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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-14-22 CITY OF FARMINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING June 14, 2022 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Rotty at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Rotty,Lehto,McAbee,Tesky Members Absent: Windschitl Staff Present: Tony Wippler,Planning Manager 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a)Approve Planning Commission Minutes MOTION by Lehto,second by McAbee to approve the Regular Meeting minutes of the Planning Commission from May 10,2022.APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS Chair Rotty opened all four public hearings. a)Text Amendment to Section 10-6-18 as it Relates to Shoreland Management Regulations Planning Manager Wippler presented changes to the City's Shoreland Management Regulations which would bring the city into full compliance with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR)model ordinance.The proposed ordinance update would allow for the protection of natural areas and public bodies of water by requiring things such as setbacks, green space,open space,and protection of the natural amenities. Chair Rotty opened the room for comments.No public comments were received. Commissioner Tesky appreciated the extra structure and regulation for enforcement that this ordinance will bring.Commissioner Lehto and McAbee had no comments. MOTION by Tesky,second by Lehto to close the public hearing.APIF,MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by McAbee,second by Tesky to recommend approval of the text amendment to Section 10-6-18 as it relates to Shoreland Management and forward that recommendation to the City Council.APIF,MOTION CARRIED. b)Urban Chicken Permit-Brandon Mitchell (19851 Denali Way) Brandon Mitchell is seeking approval of an Urban Chicken Permit for 19851 Denali Way for keeping three hen chickens.The proposed coop is 9 square feet in size with a height of 6 feet.The fenced in run is proposed to be 18 square feet and have a height of 5.5 feet.The coop and run as proposed meet city code requirements. Chair Rotty opened the room for comments.No public comments were received. Commissioner Lehto,McAbee,and Tesky had no questions.Chair Rotty asked Mr.Mitchell if he has a chain link fence around his property.Mr.Mitchell confirmed yes.Chair Rotty inquired about the landscape buffer which is needed for screening and if the city has ever addressed slating of chain link fence to provide necessary screening.Planning Manager Wippler stated the city has not specifically looked at that option,but it is something we could look at as an option in the future. Planning Commission Minutes Pagel of 8 Regular Meeting June 14,2022 MOTION by Lehto,second by McAbee to close the public hearing.APIF,MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Tesky,second by Lehto to approve the Urban Chicken Permit at 19851 Denali Way subject to 4 conditions which are a renewal permit must be applied for and administratively approved every year,a landscaped buffer of at least 4'must be installed on the southern and western side of the coop and run,the coop and run must be a minimum of 25'from adjacent principal structures,and all other requirements specified in City Code Section 10-6-29 shall be abided by.APIF,MOTION CARRIED. c) Denmark Housing Addition Preliminary and Final Plat and Planned Unit Development The Dakota County Community Development Agency(CDA)has applied for preliminary and final plat and planned unit development for the Denmark Housing Addition project.The CDA property is located south of The Legacy of Farmington on the east side of Denmark Avenue south of Ash Street.The CDA is proposing a 40-unit townhome development that will consist of one-,two-,three-and four-bedroom units.In addition,the development will have an office space and two tot lots.The property is 6.06 acres with 0.67 acres consisting of storm water facilities.The net density for the development is 7.4 dwelling units per acre which meets the density requirements of the R-3 zoning district of this property. There is one main access proposed for this development.The main access will share a full access to Denmark Avenue with the adjacent property to the south (Dakota Meadows property).With the timing unknown for the development of the Dakota Meadows property, a roadway easement must be obtained from the owner of the Dakota Meadows property to ensure access for this site.The CDA has contacted the Dakota Meadows project team and the necessary access and utility easements will be prepared and provided to the city for this roadway.Internally,the site will be served by a looped private street.This private street will be 28 feet in width measured from curb to curb.Additionally,a secondary emergency access is being provided near the northwest corner of the development as a 20-foot-wide heavy-duty bituminous trail that will only be accessible to emergency vehicles.The developer is proposing a cable gate at Denmark Avenue and collapsible bollards on the development side. The site plan currently shows a total of 110 parking spaces (4 accessible stalls, 26 standard stalls,40 garage stalls and 40 driveway stalls)which meets zoning code for townhomes. Water and sewer lines will be brought to the site near the northwest corner.The water line will be looped through the development.The developer is expanding the storm water facility to the north that is adjacent to this development. The city will be taking cash-in-lieu instead of accepting park land within the development. The developer is proposing to install trails throughout the central portion of the development.These trails will tie into the proposed trail along the northern side of the Dakota Meadows property to the south.Additionally,a trail will be constructed within the right-of-way of Denmark Avenue for the entire frontage of the development. The developer has requested that this development be approved as a planned unit development.The proposed deviations are the allowance of private streets and reducing the front yard setback from 25 feet to 22 feet. Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of 8 Regular Meeting June 14,2022 Kari Gill from the Dakota County CDA added that the CDA has previously built a similar development in Farmington off of Highway 3 (Twin Ponds).This will be a similar development.There are 26 CDA developments throughout Dakota County. Chair Rotty opened the room for public comments.No public comments were received. Commissioner McAbee asked about where the extra parking spaces within the development will be.Planning Manager Wippler outlined them on the plat.Commissioner Tesky appreciates this type of housing being added into the city and is okay with the emergency access into this development since it is a 40-unit development and not larger.Commissioner Lehto had no comments or questions.Chair Rotty inquired to Ms.Gill about the timeline for the project.Ms. Gill stated that if they receive full city approval they will apply for funding for 2023 financing.City approval is required prior to applying for the competitive funds. Development would occur in 2023 and the housing would open in 2024.These townhomes will be rentals and the CDA will be the property manager and handle all maintenance. MOTION by Tesky,second by McAbee to close the public hearing.APIF,MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Lehto,second by Tesky to recommend approval of the Denmark Housing Addition Preliminary and Final Plat and Planned Unit Development and forward that recommendation to the City Council.APIF,MOTION CARRIED. d)Meadowview Preserve Preliminary Plat and Planned Unit Development Summergate Development has submitted applications for preliminary plat and planned unit development for Meadowview Preserve.The development is located west of the Troyhill development north of Meadowview Elementary School off of 195th Street W.The preliminary plat consists of 134 single-family lots on 61.07 acres which provides a net density of 3.03 dwelling units per acre. The minimum lot area proposed within this development is 8,119 square feet with an average lot area of 9,659 square feet. The minimum lot width proposed is 60 feet and the minimum lot depth proposed is 130 feet. The site has significant grade changes with the eastern side being roughly 40 feet higher than the western side of the development.The plat contains one outlot along the western border of the development.The outlot contains floodplain,wetlands,and storm water facilities.The developer is proposing to dedicate a portion of this area for parkland. There are four access points for the development on 190th Street W,Everglade Path, 193rd Street W,and 195th Street W.Since 195th Street W is a County Road,the Dakota County Plat Commission reviewed the preliminary plat and approved it conditioned upon the access at 195th Street W be restricted to a right-in,right-out with a median to be constructed within the right-of-way of 195th Street W. The developer is proposing to dedicate a portion of the outlot for park purposes.The City's Comprehensive Plan identifies a neighborhood park on what would be the east side of this development and is the preferred location for the park.Staff will continue to work with the developer on locating a park that is suitable in both location and size for both the city and the developer.This will have to be agreed upon and addressed with the submission of a final plat for the first addition of this development. Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 8 Regular Meeting June 14,2022 The developer has requested that this development be approved as a planned unit development.The proposed deviations are a reduced lot size to 8,119 square feet and a reduced lot width to 60 feet. Chair Rotty asked for clarification on the construction of 190th Street W.Planning Manager Wippler said that after discussions with the City Council and City Attorney it was determined that the city will require the developer to construct 190th Street W from Everest Path to the development entrance.The city will obtain the necessary right of way west of the development entrance to the creek as well as take escrow to cover the costs for the construction of half the right of way and a quarter of the costs for the future creek crossing. Chair Rotty welcomed Summergate representative Brian Tucker who explained that Summergate is a residential development company who develops lots and works with other builders to construct homes.Mr.Tucker said they have been working on this development since last fall with the City of Farmington and Dakota County.Mr.Tucker said they plan to do this development in two or three phases and it will be built from the south on 195th Street W up towards 190th Street W.All streets will have sidewalks which will provide connection to trails. Chair Rotty opened the room for public comments.Ms.Michelle Pettis, 19468 Evening Star Way,proposes a path be added on the east side of the Meadowview Preserve development which would lead up to 195th Street W and Meadowview tunnel.This would allow a safer and faster route from the Troyhill development where there are no sidewalks. Ms.Pettis is also proposing to not have a traffic entrance into the development off of 195th Street W. There are already traffic issues for buses and cars on 195th Street W.Ms.Pettis is also requesting someone come out and walk so they can see why there is a need for a path to be added to the east side of the Meadowview Preserve development. Chair Rotty asked Mr.Tucker if the developer would be open,willing,and/or interested in considering a path where the resident(s)are requesting it.Mr.Tucker stated there is sidewalk already planned for this development so placing additional pathway along the east side is duplicative.Chair Rotty is proposing consideration of the trail by the developer and not for requirement of it. Mrs.Carrin Spiegel, 19460 Evening Star Way,would like to acknowledge they are not opposed to the development but there are issues which need to be addressed and solved. There are safety concerns since this development will drive more traffic onto 195th Street W.There is no busing provided or planned to be provided for the Troyhill development or for the proposed Meadowview Preserve development,so children have to walk to school. There is trail extending from Meadowview Elementary into the Charleswood development on the south side of 1951h Street W.The proposed development is essentially an extension of the Troyhill development and children deserve a safe path to get to school.Adding a path on the east side of the proposed development would be the best solution for safety of children and for the traffic congestion already seen on 195th Street W. Jay Baago, 19288 Evenston Drive,had concerns about traffic regarding the proposed development.Mr.Baago inquired clarification where walkways will occur within Meadowview Preserve.Planning Manager Wippler clarified locations.Mr.Baago inquired about the right-in,right-out access on 195th Street W.Those who need to get into the Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 of 8 Regular Meeting June 14,2022 development eastbound would need to go to Everest Path and then 193rd Street W or 190th Street W.Chair Rotty confirmed.Mr.Baago inquired if the current curb cut on 195th Street W is the planned access into the proposed development.Planning Manager Wippler stated it would be placed further west than the curb cut location.Adding additional safety hazard onto 195th Street W is a concern.Mr.Baago inquired about what type of homes will be constructed within this development.Mr.Tucker stated that the proposed homes will be traditional single-family homes which include a three-stall garage and a two-story unit. Homes will most likely start around$550,000.Mr.Baago inquired if a stop sign will be added onto 190th Street W at Everest Path.Planning Manager Wippler stated that would be worked out with final plat. Mr.Baggo is concerned about the location of the proposed trail and it flooding which would cut off access to the trail and the route to school.Planning Manager Wippler said there has been a floodplain study and the trail as proposed is completely outside of that floodplain area. Ms.Sheri Braegelmann, 19087 Everglade Path,has concerns with the current speed on 190th Street W.Placing a stop sign at 190th Street W and Everest Path would slow cars down before and after the intersection.Ms. Braehelmann also has concerns with turning northbound onto Pilot Knob Road from 190th Street and its current safety hazards.People are already driving through neighborhoods to the north to get to a stoplight to access northbound Pilot Knob Road,and the proposed development will increase traffic volumes in these neighborhoods as well.Turning left from Everest Path to 195th Street W to get to the roundabout is not a safe option either due to cross traffic and pedestrians.Ms.Braegelmann asked what a traffic control change may look like in the future especially with continual extension of 190th Street W to Flagstaff Avenue. Mr.Aaron Oden, 19474 Evening Star Way,discussed traffic on 195th Street W,especially during school times.The road is single lane currently with major backups already seen.Mr. Oden wanted to ensure that the traffic concerns and current patterns are being taken into consideration. Mr.Cory Spiegel, 19460 Evening Star Way,mentioned that there will be children walking on the road in front of people's driveways within the proposed development while those parents and kids are trying to get to work and school and the dangers associated with that when there is no specific path.Mr.Spiegel also mentioned that a park was proposed around 193rd Street W in the development and if it was placed there with a connection of walkways it would allow people to safely use the recreation areas without having to cross traffic or add to traffic. Ms. Pettis, 19468 Evening Star Way,inquired about the right-in,right-out access on 195th Street W and the planned safety measures for people on the trail crossing that intersection. Planning Manager Wippler stated it will be the same as all of our other trails which cross at intersections. Mr.Randy Oswald, 19282 Evenston Drive,inquired about the extension of 190th Street W and if the road would stop at the entrance,to this development.Mr. Oswald inquired about what it means that the developer will construct the extension of 190th Street W west of Everest Path which was not previously constructed and the city will reimburse the developer.Planning Manager Wippler stated for the portion of 190th Street W which needs to be constructed to reach the proposed development the city will provide reimbursement. Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 of 8 Regular Meeting June 14,2022 The developer will also need to provide half of the right of way for the remainder of 190th Street W to the creek as well as the city taking escrow to cover the costs for the construction of half the right of way and a quarter of the costs of the future creek crossing.Mr.Oswald inquired about the creek.In a few cases,someone has gone in and to re-meander the creeks so they are more of a natural aesthetic look.Since the creek is on the western boundary of this proposed development,will there be any re-meandering done or will it remain a ditch creek.Planning Manager Wippler stated that the county is interested in re-meandering and would want to do it with development in this area.Mr.Oswald also inquired if there are additional opportunities to speak on this development in the future.Planning Manager Wippler stated that people are welcome to speak to the City Council when they review the preliminary and final plats.The Planning Commission reviews final plats as a discussion item and not a public hearing but anyone can come to the meeting to discuss. Mr. Neng Lee, 19482 Evening Star Way,said there is sidewalk which terminates on 193rd Street W and having an addition of sidewalk or trail which follows 193rd Street W into this proposed development and down to the 195th Street W trail or the addition of trail on the east boundary of the development would help alleviate safety and traffic concerns.Right now the proposed development has kids crossing a street to connect to the sidewalks on the west side of the street in the future development.Mr.Lee asked about the safety precautions at the intersection when kids need to cross from 193rd Street W to access the sidewalk.Chair Rotty assumes that would be a controlled intersection with a stop sign.Mr. Lee also inquired if buses would use this development to drive through to get to 195th Street W.Mr.Lee inquired if there is an option for residents to sell a portion of their rear yard for the construction of a path.Chair Rotty confirmed it is possible,but those negotiations are not something the Planning Commission partakes in. Mr.John O'Reilly, 19280 Evenston Drive,asked about the zoning of this development area changing from R-1 to R-2.All of the current residential areas abutting this proposed development is R-1.Planning Manager Wippler clarified that the development land will remain R-1 zoning but will be a planned unit development(PUD).The average lot size being proposed is a little over 9,000 square feet and the minimum requirement of R-1 is 10,000 square foot,so on average the lots won't be significantly smaller than what is seen in the Troyhills development.Mr.O'Reilly stated that the east side of the proposed development is where it is proposed to be more densely developed.There will be two lots abutting his one lot and that type of density increase will cause additional traffic in the area.The west side of the development has significantly larger lots compared to what will be directly abutting current residents on the east.Mr.O'Reilly inquired about the development phases.Mr. Tucker stated it all depends on developers and builders and how many lots they can sell at a time and how many lots builders and developers can absorb at once.The phasing plan will be dialed in for final plat.Mr.Tucker stated that phase one infrastructure would ideally occur in summer 2022 and lots would become available in spring 2023.Mr.O'Reilly asked Mr.Tucker to make the lots along the east side of the development larger and place a trail which would lessen the impediment on so many people's back yard property. Mr.Ryan Bloom,Westwood Engineering explained that due to the grading difference in the proposed development they have tiering occurring which is why some of the lots have larger backyards.This can specifically be seen in the middle of the proposed development. This is why the depth of the lots have been chosen as they are proposed.This allows the avoidance of retaining walls and the inclusion of larger easements.Based on the current Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 of 8 Regular Meeting June 14,2022 grading plan,if a trail was constructed on the east side of the development as the residents are stating,it would require a retaining wall on the rear yard of the proposed lots. Mr. Bloom stated he would need to discuss any changes to sidewalks with the developer and city staff to address the needs of the Troyhill residents. Commissioner Tesky stated how the kids are getting to school today is already a safety concern.With this proposed development,the safety issue is not being created or worsened. There will be more traffic,but the developer is proposing sidewalk as required.The concern for safety already exists.Mrs. Carrin Spiegel, 19460 Evening Star Way,stated that right now the proposed development is an open field and kids use the field to access the sidewalk on 195th Street W.The property owners of this proposed development were accepting of kids using their field to get to school rather than walking on the street with no sidewalk. Commissioner Tesky stated the developer can look at moving the sidewalk to the east side of the proposed street so kids do not have to walk as far to get to a dedicated walkway. Commissioner Tesky inquired if the size of the lots could be made larger so it can meet the minimum of the R-1 zoning code. Commissioner Lehto asked for clarification on 195th Street W being a Dakota County Road. This makes the City of Farmington more limited on what we can do on this road since the county had to approve this access point. Commissioner Lehto thinks the development looks good and that the developer is willing to work with the city on alleviating any issues. Commissioner McAbee inquired about the right-in,right-out access for the development and if a turn lane would be installed.Planning Manager Wippler said that the developer will have to work with the county on the design on the right-in,right-out so there will likely have to be some type of turn lane,but the design is not finalized.Mr.Bloom stated that they have met with the county and will be proposing a right turn lane into the property as there is currently existing right-of-way to construct it into the project.There is also preliminary discussion with Dakota County on the design of a median to prevent traffic leaving the development turning left. Commissioner McAbee would like to see the developer rework the sidewalk plan and make it less dense on the east side and more direct access to a walkway.Commissioner McAbee would like to see the results of the traffic study which also occurred for this development. Mrs.Gina O'Reilly, 19280 Evenston Drive,stated that the letter they received said that this Planning Commission meeting was mainly to discuss the change from R-1 to R-2 for this property.She acknowledges the safety issues and agrees with them,but hasn't heard discussion about the zoning change and that it appears that decision is a done deal.Planning Manager Wippler outlined that a PUD is an overlay and the property would not be rezoned to R-2. Public comments were also received electronically from Ms.Joy Pearson, 5985 193rd Street W.Ms.Pearson is in support of the development occurring but with the proper safety conditions in place.Previous developments such as Vita Attiva required the developer to plan for and install proper roadways and locations of entrances/exits.The current preliminary plat for Meadowview Preserve shows the same issues as the Vita Attiva development in the early stages prior to approval.Ms.Pearson doesn't understand how the Planning Commission Minutes Page 7 of 8 Regular Meeting June 14,2022 City would allow a new developer to bypass the same requirements the city made the Vita Attiva developers comply with. MOTION by Lehto,second by Tesky to close the public hearing.APIF,MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Lehto,second by Tesky to recommend approval of the Meadowview Preserve Preliminary Plat and Planned Unit Development and forward that recommendation to the City Council.APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 4. DISCUSSION a) Fairhill Estate at North Creek 6th Addition M/I Homes of Minneapolis/St.Paul is proposing to plat 45 single-family lots within the Fairhill Estate at North Creek 6th Addition.The 45 lots are located at the southeast corner of the development at the intersection of Colonial Trail and Crystal Terrace and are the last remaining lots of the overall 244 single-family lots that were approved with the preliminary plat for this development. The average lot size within the 6th Addition is 8,897 square feet.The largest lot size is 17,167 square feet and the smallest lot size is 5,200 square feet.Additionally,the final plat contains one outlot which is a remnant.All right-of-way for Clearwater Loop,Colonial Trail, 194th Street,Crimson Way,and Crystal Terrace were platted as part of the 4th Addition.All remaining roads,sanitary sewer,water,and storm sewer for this development were constructed and installed with the 4th and 5th Additions. The applicant,M/I Homes,was not present.Commissioner Tesky,Lehto,and McAbee had no questions. MOTION by McAbee,second by Lehto to recommend approval of Fairhill Estate at North Creek 6th Addition contingent upon a development contract being executed and security fees and costs shall be paid and forward that recommendation to the City Council.APIF, MOTION CARRIED. b)Great Oaks Academy Addition Final Plat The applicant,Farmington 115,LLC,has requested to withdraw this application for further review. MOTION by Tesky,second by Lehto to withdraw the Great Oaks Academy Addition Final Plat.APIF,MOTION CARRIED. S. ADJOURN MOTION by McAbee,second by Tesky to adjourn at 9:05 p.m.APIF,MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, Kalley Swift Community Development Specialist Planning Commission Minutes Page 8 of 8 Regular Meeting June 14,2022