Planning Commission Minutes

CITY OF VICTORIA
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OCTOBER 2, 2007

MEETING

Pursuant to due posted and mailed notice thereof, the Victoria Planning Commission met on October 2, 2007, 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 and Bud Hiivala

Members Absent: Commissioners William Mead VI and Tom Vogt

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

A. Adopt Agenda

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

#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A.  Minutes of the September 18, 2007, Planning Commission Meeting.

A motion was made by Donadio, seconded by Hiivala, to approve the Minutes. Vote: 3 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

B.  Review of the September 13, 2007 City Council meeting.

The above minutes were reviewed.
 

A.  Request by Clearwater Development for a Preliminary Plat consisting of 18 Single Family Home Lots for the Property Located at 1001 Highway 7 (Plat to be known as "Lakeview Meadows" for property formerly known as the "Swain Property" Excelsior, MN.

1. Agenda Statement No. 07-46
2. Exhibits: Application, Revised Preliminary Plat

Ms. Kreft said there was some additional information received relative to park dedication including the separation of the storm water pond from the outlots. The wetlands have not been removed from that area. The tree preservation was also updated.

Ms. Kreft stated there are still a number of outstanding items needed such as the lift station, grading and the developer is currently still working with Mn/DOT on the access issue.

Ms. Kreft said staff is recommending to allow public comment, close the public hearing and then continue the preliminary plat once the five items in the staff report have been addressed.

Chair Simanton opened the public hearing at 6:34 p.m.

Chair Simanton closed the public hearing at 6:34 p.m.

Chair Simanton asked about the opportunity for using the utility easement for a road. Ms. Kreft said there is a drainage and utility easement and at this time the developer is proposing to plat 33 feet of the easement in to Outlot C to service this. Commissioner Hiivala’s point is that the whole 66 feet should be dedicated at this point. Commissioner Donadio asked if it goes all the way to Rolling Acres. Ms. Geheren said she thought it did. Chair Simanton asked what the width of that easement is. Ms. Geheren responded that it is typically 30 feet. Ms. Kreft pointed out where it would be 66 feet. Chair Simanton said they should look at if that utility easement could potentially be used for a road. Ms. Kreft said it would have to be dedicated as a separate roadway easement or right-of-way. Commissioner Donadio noted that the road is not built, but could the easement is granted.
 

A.  Request by Robert and Katie Goggins for a Variance to Construct a Proposed Deck with a Reduced Rear Yard Setback of Approximately 16 Feet for the Property Located at 1610 Field Drive, Victoria, Minnesota.

Ms. Kreft explained that this is located in the Laketown Development. She stated that because of the unique shape and the hardship that no deck would be allowed without a variance and what they are proposing would be minimal in the size, staff is recommending approval with the two conditions noted in the staff report.

Chair Simanton opened the public hearing at 6:40 p.m.

Chair Simanton closed the public hearing at 6:40 p.m.

Commissioner Hiivala noted that it is encroaching on a wetland not a neighbor’s property.

Commissioner Donadio asked about another property coming forward. Ms. Kreft said yes, in the Laketown Development. Commissioner Donadio asked if anything can be done about that in the future. Ms. Kreft said yes in looking at the future phases in Laketown they have noted that to the developer. She noted that there won’t be any negative impacts.

A motion was made by Simanton, seconded by Hiivala, to approve the Request by Robert and Katie Goggins for a Variance to Construct a Proposed Deck with a Reduced Rear Yard Setback of Approximately 16 Feet for the Property Located at 1610 Field Drive, Victoria, Minnesota with the two staff recommendations listed in the report. Vote: 3 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion Carried.

B.  Review by Metropolitan Council for a Conditional Use Permit to Allow for the Construction of a Publicly Owned Building (Odor Control Facility) at South Lake Virginia Shores Park.

Ms. Kreft provided a brief overview. She noted that in the packet are both the temporary and permanent easements that are needed. The full design is also included.

Ms. Kreft said staff is recommending approval with the conditions noted in the staff report.

Tim Amstutz, Engineer with Metropolitan Council in St. Paul, gave a presentation on odor control. He stated the MCES is committed to being a good neighbor, working with out customers to investigate sources of odor complaints and developing long and short-term solutions to correct odor problems.

Mr. Amstutz reviewed the purpose of the MCES project and said they would eliminate two lift stations and a two forcemains and replace them with a gravity sewer system; L-22 (Rolling Acres Road) L-23 (Highway 7).

Mr. Amstutz explained the causes of sewer odor and the types of odor control devices

Mr. Amstutz went over what MCES recommends, activated carbon operating conditions and the operation and maintenance.

Wendy Reuest, Metropolitan Council, talked about the research on other activated carbon units the MCES has. She said she looked at three other facilities and two of them smelled similar to L-21 and one had no odor at all and the difference was at the three sites, including L-21, they used impregnated carbon and they used virgin activated carbon at the non-smelling site.

Chair Simanton talked about the situation with water treatment plant here. He asked what the hours of operation are. Mr. Amstutz responded 24 hours a day. Chair Simanton asked if the carbon filter is replaced and how often. Ms. Reuest said typically once a year.

Chair Simanton asked about some of the other locations. Mr. Amstutz said there is one at L-22 on Rolling Acres Road, which is an older version of what they are recommending.

Ms. Geheren said there is one near the Mall of America with the virgin activated carbon she is going to try and get to. Chair Simanton asked for information on the decibels of noise when doing the visit.

Ms. Kreft commented on the one visited in Shorewood and said there is a chemical smell, but not an odor smell.

Commissioner Donadio asked about the data with the current systems. Mr. Amstutz said they could provide that information.

Commissioner Donadio commented on fixing one problem and creating another one and asked if the sewer odor is being fixed by replacing it with the chemical odor. Mr. Amstutz said they are getting rid of the forcemains and turbulence and putting in a new carbon unit.

Commissioner Donadio questioned the noise. Ms. Reuest said this one will be inside a brick wall and is also a park.

Chair Simanton opened the public hearing at 7:10 p.m.

Suzy Hergo, 6755 Iris Road, stated she is very much opposed to this being put in her back yard. She asked that they think about looking for a different location for this and said the park is not a good option. She stated she doesn’t want to smell it, see it or hear it.

Chair Simanton closed the public hearing at 7:11 p.m.

Commissioner Hiivala questioned if they looked for other locations that might be more isolated. Ms. Reuest said they felt this was the best location and it was also a downstream location. Chair Simanton noted it was the most cost effective choice.

Commissioner Hiivala commented on the landscaping recommendation by staff and said that may take care of seeing the building with the resident.

Commissioner Hiivala asked about the authority the City and residents have when the six-month review is up. Ms. Kreft said that the Planning Commission could recommend a public meeting be held six months after to provide public feedback and at that time the City could attach additional conditions.

Commissioner Donadio asked about the trees to be removed. Ms. Kreft said that a landscape plan has not been put together at this time. Ms. Geheren noted that they are looking at temporarily relocating those trees and then moving them back.

Ms. Geheren asked if there were any records of any complaints with the odor control facilities. Ms. Reuest responded that the only complaints in Victoria were from the filter on Smithtown Road.

Chair Simanton asked how big the building is. Ms. Geheren responded that it is 40x20.

The orientation of the building was discussed.

Chair Simanton said there are still questions and they would like staff to come back with review and report by a similar control area and to also check what the decibel level is. He said they also need more detailed information on the landscaping. Chair Simanton asked for a recommendation by staff on the virgin activated carbon. Ms. Kreft noted they would also like to see data from existing structures. Chair Simanton said they would also be interested in reports from the call centers.

Chair Simanton asked what the timeframe is. Mr. Amstutz said they hope to be completed with the design by December/January, starting in the spring.

Chair Simanton reiterated this will be continued until all the information is received.
 

Councilmember Paulsen had nothing to report.
 

A.  Communications.

Ms. Kreft said there was a meeting on density and there has been a shift in policy on how density is looked at by the Met Council. They previously used an average and now the policy for single family residential is a minimum of 3 units per acre.

The Planning Commission discussed the density issue.
 

A motion was made by Donadio, seconded by Simanton, to adjourn the meeting at 7:46 p.m. Vote: 3 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
 

Respectfully submitted,

Tanya Schmieg
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.