HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 12, 1995
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CITY of ANDOVER
ANDOVER PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MEETING AGENDA
December 12, 1995
1.
Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes - November 28, 1995
3. Discussion - Sketch plan - Section 15 - Avalon
Homes.
4. Other Business
5. Adjournment
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CITY of ANDOVER
1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.w. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING - DECEMBER 12, 1995
MINUTES
The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Planning and Zoning
Commission was called to order by Chairperson Jay Squires on December
12, 1995, 7:00 p.m. at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard
NW, Andover, Minnesota.
Commissioners present:
Catherine Doucette, Bev Jovanovich, Jeffrey
Luedtke, Randy Peek, Jerry Putnam
Maynard Apel
Assistant City Engineer, Todd Haas
Others
Commissioner absent:
Also present:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 28, 1995:
Page 4; paragraph 5, second sentence, change
"very: to "every".
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MOTION by Jovanovich, Seconded by Luedtke, to approve the Minutes as
corrected. Motion carried on a 6-Yes, 1-Absent (Apel) vote.
DISCUSSION - SKETCH PLAN - SECTION 15 - AVALON HOMES
Mr. Haas noted this item was tabled at the last Planning Commission
meeting to have the developer look at the property to the west as to how
it may be developed in the future. The developer has submitted a sketch
that shows the extension of Swallow Street and Uplander Street, plus the
construction of a street to the south to Wittington Ridge. Staff feels
it is an appropriate drawing and that the developer should proceed with
the project as proposed. Much of the property to the west is low and in
Agricultural Preserve. Since the last Planning and Zoning Commission
meeting, the Council has expressed an interest in seeing PUD's in the
rural area. This is a change in policy, as such developments have not
been done in the rural area. The proposal is for 11 lots; however, one
could get 16 or 17 rural-sized lots on 40 acres. A PUD could mean
having clustered townhomes or single family homes, creating open spaces
elsewhere in the plat. There are no established rules for minimum
acreages or maximum number of lots that can be created for PUDs. The
decision on wheth~r or not to plat as a PUD is up to the developer. He
asked the Commission to discuss their views on that issue. Mr. Haas
also noted Staff has received a letter from Northern Natural Gas, which
allows the construction of a street over the pipeline easement, but no
buildings can be constructed in it. Also, the City does not allow the
39,000 square feet to encroach into that area.
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In answering questions from Commissioners, Mr. Haas stated there is no
problem with the placement of the house on Lot 8 relative to the gas
line easement. Staff discussed the future extension of Raven Street.
It may be that this developer would escrow for one-half of the street;
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Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - December 12, 1995
Page 2
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(Sketch Plan - Section 15, Avalon Homes, Continued)
and when the property to the west is developed, that owner would pay for
the western half of the street. Because that western property is
designated Agricultural Preserve, it cannot be developed until eight
years after the request to remove that designation.
Commissioner Doucette did not want to see a PUD development until thp.
rules are in place. She would prefer to see single household units on
this property. Her only concern with the proposed plat is the direct
access onto Nightingale street for the northeastern lot. Mr. Haas
stated the only way Lot 1 would be able to access an interior street
would be to construct a street parallel to Nightingale. Also, Staff is
comfortable with the 15D-foot jog between the proposed 157th in this
plat and the one directly across on the east side of Nightingale Street.
In addition, Mr. Haas noted the Council has directed Staff to get a
wetlands ordinance in place, which would create buffer zones around the
wetlands to minimize encroachment on them. That is not likely to impact
the calculation of buildable square footage for a lot.
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Commissioner Putnam understood a PUD development does not necessarily
open it to anything the developer wants. The developer would have to
work with City Staff regarding the number of lots, landscaping
requirements, street layout, etc. It is a negotiated plat with the
developer. If the developer is interested, it means going back to
square one. Mr. Haas stated Staff has discussed the possibility of
developing a separate PUD ordinance with the rules and requirements for
that type of development. At this point, the developer is not sure
whether he is interested in developing as a PUD. This will be discussed
with the Council next week. Chairperson Squires thought such a major
policy shift warrants deeper consideration. Commissioner Peek did not
think the City would be in favor of increasing the density. The big
benefit of a PUD is more open space.
Discussion was on the proposed jog of 157th Avenue. Mr. Haas stated if
the Commission wishes to see the two streets align, variances would have
to be given on one or two lots. Lot 9, which has an existing house,
would need a variance because it would be less than 2 1/2 acres.
Possibly Lot 8 would also be affected if the streets were aligned.
Commissioner Putnam had some concerns with a jog because of the excess
speed at which people travel on Nightingale and having to be aware of
two intersections. However, it is a fairly flat and open area where
visibility should not be a problem. He thought it would eliminate a
potential hazard if the street were to line up. It is unlikely that
157th to the east will be continued through to Hanson Boulevard because
of the DNR-protected wetlands. It is also unlikely to go any further
west because of the agricultural lands. Commissioners Jovanovich and
Doucette also favored aligning 157th Avenue and allowing a variance on
Lot 9.
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Commissioner Putnam stated instead of a variance on Lot 8, adjust the
western lot line of Lot 9 so Lot 8 meets the requirements and only Lot
9 would need variances.
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Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes - December 12, 1995
Page 3
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(Sketch Plan - Section 15, Avalon Homes, Continued)
Ron Swenson, developer's survevor - stated the reason for the jog is
because of the wetlands in Lot 8 and to avoid variances for Lots 8 and
9. At this point a decision has not been made on a PUD development. He
asked if the Commission would consider a driveway to the west for Lot 1
with no access onto Nightingale. Commissioners Peek, Jovanovich and
Luedtke preferred the access onto Nightingale with a variance.
Commissioner Doucette once again disagreed because it is a major roadway
and because of the speed of the traffic. Commissioner Putnam noted
there are already five driveways coming onto Nightingale in that
vicinity and favored the proposal as submitted. Mr. Haas noted a double
frontage lot would be created if a north/south road were constructed.
Commissioner Peek thought another possibility would be to break up Lot
1 and jog around the wetland.
Mr. Swenson - stated that was thought of originally, but it created a
sharp curve and impacted the wetlands.
There was no further discussion other than to inform the developer it is
his choice as to developing as proposed or changing to a PUD.
OTHER BUSINESS
,) Snowmobiling activities - Commissioner Doucette informed the Commission
of the progress of the Andover Snow Dragons Snowmobile Club, the DNR
safety training course they conducted, the summary of the Snowmobile
Ordinance submitted to the businesses and residents in the City, and the
snow patrol they have established to react to any calls from citizens.
They have set up a "hot line" that residents can call with complaints of
snowmobilers. The residents within Andover have been very receptive to
their efforts. It seems that many of the problem sleds have been those
crossing the line from other communities. It is hoped that a trail
system would funnel the traffic and provide direction for the
snowmobilers.
Task Force on Definition of Family - Chairperson Squires reported
have had their first meeting, which was basically an introductory.
will meet again after the holidays.
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Externali ties - Mr. Haas reported the Council met on the issue of
externalities last week and has finalized a Mission Statement. He will
get a copy of that Statement to the Commissioners.
Cancellation of December 26 meeting - Mr. Haas announced the December
26, 1995, Planning and Zoning Commission meeting has been cancelled.
MOTION by Doucette, Seconded by Luedtke, to adjourn.
a 6-Yes, I-Absent (Apel) vote. The meeting adjourned
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ar lla A. Peach, Recordlng Secre ry
Motion carried on
at 7:35 p.m.