HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-01-29 Joint Board MIN STILLWATER CITY AND TOWN JOINT BOARD
Jan. 29, 1997
Present for Stillwater Township: Supervisor Dave Johnson; Supervisor
David Francis; Attorney Tom Scott; and planner Meg McMonigal
Present for City of Stillwater: Councilman Terry Zoller; Councilman Gene
Bealka, alternate (7:30); Attorney David Magnuson; Community
Development Director Steve Russell
Others: Sherri Buss and Bob Brunicht, Bonestroo, Rosene and Anderlik &
Associates; John Chase, Stillwater Township resident; Ed Otis, Township
resident
Chairman David Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
Mr. Francis moved approval of the minutes of Oct. 23, 1996. Mr. Johnson
suggested the minutes be amended to clarify that the reference to "Dave"
in agenda item No. 4 refers to David Magnuson. Mr. Zoller seconded the
motion to approve the minutes as amended; all in favor.
Election of Chairperson
Mr. Francis, seconded by Mr. Zoller, moved to have Mr. Johnson continue as
chairperson for 1997; all in favor.
Public Hearing
Case No. SOA/96-1 . Comprehensive revision of City of Stillwater
subdivision ordinance to bring into conformity with the Comprehensive
Plan. City of Stillwater, applicant.
Mr. Russell briefly introduced the document. He noted the ordinance had
not been updated since 1979. The revised ordinance implements the
policies in the Comprehensive Plan. The city's Planning Commission has
held a number of hearings on the proposed revisions and has recommended
the revised ordinance for adoption by the City Council, he said.
Mr. Russell noted the Alternative Design Standards portion of the
ordinance provides developers a lot of flexibility based on performance.
The burden of proof is on the applicant to show that an alternative design
can work. The Joint Planning Board will see projects and review
performance against design standards.
Mr. Russell further noted the Joint Planning Board is not specifically
mentioned in the ordinance. Mr. Johnson said he felt language should be
added advising potential developers of the additional review process. Mr.
Magnuson suggested adding a paragraph on page 8 stating the Joint
Planning Board's role.
Mr. Francis suggested inserting language defining the Joint Board in the
list of definitions (pages 2-6). Mr. Johnson questioned the reference to a
partial street on page 22; it was agreed to add partial street to the list of
definitions.
There was considerable discussion regarding the Alternative Design
Standards section. Mr. Johnson said he felt the alternative design approach
is an opportunity to better integrate the annexation areas into the
existing subdivisions in the township; he said he was pleased with the
flexibility.
Mr. Scott asked whether the city's Zoning Ordinance had been amended. Mr.
Magnuson said the revisions covering the annexation areas are in place. Mr.
Russell said the City is in the process of revising the PUD Ordinance.
Mr. Johnson asked whether language should be added indicating Alternative
Design Standards doesn't apply to density. Mr. Russell said in terms of
design density is fixed and is simply not negotiable. Mr. Magnuson also
noted that density cannot be changed without revising the Comprehensive
Plan.
Mr. Scott suggested added language to paragraph C on page 14 to include
surrounding township areas. Mr. Magnuson suggested the language "whether
in the City or Town."
Several typos (on page 24 and 35) were noted for correction.
Mr. Johnson closed the public hearing. He noted the Joint Board needs to
endorse or reject the document before it goes to the City Council; the
Council was scheduled to consider adoption at its Feb. 4 meeting. Mr.
Russell suggested the Joint Board could approve the document with the
changes made during the discussion. If the City Council makes additional
changes, the document would have to come back to the Joint Board.
Mr. Magnuson went through the suggested changes. He also suggested
adding language referring to the Orderly Annexation Agreement in the list
of definitions. Mr. Francis also asked that language referring to the Joint
Board to added to the Plat Requirements on page 15.
Mr. Zoller, seconded by Mr. Francis, moved approval of the Subdivision Code
with the changes made during the discussion; all in favor.
Expansion area update
Ms. Buss briefed the Board on the Alternative Urban Area Wide Review
(AUAR) being conducted by the Bonestroo, Rosene and Anderlik firm. The
study will look at potential impacts of development and propose
mitigation measures. She provided a list of members on a Technical
Advisory Group that will be part of the process and went through a
timetable for completion of the study.
Mr. Russell noted the area wide study looks at the cumulative affect of
development rather than taking a piecemeal approach. Mr. Johnson said the
Township endorses the approach but questioned the feasibility of the
timeframe for completion. Mr. Russell noted the timeline is prescribed by
statute.
There was a discussion of the legal issues as to whether the AUAR and
mitigation plan would come back to the Joint Board for approval. Mr.
Johnson asked that the minutes reflect there is a "gray area" regarding the
legal issues. Mr. Johnson said the Joint Board would welcome the
opportunity to be updated and comment on the study while it is being
prepared. There also was a discussion regarding potential legal issues
should the mitigation plan involve Township land.
Mr. Russell gave a brief update on the utility feasibility study being
conducted by SEH.
Other items
Mr. Johnson suggested establishing a procedure whereby interested people
have access to agenda materials prior to meetings. Mr. Magnuson said
interested people can leave their names and they will be sent agendas. Mr.
Johnson also suggested stating in the published legal notice that agenda
materials can be picked up at City Hall or from the Town Clerk.
Mr. Francis, seconded by Mr. Zoller, moved to adjourn at 9:10 p.m.; all in
favor.