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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.28.02 Work Session Minutes JOINT WORKSHOP MINUTES May 28, 2002 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ristow and Planning Chairman Rotty at 5:00 PM. 2. PRESENT Members Present: Also Present: Mayor Ristow, Councilmember Soderberg, Planning Chairman Rotty, Commissioner Barker, Commissioner Larson, Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Heman Ed Shukle, City Administrator; Joel Jamnik, City Attorney; Andrea Poehler, City Attorney, Kevin Carroll, Community Development Director, Lee Mann, City Engineer, Lee Smick, Planning Coordinator 3. APPROVE AGENDA Mayor Ristow asked if the agenda items should be reviewed, given the fact that they have been discussed by the City Council and Planning Commission at previous meetings. The attendees decided to discuss the items. 4. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION a) Growth of Community - FinneganlMurphy Parcels The attendees indicated that any development of the Finnegan/Murphy parcels would be premature. Mayor Ristow stated that City staff should not waste valuable planning time on properties that are premature for development. He also stated that 195th Street should be on the County's CIP and in the preparation stages for construction before these properties develop. Planning Chairman Rotty stated that the properties may be reviewed again for development in 2005. The attendees agreed that City staff should not commence with the review of the infrastructure on these properties because it is premature. b) Sign Ordinance - Pylon vs. Monument Signs Planning Coordinator Smick presented the characteristics of pylon signs and monument signs. Commissioner Johnson suggested that City staff and the Planning Commission steer developers to monument signs, but pylon signs should be allowed. The attendees did not want pylon signs eliminated. The developers of new buildings should have a choice between a pylon sign and a monument sign. New buildings should be reviewed on a case by case basis. The attendees agreed that a master sign plan for the proposed business park should be prepared. This would require uniformity in the sign style in the business park. c) Industrial Park - Mini-Storage Proposal Community Development Director Carroll presented a mini-storage proposal for the Industrial Park. Mayor Ristow stated that the visions of the past for the Industrial Park did not include mini-storage and this should be upheld. He was concerned that if this mini-storage proposal was approved it would be unfair to the previous individual who approached the City with a similar proposal and was denied. Commissioner Rotty asked what the HRA views were on the proposal. Community Development Director Carroll state~ that the HRA was somewhat ambivalent about the proposal. Planning Chairman Rotty asked why the HRA didn't take a stronger stance on proposal. There was discussion regarding whether Community Development Director Carroll should bring the proposal back to the HRA for further review, however, the attendees were still strongly opposed to the proposal and would not approve it. The attendees were opposed to allowing a mini-storage facility in the Industrial Park because it does not generate employment and was not a part of the original vision for the Industrial Park. The attendees were not opposed to other locations in the City for mini- storage facilities, but they were opposed to a facility in the Industrial Park. d) Middle Creek East - 203rd Street and 20Sth Street Issues City Engineer Mann presented options for the design of 203rd Street connection. The options include 1) resolution of easement through legal procedures, 2) developer successfully negotiates easement with Mr. McCarthy, 3) the City Council and Planning Commission approves the proposed alignment connection. City Engineer Mann explained the proposal by the developer's engineer showing two 16-foot wide driving lanes. Commissioner Heman stated that this alignment would be a band-aid to the problem with the easement. He stated that the road may be seen as temporary but the road may never be installed to City standards if it is not installed correctly now. He also was concerned with the sidewalk being closed in the winter because of snow piled in the area from snow plows. City Attorney Jamnik stated that the City wants to work within the existing easement and the City is trying to avoid ejectment for Mr. McCarthy and litigation from the developer. Mayor Ristow stated that the Council trusted the developer to resolve this issue before the phases continued to be approved, however, the developer did not accomplish that task and the Council needs to make a tough decision. Planning Chairman Rotty stated that McCarthy's property should not be rezoned to multi-family. City Attorney Jamnik stated that the parties (McCarthy and DR HortonlArcon) remain committed to negotiating. Don Patton, DR Horton, concurred with that statement. City Attorney Jamnik suggested that the City pursue option 2 by assisting in the negotiations between the parties. At a future City Council meeting, City staff will ask Council to confirm the Planning Commission's denial of the project, approve the alignment and project, or delay the project by 60 days. The attendees also discussed the Eastview Avenue connection with 20gth Street through the Murphy parcel. City Attorney Jamnik stated that the parties are continuing negotiations. If those discussions do not result in a resolution, Mr. Murphy might be open to selling the right-of-way to the City. e) Annexation issues Development Director Carroll presented a proposed annexation resolution that would obligate property owners to discuss a proposed annexation with the affected township before approaching the City Council. This process gives the township opportunity to comment on the proposed annexation; however, the r-- Farmington City Council would still make the final decision on whether the property should be annexed into the City. Mayor Ristow stated he was offended by the proposed resolution because it's all been done before in the "10 points of understanding" in the mid 90's. He wants the Empire/Farmington - Planning Advisory Committee (EF-P AC) to review the 10 points of understanding to compare it with the proposed resolution. Councilmember Soderberg stated that the proposed resolution would open communication lines with all townships. Mayor Ristow wants Committee members to ask what ended the Joint Planning Board in 1998. Councilmember Soderberg will have EF-PAC review the 10 points of understanding. Mayor Ristow wants two-way street when discussing issues with Empire Township. 5. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 8:04 PM. ;JE2? Lee Smick Planning Coordinator