HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-21 CPC MINSTILLWATER PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
Date: March 21, 1994
Time 7 p.m.
Members Present: Glenna Bealka, Dorothy Foster, Gerald Fontaine,
Rob Hamlin, Kirk Roetman, Don Valsvik and Darwin
Wald. Also present were staff Steve Russell,
Comm. Dev. Director, and Ann Pung Terwedo,
planning
Members Absent: Duane Elliott
Chairman Fontaine called the meeting to order.
Mr. Russell opened the meeting by explaining the process being followed in
updating the City's Comprehensive Plan to the nearly 50 people in
attendance.
• Russell explained that the first phase of the work plan -- the
identification of key issues facing the community; the development of
planning goals and objectives; and identification of existing land use
conditions -- began last August and concluded with a public hearing on
Jan. 31, 1994.
The second phase of the updating process -- developing alternative land
use plans for future Stillwater -- is now beginning. Russell said three
alternative growth patterns will be examined, along with the impacts of
those alternatives on traffic, parks/natural resources, fiscal resources,
etc. The three alternatives are: major expansion in the planning area
bounded by County Road 15, Highways 96 and 36, and the St. Croix River;
and minimal development, primarily along Highway 36. The alternatives
and their impacts will be presented during a public hearing scheduled for
May 16.
The purpose of the March 21 meeting, he told those in attendance, was to
look at the key issues identified in phase 1 as they relate to the existing
city of Stillwater.
Overview of City Council meeting of March 7
• Don Valsvik gave a brief report on the workshop meeting the City Council
and Planning Commission held on March 7, 1994.
Community Design Issues
Mr. Russell gave a slide presentation highlighting characteristics of the
existing city and went through the key planning issues identified in phase
1: growth and preservation of small town character; preservation of open
space and natural resources; preservation of historic resources and
community character; traffic congestion; economic development; parks
and recreation facilities; housing opportunities; condition of city streets,
sidewalks and other public facilities; and cost of new development of
taxpayers.
Phase II. Plan Development for Existing City
Commission members went through the planning issues as they relate to
the existing city.
- Open space/natural resources to be preserved -- Commission members
identified the following areas: ravines, wetlands, watershed drainage
areas, lakes and surrounding areas, the Aiple property, steep slopes, and
right-of-way along the St. Croix River. Also mentioned was privately -
owned land along the river north of the downtown area.
Jerry Fontaine asked: "Where do we go from here?" Mentioned as possible
courses of action were purchase of non city-owned land in need of
preservation, policy statements and regulation by ordinance.
- Community character -- Each commission member was asked to identify
qualities they felt contribute to the city's character. Some of the
qualities identified were: small town; a good neighbor policy; contrasting
housing types; neighborhoods within neighborhoods; use of the river; good
schools; sense of pride in preservation; highly residential; and a definite
downtown.
• Transportation -- Much of the discussion on the transportation issue
centered on traffic problems on city streets that is created by congestion
on state highways. The consensus was that city streets shouldn't be
improved to accommodate more traffic, particularly pass-through traffic.
Rob Hamlin suggested that the city should cut traffic off at the bridge and
shunt the vehicles "where we want", mentioning the use of one-way
streets during peak hours as an example. Kirk Roetman noted that the
impact of the planning area should be considered in addressing
transportation issues.
• Employment -- Several commission members questioned what is being
done or what can be done to attract business.
Steve Russell pointed out that there's little assistance the city can give,
other than tax increment financing. There's not much help to offer small
businesses for start-up costs, he said. He also noted that Stillwater has
been designated as a free-standing community. As the population becomes
more commuter residents, the city becomes less of a truly free-standing
community. A larger job base would make the city more free-standing.
If anything is lacking, Russell said, it is light industrial land and light
manufacturing/basic industrial jobs.
While it was decided the commission couldn't do much in addressing this
issue, Rob Hamlin suggested that the group could go on record saying:
"There is a deficiency here."
• Housing -- The consensus of the committee was that while there are
spotty areas all over town where the housing stock i s in need of
rehabilitation, there is "no bad neighborhood as such." Ann Terwedo said
the city will be meeting with the HRA to see if there are programs
available to assist residents in rehabilitating their homes. Kirk Roetman
suggested that the city should publicize 'any assistance that might be
• available.
• Streets/sidewalks -- Ann Terwedo pointed out that the city's pavement
management plan was done four years ago and should be updated. Don
Valsvik asked whether it might be possible to hire a summer intern to do a
citywide survey.
Deb Kukuk, Croixwood resident, invited commission members to visit
Croixwood, where "the streets are falling apart." The streets there have
"never been maintained," she said. Jerry Fontaine added that the Croixwood
streets come up "regularly" at Council meetings.
Also mentioned as in need of repair/reconstruction was Pine Street.
Kirk Roetman asked whether the city prepares a maintenance schedule in
conjunction with new developments.
• Trails/pathways/walkways -- Rob Hamlin noted that there is no good
low-grade access to downtown for walkers or bikers. Ann Terwedo said
she had heard comments about the lack of pedestrian access to Oak Park
Heights/St. Croix Mall. Jerry Fontaine suggested taking resources, such as
Lily Lake, and establishing quadrants of a reasonable length to determine
whether walkers can safely access the area. Kirk Roetman asked about the
• possibility of a walkway around Lily Lake.
It was noted the Planning Commission will be working with the Parks
Commission to improve the linkage between parks.
• Historic preservation -- The Heritage Preservation Commission plan
will be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan. Ann Terwedo asked
whether Stillwater should have local designated historic districts,
specifically residential districts. She said a district could be just one or
two blocks where there are clearly houses of a certain era. She said
establishing such districts would require a survey and public hearings.
Report on Planning Workshop
t
Rob Hamlin and Jerry Fontaine reported on a planning workshop facilitated
by Washington County and attended by representatives of the city of
Stillwater, Stillwater Township, School District 834, staff and planner
from BWBR. As a result of the workshop and conversations with Stillwater
Township representatives in attendance, it was their recommendation
that the city participate in an ad hoc committee -- composed of city and
township representatives -- to discuss issues related to the
Comprehensive Plan planning area in an effort to find some areas of
agreement.
Richard Schubert, Stillwater Township, spoke in favor of the proposal. He _
noted that actions taken by the cities of Stillwater and Oak Park Heights
affect the entire area, including township residents. He also called for the
city and township to work together to see "what we have in common." Dave
Johnson, Stillwater Town Board member, also endorsed the idea.
Steve Russell said an ad hoc committee could be useful in developing
alternatives in the second phase of the Comprehensive Plan update, but he
noted the committee would need to be formed in the very near future in
order to be useful.
Jerry Fontaine made the suggestion to participate in an ad hoc committee
composed of four representatives of the city and four from the township.
He suggested that the city's four representatives include two Planning
Commission members and two City Council members. Darwin Wald made
that suggestion in the form of a motion; Don Valsvik seconded the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
Jerry Fontaine moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Kirk Roetman;
all in favor.
Submitted by:
Sharon Baker
Acting Recording Secretary