Planning Commission Minutes

May 3, 2007 - 7:00 p.m.

City Hall Council Chambers

1. Call to Order and Flag Pledge.

Commission Chair Vince Johnson called the meeting to order.

2. Roll Call.

Chair Vince Johnson and Commissioners Randy Dahlheimer, Steve Fowler, Bob O’Brien, and Kevin Faulds were present as was City Council Liaison Scott Hoke, City Planner Erin Stwora, Assistant City Planner Mike Elhard and City Engineer Mark Hanson.

3. Approval of the Agenda.

The agenda was approved by consensus.

4. Open Forum.

Chair Johnson opened the open forum.

No one came forward for open forum.

Chair Johnson closed the open forum.

5. City Council Update.

Council Liaison Hoke provided the update.

6. Consent Agenda.

A. Approval of the April 5, 2007 Planning Commission meeting minutes.

Motion to approve by Chair Johnson, second by Commissioner Dahlheimer, All ayes.

7. Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES)

Assistant City Planner Mike Elhard presented an overview of the MCES subdivision of one lot located at 12900 Zachary Circle North into two lots and rezoning the subdivided property from R-1 to R-E to accommodate the installation of the MCES meter station.

Council Liaison Hoke questioned what other uses could be used in the R-E zone. Planner Stwora and Engineer Hanson stated a well or water tower could also be accommodated in the R-E zone. Council Liaison Hoke questioned if 5,000 square feet would be large enough to accommodate a water tower. Engineer Hanson stated a water tower would require one acre. Planner Stwora suggested revising the R-E zone to a 1 acre maximum.

Commissioner Fowler questioned if the pictures shown would be similar. Assistant Planner Elhard stated the differences in the pictures provided and what would be constructed at the site.

Commissioner Fowler questioned if there were security issues. Planner Stwora explained the meter stations are located throughout the seven county metropolitan area.

Chair Johnson questioned if screening or landscaping would be required. Planner Stwora stated they are not typically screened or landscaped.

Motion to approve by Chair Johnson, second by Commissioner Faulds, all ayes.

8. Platinum Development – Crow River Bluffs Concept Plan Review

Planner Stwora presented an overview seeking general comments on the Crow River Bluffs Concept Plan.

Commissioner O’Brien questioned the zoning of the property. Planner Stwora stated the property is currently zoned agriculture and would need to be rezoned. Planner Stwora stated the property is guided for medium density housing. Commissioner O’Brien questioned if the driveways meet the required setbacks. Planner Stwora stated a Planned Unit Development (PUD) would be required. Commissioner O’Brien questioned if parking would be on the street. Planner Stwora stated parking would be provided by guest parking areas. Planner Stwora stated areas have been included for future roads going North and South. Commissioner Fowler questioned the number of access points allowed into the development. Engineer Hanson stated the county allows one access per quarter mile. Commissioner O’Brien stated he preferred an access for emergency vehicles if the main access would be blocked.

Commissioner O’Brien questioned the facade of each unit. Steve Boynton of Platinum Development stated the intent would be to create craftsman style single family homes with differing styles and colors and the attached units would have differing exterior colors. Commissioner Fowler questioned the single family lot frontage. Boynton stated the lots have 65 foot frontage. Planner Stwora stated it would be an opportunity for Dayton to sell homes around $400,000-$500,000. Boynton stated the attached units would sell between $250,000-$300,000. Commissioner Fowler stated the density seemed packed in. Boynton stated the area is guided for 9-12 units/acre. Boynton stated the density of the area is 2.2 units/acre.

Chair Johnson questioned where public utilities would be extended from. Engineer Hanson stated water and sewer service would be extended from the Historic Village. Commissioner O’Brien questioned if Otsego would allow enough capacity for development. Engineer Hanson stated the current capacity from Otsego would allow development and additional capacity is available.

Commissioner Faulds stated he would like the attached units to have additional character added to the exterior. Planner Stwora stated the developer is aware of the city’s desire for four-sided architecture. Presenter stated the rear of the property creates an opportunity for additional architectural features facing the pond and Brockton Lane.

Commissioner Dahlheimer stated the development is important because of its location at the edge of town and the first development in the area. Planner Stwora and Property owner Tom Bernard agreed. Planner Stwora stated it presents an opportunity for the city to build a development with a lot of character.

Motion to move forward with preliminary plat by Commissioner O’Brien, second by Chair Johnson, all ayes.

Commissioner Faulds called for any additional comments. Planner Stwora stated the project needs additional work but is a good start and the developer is responsive to the planning commission.

Chair Johnson questioned how far utilities would need to be extended. Engineer Hanson stated the extension would be approximately 1,000 feet. Chair Johnson questioned who would pay for the utilities. Engineer Hanson stated the developer would pay for the utilities. Planner Stwora stated the development also pays their share of future sewer use, transportation upgrades, and water tower construction. Council Liaison Hoke questioned how long it would take for service to be extended to the proposed development. Planner Stwora and Engineer Hanson stated services could be there by spring 2008.

9. New Business.

Future and Continued Planning Commission Agenda Items.

10. Staff Notices and Announcements.

A. The City Council meetings at which the above items may be considered will be held on May 22, 2007.

B. The next Planning Commission meeting will be held on June 7, 2007.

11. Adjourn.

Motion to adjourn was made by Dahlheimer, seconded by Faulds. Ayes: All.