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040307 pl mn . . . CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, 3 APRIL 2007 COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD 7:00 P.M. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chair Schmitt called the meeting to order at 7:02 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Schmitt; Commissioners Gagne, Geng, Gniffke, Hutchins, Meyer, and Ruoff (arrived at 7:03 P.M.); Planning Director Nielsen; and Council Liaison Wellens Absent: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES · 6 March 2007 Meyer moved, Hutchins seconded, Approving the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of 6 March 2007 as presented. Motion passed 5/0/1 with Gagne abstaining due to his absence at the meeting. Commissioner Ruoff arrived at 7:03 P.M. 1. DISCUSS PLANNING DISTRICT 6 Director Nielsen stated the meeting this evening would be a brainstorming discussion regarding commercial redevelopment potential of Planning District 6 in the City's Comprehensive Plan as well as the commercial properties located on the south side of County Road 19 across from Planning District 6. That combined area included the following commercial sites: 1) the Shorewood Yacht Club (SYC); 2) the Minnetonka Portable Dredging Company; 3) the South Lake Office Building; the Garden Patch Nursery; and 5) the property between the South Lake Office Building and the Garden Patch Nursery (the old Crepeau Dock location which was owned by the same individual who owned the Garden Patch Nursery). Nielsen commented that discussion of redevelopment possibilities for the SYC property began in 2005 when the SYC was put up for sale. He stated the current use of the SYC property was consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and with the L-R (Lake shore Residential) zoning of the property. All developers that were interested in the SYC property were also interested in the Minnetonka Portable Dredging Company property, which was not for sale. Redevelopment discussions basically ceased once the SYC had been purchased by the current owners. Nielsen reviewed the physical characteristics of Planning District 6 as well as the surrounding land use and the zoning for the properties discussed. He then reviewed the issues associated with the commercial properties located in that area. Nielsen stated the City had denied the previous SYC owner's application for increased powerboat docking. Part of the reason for the denial was because the number of slips to be used by powerboats was not specified; therefore, the owners could have designated that all 117 slips could be used by powerboats. CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 3 April 2007 Page 2 of 5 . The City had cited the impact powerboats would have on Lake Minnetonka. He clarified that LMCD was only concerned with the amount of shoreline and boat units; it made no difference if the boats were sailboats or powerboats. In response to a question from Chair Schmitt, Director Nielsen explained that the R-C, Residential Commercial, District was intended to transition from lower intensity uses to higher intensity uses; the South Lake Office Building property was zoned R-C. Nielsen also explained the C-4 District (has since been renamed to C-2) was also a specialized district that was established to address existing industrial uses in that area; the Minnetonka Portable Dredging Company, the Garden Patch Nursery, and the old Crepeau Dock property were all in the C-4 District. Nielsen stated there may be a time when the C-4 District could be eliminated and maybe the direction to eliminate the district should be stated in the Comprehensive Plan. Nielsen stated the Planning Commission needed to determine when it would be appropriate for those commercial property owners to come before the Commission to discuss what visions they may have with regard to redevelopment of the area. Nielsen expanded on the fact that the SYC and the Minnetonka Portable Dredging Company both had access issues. Currently both properties butted against West Lake Street right-of-way. West Lake Street served a residential neighborhood in Excelsior, but the portion of West Lake Street that could provide access into Shorewood was blocked off (but not vacated). Both of the companies currently use a driveway off of County Road 19; the driveway crosses over the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority (HCRRA) LRT Trail, and it is there by license from HCRRA. The HCRRA could revoke the license at its discretion. Access to the properties would then have to come from West Lake Street, which would require the City to prepare a compelling case to reopen the street. . In response to a question from Commissioner Ruoff, Director Nielsen explained that the wetland portion of the SYC could not be filled in based on the City's current regulations. He also explained there were provisions for altering wetlands in certain instances; but the amount of wetland required to be put back would be twice the size of the fill area. In response to a question from Commissioner Gniffke, Director Nielsen stated he did not foresee the existing LRT Trail being used for light rail; and the HCRRA had no plan to give up its right-of-way. Chair Schmitt stated the 2040 plan for light rail did not indicate that there would be light rail on that LRT Trail. In response to another question from Gniffke, Nielsen stated the SYC and Dredging Company properties could be suitable for a Planned Unit Development (P.U.D.). Commissioner Geng questioned if the LRT Trail would be wide enough at the narrow point (south of the SYC and the Minnetonka Portable Dredging Company) for light rail. Geng then questioned if there was a way for the City to secure the driveway access from County Road 19 across the LRT Trail. Director Nielsen stated the City may want to participate in discussions with regard to making that a permanent access. In response to a question from Commissioner Ruoff, Director Nielsen stated that Site 2 on the SYC property (the small northwest parcel of land) would not be large enough for residential development. . Chair Schmitt suggested that as part of the land use planning effort, both the SYC and Minnetonka Portable Dredging Company properties be rezoned such that they were both zoned the same; the current uses would be grandfathered in. He stated he could not foresee any possible redevelopment possibilities for the SYC wetland area 10cated south of the LRT Trail. He also stated it was his understanding that a CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 3 April 2007 Page 3 of5 . public entity could not deny access to private property. He also suggested that the zoning for the commercial properties located south of County Road 19 be some type of transitional zoning, and that the properties be zoned the same. In response to a question from Chair Schmitt, Director Nielsen explained the L-R, Lakeshore Residential, Zoning District was intended to address the existing multiple dock facilities (the SYC and Howard's Point Marina) and to create standards for that zoning district. The district was fairly flexible, and the district accepted existing deficiencies. The L-R District was not intended to be expanded. Director Nielsen stated the Garden Patch Nursery and the old Crepeau Dock properties could possible be rezoned to R-C, Residential Commercial, and that would make their zoning the same as the South Lake Office Building property. To rezone those two properties for higher intensity uses would depend on County Road 19 access and the site soil correction; he did not think it would be inappropriate to rezone the properties for higher intensity uses. Director Nielsen noted that the Comprehensive Plan addressed both the SYC and Howard's Point Marina as being properties where non-lake shore owners can have access to Lake Minnetonka. Also, the Minnetonka Portable Dredging Company served a valuable purpose, and it was the only company on the Lake that provided that type of service. . In response to a comment from Commissioner Gagne, Director Nielsen explained the South Lake Office Building property served as a transition property between a residential area and the Excelsior commercial properties. He did not foresee the Garden Patch Nursery and the old Crepeau Dock properties being considered for single-family residential redevelopment, nor did he foresee the properties being zoned for high intensity uses because of the small size of the combined properties. Chair Schmitt stated the properties could be relegated for office use or possibly a 30-unit apartment. Director Nielsen questioned the Commissioners about their perspectives on rezoning the two commercial properties to C-1 (formerly known as C-3); the C-1 District was the most liberal district with regard to land uses. Chair Schmitt stated he did not envision developing the properties for retail use; it would not be adjacent to any other retail development. He suggested the properties be rezoned to be similar to the South Lake Office Building and Excelsior commercial properties. To rezone the properties to R-C would be appropriate. Director Nielsen stated that the suggested direction for use of the SYC and Minnetonka Portable Dredging Company properties and the commercial properties south of County Road 19 should be stated in the Comprehensive Plan. He noted that the County Road 19 Corridor Study addressed the aesthetics desired for the road. Therefore, the Comprehensive Plan should state that any development adjacent to County Road 19 should be consistent with the Corridor Study. Also, the Comprehensive Plan should list the issues for all of the discussed properties that must be resolved. The Plan should recommend that the SYC and Dredging Company properties be developed as one property, and the Garden Patch Nursery and old Crepeau properties be developed as one property; although the City could not force that to happen. Nielsen stated for the SYC and Minnetonka Portable Dredging Company properties, the direction should be residential development rather than commercial development. Commissioner Ruoff stated he would support residential development of the properties. . Chair Schmitt questioned what the next step was with regard to Planning District 6 and the two commercial properties. Director Nielsen suggested it would be appropriate for the property owners to come before the Planning Commission to discuss their visions. . . . CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 3 April 2007 Page 4 of 5 In response to a question from Commissioner Ruoff, Director Nielsen explained that to develop the SYC and the Minnetonka Portable Dredging Company properties for purposes other than what they are currently used for would require an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan and the properties would have to be rezoned. Commissioner Meyer questioned if the City was required to publish a notice that this topic was being discussed at Planning Commission work sessions. Director Nielsen stated after the discussions had progressed a little further it may be appropriate to publish something in the ShoReport. The City would have to conduct a public hearing to make any amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. 2. SELECT REPRESENTATIVE FOR SPECIAL COMMITTEE Director Nielsen provided the newer Commissioners with a historical perspective on the amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code with regard to nonconforming accessory structures. The amendments were intended to address properties of historic, architectural or cultural value. He highlighted the amendments. He noted that the Comprehensive Plan amendment specified that a special ad hoc committee, under the Planning Commission, should be created to review and comment on cases where exceptions to current standards were requested. The ad hoc committee makeup would consist of one Planning Commissioner, one Councilmember, one Park Commissioner and the Planning Director. He stated the representatives could change as future needs to meet were identified. Commissioner Meyer stated if no one else wanted to be a member on the ad hoc committee, he would volunteer to do so. Meyer's offer to participate was accepted by the Commissioners. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There were no matters from the floor presented this evening. 4. DRAFT NEXT MEETING AGENDA Director Nielsen stated there was a Conditional Use Permit for Our Savior Lutheran Church, and one or two nonconforming accessory structures were slated for the 1 May 2007 Planning Commission Meeting Agenda. Because the 4 July 2007 holiday was on a Wednesday, the Planning Commission agreed to cancel the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for 3 July 2007. 5. REPORTS · Liaison to Council Commissioner Gniftke reported on matters considered and actions taken at a March 26, 2007, Regular City Council Meeting (as detailed in the minutes of that meeting). Council Liaisons were selected as followed: April 2007 Chair Schmitt May 2007 Commissioner Gagne June 2007 Commissioner Gniftke . . . CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 3 April 2007 Page 5 of5 July 2007 Commissioner Ruoff August 2007 Commissioner Hutchins · SLUC Director Nielsen explained the City belonged to an organization called the Sensible Land Use Coalition. The membership consisted of private and public sector employees. The SLUC had monthly meetings where a variety of topics were discussed. The City would reimburse the cost for Commissioners to attend the meetings. Flyers would be included in Commission meeting packets informing the Commissioners of the upcoming dates and topics for the meetings. The Commissioners should inform Nielsen if they want to attend a particular session. · Other There was no other business presented this evening. 6. ADJOURNMENT Gagne moved, Gniffke seconded, Adjourning the Planning Commission Meeting of 3 April 2007 at 8:22 P.M. Motion passed 4/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED. Christine Freeman, Recorder