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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/21/10 Workshop Planning Commission Minutes Workshop July 21, 2010 1. Call to Order 2. Discussion (a) Woodland & Tree Preservation Ordinance Ms. Sherri Buss from TKDA discussed the natural resources inventory that was recently adopted. One of the items that is most out of date in the City Code is the tree preservation ordinance. Ms. Buss has helped to write a tree and woodland preservation ordinance. There was previous discussion regarding the inclusion of incentives for tree preservation in addition to the regulations. She reviewed the proposed ordinance with the Commission. The ordinance includes a requirement to provide replacement trees if over 30% of significant trees are removed from a site. This is seen as a fairly typical threshold. The P ARAC has reviewed the ordinance and was in favor of the tree banking option that is included in the verbiage. Another incentive to leave the existing woodland in place included is density transferring. The P ARAC discussed tree protection standards for non-developed parcels at their meeting as well and some of the board members were uncomfortable with this section of the proposed ordinance. The primary question is whether or not there should be a permit system for this type of tree removal. The general consensus of the Planning Commissioners was that they were also uncomfortable with this section of the ordinance and would like it removed. (b) Proposed Tree Board Ordinance At the June 29, 2010 Planning Commission meeting staff introduced the topic of the Planning Commission members also serving as members of a proposed City tree board. There are several details that would need to be worked out before the tree board would be created. Staff would like to provide more background on the previous Farmington Tree Board. The previous tree board was repealed in 2008. The board had not met in at least 13 years. The board was created in 1980 and there were some updates to the ordinance in 2000. The prior board was called the Reforestation Advisory Commission. The board was to provide recommendations to the City Council in order to obtain the "Tree City USA" nomenclature and to increase the number of trees in the community. The original board was to be comprised of the City Council members, the Planning Commission Chair and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Chair. The terms of office were concurrent with the primary office held. The City Planner would serve as the staff liaison. The officers would be a Chair and Vice-chair. The commission would create and update annually, a tree plan for the City. It does not appear that the board was intended to review individual tree issues or developments. Staff will review the policies of other tree boards in the metro area. Staff stated that the Tree City USA requirements include replacement of trees when they are removed and to have an arborist on staff. There are also dollar amounts that must be spent on tree replacement. There must be a tree board and a tree policy. A resident stated that he would like to see a community member volunteer on the board. The Heritage Preservation commission has also been looking at Planning Commission Minutes July 21,2010 Page 2 trees as they pertain to historic vegetation. Staff will be looking for feedback from residents regarding the role of a tree board also. Chair Rotty directed staff to bring back information on ordinances and board make-up for other communities of various types. Commissioner Bonar pointed out that it would be beneficial to know what kind of tree inventory already exists in the City. This item will be discussed again at the August 11, 2010 meeting. (c) Boulevard Tree Replacement for Public Reconstruction Projects There was discussion regarding replacement of boulevard trees due to road construction projects. The current policy needs to be revised, but it was the consensus of the group was to wait until after the development of a tree board. (d) Downtown Commercial Overlay District Design Standards Proposed amendment - Screening/Fencing Staff would like to add criteria for non-screening/decorative type fencing in the Downtown Commercial Overlay District. Commissioner Franceschelli stated that there should be some consideration by the HPC of this amendment also. The general consensus of the commissioners was that they would be in favor of staff looking into these additions further. (e) Parking in the downtown (3rd and Oak from Elm Street to Spruce and 2nd to 4th) on lots (verbal) In the Downtown Commercial District, parking is allowed in the rear of a building, or on the side of the building. Staff asked if there was a desire to allow parking on the side of a building that is in the center of a block. This is currently taking place in some locations in the downtown. This additional restriction would be site specific. The commissioners felt that this item could be addressed with the site plan review process rather than an ordinance. (f) Flow chart and description for 30-day Commercial/Industrial project review (verbal) Staff is looking at a 30 working day permit process for lots that are platted and ready to build on, or for expansions. (g) Home Occupation Ordinance This item was not discussed. (h) Vinge Tile building - Napa Wholesale/retail proposal (verbal) The owner of the Vinge Tile property in the City's Industrial Park is proposing to bring in a Napa Distribution Center that would be located between the two existing businesses that occupy the structure and in the rear of the building. This would require adding an additional front entrance but would utilize the existing warehouse space and loading dock area. Approximately 70-80% of the distribution center operations would take place in the rear half of the building, and about 20-30% would be a wholesale retail operation in the front half of the building. Retail operations are not currently a permitted use in the Industrial Park, but it does allow for Office/Showroom operations. Staff stated that the City of Lakeville allows for this type of use in their Industrial Park by permitting only a percentage of the use to be allocated to retail operations. There has been interest expressed by another company that would have a similar combination of warehouse/retail. Chair Rotty stated that this might be a topic for a joint City Council/Planning Planning Commission Minutes July 21,2010 Page 3 Commission/Economic Development Authority workshop. Staffwi11 look into setting up a joint meeting in the near future and will discuss this with the EDA at Monday's meeting. (i) Recreational Vehic1es in Easements (verbal) This item was not discussed. (j) First Impressions Surveys - Summary Five planners came to Farmington and provided feedback on the City of Farmington. (k) City Council Workshop - Park & Recreation Survey - August 9, 2010 at 6 PM (verbal) The City Administrator asked that staff invite the Planning Commissioners to a workshop being held to discuss the Park and Recreation survey. (I) Schweiness Property The owner of the building that houses the former Mr. Movies location would like to know if he would be able to allow outdoor displays. In the same building, the owners of Pilot Knob Pizzeria have also inquired about outdoor seating. 3. Adjourn ~