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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-08-25 Joint Board MINJoint Stillwater Township/City Planning Board August 25, 2004 Present: Township Representatives Dave Johnson and Duane Laabs City Representatives David Junker and Wally Milbrandt Others: City Community Development Director Steve Russell, City Administrator Larry Hansen and City Attorney David Magnuson Chair David Johnson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Mr. Milbrandt, seconded by Mr. Junker, moved to adopt the agenda as presented; motion passed unanimously. Boutwell South Area Plan Mr. Russell briefly reviewed the plan development. When the plan was first adopted by the City Planning Commission and forwarded to the City Council in 2002, the Council expressed a concern about traffic. A traffic study was completed and the results incorporated in the plan now under consideration. The key recommendations in the traffic study relate to Brick Street/Deerpath and the future Neal Avenue alignment, he said. The land use in the original plan has not been changed. Mr. Russsell reviewed the land use designations. He noted that the Boutwell area is in the Phase IV annexation area (2015). Early annexation may be considered 66/diMpBrcent of the affected property owners petition the City to do so and if City services are available. Mr. Johnson noted the Board had dealt with the land use component of the plan previously. He asked about the role of the traffic study. Mr. Russell reviewed the traffic study recommendations. Mr. Russell suggested another component of the traffic management is the completion of the Curve Crest-County Road 15 connection. Mr. Johnson opened the public hearing. Providing comments were: Ed Otis, 12070 87t1i St. Circle N. - Mr. Otis suggested the City should "slow down" and figure out how to get major north/south arteries in place. He referred to current traffic congestion on County Road 15 and suggested things would only get worse if development is allowed before County Road 15 improvement s/light s are completed. Gail Pundsack, 140 Northland Ave. - Ms. Pundsack said annexation shouldn't occur until a decision is made on the Neal Avenue connection. She also voiced a concern about such a connection's impact on the Croixwood area. Mike Adams, 12950 75th St. N. - Mr. Adams stated his property is located at Northland and County Road 12. When he built his house 25 years ago, Washington County directed him as to where to place his driveway as there would be a road (Neal Avenue) coming through at some point in the future. He suggested that the area will be part of the City "whether in 2015 or 2006." 1 Joint Stillwater Township/City Planning Board August 25, 2004 Steve Nelson, 770 Minar Lane N. - Mr. Nelson said the City ought to look at traffic on Minar, too, a road that already exists and already is being used by cut-through traffic. He also referred to a future problem of making a left onto County Road 12 if all traffic is directed to County Road 15. Don McKenzie, 12620 72"a St. - Mr. McKenzie asked about the status of a median initially shown at the NeaUNorthland connection. Mr. Russell said the median was an early suggestion that is not currently under consideration. Mr. McKenzie also expressed a concern about the increase of traffic on 72"a Street, a gravel road never intended to be a through street. Kristi Muetzel, 120 Northland Ave. - Ms. Muetzel also expressed a concern about the Neal Avenue connection and impact on traffic. Bob Lohmer, 12960 75th St. N. - Mr. Lohmer spoke of addressing traffic problem before development occurs. He said whether Neal Avenue goes through to County Road 12 or not, the problem on County Road 15 needs to be addressed. Mr. Magnus noted that the City can charge developers impact fees for sewer/water but not for traffic solutions. As a practical matter, he said, there is no way to pay to construct roads in advance. He also pointed out tlQWQ1IOCW has no control over county roads. Loree Neitz, 7865 Manning Ave. N. - Ms. Neitz spoke of the existing congestion on Manning Avenue. She stated that three years ago Manning Avenue exceeded traffic capacity and yet was deemed not to be a priority. Now, every plan directs traffic to Manning, she said. She also questioned the fact that the plan shows talking her property, front and back, for park use. Richard Schultz, 13055 Boutwell Road - Mr. Schultz asked if a location of Neal Avenue between Boutwell and County Road 12 has been established. Mr. Russell stated that has been established in concept only. Mr. Schultz noted the concept plan shows the City taking his land for Neal Avenue. Mr. Lohmer asked who makes plans for egress/ingress from an extended Neal Avenue if a property owner doesn't want to develop. Mr. Russell stated it is the recommendation of the City Planning Commission that the Neal Avenue connection be resolved prior to any development/annexation. He stated that the location of the road is primarily a City decision. Public hearings will be held by the Joint Board and City Council. Steve Fisher, representing Bruggeman developers, noted his company owns 18 acres and has been working with the City for the last five years; the company contributed to the 2 Joint Stillwater Township/City Planning Board August 25, 2004 traffic study. He said the company was OK with the South Boutwell plan except for the land use recommendation #3 - that annexation/development in the planning area not occur until a specific Neal Avenue connection location and design are determined. He pointed out that if the City approved annexation of the Bruggeman-owned property this year, the earliest a product could be on the market would likely be 2006. Mr. Johnson closed the public hearing at 8 p.m. Mr. Johnson pointed out that there are many outside factors affecting the traffic situation. He said he would not like to push all traffic onto County Road 15, which is why he favors the Neal Avenue connection to County Road 12. He also suggested that the City should be more aggressive in getting the Curve Crest frontage road completed to County Road 15 and make a concerted effort to get Washington County to do the County Road 15 improvements, 4-lane, all the way to Highway 96 and not stop at County Road 12. Mr. Milbrandt noted the Boutwell South plan has been before the City for two and a half years. He said he would not want any annexation until the Neal Avenue connection is decided. Mr. Junker moved to adopt the revised Boutwell South Area plan, with the added recommendation that the City take Qfi10a_6W0@sive stance with Washington County regarding the Manning Avenue improvements. Mr. Laabs seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Zoning Map Amendment changing the zoning of a 1.5-acre parcel from Agricultural Preservation, AP, to Lakeshore Residential, LR, at 7160 Mid Oaks Avenue, Richard and Leah Peterson, applicants. Mr. Russell reviewed the requested. He noted that request is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan. Properties on the east side of Mid Oaks are zoned RA; properties on the west side of Mid Oaks are designated LR. City services are available and of a capacity to accommodate the request, he said. The City's Planning Commission reviewed the request and recommended approval. Mr. Johnson opened the public hearing at 8:35 p.m. Richard Peterson, applicant, said he realizes his neighbors' concerns regarding the character of the neighborhood. He said he and his wife love the neighborhood and the last thing they would want to do is change that. He said he had offered to revise the neighborhood's former covenants to address those concerns. He also noted that what they are asking to do is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. 3 Joint Stillwater Township/City Planning Board August 25, 2004 Speaking in opposition were Louise Jones, 7-79 Mid Oaks; Deidre Kramer, 7100 Mid Oaks; Charlie King, 70030 Mid Oaks; Candis Braatz, 7070 Mid Oaks; Heidi Burns, 7190 Mid Oaks; Don McKenzie, 72"d Street; and Richard Huelsmann, 62"d Street. Concerns expressed by Mid Oaks residents included changing the character of the neighborhood, setting a precedent for future subdivision requests, increased traffic; impact on property values, and the type of home that might be placed on the subdivided lot. Liz Kramer, attorney with Leonard, Street and Deinard representing Wesley and Deidre Kramer, briefly spoke of the "public necessity" and "community welfare" standards required for approval; a letter from Ms. Kramer also was included in the agenda packet. Mr. Huelsmann noted that a similar situation occurred on 62"a Street in the past year, where one property owner wanted to subdivide his property and the other residents in that area did not want their zoning changed to LR. He called on the City to develop a new zoning classification for the large lot areas of 62"d Street, Jackson Estates, Mid Oaks, and portions of Nightingale Boulevard, currently zoned AP, that fits the land uses in the City's Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Johnson closed the public hearing at 9:25 p.m. 06/01 /2006 Mr. Milbrandt said he was not in favor of the rezoning. Mr. Junker stated he did not like having just one lot zoned differently. He noted the Planning Commission did discuss rezoning the entire street, rather than having a hodge- podge zoning. He also noted that rules are in place that were established in the Annexation Agreement and Comprehensive Plan to determine the long-term zoning. Now that someone has started the process of requesting rezoning to that shown in the Comprehensive Plan, the City should play by those rules. Mr. Russell pointed out that when the 62"d Street request was considered, it was the recommendation that the entire area be considered for possible rezoning. The other neighbors did not want that, and the Joint Board and City Council rezoned just the one parcel. Mr. Magnuson pointed out that the AP zoning, which requires 10 acres, is not consistent with the Comp Plan. Until just recently, if one of the properties in the AP designation burned down, the owner wouldn't have been able to rebuild because the lot was substandard according to the AP zoning. He also noted that if the City decides to change the Comprehensive Plan to include some new zoning classification, such as large lot, it must be approved by the Metropolitan Council. The Met Council might not approve that classification because of the availability of city services, he said. ? Joint Stillwater Township/City Planning Board August 25, 2004 There was a question as to what would happen should the Joint Board deny the request. Mr. Magnuson said any appeal would go to District Court. Mr. Laabs asked if the standard has been met to justify a change in zoning. Mr. Magnuson responded in the affirmative. Mr. Junker moved to recommend that the City Council uphold the Planning Commission's recommendation for approval of the request. Mr. Milbrandt seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Mr. Junker suggested that the City ought to consider a larger lot classification for the annexation areas. Mr. Junker moved to ask the City Council to direct city staff to look at a possible new zoning for the AP areas. Mr. Milbrandt seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Other items: Mr. Russell provided a brief update on expansion area building permit numbers; the City's recent and proposed trail improvements; possible land purchase for expansion of the Brown's Creek natural area; and expansion area road improvements. Regarding road improvements, Mr. Russell noted that Washington County applied for, but did not receive, federal funds for OWX/QMng Avenue improvements. He said the County currently is looking at Manning to County Road 12 improvements in 2007; those improvements were initially scheduled for 2004. Boutwell Road improvements are a City project, which could occur as early as next year. Mr. Russell also noted there has been some talk of a sale of the Bergman property, which would open up the Curve Crest extension frontage road. There also was a brief update on the Phase III expansion area. Mr. Russell said in discussions to date, developers have not been specific about the number of units, but an estimate would be about 340. The area would include large-lot single-family, small lot detached, and town house. There was a concern expressed about the visual impact of locating all the higher density housing along Manning. The recording secretary left at 10:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary 5