HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 9, 2003
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~~) 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755-5100
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PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING - DECEMBER 9, 2003
The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Planning ánd Zoning Commission was
called to order by Chairperson Daninger on December 9,2003, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover
City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota.
Commissioners present: Chairperson Daninger, Commissioners Tim Kirchoff, Dean
Vatne, Jonathan Jasper and Michael Casey.
Commissioners absent: Commissioners Tony Gamache, Rex Greenwald.
Also present: City Planner, Courtney Bednarz
Associate Planner, Andy Cross
Others
() APPRO V AL OF MINUTES.
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November 25, 2003
Motion by Kirchoff, seconded by Casey, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion
carried on a 4-ayes, O-nays, I-present (Daninger), 2-absent (Gamache and Greenwald)
vote.
PUBLIC HEARING: REZONING (03-08) TO CHANGE THE ZONING FROM
SINGLE FAMILY RURAL RESIDENTIAL R-l TO SINGLE FAMILY URBAN
RESIDENTIAL (R-4) FOR PROPER TY LOCA TED AT 1374161sT AVENUENW.
Mr. Bednarz explained the Planning Commission is asked to review the proposed
rezoning to allow the Oakview Park project to move forward. The rezoning is proposed
for only the south 13 acres of the property that will be developed at this time. The
residual parcel with the existing house would remain Single Family Rural Residential (R-
1).
Mr. Bednarz explained the times and conditions have changed due to the fact that the
surrounding properties have developed at urban densities and municipal utilities are now
;,-, available to serve the subject property. Staff recommends approval of the proposed
\.J ' rezomng.
Regular Andover PlannQ and Zoning Commission Meeting 0
Minutes - December 9, 2003
Page 2
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Commissioner Vatne stated he cannot question that times have changed and the
neighborhood has changed and it has been developed on three of the four sides.
Motion by Vatne, seconded by Kirchoff, to open the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. Motion
carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Gamache and Greenwald) vote.
There was no public input.
Motion by Kirchoff, seconded by Casey, to close the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. Motion
carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Gamache and Greenwald) vote.
Motion by Vatne, seconded by Casey, to recommend to the City Council approval of
Resolution No. _, approving the rezoning request based on the fact that times and
conditions have changed. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Gamache and
Greenwald) vote.
Mr. Bednarz stated that this item would be before the Council at the January 6, 2004 City
Council meeting.
'\ PUBLIC HEARING: PRELIMINARY PLAr OF OAKVIEW PARK, A SINGLE
\ ) FAMILY URBAN RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT 1374 161sT
AVENUENW.
Mr. Bednarz explained that the Planning Commission is asked to review a preliminary
plat for the subject property.
Mr. Bednarz stated the subject property is approximately 19.5 acres in size. The proposal
is to develop the southern 13 acres with urban lots and to preserve approximately 6 acres
with the existing home on the north end of the property for future urban development.
Mr. Bednarz discussed the information with the Commission.
Commissioner Kirchoff explained that regarding the Highway Departments comments,
how they can recommend to have the developer improve the intersection at Crane and
Hanson and not collect fees from the properties that are already there. He stated they
cannot blame the 13 acres for the problems with the intersection. Mr. Bednarz stated this
is an unfortunate situation that a significant amount of the area has developed without
contributing to the improvements to the County Road system. Given this situation, as
development occurs and increases traffic at the intersections, it is appropriate for this
development to pay a portion of the ultimate improvement of the intersections. What is
being requested of the developer is not the ultimate improvement of these intersections, it
':~-) is in fact a right turn lane and bypass lane for the two intersections and would not include
a left turn lane and other improvements that would require additional widening of the
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Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - December 9, 2003
Page 3
:,J road. This is not an easy situation but it is something they will continue to see with
projects acljacent to County roads. The City needs to work on a policy as to how they are
going to deal with this for future development. He stated they try to work with the
County Highway Department in terms of identifying development early on, identifying
other areas of development that may contribute to the intersections and someplace along
the line, there needs to be a bar set on what the development will have to pay. Staff
believes the developer should pay a portion of this.
Commissioner Jasper stated it appeared at the south end of the development, two outlots
are created and the outlots will be combine with properties that front on Drake Street that
have previously been developed. Mr. Bednarz explained there are two outlot shown at
the southwest corner of the plat that the developer has negotiated with the adjacent
property owners in the existing houses to trade for access of the trail to come out on
Drake Street. The outlots will be combined with the residential properties.
Commissioner Jasper stated at the sketch plan, they spent a lot of time talking about the
park and the location of the park, the location of the park has been moved more towards
the center of the development. He wondered why 155th Lane isn't moved further to the
north and made into a bigger park instead of taking a small partial park and cash. Mr.
Bednarz stated this is not something he can answer.
() Mr. Quigley stated they discussed this in the sketch plan but further discussion by both
the Park Commission and City Council resulted in the park location. Mr. Quigley also
showed on the map the area in question and explained 155th has to be a specific distance
from the further north street.
Commissioner Vatne asked if there was going to be a trail through there because there
was no way to put a road through there. He wondered why that was. Mr. Bednarz stated
only the southern quarter of the development touches the right-of-way and on either side
they have private property. The developer was able to negotiate with them a limited
amount of area to put a trail through and the homeowners were not amenable to
contributing land to put a road in adjacent to their homes. The only way to put a road
connection would be for the City to condemn the property for a road connection. This
has not been a policy of the City Council and not something they would probably
entertain.
Commissioner Vatne stated in the same area, there is a temporary cul-de-sac on the south
end that ends at the east edge of the property. They have in most cases, ghost plats where
development may occur on the north and northeast sections and he thought there would
not be anything on the lower area because of the existing wetlands. Mr. Bednarz stated at
the south end of the property, they could put a full size cul-de-sac in and could achieve
two lots without variances and could potentially get up to two more lots with a small
amount of wetland fill or adjusting the edge of the wetland boundary. He stated two lots
/'- " are possible; the other two lots would have to be worked with Coon Creek Watershed to
<~ decide what could be done.
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Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - December 9, 2003
Page 4
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Commissioner Jasper asked if this was really a temporary cul-de-sac or a small
permanent cul-de-sac. Mr. Bednarz stated it depended on the landowner to the east.
Commissioner Jasper asked if the land to the east was developable. Mr. Bednarz stated a
portion of it was.
Commissioner Vatne asked if there was a potential to connect a road down to 156th. Mr.
Bednarz stated there is not.
Chairperson Daninger stated in reference to the Anoka County letter and the ARC
recommended was not everything the County recommended, it is a compromise. Mr.
Bednarz explained that the County discussed two intersections, they discussed an
intersection that this property does not have access to and they did not mention anything
about 159th Avenue, which this property does have access to.
Chairperson Daninger stated in reference to the park, what type of parking would there
be. Mr. Bednarz stated his understanding was this would be a neighborhood park so
people would most likely walk to it.
Chairperson Daninger asked if the trail was a standard City trail. Mr. Bednarz stated it
would be eight-foot wide bituminous trail.
" ) Motion by Kirchoff, seconded by Casey, to open the public hearing at 7:25 p.m. Motion
carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Gamache and Greenwald) vote.
Mr. Larry Emmerich, 134 161st Avenue NW, asked if there were any streets being
proposed in the development that would have any impact on his property. He stated they
have development ideas for their property on the north side of 161 st and they have
received permission from the County to have a street 300 feet to the east of Crane Street
or directly across :&om Crane, depending on the homeowners. He explained he is
concerned how this impacts the property on the north side. Mr. Bednarz stated there are
no additional street connections proposed, there would remain Crane and Yellow Pine as
the connections. In terms of improvements at the Crane intersection, if required, what is
proposed at this time is a right turn, which would be eastbound on the south edge of
County Road 20 and then a bypass lane on the north side heading west. He believed
there is sufficient right-of-way to make the improvements but he is not sure there is
sufficient roadway for the improvements. In the future, ifhis development moves
forward, and they choose the Crane intersection, it would be beneficial to know ifhis
intention is to move ahead with that and would be nice to do the complete improvement
at the same time. If not, he would very likely have to modify the intersection and provide
their own right turn lane or additional improvements at the time his property develops.
Mr. Emmerich discussed the plans for his development with the Commission.
" Chairperson Daninger suggested Mr. Emmerich discuss this further at another time with
-'--) staff because they should only discuss the item at hand.
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Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - December 9, 2003
Page 5
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Mr. Quigley stated in regards to the Counties' letter and Commissioner Kirchoff's
comment, the recommendation from staff was to have the developer install bypass and
turn lanes at the intersection of two County roads, which he does not agree with and in
reading the County's letter, that is what they are asking for, it is not the full blown
improvement and does not correspond with the diagram. He felt the recommendation to
install the turn lanes is a burden and should not only be placed on this piece of property.
Motion by Vatne, seconded by Casey, to close the public hearing at 7:33 p.m. Motion
carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Gamache and Greenwald) vote.
Commissioner Kirchoff stated he did not read that the County was asking to have the
intersection improved to the level shown in the transportation plan, they are asking for
interim improvements with only turn lanes and bypass lane. He stated that they cannot
expect one developer to bear the burden of all the costs and there has to be something
developed that makes it fair and equitable for new development as well as the old
development that is already there. He stated he supported this project.
Commissioner Vatne stated he was troubled with the length of the cul-de-sacs. He asked
from staff's vantage point, how is this similar or different from what they have already
looked at. Mr. Bednarz stated this is one of the longer urban cul-de-sacs they have seen
C_) in the City. He stated that typically with undeveloped property they have enough room to
work out some kind of roadway connection to make it work but when they get to the
infill properties, their options are limited, due to what is already there and there is only so
much that can be done. Unfortunately, the limited width of this property, there is only
one way to get a double loaded street and that is to put the street down the middle of the
project. He stated that even in the event the property to the east was participating at this
time, there is still not a way to make this work in terms of a road connection. In terms of
the size of the cul-de-sacs, what is proposed is consistent with that temporary cul-de-sac
design adjacent with undeveloped properties.
Commissioner Kirchoff explained he thought they looked at this property three years ago
regarding the connection and this prompted some of the needs for a transportation plan to
try not to have this happen.
Commissioner Vatne stated in the past they have had comment from the Fire Chief, he
wondered if it was reviewed by him. Mr. Bednarz stated he did and the Fire Department
is not thrilled with this length of cul-de-sac but there is not anything else that can be
done.
Commissioner Jasper agreed with Commissioner Kirchoff in regards to the intersection
improvements. He stated he is not sure what the answer would be in this situation but it
seems a little bit arbitrary for him to be saying the developer has to pay for the
/- "- improvements on Crane and 159th. He stated there should be a more unified policy that
<~ should be developed to address this.
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Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - December 9, 2003
Page 6
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Chairperson Daninger stated because of the plats he has seen and the history, this seems
to be coming up more often. He stated they will need something in the future. He
wanted to indicate the Commissions concern of the length of the cul-de-sac but given
what they have, this is the best they can do at the time.
Motion by Kirchoff, seconded by Vatne, to recommend to the City Council approval of
Resolution No. _, approving the proposed preliminary plat with concerns to item
eight in the Resolution. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Gamache and
Greenwald) vote.
Mr. Bednarz stated that this item would be before the Council at the January 6, 2004 City
Council meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS.
a. 2030 Regional Development Framework
Mr. Bednarz explained this item is intended to share information and solicit input on the
preparation of a response to the draft 2030 Regional Development Framework prepared
(-) by the Metropolitan Council.
Mr. Bednarz stated the Metropolitan Council is in the process of adopting a document to
replace the 2030 Regional Blueprint prepared by the previous Metropolitan Council. The
document outlines regional goals for the seven county metropolitan area and identifies
roles for both the Metropolitan Council and local communities.
Mr. Bednarz noted the document also defines six geographic planning areas based on
land use characteristics. Andover has been placed in both the "Developing
Communities" and "Rural Residential" planning areas.
Mr. Bednarz stated the final chapter of the document describes the statutory authority of
the Metropolitan Council and outlines the programs intended to implement the
framework. Among these are the regional grants administered through the Livable
Communities Act. This program administers approximately $10 million dollars in grant
funds annually. Andover is not a member of the Livable Communities program and does
not qualify to receive funds as a result.
Mr. Bednarz discussed the staff report with the Commission.
Commissioner Jasper asked if staff interpreted this 2030 framework differently as
opposed to the blueprint that had been in place, as changing the way the City will or
,/-- '\ should be looking at the Rural Reserve area. Mr. Bednarz stated the primary difference
"-~ in this document is that they are identifying the planning areas specifically and then
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Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - December 9, 2003
Page 7
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\. -' ) putting together policies on how they should develop. In Andover's Comprehensive Plan
they have some rural residential areas that would be allowed to develop at that two and a
half acre density. There is some conflict between their approved plan and some of the
policies.
Commissioner Kirchoff asked if the 2 ~ acres would be eligible for urban services. Mr.
Bednarz stated there is always the potential for that. The reality is, especially on the west
side of Andover, where they have entire square miles of this type of development, it
would be difficult at best to provide those services. He stated the capacity does not exist
and a new interceptor line would need to be installed.
Commissioner Vatne stated there is language in this document that Andover is going to
develop some two and a half acre rural residential and while that type of development is
not outlined by the MET Council at this time. Mr. Bednarz stated that was true and they
do not want any community to develop at that density. He stated the MET Council is
outlining their policy to discourage that type of development. In Andover, there is
limited amount of that type of development that could occur but there is still some
potential and their land use controls do allow this.
Commissioner Vatne stated they are taking the position that they set aside, per the Rural
Reserve, what was required to appease the direction of the MET Council, but while doing
(~) so, they are still keeping the door open to further rural residential development that may
occur. Mr. Bednarz stated this was correct.
Commissioner Casey stated in the staff report, it indicated that they are not a member of
the livable communities program and they do not receive funds for it, what is the
stipulation for getting into the livable communities. What are they missing. Mr. Bednarz
stated presently and for the last ten years, Andover has qualified for being a member of
the livable communities program but has selected not be a member of that program. It is
a conscious decision by the City Council not to be a member of that program.
Commissioner Casey asked if Mr. Bednarz knew the reason for this. Mr. Bednarz stated
it has always been the view of the Council that the MET Council is trying to change the
way development occurs in Andover and instruct Andover on how it should do its
business. He stated this has been a long standing decision that has been made by the City
not to be a member of the livable communities program.
Commissioner Kirchoff stated that transit is an important part of the transportation
system and more needs to be done to expand service in developing areas.
Chairperson Daninger stated staff has done a lot of work in a lot of areas and now there is
a conflict created. He thought the guidance they were taking was from this group and has
the guidance changed. Mr. Bednarz stated the administration has changed and the 2030
C) blueprint is being altered based on their perceptions. He stated it is important to go on
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Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - December 9, 2003
Page 8
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\.j record that the City has a plan and an agreement with the MET Council and that is how
they intend to develop.
Commissioner Vatne stated it seemed to him that Andover in general values natural
resources very highly and language should be created to help support it.
Chairperson Daninger stated they need to make sure that the items agreed upon prior to
this, some of the work, maybe gets reiterated in the letter and would be a starting point.
b. 2003 Year in Review
Mr. Bednarz explained this item is to review the different types of projects and trends
they are seeing. He requested preferences on the packets and what they would like
improved.
1. Residential development
2. Commercial development
3. Packets
Commissioner Jasper asked if at all possible they could get the information more in
advance. Chairperson Daninger stated it may be helpful to receive information by email.
,r '" Mr. Bednarz stated they could email staff reports but plans are not always in the correct
\~./ format. Commissioner Kirchoff stated he personally likes getting the packet on Friday
for a Tuesday meeting.
Commissioner Vatne stated he thought the packets have been really good and informative
for him. He wondered how much they need the Resolution in the packet.
Chairperson Daninger wanted to commend staff on trying to answer questions brought up
at the meetings.
c. General Discussion
Chairperson Daninger stated he always likes to know when the City gets letters and
phone calls regarding the items in the packet. They also like getting pictures of the items.
Commissioner Kirchoff stated he likes seeing house numbers on adjoining properties.
Commissioner Vatne stated if there was a way they could link back to information
regarding an item on an as needed basis, to go through a specific history of a project. He
stated this would be helpful. Mr. Bednarz asked if he would like a timeline on a project.
Commissioner Vatne stated he thought this would be more of a starting point but he
would like to have drill down capabilities to look at the history of a project.
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Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - December 9, 2003
Page 9
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" Commissioner Jasper asked how the meeting minutes are stored. Mr. Bednarz stated he
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was not sure how they were stored but he thought they were saved as PDF files.
d. 2004 Zoning Ordinance update
Mr. Bednarz explained in the future, staff will bring information to the Planning
Commission concerning sections of the Zoning Ordinance that need to be updated.
Mr. Bednarz mentioned that they are in the process of putting together an annual report
based on what the Planning Commission has reviewed.
Chairperson Daninger asked if the deadline for Planning Commission applications has
passed. Mr. Bednarz stated the City Council wants to interview everyone up for positions
on January 6, 2004.
Mr. Bednarz stated they will be canceling the last meeting in December and will meet
again in January 2004.
Chairperson Daninger reminded the Commission that they have a joint meeting with the
City Council on December 15,2003 at 7:00 p.m.
/' , Mr. Bednarz informed the Commission that the City Council will be having a meeting on
, j December 11, 2003 with the County Commissioners regarding projects.
Chairperson Daninger wanted to thank everyone on the Commission for their
participation on the Commission in 2003.
ADJOURNMENT.
Motion by Vatne, seconded by Kirchoff, to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Motion
carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Gamache and Greenwald) vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sue Osbeck, Recording Secretary
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
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