Planning Commission Minutes

CITY OF VICTORIA
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
SEPTEMBER 16, 2008

MEETING

Pursuant to due call and posted notice thereof, the Victoria Planning Commission met on September 16, 2008, at 7951 Rose in the Council Chambers.

Vice-Chair Donadio 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: City Administrator, Don Uram; Mayor, Mary Hershberger Thun; Terry Hartman, Business Development Committee; and Tanya Schmieg, Recording Secretary.

A. Adopt Agenda

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

#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A. Minutes of the August 19, 2008 Planning Commission Meeting.

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

B. Review Minutes of the August 14, 2008 City Council meeting.

The above minutes were reviewed.

C. Review Minutes of the August 28, 2008 City Council meeting.

The above minutes were reviewed.
 

None.
 

A. Review of Final Plat 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. 08-28
2) Exhibits: Comments by City Engineer (will be distributed at meeting), Final Plat, Draft Development Agreement

Mr. Uram stated that included in the packet are the staff reports already reviewed. He said the plat meets the standards. Commissioner Donadio noted there are some additional conditions including the developer’s agreement.

Commissioner Vogt asked why there can’t be a sidewalk on the north side of the building. Mr. Uram explained that there are a couple of loading facilities on the north side of the building and there would be a conflict with the trucks and pedestrians. He stated that they have met with Rich Gannon to talk about the potential of getting a sidewalk in on his property.

Chair Simanton arrived at 6:34 p.m.

Commissioner Vogt commented on the 75 parking spaces and the ordinance requiring 51 spaces and asked how many spaces were lost redesigning Victoria Drive for the right turn lane. Mr. Uram responded 6 parking spaces. Commissioner Vogt stated there is a net affect of 69 spaces because of the 5 spaces lost on the street with the right turn lane.

Commissioner Donadio questioned at what point Victoria Drive becomes an entrance only and how the decision will be made on what happens with the parking lot. Mr. Uram said they will continue to evaluate that intersection. Commissioner Donadio asked if there would be something in the developer’s agreement. Mr. Uram said if there is a problem it would be the developer’s responsibility. Commissioner Vogt noted that Met Council recommended a traffic study and asked when it will be performed and who is paying for it. He noted the intersection of Highway 5 and Victoria Drive is a failed intersection. Mr. Uram said the traffic study was already completed. Commissioner Donadio reiterated he is wondering how best to handle the study of the intersections in the future and any improvements that have to be made and who pays. Mr. Uram said that a condition could be put in the developer’s agreement stating that making the necessary driveway modifications or if the City Engineer determines that intersection improvements need to be made, to prohibit access onto Victoria Drive, the developer will be responsible. Chair Simanton clarified that will be added as a condition.

B. Approval of Resolution Recommending Approval of the Modification of TIF District No. 1 and Adoption of TIF District No.4

1) Agenda Statement No. 08-29
2) Exhibits: Resolution, TIF District No. 1 map, proposed TIF District No. 4 map

Mr. Uram stated they have recommended that the TIF District be enlarged to include properties to the west that will be guided as the Central Business District as part of the new Comprehensive Guide Plan. He explained that the statute requires the Planning Commission to make a recommendation on the TIF District boundaries. Mr. Uram showed a map and said the amendment is for TIF District number 1.

Chair Simanton asked if the 13 acres is the only change for the TIF District. Mr. Uram said in terms of including additional properties that is the general change.

Commissioner Hiivala asked if the development by Hartman Communities is covered by the enlargement of the TIF District. Mr. Uram responded yes.

Chair Simanton referred to the map and asked if the TIF District outlined in red was 1-4. Mr. Uram said no, they are expanding 1 to include the red properties.

Chair Simanton asked about the properties on the south side of Highway 5. Mr. Uram said those are residential. He said that in his opinion whatever they can put into a TIF District should be put into it. Chair Simanton asked about other homes across from Floyds. Mr. Uram said those are not included in the TIF District. He said there are requirements for structures to be substandard in a redevelopment TIF District so they looked at what properties could potentially be included. He noted the homes on Quamoclit were part of the TIF District.

Commissioner Peterson asked if the reason for TIF Districts to overlap is to extend the expiration date. Mr. Uram said there are various reasons to extend the TIF District, but noted it is usually project specific.

Commissioner Vogt asked what the hierarchy is if it is TIF Districts and projects within the TIF District or is it TIF Districts within the projects. Mr. Uram said the TIF agreement establishes the priorities and it is on a project basis. Commissioner Vogt noted there is a project area.

Chair Simanton asked if there was a specific objective the City was trying to do to correct something. Mr. Uram said it was more philosophical. He noted there wasn’t a problem but that they were looking for solutions to help Fresh Seasons.

Commissioner Vogt asked if the TIF benefit for Fresh Seasons will come from all 4 Districts or number 4. Mr. Uram responded just from number 4.

C. Review of Concept Plan by Hartman Communities for Lakeside Redevelopment

1) Agenda Statement No. 08-30
2) Exhibits: Concept Plan

Mr. Hartman explained that they purchased the CH Carpenter property near the shoreline. He noted that this started in the 1900’s as a pull shed and the building has only had two uses since the early 1900’s. He said it is a narrow piece of property that has been for sale for a couple years. Mr. Hartman stated the site plan maximizes the building space but uses the city’s municipal parking lot. He explained they are proposing a mixed use building with three stories and the site would look out to the lake with a basement level with lookout windows. He said they foresee retail on the street level and office space above that and office or studio space in the below grade. He noted they are pursuing condominium ownership as well as leasing ownership. Mr. Hartman said the building will have appeal to small hometown boutique users. He explained the building will sit at the plaza area and as part of the project they want to donate a piece of property, to the west, the city would get to own.

Mr. Hartman stated there are some improvements shown on the site plan that aren’t proposed to be built by Hartman. He said they broke it up into two buildings with a 10-12 foot separation in between to hide the dumpsters. He explained that there is a pitched roof with a lakeside cottage feel and double hung windows. He noted they haven’t picked out the color of the building. Mr. Hartman stated the individual spaces range from 1,000 square feet down to 600 or 700 square feet. He said the western building will be similar but smaller and there has been interest with some unique restaurants that may want to come up with their own design. He noted this would be phased and showed a picture of the first building.

Commissioner Peterson asked about the north edge of the property. Mr. Hartman said that is the railroad corridor. Commissioner Peterson asked what the restrictions are on the use of that space. Mr. Hartman said there would be no access out to the rear of the property. He said they met with the LRT and they were okay with a certain amount of impacts. Commissioner Peterson asked about landscaping opportunities. Mr. Hartman said they are using 2 ½ foot setback on the property to the north and a 3 foot setback to the west property. He said the landscape opportunities on the LRT corridor will have to be defined in the city’s effort in the master plan plaza area. Commissioner Peterson clarified that this would be a stick frame structure building.

Mr. Hartman noted that they are looking at a spring 2009 construction date. He said they will also have to balance all of the construction. He stated they are providing 8 parallel parking spaces.

Commissioner Peterson asked what the allowable building area was. Mr. Hartman said it would be a PUD or a CUP. The height restriction is 35 feet.

Commissioner Donadio asked how busy the municipal lot is on a typical day. Mr. Uram said that during the day there are very few cars and in the evenings it is busy.

Commissioner Vogt asked if the municipal lot is temporary or permanent. Mr. Uram said as part of the overall downtown master plan it shows a building with structured parking so it is still considered temporary. Mr. Hartman said the city would be making a commitment that the parking would be available but a building could be built over that and still have public parking. Commissioner Vogt asked how many spaces there are. Commissioner Donadio responded 40 on the existing lot.

Commissioner Hiivala asked if the LRT was receptive to the plaza area in the downtown master plan. Mr. Hartman said they were and they do have a permitting process. Commissioner Hiivala asked if Three Rivers was receptive with developing the land from the trail down to the lake. Mr. Hartman said when they met with them they realized the existing amphitheatre was underutilized and they were open to the idea of taking it out and doing something different.

Mr. Hartman commented on the large sewer interceptor that looks like it will go right through the corridor. He said if there are public improvements it may have to be done in conjunction with where the sewer is. Mr. Uram noted it would be the third phase of the sewer project. Mr. Hartman said this project will connect to water and sewer in the street.

Chair Simanton asked if Steiger Lake Lane would need to remain open for the viability of the retail locations. Mr. Hartman said if the road closed it would be a problem not only for their building but the development of the waterfront.

Chair Simanton commented on the distance between the two buildings. Mr. Hartman said that space will hide gas meters, electric meters and dumpsters.

Chair Simanton asked if the setbacks are carried through on the back on the building. Mr. Hartman said yes there are 2 ½ feet off the back and there will be no access points into the building from the back. Chair Simanton asked how far the back of the building is to the edge of the trail. Mr. Hartman said it is close to 20-25 feet.

Chair Simanton talked about a restaurant and putting in a deck space, but clarified that would not be reality with encroaching on the LRT’s setbacks.

Chair Simanton asked if TIF is involved. Mr. Uram said it has not been requested. Mr. Hartman noted, not yet.

Mr. Uram asked if the architecture is appropriate for this location. The Planning Commission responded yes.

Commissioner Peterson asked if there would be common areas. Mr. Hartman said they are hoping the sidewalks in the front will be adopted by the city. Commissioner Peterson asked if they would split the lot if a restaurant came in. Mr. Hartman said this will be a CIC plat and there will be a couple of different lot splits.

Chair Simanton commented on going east with the other properties along the trail. Mr. Uram noted the city does own the public works maintenance facility and should look at the future plans for that.

D. Downtown Master Plan Update

1) Agenda Statement No. 08-31
2) Exhibits: Draft Master Plan, Wayfinding Signage, West End Vignette

Mr. Uram explained that there was a joint meeting to look at the preliminary concept for the downtown master plan. He reviewed the discussion items:

• Need to include the Schrempp property (in the Hinge area)

• Need to expand promenade

• Need to update the proposed wayfinding signage to better reflect the historic nature of the design standards

Mr. Uram stated they should be getting a revised plan by Thursday that will be on display at Volksfest. He said one of the questions was to quantify specifically what kind of buildings and the square footage being proposed and the number of parking spaces. He said another question is building a one level parking deck.

Chair Simanton asked about additional pedestrian access points under Highway 5. Mr. Uram said did talk about that and also had discussion with Mn/DOT and the only potential access point will be on the far eastern edge. He noted Mn/DOT is looking at a project to correct the pavement sinking on the east side and said it would be a good opportunity to put in a grade separation. Chair Simanton noted that is a wetland area. Chair Simanton said he was hoping to have something more centrally located and commented on the potential of having something by the used car area. Commissioner Vogt asked about an overhead bridge on Victoria Drive over Highway 5 for pedestrians. Mr. Uram said they haven’t looked at anything specific for that area.
 

Mayor Hershberger Thun reminded citizens of the upcoming election and said the Chamber of Commerce is having a meeting tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. to give people the opportunity to provide their feelings of the City and the future. She noted there are six people running for City Council seats. The League of Women Voters is also having a meeting on October 14^th at 7:00 p.m. at the City Hall.

Mayor Hershberger Thun encouraged citizens to come Volksfest this Saturday.
 

A. Communications.

Miscellaneous - Need to reschedule November 4^th meeting due to General Election

The Planning Commission decided to wait on rescheduling the November 4^th meeting.
 

A motion was made by Donadio, seconded by Hiivala, to adjourn the meeting at 7:43 p.m. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
 

Respectfully submitted,

Tanya Schmieg
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.