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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.12.21 Work Session Minutes CITY OF FARMINGTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES WORK SESSION APRIL 12,2021 Call to Order Mayor Hoyt called the joint work session to order at 5:00 p.m. Chair Rotty called the Planning Commission to order at 5:00 p.m. Roll Call Present-Hoyt, Pearson, Porter and Wilson Absent-Bernhjelm Planning Commission-Rotty, Franceshelli and Lehto Absent-Windschitl,Tesky Also Present-Administrator McKnight and Planning Manager Wippler. Agenda Motion by Wilson,second by Porter,to approve the agenda as presented. APIF, motion carried. City Code Update Planning Manager Wippler provided a summary of how the city got to this point with the approval of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the updating of city codes. Jeff Miller, a consultant with HKGi, has worked with the city over the past two years on the comprehensive plan and the zoning code update. Miller reviewed a number of issues including- Zoning code summary review ✓ Restructuring of base zoning districts ✓ Consolidation and simplification of zoning districts ✓ Definition review ✓ Updated purpose statements ✓ Overlay district review ✓ Design standards in chapter six review ✓ PUD review Chair Rotty asked if the issues with PUD's are unique to Farmington. Miller stated this proposal is using common, best practices from other local governments. Rotty asked if the goal of PUD's is to vary density. Miller stated that is an option. Commissioner Franceshelli asked why we would have standards for PUD's if we are going to be so flexible. Miller stated the intent of the PUD is to get things you would not get through regular zoning districts. Councilmember Wilson hoped that consistency between the city council and the planning commission would help address this issue. Wilson asked if there are metrics to the PUD criteria being discussed. Miller stated that most PUD's are unique. The group discussed what criteria should be looked at with PUD's and how these can be difficult. Administrator McKnight made it clear that developer profit is not a criterion that the city considers important in this area. Miller reviewed additional items with the group including off-street parking standards and an updated zoning map. Chair Rotty asked for a discussion on how both groups view the issue of developments having at least two accesses. Mayor Hoyt stated it is important to look at the totality of an area. Member Franseshelli raised concerns about private streets, no city standards for private streets and how they work together. Councilmember Pearson stated that consistency with developers is very important to her. Councilmember Porter shared that the city council prefers at least two accesses into developments. The group discussed on and off street parking,side yard setbacks and the parking of recreational vehicles. Hy-Vee Business Subsidy Agreement Update Administrator McKnight provided an update on the Hy-Vee Business Subsidy Agreement Update. The city approved a business subsidy agreement with Hy-Vee in 2016 that included the waiving of approximately$2 million in assessments once a building permit was issued for the site within five years. This agreement will expire on September 21,2021 and city staff wanted to provide the city council an opportunity to discuss this issue. After much discussion,the city council was clear that their first wish and priority is for a store to be built on this site. With that in mind,the city council directed the city administrator to contact Hy-Vee and make it clear that- ✓ The city council still hopes for the store construction process to begin as soon as possible. ✓ The city council will enforce the current business subsidy agreement that is currently in place with the September 2021 deadline. City Administrator Update Administrator McKnight updated the city council on the following issues- ✓ Provided an update on the recruitment processes for the Parks and Recreation Director and Community Development Director. ✓ Provided an update on the civil unrest and the curfew in place for Dakota County starting at 7:00 p.m. Adjourn Motion by Wilson,second by Pearson,to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. APIF, motion carried.