HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/24/12
Planning Commission
Minutes
Workshop
January 24, 2012
1.
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Also Present:
Bonar, Franceschelli, Rotty
Vanderbeck, Kuyper
Lee Smick - City Planner, Tony Wippler - Assistant City Planner, Patrick
Boylan, Metropolitan Council, David Marsh, James Primmer
2. Discussion
a. 2030 Comprehensive Plan - 2011 Update (Amendment)
i. Review of "Draft" document - Assistant Planner Wippler introduced the
updates included in the amendment. Information is being added to tree
preservation, sustainability and MN Greensteps, Census, Farmington area
transportation plan, updated Parks and trails and Greenway corridor. Patrick
Boylan from the Met Council explained the process and why state law
requires it. Land Planning Act requires long range guide plan that covers 4
major systems and regional policies. Transportation/aviation, water
resources (storm water, water supply), sanitary sewer and parks and trails. In
between the 2 census surveys (2000 & 2010), the Met Council puts together
regional planning framework. In 2005, metro communities were given a .
system statement, under the "system statement' it defmed what was needed
in our plan. Farmington was the 3rd community to submit their plan.
ii. Review Comprehensive Plan Map 2011 - It was the MUSA Committee
and staff's recommendation that MUSA should be .granted to the 25 acres in
northeast intersection of Flagstaff and HWY 50.
iii. Review Nonconforming Downtown Residential "Fringe" Properties -
Assistant Planner referenced the Downtown Residential Zoning Map and
identified 3 blocks, 1) Northwest intersection of pt Street and Hwy 50,2)
north block ofHwy SO between 4th Street and 5th Street, 3) SE intersection of
Oak Street and 4th Street. These areas are outside of the Downtown
Commercial District and are used as residential but zoned as business.
Planner Smick explained that when the 2000 comp plan was prepared they
were looking into the future for commercial development expansion. Staff is
not proposing any changes to site 1 at this time, but if changes were
considered, staff would recommend RT (Downtown Transitional Mixed
Use). David Marsh, 204 - pt St, addressed the board regarding site 1. He
stated that he bought his house in 1999. He put a porch on his house in
2002. He started making plans to add on to his home and submitted plans to
the City in 2005. He was told at that time that he was in a flood plain and
the property was also zoned commercial. He requested a variance and it was
denied. He would like the commission to rezone his property to residential
which will allow him to improve the property or sell it. He is appreciative
that the planning department does keep him notified of any issues that may
affect his or neighboring properties. Planner Smick asked if the
redevelopment plan should be reviewed. The problem with going back to a
residential zone is downzoning and it's not conducive to commercial
development. She is suggesting that the board review the redevelopment
plan. RT zoning allows for limited commercial but largely residential
zoning. Parking lots are allowed in flood plains.
Sites 2 and 3 are also residential properties at this time. Assistant Planner
Wippler also suggested reviewing them in the Redevelopment plan.
Discussion focused on how zoning back and forth can really be a bad thing.
Planning Commission Workshop Minutes
January 24,2012
Page 2
The current zoning offers more opportunity for commercial growth while
allowing the residential use. Staff explained that there are additional areas
the commission may want to look at when reviewing the redevelopment
plan.
Assistant Planner Wippler asked for comments from the commission about
the comp plan. Franceschelli asked about bus and rail transportation.
Wippler indicated that we are not part of the taxing district but could identify
potential future stops. Planner Smick referenced a map showing how the
trails and roadways are connecting communities. Member Rotty asked
about concerns with Ag Preserve. Staff replied that there are no concerns at
this time. Traffic counts were reviewed. Patrick Boylan suggested updating
some of the content to reflect the 2010 census numbers. Mr. Boylan stated he
didn't see anything referencing the historic inventories and overlay. Wippler
noted that will be addressed at the next meeting in February.
5. Meeting was dismissed at approximately 6:30PM.
Respectfully submitted,
\JJ1. "
sueMill~
Administrative Assistant
Approved