PC-01-15-13
CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2013 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Geng called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Geng; Commissioners Charbonnet, Davis and Hutchins; Council Liaison Siakel;
and Planning Director Nielsen
Absent: Commissioners Garelick and Muehlberg
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Director Nielsen asked that Item 2 be removed from the agenda. The discussion about zoning permits
occurred during the Planning Commission’s November 20, 2012, meeting. He explained Staff is going to
draft an ordinance and a public hearing will be held on the ordinance during the Planning Commissions
February 5, 2013, meeting.
Hutchins moved, Davis seconded, approving the agenda for January 15, 2013, as amended. Motion
passed 4/0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
December 4, 2012
Chair Geng noted that the action taken on Ashland Woods Final Plat was missing from the minutes of the
December 4, 2012, Planning Commission meeting.
Hutchins moved, Charbonnet seconded, tabling the approval of the Planning Commission Meeting
Minutes of December 4, 2012, to the February 5, 2013, meeting. Motion passed 4/0.
1. MINOR SUBDIVISION
Applicants: Thomas Wartman
Location: 26985 Edgewood Road
Director Nielsen noted Tom Wartman, the applicant, could not be present this evening for the discussion
about his request for a minor subdivision of his property located at 26985 Edgewood Road. He clarified
that this minor subdivision does not require a public hearing.
Director Nielsen explained Mr. Wartman has requested approval of a minor subdivision, splitting the
property into two single-family lots. The property is located in the R-1A/S, Single-Family
Residential/Shoreland district. The property contains 88,202 square feet of area. Each lot will contain
44,125 feet of area which is in excess of what the R1-A district requires. They will both be 125 feet wide.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
January 15, 2013
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The land is characterized by an elevated knoll on its west side, dropping 11 feet to a lower area on the east
side of the lot.
There are already drainage and utility easements around the perimeter of the property. The applicant is
proposing 10-foot-wide drainage and utility easements along each side of the new lot line. That is
consistent with the City’s Zoning Ordinance. City records indicate the property is only served with one
sewer connection. There is a manhole located in front of the easterly property which will allow for an
easy connection to the sewer system when a house is built on the easterly property. There is a low spot on
the northerly portion of the new easterly lot that may require some fill. The applicant has been advised
that if more than 100 cubic yards is required the applicant will have to get a conditional use permit prior
to the construction of the home.
Nielsen noted that based on the analysis of this case Staff recommends approval of the minor subdivision
subject to the following.
1. The applicant must provide deeds for drainage and utility easements, 10 feet wide along each side
of the new lot line.
2. The applicant must provide an up-to-date (within 30 days) title opinion for review by the City
Attorney.
3. Prior to release of the resolution approving the request, the applicant must pay park dedication
fees ($5000 per lot) and one local sanitary sewer access charge ($1200).
4. Since the division itself does not result in the removal of any trees from the property, tree
preservation and reforestation can be addressed at the time building permits are applied for.
5. Once the applicant receives the resolution approving the subdivision, he must record it and the
easement deeds within 30 days.
Commissioner Hutchins stated the on-site signage advertises one lot will be 120 feet wide and the other
will be 130 feet wide. Director Nielsen explained the subdivision drawing submitted indicates they will
both be approximately 125 feet wide. Hutchins asked if that was a result of discussion the applicant had
with the City.
Davis moved, Hutchins seconded, recommending approval of a minor subdivision for Tom
Wartman for his property located at 26985 Edgewood Road and clarifying that there will be a
sanitary sewer connection charge in the amount of $1200 for the new easterly lot only. Motion
passed 4/0.
Chair Geng noted that this item will be placed on the January 28, 2013, City Council meeting agenda.
2. ZONING CODE DISCUSSION – GENERAL PROVISIONS
Zoning Permits
This item was removed from the agenda at Director Nielsen’s request.
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January 15, 2013
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3. 2013 WORK PROGRAM
Director Nielsen noted the Planning Commission had been provided with a revised memorandum about
the Planning Commission’s 2013 work program. He stated that once there is some consensus about when
the various tasks should be worked on he will put that work program information in chart layout form. He
noted Council would like the work program to indicate at what points along the way of each project work
products will be generated. He encouraged the Commission to recommend items to be added to the list
that they deem appropriate.
Nielsen reviewed his list of items in the work program and explained each one briefly.
Update Trail Implementation Process – begin discussion in February – The process laid out in
Comprehensive (Comp) Plan is not exactly the one used to date for the Smithtown West trail
project. For example, the Comp Plan does not include holding an open house. That was done for
the Smithtown West project and it went very well. The trail walk portion needs to be updated to
better reflect what the intent of it is.
Zoning / Wrap up General Provisions – complete in February
Noise Ordinance – discuss again in February
Trail Plan / Galpin Lake Road Trail – March
Trail Plan / Mill Street Trail – March. The City of Excelsior has applied for grant funds for a
feasibility study for the section of the Trail that would be located in Excelsior. Excelsior asked if
Shorewood wanted to participate in a coordinated effort.
Zoning / Wind Generators – April
Comprehensive Plan/Zoning: Housing for people over 55 years of age – May – the City’s
regulations need to be updated.
Smithtown Crossing – What is next? – June
Planning District 6 – July – do another study
Zoning: Review residential zoning districts – August through December
Annual variance discussion
Chair Geng asked if the Planning Commission should review the subject of sustainability. Director
Nielsen stated he would add a task to review the status of that.
Director Nielsen stated that with regard to the noise issue near Hillendale Road he anticipates that one
way or the other the Planning Commission is going to be involved in trying to find some solution to that.
He is not sure if it will take the form of a zoning solution or a nuisance solution. A noise ordinance will
not be the solution. Chair Geng stated it may be worth checking with Michael Couri, the attorney who
presented during the Planning & Zoning Workshop on January 12, because Mr. Couri had told him he
was aware of another unit of government that had a similar nuisance problem. That unit of government
addressed it in its ordinance going forward and in its nuisance regulations. It may be useful for the
Planning Commission to review how that unit of government addressed it.
Nielsen stated an individual who mentored him earlier in his career owns land out in Cokato and the
property owners next to that individual’s property built a motor cycle track. His friend did a lot of
research into what could be done. Nielsen noted he planned on talking to his friend. He explained that
based on his research the issue near Hillendale Road is not a unique problem. The owner of the nuisance
property near Hillendale Road has not built a physical track; but, people ride their recreational vehicles all
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January 15, 2013
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over that property. He noted the City Attorney has reached out to some of his colleagues to see if they are
aware of similar issues and if so how they were solved.
Commissioner Davis stated kids of all ages are riding recreational motorized things on streets in the City.
This is not just an issue in yards.
Commissioner Hutchins stated on Tom Wartman’s property there were tire tracks on the back of the
property that went on to neighboring properties as well.
Director Nielsen commented there used to be demolition derbies around Marsh Point.
Commissioner Hutchins suggested the Planning Commission decide what to do next about the Smithtown
Crossing Work Program item sooner versus later. He stated even though there is some development going
on there are not a lot of development dollars available. He then stated the sooner developers are aware of
the potential development opportunity there the better. He suggested there be some proactive
communication about it.
Director Nielsen stated he will have the Work Program laid out in a chart form for the February meeting.
In addition to that chart he will provide the Planning Commission with a calendar showing the meeting
dates.
There was Planning Commission consensus to continue to have just one meeting a month, and that if the
first Tuesday of the month is the day after a holiday then the meeting will be held on the third Tuesday of
the month.
4. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
None.
5. OLD BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS
Commissioner Davis stated the Arctic Fever event is scheduled for the upcoming weekend. She noted a
new activity this year is snow sculpting as is kite-boarding. She explained Channel 4 news will broadcast
live from the sculpture garden in Badger Park at 5:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. on January 18, 2013. Also,
Kelley Casey and his crew from Minnesota Big Snow are going to carve all day on January 18. Mr. Casey
and crew took second place in China last year. Mr. Casey stated he will assist other people with their
sculpting.
Director Nielsen stated Public Works personnel made 21 blocks to carve, and that they did a nice job.
6. DRAFT NEXT MEETING AGENDA
Director Nielsen stated during the February 5, 2013, Planning Commission meeting the three items on the
Work Program for February will be discussed. They include updating the trail implementation process,
finishing the review of the general provisions section of the zoning code, and continued discussion of the
noise ordinance.
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January 15, 2013
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7. REPORTS
• Liaison to Council
Commissioner Hutchins reported on matters considered and actions taken during the December 10, 2012,
City Council meeting (as detailed in the minutes of that meeting). Council Liaison Siakel elaborated on
Council’s discussion about establishing a group to talk about issues related to aging in the City which was
discussed during it January 14, 2013, meeting. Chair Geng reported on other matters considered and
actions taken during the January 14 City Council meeting (as detailed in the minutes of that meeting).
During the meeting it was noted that Greenwood Mayor Kind has communicated to those people who
attended the Planning & Zoning Workshop, which Greenwood hosted on January 12, asking if they would
be interested in attending a similar workshop later during the year that would deal with more advanced
topics.
• SLUC
Director Nielsen noted that he and Commissioner Davis are going to attend the Sensible Land Use
Coalition program in January. Davis noted it will be about placemaking.
• Other
None.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Davis moved, Hutchins seconded, Adjourning the Planning Commission Meeting of January 15,
2013, at 7:45 P.M. Motion passed 4/0.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Christine Freeman, Recorder