be distributed at meeting), Revised Preliminary Plat

Ms. Kreft explained the changes are with comments received from Magellan. She said that based on discussions from the last meeting a trail as been added along Bavaria Road as well as a trail on the north side of Ali Court.

Ms. Kreft said the berms on the roadway have been increased and it shows heavily landscaped areas located on the lots which would require maintenance agreements from both property owners.

Ms. Kreft noted the comments from the engineer were handed out. She noted that everything needs to be approved by Magellan.

Ms. Kreft stated that staff is recommending approval with the conditions:

1. Incorporation of City Engineer’s comments dated August 18, 2008.

2. Approval by Magellan Company for the encroachment onto the gas line easement.

3. Maintenance agreement with property owner for the monument, berms and related landscaping.

Commissioner Peterson asked about the city requirements for street lighting. Ms. Kreft said they don’t have a set standard. She noted that it is important to have street lighting for safety. She pointed out where the proposed lighting would be and said staff felt it would be sufficient for the size of the development.

Chair Simanton asked about a full disclosure with the developer and Magellan so the property owner is aware of the pipeline. Ms. Kreft said it will be included with the letter of awareness.

Chair Simanton asked about the driveway for the existing home. Ms. Kreft said that access point will be removed and will be consolidated with the access onto Ali Court.

Chair Simanton suggested having signage at the end of Ali Way that says at some point it could be a thru road.

A motion was made by Vogt, seconded by Hiivala, to approve the request by Daryl Snader DBA Cornerstone Development LLC for approval of the preliminary plat for Bavaria Acres subdivision with staff’s recommendations as in the agenda statement. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

B. Downtown Master Plan Update

1. Agenda Statement No. 08-27
2. Exhibits: Draft Concept Plans

Ms. Kreft explained there are three concept plans being looked at with the different development and redevelopment scenarios. She noted that one of the ideas not shown on the plans was a promenade from the east by Diggers Polaris and west to the bridge by Wensman. There would also be an amphitheatre area. She noted there is also an idea to include a nature trail and use the public works center as a nature center. Commissioner Hiivala said another suggestion was to have a trail all the way around the lake. Chair Simanton talked about the possibility of extending the trail to County Road 11.

Ms. Kreft said the next joint meeting will be on Wednesday, September 3^rd at the water treatment plant.

Chair Simanton asked about the access points underneath Highway 5. Ms. Kreft said they did talk about where that would best be located and that will be part of the presentation.

Chair Simanton commented on people parking on Rolling Acres Road to use the trail and asked if some parking would be set aside. Ms. Kreft said they did budget for bike racks and benches.
 

Councilmember Roden commented on trail parking and said the parking in Carver Park is free and they need to get the word out.

Councilmember Roden provided an update on the 13.5 acres. She said a letter was received from Doran Companies stating they are withdrawing because of the study by Walker Methodist. She noted that in her discussions she was told that there are a lot of adjacent suburb locations and they didn’t think they would be interested in coming at this time. She said another reason that was given was there weren’t enough elderly people in Victoria.

Councilmember Roden talked about Highway 5 and said there may be some money available that would help with some of the intersections that are short of the four lanes.
 

A. Communications.

None.
 

A motion was made by Vogt, seconded by Hiivala, to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 p.m. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
 

Respectfully submitted,

Tanya Schmieg
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.