Planning Commission Minutes

CITY OF VICTORIA
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
NOVEMBER 3, 2009

MEETING

Pursuant to due posted and mailed notice thereof, the Victoria Planning Commission met on November 3, 2009, at 7951 Rose in the Council Chambers.

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

Members Present: Commissioners: James Donadio III, Grant Peterson Michelle Siegert and Tom Vogt.

Members Absent: Chair, Gordy Simanton.

Others Present: Community Development Director, Holly Kreft and Mayor Mary Hershberger Thun.

A. Adopt Agenda

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

#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A. Minutes of the October 20, 2009 Planning Commission Meeting.

Commissioner Siegert corrected the last sentence on page two to read: Commissioner Siegert noted that sometimes when churches sell they market to funeral homes.

A motion was made by Donadio, seconded by Vogt, to adopt the minutes as amended. Vote: 4 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion Carried.

B. Review Minutes of the October 13, 2009 City Council Meeting.

The above minutes were reviewed.
 

None.
 

Dan Marckel provided an update on the Community Growth Options program. He said they are at the end of the second year of funding and at the end of the first year of funding communities. He stated they have submitted a proposal to the McKnight Foundation to continue funding for another two years and expect that funding to come through.

Mr. Marckel said they very much value the relationship with Victoria and fully intend to continue working in communities.

Mr. Marckel explained that they are trying to measure change in communities through surveys and different kinds of measurement. Commissioner Donadio asked who the surveys are sent to. Mr. Marckel said there are two audiences; one is elected and appointed officials. The survey is also available online for anyone to fill out. Commissioner Donadio asked how much of the comprehensive plan information has been shared and is part of the data. Mr. Marckel said many of the questions on the 2007 survey at the beginning of the comprehensive plan process overlap with this survey. He stated they will note comparisons. Mr. Marckel said the intention is for the online component of the survey to be done by the end of the year and then have the analysis available the end of January or early February.

Commissioner Donadio said he lives in a homeowner's association and asked if he can point them to the survey. Mr. Marckel said absolutely, the more participation the better.

Commissioner Peterson asked how the communities were chosen. Mr. Marckel explained that they selected communities to be small and growing communities at the edges of the metro.

Commissioner Siegert clarified that the results are primarily going to the elected officials and asked if there would be a cumulative response available to everyone. Mr. Marckel said the cumulative response will be in published results. He said he doesn't know how much detail for each city is going to be available. He noted the analysis will be freely available to all cities.

Commissioner Siegert commented on having time to absorb what is being asked for and what to do with that information. She questioned if they are prepared to follow up and do anything about what people have strong opinions about. Mr. Marckel said this is not intended to impel action by any of the cities. He stated if there are issues present in a community they believe all the communities are dealing with the issues.

Commissioner Vogt commented on the 13 questions. He stated that the whole involvement with the City of Victoria goes way beyond this questionnaire. Mr. Marckel said this is a measurement intended to be cut down to 13 simple questions. He stated that questions can also be directed to Kristin Dillon at Wilder Research. Commissioner Siegert noted that a lot of the 13 questions being asked are in alignment with the services provided by 1000 Friends of Minnesota.

Commissioner Siegert asked if there is a space after each question to write comments. Mr. Marckel said that number 17 on the last page has space. He noted this is part of an information gathering exercise.

Ms. Kreft said that after the City Council meeting next week a link to the survey will be on the city website.

Ms. Kreft said this is a follow up from last meeting on home businesses. She said she drafted some language which includes the six recommendations highlighted in the agenda statement.

Commissioner Donadio commented on the contractor businesses in his neighborhood and storage facilities. He said if they want people to establish home businesses and don't want the trailers in the neighborhoods then they need to try and make facilities available for those home businesses. Ms. Kreft said the intent of the ordinance would be to encourage those uses in agricultural districts.

Ms. Kreft noted that there are two different kinds of non-conforming uses; legal which means it was allowed and is grandfathered and illegal which means it was never allowed.

Ms. Kreft stated that home occupations concerns will be handled through a complaint basis.
 

Mayor Hershberger Thun noted 86^th Street will be discussed at the November 23^rd City Council meeting.

Mayor Hershberger Thun reported that the Recreation Center is open.

Mayor Hershberger Thun stated that at the past City Council meeting they had a workshop with Representative Kohls, Senator Ortman, and Metropolitan Council Commissioner Peterson. Commissioner Vogt asked about the density issue. Mayor Hershberger Thun said they asked for a written response on the density issue.

Mayor Hershberger Thun said on Saturday, December 5^th the business community is having Christmas in Victoria starting at 3:00.

Mayor Hershberger Thun reported the Business Development Committee has a draft of a marketing brochure.
 

Ms. Kreft said that they are one of five cities selected to participate in the Green Step Cities program.

Ms. Kreft commented on the business meeting and said they talked mostly about Highway 5. She said there are two projects; one is for a mill and overlay and to fix the sink hole in 2011 and the other is to replace the bridge in 2013. She said both would require the closure of Highway 5 and they are going to advocate that those projects be done together for only one closure.

Commissioner Vogt asked about the new addition to the Clock Tower Building and if the parking capacity approved for the Fresh Seasons Market included those spaces required for the Clock Tower Addition. Ms. Kreft said those spaces were included. She noted they have a parking lease with Fresh Seasons for 15 parking spaces. She stated that under the ordinance 51 parking stalls were required and they provided 75.
 

A motion was made by Siegert, seconded by Peterson, to adjourn the meeting at 7:18 p.m. Vote: 4 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Tanya Schmieg
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.