HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/8/07
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Planning Commission
Minutes
Regular Meeting
May 8, 2007
1.
Call to Order
Chair Rotty called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Rotty, Oswald, Larson
Members Absent: Barker, Fitzloff
Also Present: Tony Wippler - Assistant City Planner, Lee Smick - City Planner,
Peter Coyle - LarkinIHoffman, Shelly White - Newland
Communities
2.
Approval of Minutes
a) April 10, 2007
MOTION by Larson, second by Oswald to approve the AprillO, 2007 Minutes.
APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
3.
Public Hearings
a) Fairhill
1) Preliminary and Final Acquisition Plat
2) Fairhill Preliminary Plat, Phase 1
3) Fairhill PUD
4) CUP - Grading of Overall Site
Applicant: Newland Communities
One Southwest Crossing
11 095 Viking Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
The applicant, Newland Communities is requesting approval of a Final
Acquisition Plat in order to convey and combine certain land owned by the Seed
family. This will allow them to proceed with grading ofthe entire parcel. The
PUD has been revised slightly with reconfiguration of some of the lots. The lot
sizes have stayed about the same. The Fairhill development is 965 acres; ofthat
744 net acres are reserved for residential development and approximately 13 acres
are reserved for commercial development. The proposed overall density is 2.76-
3.79 units per acre. The development would be phased and the first phase would
include the construction of the 195th Street connection to Highway 3. There
would be 269-315 housing units in the first phase and they will be platting 230
lots and numerous outlots. There will be discussion with Empire Township
regarding how 194th Street will be addressed. The estimate oftotal housing units
for the entire development is 2055-2700. There will be a variety oflot sizes
throughout the development including traditional single family homes on 75-80
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May 8, 2007
Page 2
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foot wide lots and alley loaded single family homes on 45-55 foot wide lots with a
minimum front yard setback of 12 feet. The side yard setbacks will be six a foot
minimum and the rear setback will be a minimum of 10 feet. The comer lots
would also have a 12 foot setback. Price ranges for the 75-80 foot wide single
family homes are $400,000 to $700,000. The 55-65 foot single family homes
would be $320,000 to $500,000. There will also be single family homes on allies
and located around courtyard areas that would have 12 foot front setbacks, 5 foot
side setbacks and 8 foot rear setbacks (if on an alley).
Commissioner Oswald asked about access to the northern portion of the
development. He stated that he is concerned that if there is a need for more
mitigation on site, this may reduce the amount of land left to provide for a
roadway. Staff stated that the traffic plan shows access to the northern portion of
the development to be determined at a later date. Mr. Peter Coyle representing
Newland Communities stated that there is additional wetland mitigation required
on site. There has been a corridor preserved to enable the possible future
extension of Diamond Path.
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There are both public and private parks proposed for this development. The
PARAC is recommending approval of the dedication of the parks in the Fairhill
PUD and to allow the private parks to be given credit towards satisfying the park
dedication requirements under certain conditions. Commissioner Oswald asked
Mr. Coyle to verify the walk ability distance to parks that is required by the City
of Farmington.
The first phase will include construction of an information center, some retail
space and the 195th Street Bridge. The installation, maintenance and replacement
of boulevard trees will be the responsibility ofthe developerlhome owners
association. There will also be a monument sign erected.
The Engineering Division has reviewed the overall mass grading plan and has
determined that the plan is in compliance with the City Code and they are
recommending approval of the CUP for grading.
Mr. Peter Coyle stated that there have been many challenges in the development
of this plan but he feels that the outcome has resulted in benefits for both
Newland Communities and the City of Farmington. The 195th Street connection
will be an important transportation improvement.
Ms. Wanda Meyer, 3656 194th Street, stated that residents on 194th Street are
concerned that there will be a possible increase in traffic on their road depending
on how that access is handled.
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Mr. Jeff Meyer, 3656 194th Street, asked about the 194th Street traffic flow and
access for the adjacent neighborhoods to 195th Street also. Mr. Peter Coyle stated
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May 8, 2007
Page 3
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that the details of that connection and the routing of traffic have yet to be
determined.
Ms. Michelle Hope, 3531 194th Street, asked how close the houses on the lots
behind her property would be to her property. Staff replied that the property lines
will meet but there is a 10 foot setback.
Mr. Dave Hanks, 194th Street, asked about the round-a-bout that is proposed for
Highway 3. Commissioner Larson stated that it will most likely make the
intersection a right in right out but that decision is up to MnDOT.
Commissioner Larson stated that he feels that all of the issues that he has had with
the development have been addressed in this version of the plan. Commissioner
Oswald stated that he likes the plan and his only concern would be that the park
issues are completely addressed. Chair Rotty explained that he feels that this
product is a great benefit for the community.
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MOTION by Oswald, second by Larson to close the public hearing. APIF,
MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Larson, second by Oswald to recommend
approval of the Preliminary and Final Acquisition Plat, the Fairhill Preliminary
Plat - Phase 1, Final PUD and CUP - Grading of Overall Site. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
b)
Preliminary and Final Plat - Trinity Health Care 1 st Addition
Applicant: Trinity Care Center
3410 West 213th Street
Farmington, MN 55024
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The applicant is seeking approval of the preliminary and final plat of two parcels
that would be combined so that the Trinity Care Center may be expanded. The
proposed expansion crosses the property line between the two lots. The property
is just over 13 acres and is zoned R-5, high density residential. There is an outlot
and 3 easements on the property. The utilities for the expansion would be brought
up through lOth Street. The Engineering Division is recommending approval of
the preliminary and final plat contingent upon the addition of some easements for
drainage. The existing nursing home is to be expanded by approximately 22,000
square feet. The addition will enable the facility to provide for more single
resident rooms. There will be a reduction in the number of parking spaces but it
will still be adequate. There are not any lot coverage or setback issues. The
applicant will have to submit a landscape plan. The Parks and Recreation
Director would like to see a connection made to existing trails and the addition of
some sidewalks. The following contingencies would apply to any approval of the
preliminary and final plat:
1. The submittal of a landscape plan that is acceptable to the City Planner.
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May 8, 2007
Page 4
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Additional drainage and utility easements must be provided for the
proposed drainage systems as required by the Engineering Division.
Satisfaction of all Parks and Recreation requirements regarding trails and
sidewalks.
3.
Mr. Rich Ludwig, the administrator of Trinity Care Center stated that he is not in
agreement with the walkway that is being required. He feels that it will cause
drainage problems for the adjacent properties. Staff replied that there are other
opportunities for sidewalk locations on the plan as well. He is also concerned that
the walkway easement might prevent their future expansion plans. Commissioner
Larson asked about the likelihood that the elevation of the trail would be adequate
to surface drain water and secondly, who would be responsible for maintaining
the walkways in the winter. There will need to be further discussion regarding
trails and sidewalks before the plan goes to the City Council. MOTION by
Larson, second by Oswald to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED. MOTION by Oswald, second by Larson to recommend the
approval of the preliminary and final plat with the three contingencies. APIF,
MOTION CARRIED.
4.
Discussion
a) Farmington Mini Storage - Outside storage proposal
Last August, the owner of Farmington Mini Storage requested to utilize a portion
of the mini storage property for outdoor storage during the winter. The property
is located in the Farmington Business Park. The Pun agreement for the Business
Park contains verbiage allowing outdoor storage if approved by the City of
Farmington. Outdoor storage was approved on a temporary basis. The owner
would like to extend the outdoor storage approval until April 30, 2008. The
request was reviewed by the City Staff development committee and they were not
in favor ofthe extension. Mr. John Simon, the owner of Farmington Mini
Storage, stated that he has surveyed his outdoor storage customers and they would
all like to continue to rent the outdoor space. He stated that he would not be
requesting another extension next year and he recognizes that this is not a
permitted use. Commissioner Larson stated that because there are not many
neighbors in that area and the adjacent businesses are practicing outdoor storage
too, he would be in favor of allowing the extension for one more year, but no
longer. Commissioner Oswald agreed that one more year should be fine. Chair
Rotty stated that the applicant has an approval by the majority, but he would not
like to see this issue brought before them again next year.
b)
Neighborhood Preservation Overlay District
Staffhas been working with the Historic Preservation Commission to create
language regarding a Preservation Overlay District. The area that is being looked
at currently is the downtown Oak Street area. The ordinance would not
immediately create a district, but would put the ordinance in place so that districts
can be created in the future. The district would require HPC review of any permit
within that district that would involve any of the following: demolition of a
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Planning Commission Minutes
May 8, 2007
Page 5
building in whole or in part, construction of a new building, or the moving of a
building within that district. The HPC would have to issue a certificate of
appropriateness before a permit could be issued. At least 50% of residents in the
proposed district area would need to approve the creation ofthe district. There
will be a neighborhood meeting on May 16, 2007 to discuss the proposed
ordinance with homeowners and obtain feedback. Chair Rotty asked how the
actual definition of maintenance will be interpreted. Staff stated that they will
consider that further. Commissioner Oswald stated that he doesn't feel that the
area defined on the map includes all of the historic properties downtown. Staff
replied that the initial boundary is not intended to include all historic properties,
but was based on properties that have been designated.
5.
Adjourn
MOTION by Oswald, second by Larson to adjourn. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
RespectfullY~bmi~ed,
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. Lisa: DargIs -
Administrative Assistant
Approved