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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/11/10 Planning Commission Minutes Regular Meeting August 11, 2010 1. Call to Order Chair Rotty called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Rotty, Bonar, Franceschelli, Kuyper Members Absent: Vanderbeck Also Present: Lee Smick - City Planner, Tony Wippler - Assistant City Planner 2. Approval of Minutes a) June 29, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes MOTION by Bonar, second by Kuyper to approve the minutes. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. b) July 21,2010 Work Session Minutes MOTION by Franceschelli, second by Kuyper to approve the minutes. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 3. Public Hearings a) Ordinance amending Title 10, Chapter 6, Section 11 of the Zoning Code concerning Woodland and Tree Preservation. Applicant: City of Farmington 430 Third Street Farmington, MN 55024 On July 21, 2010 Sherri Buss from TKD A was in attendance to discuss the woodland and tree preservation ordinance that was being proposed. The most significant change to the proposed ordinance since that time pertains to the issue of applicability, and what was going to apply with this ordinance. The proposed ordinance was reviewed by the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission and the Planning Commission and those groups stated that the ordinance should apply to any new development in all districts, any new building construction, expansion of commercial, industrial or institutional buildings, and any project that requires a city land disturbance permit. The one item that was brought forward to the groups that they were against was regulating the cutting of trees on residential properties. This ordinance will not apply to individual residential lots. The remainder of the proposed items were left as originally drafted. Mr. Eric Speckan, 708 5th Street, asked if this would only apply to new developments, or if it would apply to existing neighborhoods. Staff stated that it does not apply to existing individual lots. Mr. Speckan asked if there was going to be anything created to cover those lots outside of this ordinance. Staff replied that there was not at this time. There are concerns about private property regulations. Mr. Speckan asked about the boulevard trees since they are on City property. Staff stated that they may fall under the item that addresses any work that requires a city disturbance permit. Chair Rotty stated that they are trying to stay away from infringing on personal property rights. Staff stated that this will be discussed further with the discussion about the creation of a tree board. Planning Commission Minutes August 11, 2010 Page 2 Commissioner Bonar asked about the designation of boulevard tree routes. Staff replied that they will get a copy of the map to the Commissioners. Commissioner Bonar also asked if a natural disaster destroys trees, would this ordinance address that. Staff stated that this ordinance does not, however there is an item in the landscape ordinance that addresses that occurrence. MOTION by Kuyper, second by Franceschelli to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Franceschelli, second by Kuyper to recommend approval to the City Council. APIF. MOTION CARRIED. 4. Discussion a) Riverbend 3rd Addition Final Plat The final plat for Riverbend 3rd Addition consists of 23 residential lots and 6 outlots. The plat shows the extension of Dunbury Avenue to the north and Dunbury Court. Of the six outlots, two are storm water facilities (outlots A & F), outlot C contains wetland, and outlots B,D & E will eventually be residential lots (approx. 28-30) which will need to be platted as part of a 4th Addition. The property is zoned R-2 and all of the lots meet the size requirements of the zoning district. The parkland requirements for the Riverbend Development were met with the 2nd Addition. There will be construction of an eight foot bituminous trail on the east side of Dunbury Avenue. The landscape plan was also approved with the 2nd addition and includes boulevard trees that will be placed at forty foot spacing. Engineering has reviewed and approved the plat. Staff is recommending approval with the following three contingencies: 1. An executed deed shall be recorded with the executed Mylars that transfers ownership of outlots A, C, F of River bend 3rd Addition to the City of Farmington. 2. Final plat approval is contingent upon the preparation and execution of a development contract. 3. The satisfaction of all engineering comments as well as approval of the construction plans for grading, stormwater and utilities by the engineering division. Commissioner Bonar asked if the FEMA floodplain revision for this property was still in progress. Staff stated that with the 2nd Addition they received the letter of map revision. MOTION by Bonar, second by Kuyper to recommend approval to the City Council. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. b) Tree Board Discussion The Planning Commission had previously discussed this item and requested more information. Staffhas supplied the commissioners with additional information and is trying to determine if the Planning Commissioners would desire to act as the City's tree board. Staff found examples form other communities where the tree board worked predominately with the Park & Rec commission or other boards. The duties observed in other communities include investigation, counseling or advising administration from a management plan for the care, preservation and replanting of trees throughout the community, and regulating the removal of trees. Staff is proposing that there be another workshop with the Planning Commission, the P ARAC and possibly the City Council, to determine how the tree board should be developed. Chair Rotty asked if the communities near us have tree boards or if the Planning Commission Minutes August 11, 2010 Page 3 duties are being undertaken by staff members. He stated that he feels that it should be a professional staff person who should undertake the implementation and conflict resolution role regarding these issues. He feels that a more appropriate role for the boards and commissions would be assisting with policy creation. Commissioner Kuyper asked if there was a typical make-up of the tree boards that staff researched. Staff stated that they are most commonly park and recreation related members and there is a staff member who implements the policies. Chair Rotty asked if there is a timeline proposed for the creation of a tree board. Staff stated that the City Council had indicated that they would like something in place before next year. Commissioner Franceschelli stated that the Planning Commission already has several large topics that they are working on that relate to "green initiatives". He stated that there has not been enough direction provided from the City Council or residents to determine a reasonable timeline. Commissioner Bonar stated that this is actually a small part of other topics that the City Council may want to consider. He stated that trees are just one segment of the community's natural resources. Mr. Eric Speckan, 708 5th Street, stated that this appears to be a good start. Even if this does not happen by the end of the year, the important thing is to move forward and that things are done right, and that the right people are brought together. He stated that it may be a good start to use the trees as a baseline from which to build other policies. c) Special Meeting Date The Planning Commission will hold a special meeting on August 24,2010 at 5:30 p.m. to review a text amendment in the industrial park. 5. Adjourn MOTION by Franceschelli, second by Kuyper to adjourn. APIF, MOTION C(\RRIED. " 'c, '-c ", Re:~gfull~~~~tted, \ _, ;ryC'---'-:J;/ L-~-~' /,/,-.. ~ J ,.........) :/--.::~~".-.~B[ C "", .' ) Lisa Da~;~s- C____."..---- Administrative Assistant Approved