Planning Commission Minutes

CITY OF VICTORIA
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2007

MEETING

Pursuant to due posted and mailed notice thereof, the Victoria Planning Commission met on December 18, 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, Bud Hiivala, William Mead VI, and Tom Vogt.

Members Absent: None.

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

A. Adopt Agenda

Commissioner Vogt had a question on the minutes that were suppose to be approved at the previous meeting. Ms. Kreft said she will add those to the next meeting.

Chair Simanton added Agenda Statement: 07-416 under 4D. Review of Development Proposals for the 13.5 Acres for Downtown Expansion.

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

#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A. Review Minutes from the December 3, 2007, City Council Meeting.

The above minutes were reviewed.
 

None.
 

A. Update on 2030 Comprehensive Plan Amendment

1. Agenda Statement No. 07-53
2. Exhibits: FROM DECEMBER 4^th PACKET

Ms. Kreft explained that this is a brief overview where the comp plan process is at. She showed the population growth chart for 1980-2030 and noted the approximate population for 2030 is 30,000. Ms. Kreft also showed the natural resources priority area map and the future land use map.

Commissioner Donadio noted that it is higher density than what was previously guided.

Chair Simanton asked if there was discussion on how to get in and out of the property being developed with 70 homes. Ms. Kreft said that is was part of the visit and they did talk about different options.

Ms. Kreft said they are focusing on the 2020-2030 area.

Commissioner Donadio said there was discussion on having more high density as you go up County Road 11.

Commissioner Hiivala asked what happened to the park. Ms. Kreft said that it is shown as public open space, which was re-guided as residential west of County Road 43. Commissioner Donadio said the location of the park might be on the west side of the lake.

Chair Simanton commented on the area north of the Marsh Lake Hunt Club.

Chair Simanton asked what the timeframe is on the final submission to the Met Council. Ms. Kreft responded that they hope to be done with the task force meetings in March and the public hearing will most likely be in May.

Ms. Kreft stated that the McComb Group is doing a county wide economic development and that can be used for a baseline.

Chair Simanton stated in looking at this long term he thinks the City should try to attract an institution of higher learning. He commented on some of the things that go along with it and the light rail. He said he would like the task force to look at that.

Commissioner Hiivala asked about the year-by-year timeframe. Ms. Kreft pointed out the boundary of growth for 2030.

B. 2007 Annual Report

1. Agenda Statement No. 07-54
2. Exhibits: Planning Case Report, Planning Case Charts, Lot Inventory

Ms. Perera explained what was included in the packet. She stated there was an increase of about 7 more permits for residential building from 2006 to 2007. The population was an additional 554.2 people and 201 additional households. Ms. Perera noted the lot inventory shows there are currently 289 empty lots in the City of Victoria.

Ms. Perera stated that building permits are at 106 for the year and reviewed the types of permits.

Chair Simanton commented on the ordinances and looking at how many of those approved had a variance. Ms. Perera responded that there were three variances approved this year. Commissioner Donadio suggested looking at what is causing them. Ms. Perera said two of them were for a deck.

Ms. Perera talked about having a building seminar in the upcoming year to educate the public.

Ms. Perera explained the planning cases reviewed in 2007.

Commissioner Vogt questioned the withdrawal from Lennar on the sanitary sewer. Ms. Kreft said the initial request was for a lift station and that was withdrawn and the one to the south hasn’t come back. She said they were going to come back with an actual petition for annexation, but they haven’t submitted anything.

Ms. Perera pointed out the liquor license under communications and noted that an amendment was done that includes six possible conditions for denial.

C. 2008 Planning Goals

1. Agenda Statement No. 07-55
2. Exhibits: Draft Goals

Ms. Kreft stated the proposed goals are in the packet. She stated that the building department will be merged with the planning department as part of the community development department. She noted that this isn’t in a priority format. Commissioner Mead asked for the reasoning for the merge of the two departments. Ms. Kreft responded that they wanted to include economic development and there has been some overlap in the reviews and planning. Commissioner Hiivala asked if the calendar was done for next year. Ms. Kreft responded yes.

D. Review of the Development Proposals for the 13.5 Acres for Downtown Expansion.

1. Agenda Statement No. 07-416

Ms. Kreft stated the finance committee has been working with staff to review development proposals. The two proposals are narrowed down to Doran and Shingobee. The Finance Committee recommended the letters of interest be submitted to the city and a spreadsheet is provided. Ms. Kreft noted the two proposals are different. Both are requesting that Stieger Lake Lane be moved to the interior parts of the development, which Three Rivers Park District has agreed to.

Ms. Kreft explained the primary access is showing a right in right out. In the Shingobee plan they have indicated that County Road 11 would need to be signalized.

Ms. Kreft noted the major difference is the type of development. She said both show a City Hall/library site and senior housing. The retail is 19,000 square feet in the Doran plan. The Shingobee plan includes a mid size grocer and they would also like to have liquor, gas and a drive thru pharmacy.

Ms. Kreft said the direction from the City Council was to get input from the Planning Commission and the Business Development Committee.

Commissioner Vogt commented on the 49,500 square feet, which was based on a market study, taking up 40-45%.

Commissioner Mead asked what knocked out the third developer. Ms. Kreft said they did not do any of the market studies.

Chair Simanton clarified that both are aware the other has submitted a plan.

Commissioner Vogt said he noticed on the Shingobee plan the housing component is almost none existing.

Chair Simanton asked if there was a timetable the two developers are looking at to get started. Ms. Kreft said both would like to work through the process in the winter and be ready to start grading in the spring.

Ms. Kreft stated the Finance Committee is meeting with the CEO of the senior housing.

Chair Simanton suggested having a workshop. Commissioner Donadio said he would also like to get the feedback from the McComb Group. Ms. Kreft said she did send it to him to get his input. Chair Simanton said they could do that in combination.

Commissioner Donadio asked about the other seven. Ms. Kreft said the major issues with the others were access, assemblage and lack of population to the north.

Commissioner Hiivala commented on influencing the retail developer to include more housing.

Commissioner Mead commented on the third one bringing something along with them as well. Ms. Kreft responded that the third one was similar to the Shingobee with a mid size grocer. Commissioner Donadio asked if some of the market analysis has been shared. Ms. Kreft said they have done it, but the market study for the grocer has not been shared.

The Planning Commission discussed the size of the grocer.

Chair Simanton said the biggest thing that has happened to the property is going from a single load road to a dual load road. He said they need to prioritize what they want and look at categories. Ms. Kreft noted this is conceptual to give ideas. Chair Simanton suggested having a workshop before the next meeting. Ms. Kreft said they could try and have all the groups get together for a workshop.

Chair Simanton stated this body is prepared to take this initiative on.
 

Councilmember Paulsen talked about the feasibility of the 13.5 acres. He said the City has an economic interest in the outcome. He commented on the person who has done the most retail has the least in this project.

Councilmember Paulsen commented on the economics of the school district with the arena. He said the goal from the finance side is to get to 2010.

Chair Simanton asked about the statement the City has not closed on the property to date. Ms. Kreft said they did not have a buyer. Commissioner Donadio asked if there is a penalty. Councilmember Paulsen said that sequence and momentum are important. He said they need to make this deal. Commissioner Mead asked if there would be a penalty because they aren’t closing. Councilmember Paulsen said no.
 

A. Communications.

The Planning Commission decided to meet on Wednesday, January 2^nd.
 

A motion was made by Mead, seconded by Vogt, to adjourn the meeting at 7:41 p.m. Vote: 5 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried.
 

Respectfully submitted,

Tanya Schmieg
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.