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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.29.93 Special Council Minutes <~6 MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING SPECIAL MARCH 29, 1993 1. Mayor Kuchera called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. at the Dakota Electric Association lunchroom. Members Present: Kuchera, Ristow, Orr, Rotty, Galler. Members Absent: None. Also Present: Administrator Thompson, Planner Tooker. 2. Mayor Kuchera opened a public hearing at 7:00 P.M. to consider the proposed East Farmington PUD schematic plan which would rezone the proposed property from R-l and R-3 to PUD (R-2). Mayor Kuchera presented an opening statement, noting the Planning Commission had recommended approving the schematic plan of the PUD. Developer Rod Hardy presented an overview of the project noting: a. 500 single family units, b. 120 unit congregate care facility, c. Alzheimer's care unit, d. water table and drainage system, e. lot layouts and design, f. housing styles. The following comments were heard: Laura Adelmann: The ditch is going right through my property. Who is going to pay for it and how will it affect my property? Rod Hardy: The City is in the process of designing the project, but I can't tell you what the final design would be. Cm. Galler: The VRWMC is the controlling body which is presently looking at the project. Bill Kaufman: You can't move the water with the river at its present level. We don't need a bigger problem. Cm. Galler: That is the biggest issue. Bill Kaufman: This problem should be resolved before the project goes ahead. Do you have any hold ponds in the project? Yes. In the north and south boulevard. Mary MacEnany: Rod Hardy: 46 Council Minutes - 3/29/93 - Page 2 Mary MacEnany: Rod Hardy: We don't need any additional water. We are required by law to drain the project area. We have to create a solution. Al Schurtz: You are hoping to break ground in the Fall? How can you do that? Rod Hardy: That is conditioned upon the City completing its study. The work (study) has to be carried out. Al Schurtz: When is the project considered a go? Rod Hardy: First is zoning, which we are doing now. Next is the preliminary plat. Then we need a development agreement. Also the City has to be in a position to construct the water way. Cm. Galler: (Listed concerns in Planner memo). The City has to be proceeds and the developer has before he is willing to commit Tooker's 2/18/93 comfortable with to have some additional money the project before it preliminary approvals to the project. Laura Adelman: Flat land won't move water. on your site. Keep the water Greg Adelman: You made Wausau add a pond. pond through it? Now you run a Cm. Galler: That took place when Wausau was in Empire Township. Rod Hardy: The issue is that the water has to be moved in order to serve the City. The issue I don't want to belittle the water issue, but I work with the City to resolve this issue. tonight is zoning. would invite you to Joy Eldred: In 1985 we were promised something would happen. How active is the VRWMC at this time? Adm. Thompson: The City is committed to address this problem with or without the East Farmington PUD project. The City expects the VRWMC to conceptually approve the project at its April meeting. Joy Eldred: located? I hope you keep Henderson residents in mind. Where are the townhomes and apartments Council Minutes - 3/29/93 - Page 3 :1~) Rod Hardy: (denotes location) Just so you are aware that we need to do a lot more engineering if we receive approval. We will know the footprints of the townhomes once we compile the engineering. Linda Tabaka: Will they be one or two story? Rod Hardy: I'm not sure; probably two story. Also, the proposed office complex south of Budget Mart would be changed to "garden" apartments. Joy Eldred: Why are you backing up apartments to the Henderson Addition? Rod Hardy: We are backing up single families to Henderson. Pat Akin: Read a Statement. Issues: a. Highway 3 - No one at MnDOT is aware of it. Will Spruce Street exchange Walnut Street intersection? How many entrances will be allowed on TH 3? b. East Farmington is a poor choice for a name. c. Drainage Ditch - We are not sold that the drainage ditch will solve the problems. d. Why so many lots? e. TIF - Has Council looked at the TIF proposal or obtained a legal opinion? f. Tot Lots - Do you believe that homeowners will maintain the lots? g. What experience has the U of M had designing drainage projects? h. Council should address: - Documented proof of MnDOT's concurrence. - Who pays for ditch. - Is there assurance from Empire that they will go along with the annexation? - TIF - Yes or No. - Only 25% of lots should be 60' lots. - 5 Year CIP should be developed which addresses growth. - Put a one year moratorium on new plats. George Betzold: table. Only one way to chemicals. If you want Who determines the water table elevation? You will be substantially below the water maintain the waterway and that is with to get rid of water, put it in a pipe. 50 Council Minutes - 3/29/93 - Page 4 John Hed: I live at the Spruce Street entrance to this plat. I would like to know when I'm supposed to move? I was told that if I didn't deal with Sienna, the City would condemn. I set a high price to make a profit. Will the City interfere with my negotiations? Lois Carey: What is the status of eliminating Townsedge Shopping Center? Adm. Thompson: The two proposals are not tied together. Bill Kaufman: Is the City considering tearing down the shopping center? Why would you want to do that? Joy Eldred: What is the status of the ditch project? Adm. Thompson: The City has approached the VRWMC, which is going to consider the project at its next meeting. The City is committed to working with the VRWMC to complete the project. Bill Carey: The Council is going to go ahead with the Southeast Area Stormwater Project? Mayor Kuchera: Yes. Bill Carey: Who is going to pay for that? Laura Adelman: You mean the ditch is a done deal? Rod Hardy: No. The project has to be first ordered and designed. What has been stated is the Council is committed to move ahead with this project. Gary Cameron: Regarding the ditch, if Farmington East is developed, how much would they pay for managing the water? Adm. Thompson: Janet Mosely: Approximately $600,000. Where are we going to put the kids? Mary MacEnany: Who determines where the holding ponds are built? Rod Hardy: We propose and the City approves. Bill Kaufman: Are there going to be any basements? Rod Hardy: Only half basements. Mary MacEnany: Do you feel you have an obligation to protect existing homeowners? Council MinuteR - 3/29/93 - PaqA 5 ;::;'1 "j' -A Mayor Kuchera: Yes. The developer does too. Ray Nicolai: Don't believe everything you hear from engineers. Dan Morris: I will also lose my home to this project. Growth is inevitable. ,What I keep hearing is that you are going to have a water problem with or without this project and that this project will only help the area. With no change comes a slow death. The 500 homes would help local businesses. If I were a businessman, I would be appalled that the Council isn't jumping on this project. I would like to know if and when this project will go ahead so I can get on with my life. It is not a workable tax burden. Make it better than what has Adequate preparation and plans have not taken place. MnDOT doesn't know about the project. plan. Density is too high. It will add to the a good, healthy growth project. We deserve been shown. Mary Christensen: Greg Adelman: What is my land worth? John Hed: I haven't found one existing block in town with 16 houses on it. Pat Akin: I am not picking on the Council. I would like to thank the Council for its consideration. Administrator Thompson read a letter from Robert and Florence Frankhouser. Nancy Becker: We do not have City sewer. Would we be required to pay for the sewer? Rod Hardy: We are not obligated to provide sewer to your property. Eng. Kaldunski: It would be available to serve you, but would not be ordered as part of the project. It would have to be petitioned by the property owners. Laura Adelman: Will any properties be rental? Rod Hardy: Single family will be owner occupied. Some of the apartments would be rental. Laura Adelman: Is there a church proposed? Rod Hardy: Possibly in the hospital area. Laura Adelman: Will 213th Street be paved? 52 Council Minutes - 3/29/93 - Page 6 Mayor Kuchera: That's up to the County and Town Board. Joy Eldred: Will sanitary sewers still have to be pumped? Eng. Kaldunski: We will hopefully eliminate that problem. Joy Eldred: will that be a cost to Henderson residents? Eng. Kaldunski: I'm not sure, but I believe it would be a function of benefit to the property. It difficult to prove individual benefit to Henderson exists and it would mainly be a trunk line. would probably be since the service Lois Carey: I'm not opposed to high density housing. A lot of retired people want smaller lots and townhouses. Willard Barnett: Road 31 and Highway 50. You are going to make Spruce Street the main thoroughfare and put in commercial at County Cm. Galler: It was mentioned at a Council/Planning Commission meeting, but no formal action was taken. It was also mentioned at an HRA meeting. Mary MacEnany: What effect does the zoning have? Adm. Thompson: PUD virtually locks the developer into the proposed schematic plan. The density is approximately 3 units per acre. Mary MacEnany: This is going to change the feel of the whole community because of the small lots. Arvin Kuglin: Where are you going to put the cars? Where are you going to put the snow? Mayor Kuchera: Have you built similar developments? Rod Hardy: 60 foot lots in Southcross Heights and on Lac Lavon we have 50 foot lots. Visiting parking will only be allowed on one side. Also, the value of these homes will be in the $90 and $100 thousand range. What I'm hearing is that you don't want additional people. Pat Akin: Throughout the 7 County metro area all cities want to go to larger lots. I've checked with other cities and they rate you about a 2.5 on a scale to 10. Rod Hardy: I'm in the business. Bob Nerud: I'm going to have swamps put in on either side of my house. 6;3 Council Minutes - 3/29/93 - Page 7 Shirley Woods: What would be wrong with having smaller and larger lots? Rod Hardy: You can buy 2 lots and build one house or buy three lots and build two. You also have to I am in the business every day so I take the comments that we haven't looked at the look at the market. exception to some of market. Mary MacEnany: If zoning is approved, will our schools be able to accommodate the kids? Adm. Thompson: The School Superintendent and School Board Chair were involved in the planning. Mary MacEnany: R-l and R-3 - what does it cover? Adm. Thompson: R-l Low Density - 10,000 square feet; R-3 High Density - 18 units per acre. Pat Akin: Why R-2 zoning under the PUD? Adm. Thompson: To accommodate the 6,000 square foot lots. Will Barnett: This is going to impact the schools. Will they be held to the same lot coverage densities as in other areas? Cm. Rotty: Yes. Ferro pellicci: Do you have a price per lot? Rod Hardy: $22,000 more or less. Mike Devney: What is the fall from the plat to the river? Eng. Kaldunski: I'm not sure. Arvin Kuglin: 30% of the lots can be covered by buildings? Planner Tooker: Yes. Mike Devney: Eng. Kaldunski: Will SCS be involved? Yes. Roger Wood: I am against it because of lot size. 3. MOTION by Rotty, second by Ristow to continue the public hearing to the next regular meeting, AprilS, 1993 at 7:30 P.M.. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 54 Council Minutes - 3/29/93 - Page 8 4. MOTION by Orr, second by Ristow to adjourn at 9:35 P.M.. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, /i7 ~r'" Larry Thompson City Administrator Approved , I J; / I F ; 1'(5/ q i!J 1