PC-05-04-10
CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
TUESDAY, 4 MAY 2010 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Geng called the meeting to order at 7:06 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Geng; Commissioners, Ruoff, Vilett, Davis, Hasek, and Hutchins; Planning Director
Nielsen; and Council Liaison Turgeon
Absent: Commissioner Arnst
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Director Nielsen requested that Agenda Item No. 3, Mixed-Use Regulations, be postponed until after the
Commission has met with the landowners regarding Smithtown Crossing.
Ruoff moved, Hutchins seconded, Approving the Planning Commission Meeting Agenda of May 4,
2010 as amended to postpone Item No. 3. Motion passed 6/0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
April 20, 2010
Davis moved, Hasek seconded, Approving the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of April 20,
2010 as presented. Motion passed 6/0.
1. 7:00 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING – CODE AMENDMENT REGARDING POLITICAL
CAMPAIGN SIGNS
Director Nielsen explained that the State has changed the rules governing campaign signs, and now
allows them to be displayed 46 days prior to the State Primary Election and 10 days following the general
election. The current City Zoning Code states that campaign signs may be permitted 100 days prior to
and 10 days after an election. The new law only effects sign display during a general election campaign
and is considered a housekeeping matter.
Seeing no one present to comment on the matter, Chair Geng opened and closed the Public Testimony
portion of the Public Hearing at 7:10 P.M.
In response to a question from Commission Hasek, Director Nielsen stated that campaign signs are not
allowed on public property, and when on private property with the consent of the property owner, are
subject to a 10-foot setback from the street surface.
Hasek moved, Vilett seconded, to recommend approval of the Zoning Code Amendment for
Campaign Signs. Motion passed 6/0.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
4 May 2010
Page 2 of 3
2. SMITHTOWN CROSSING – VISION STATEMENT
Commissioner Davis said she thought the Statement as drafted by Director Nielsen was great. The rest of the
Commission agreed.
Commissioner Vilett said she thinks it is important to be clear that the City is not trying to dictate anything to
the landowners; it is just trying to work with them. Commissioner Hasek said it is also important to provide
clarity to be sure everything is understood by all parties.
The Commission discussed the format for the meeting, deciding that keeping things as informal as possible
while still maintaining order would work best.
Commissioner Ruoff suggested including a slideshow of photos of commercial business examples.
.
3. MIXED-USE REGULATIONS
This item was postponed to a later date.
4. DISCUSS LIFE-CYCLE HOUSING
Director Nielsen stated that there are three phases of elderly housing: Independent Living, Care Facilities,
and Assisted Living. He said that the Code does not currently allow senior housing in commercial zoning
districts, but perhaps the Code should allow it in mixed-use development. He said density may not be a factor
for care facilities or assisted living, but for independent senior housing, should the density be allowed higher
than the current 10 units per acre?
Commissioner Davis provided information from the Senior Co-op Housing Federation. She said Minnesota is
the leader in co-op housing and there is still a long waiting list.
Commissioner Hutchins said co-ops are owner-occupied apartments with a Homeowner’s Association and
Board of Directors, in-house services such as dining, salons, community rooms, etc. Typically the residents
are still driving their cars, and also need storage room since they are usually down-sizing.
Commissioner Hasek said it sounds like traffic will still be an issue with independent senior housing.
Commissioner Vilett said it would be useful to know what segment of the Shorewood population would stay
in Shorewood if the proper facilities were available.
Director Nielsen said he will try to find traffic studies for the different types of senior housing facilities, as
well as other demographics, in order to consider density allowance.
5. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
None.
6. NEW BUSINESS
None.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
4 May 2010
Page 3 of 3
7. DRAFT NEXT MEETING AGENDA
th
The Agenda for the May 18 meeting will include a public hearing for new batting cages in Freeman
Park; Smithtown Crossing landowners meeting; discuss mixed-use – time permitting.
8. REPORTS
• Liaison to Council
Commissioner Vilett reported on items discussed and actions taken by the City Council at their meeting
of April 26, 2010, including that the Council did not accept the Commission’s recommendation regarding
the final revisions to Chapter 201 (By-laws), nor did they take action on adopting a system for Zoning
Permits.
• SLUC
None.
• Other
None.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Vilett moved, Davis seconded, Adjourning the Planning Commission Meeting of May 4, 2010 at
8:15 P.M. Motion passed 6/0.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Patti Helgesen, Recorder