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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-06-20 Joint Board MIN 1 Stillwater City and Town Joint Board Wednesday, June 20, 2007 Present: David Johnson and Linda Countryman, Stillwater Township, Wally Milbrandt, City of Stillwater Staff present: Stillwater Community Development Director Turnblad Chair David Johnson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Approval of minutes: Mr. Milbrandt, seconded by Ms. Countryman, moved approval of the minutes of March 28, 2007. Motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS Case No. 07-31 Preliminary plat, preliminary PUD, zoning map and text amendment, annexation, and Special Use Permit for construction of a K-12 education facility for St. Croix Preparatory Academy at 8911 and 8753 Neal Ave. N. in the AP, Agricultural Preservation District. Ken Stone, Kodet Architectural Group, applicant. Mr. Turnblad explained that St. Croix Preparatory Academy had asked that this item be withdrawn from the agenda pending an additional discussion with the City Council during the workshop session on July 3. He apologized to members of the audience present for this case, noting that the request to continue was received after the hearing notices were mailed and published. Should the plans receive a positive or neutral response from the City Council, the applicant would start anew with public hearings at the Planning Commission, he said. Hearings will be re-noticed, it was pointed out. Mr. Turnblad recommended that the Board open the public hearing and continue the hearing until July 18. Several members in the audience asked about the process. Mr. Milbrandt and Mr. Turnblad explained the process and the responsibilities of the Planning Commission. Mr. Johnson spoke to the functions of the Joint Board, which include annexation and review of plans for consistency with the Comprehensive Plan; Mr. Johnson noted that the City has the option of accepting or not accepting land for annexation in this area. Ms. Countryman encouraged neighbors to be involved in the process and be part of the solution. Mr. Johnson opened the public hearing. Mr. Milbrandt moved to continue the hearing to July 18, 2007. Ms. Countryman seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Case No. 07-30 Final plat and final PUD approval for 44 townhomes, Millbrook 2nd Addition, at 12427 Dellwood Road in the TH, Townhouse District. US Home Corporation, Jay Liberacki, applicant. Mr. Turnblad reviewed the request. He noted the preliminary plat was approved in two different steps, the master preliminary plat and an amendment to the townhome portion of the master plan, which was approved by both the City Council and Joint Board. He stated the conditions of approval for the final plat include all of the conditions of the master plat, all of which are met, and the conditions of the amendment for the townhomes. He stated there are two conditions related to the townhomes, one regarding the elevations of the end units and another relating to landscaping, that have been met with additional information provided by US Homes prior to the Joint Board meeting. He said approval is recommended with the 11 conditions of approval. 2 Stillwater City and Town Joint Board Wednesday, June 20, 2007 Jay Liberacki reviewed revised elevations for the end units and the variety of elevations that are proposed to provide for a more attractive streetscape. He also provided proposed townhome landscaping plans, which include trees (evergreens) and foundation plantings, as well as street tree plantings. Mr. Johnson opened the public hearing. Ruth Bruns, 8790 Neal Ave. N., asked about the view from across South Twin Lake and how landscape plans would affect that view. Mr. Liberacki explained plans to landscape, as allowed by the Watershed District, in the back yards of lots that are adjacent to South Twin Lake and Brown’s Creek. Ms. Bruns also asked about grading and height; Mr. Liberacki offered to meet with Ms. Bruns to update her on the status of the grading. Fred Bruns, 8790 Neal Ave. N., asked about silt fences on the west side of the lake and whether the fences were in the buffer area. Mr. Liberacki explained that the fences define the edge of the grading; the Watershed District will not allow grading in the buffer area, he said. No other comments were received, and the hearing was closed. It was noted that the HPC will be reviewing architectural elevations, materials and colors before final action by the City Council. Mr. Johnson said the landscape plan seems to address streetscape issues. Ms. Countryman cautioned about a new tree disease affecting ash trees. Mr. Milbrandt move approval with the 11 conditions of approval, with an additional condition that City Forester Kathy Widin be consulted regarding the proposed tree species. Ms. Countryman seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Case No. 07-34 A subdivision of one lot into three lots and one outlot for the purpose of dedicating two of the lots to the Carnelian Marine Watershed District. Kathleen and Orville Johnson, applicants. Mr. Turnblad explained that the Johnsons would like to split off a portion of their property for the purpose of transferring ownership of the land to the Carnelian Marine Watershed District. He stated there will be no additional building sites created as a result of the subdivision – it will simply be a transfer of ownership to a public entity for open space purposes. Orville Johnson stated there are several easements that should be clarified. Orville Johnson also raised a question about possible future assessments to a potential buyer of the remaining homestead parcel. Mr. David Johnson noted that the property will remain in the Township. He explained that the Orville Johnsons are asking that it be clarified that the status quo is preserved and there is protection through 2015 as provided in the Orderly Annexation Agreement and the property not subject to any assessments that might be caused by any other development in the area. Mr. Milbrandt asked about the possibility of subdividing the homestead parcel in the future. Orville Johnson said he didn’t think that would be possible. Mr. Turnblad said that might be possible if the lot has City water and sewer in the future. Orville Johnson pointed out that the Orderly Annexation Agreement provides for a five-year protection beyond 2015 against unrequested annexation or required sewer/water hookups. Orville Johnson asked whether there would be any way he could assure a future owner that they would have the ability to connect to City services should they desire that. Mr. David Johnson suggested that the City could say that based on current policy, if sewer and water are extended, it is policy to stub in for potential use in the future. Mr. Milbrandt agreed that would be a fair statement. Mr. Milbrandt asked whether 3 Stillwater City and Town Joint Board Wednesday, June 20, 2007 there would be enough of an easement for future road improvements; Mr. Turnblad said Engineer Sanders is comfortable with the amount of the easement. Mr. Milbrandt asked whether there would be any guarantee that the land being given to the Watershed District would remain open space. Orville Johnson said that is their intention. A representative from the Watershed District stated the District generally doesn’t accept properties that would have to be maintained; the intention for this property, he said, is to keep it as is for storm water control and to retain the buffer strip along the lake for water quality purposes. Mr. Johnson opened the public hearing. Fred Bruns, 8790 Neal Ave., asked about the Watershed District’s responsibility for the property once the ownership is exchanged, noting there is a lot of trash dumped in the area. The Watershed District spokesperson stated its responsibility would be the same as any property owner to prevent trespassing and unsightly messes. Mr. Bruns asked about signage. The Watershed spokesperson said that would seem to be a good approach. Ms. Countryman stated she would like to see whatever signage is placed on the property emphasize the pristine nature of the area. No other comments were received, and the hearing was closed. Mr. Milbrandt moved approval with the three conditions and the additional language that parcel 1 shall retain all of its Orderly Annexation Agreement rights and protections that it enjoys at this date. Orville Johnson asked about language pertaining to the stubs for water and sewer service. Mr. Milbrandt noted that the minutes would reflect as stated by Dave Johnson that it is current City policy that as improvements are made, the City stubs in for logical, future development. Ms. Countryman seconded Mr. Milbrandt’s motion; motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Turnblad updated the Board on the Comprehensive Plan process. He stated the process is well into the neighborhood visioning segment of the project. He said he thought things are going quite well, although he did express a concern that they are not getting as many people in the targeted populations attending the meetings to comment as hoped. A report on the expansion area building permits was included in the agenda packet, Mr. Johnson noted. Ms. Countryman, seconded by Mr. Milbrandt, moved to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Baker Recording Secretary