HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.03.04 Work Session Minutes
CITY COUNCILIPLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP
MUSA RECOMMENDATIONS
MINUTES
November 3, 2004
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ristow called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. for the City Council.
Chair Rotty called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. for the Planning Commission.
Council Present: Ristow, Fitch, Fogarty, Soderberg
Planning Commission Present: Rotty, Barker, Johnson, Larson, Richter
2. APPROVE AGENDA
MOTION by Soderberg, second by Fitch to approve the agenda. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
3. INTRODUCTIONS
4. DISCUSSION OF MUSA RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff gave Council and the Planning Commission an overview of the MUSA
recommendations made by the MUSA Review Committee at their last meeting. Council
already granted MUSA for the Manley property and all properties shown in yellow on the
MUSA map. Properties with letters are within the city limits, and those with numbers are
in either Empire or Castle Rock Township. The committee has recommended the
northern two-thirds portion of the Christenson property receive MUSA if it is removed
from the ag preserve program for school use. There were 744 acres left for MUSA
through 2010. After the current recommendations for MUSA there are 216 acres
available to distribute for MUSA through 2010 if the City does not ask the Met Council
for more MUSA. It was suggested to leave land available at one of the school sites, as
the pressure to develop around the school will be tremendous. As part of good planning,
granting MUSA expedites the need to update the comprehensive plan. The Planning
Commission suggested asking the Met Council for the remaining MUSA available. The
MUSA Review Committee would reconvene in 2006 when more land is scheduled to be
recommended for MUSA. The MUSA Review Committee discussed having a standing
committee that would be available when needed. If Council decides there is too much
growth in 2006, land scheduled for 2006 could be moved back to 2007. If the east-west
corridors are not completed, some of this development could be delayed. If there ends up
being less development than planned, land scheduled to receive MUSA later could be
brought forward.
The size of the Seed-Genstar property almost doubles the number of houses in the City.
There are approximately 25 acres commercial. Chair Rotty was concerned whether that
is enough commercial. The entire area is 850 acres. Staff proposed convenience type
stores along hwy 3 and wanted traffic to come downtown for shopping.
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November 3, 2004
Page 2
There has been some discussion regarding the properties between Akin Road to the west
and Giles/Murphy property to the east. The owners have asked for MUSA and they are
in support of the idea of some sort of coordinated development in that area. The
Committee recommended the properties receive MUSA upon plat approval. Property 6 is
township property and there is a portion of the property east of the tracks and west of the
tracks. The township feels they could serve the portion east ofthe tracks with sewer and
water, but staff is unsure ifit is a good idea to split the property. Staffwill discuss this
property and properties to the north with Empire township. The Committee
recommended MUSA for 2006 for property Q2. On the east side, there is the American
Legion property and the Frandrup property. The company looking at the American
Legion property is also looking at the Frandrup property. The committee recommended
granting MUSA upon annexation.
There is a limited amount of sewer capacity on the east side. Engineering is working on
an analysis ofthe sewer capacity. Staffwill subtract the amount of capacity needed for a
school site on the Angus property. Once that is subtracted staff can determine how many
housing units the remainder would serve. This would assist in determining which
properties receive MUSA.
Council can either prolong the MUSA review process and reconvene the committee, or
conclude this phase of the MUSA process and reconvene the committee at a later time.
Staff would prefer the latter. In 2005 there could be informal discussions with property
owners to determine a timetable. Properties to the south were discussed and all agreed it
would be best to extend 220th west to the Pilot Knob Road extension.
Staff asked some developers to predict how many houses they would build and when.
Maximum numbers are 860 homes in 2009. Staff anticipates the process for building
permits will be handled differently in the future to keep up with the pace. Obtaining
outside help would be a last resort. Chair Rotty would like to see the levels ramping up
and then leveling off. Once the school site is chosen staff asked if these groups want to
meet again once Engineering has their numbers together or should staff delay convening
the MUSA committee. Council felt these numbers would be beneficial for the school
district. It was agreed the current committee should meet to discuss phasing ofthese
properties to the east.
Mr. Bruce Rydene, representing Mr. Dave Adelmann, stated parcel S is zoned residential
and asked how it does not fit to receive MUSA. They have developed a medium density
residential plan. The Planning Commission felt the plan did not meet the criteria.
Councilmember Fogarty explained the top two criteria for granting MUSA are helping
with transportation corridors and increasing the commercial and industrial base. The
Adelmann property does not meet either of these criteria. There is a limited number of
acres guaranteed and the residential accepted also met other goals.
Chair Rotty asked about parcels T and U. Staff mentioned they would wait to grant
MUSA until the preliminary plat is approved. He asked if this should be a similar
requirement for larger parcels, such as parcel 9 for example. He asked ifthere should be
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November 3, 2004
Page 3
a conceptual plan before MUSA is granted. Staff replied parcel 9 does have a concept
plan. Staffis going by the size of the property and the size of the development. The
larger the size of the property the more expense there is for a developer to prepare a
concept plan when granting MUSA is uncertain.
Council and Planning Commission agreed this MUSA process and the Thoroughfare Plan
are the most important items that have occurred for the City. The MUSA process should
be seen as an opportunity for the growth of Farmington. Staffwill bring the MUSA
recommendations to the Council on November 15,2004. This work will be used for the
amendment to the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Colin Garvey asked about the MUSA granted to the Peterson! Adelmann properties
and what happens if they pull out. Council clarified only the commercial area has been
granted MUSA. No one has contractually agreed to put the roads in, but the only way
their development will occur is for the developer to put the roads in. Council advised
staff to get situations worked out with the environmental agencies before development
occurs. The Planning Commission will review all this information again at the
November 9, 2004 Planning Commission meeting and their recommendation will be
forwarded to the November 15,2004 Council meeting. Staffwill also notify newly
elected Councilmembers of this information.
5. ADJOURN
MOTION by Soderberg, second by Fogarty to adjourn at 7:24 p.m. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
MOTION by Larson, second by Johnson to adjourn at 7:24 p.m. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
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Cynthia Muller
Executive Assistant