067108 pl mnCITY OF SHOREWOOD
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, 17 JUNE 2008
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Acting Chair Gagne called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
7:00 P.M.
Present: Chair Schmitt (arrived at 7:01 P.M.); Commissioners Gagne, Geng, Gniffke, Hutchins, and
Vilett; Planning Director Nielsen; and Council Liaison Woodruff
Absent: Commissioner Ruoff
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. 3 June 2008
Gagne moved, Hutchins seconded, Approving the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of 3 June
2008 as presented. Motion passed 6/0.
Chair Schmitt assumed the role of Chair.
STUDY SESSION
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (continued from 3 June 2008)
Land Use Chapter -Revised Draft
Director Nielsen stated he distributed the draft update to the Land Use Chapter of the Comprehensive
Plan to the Planning Commissioners early that day; therefore, he did not expect the Commissioners to
have a lot of feedback this evening. He hoped to have a 2008 land use map available for the next meeting.
He highlighted the changes and the more significant changes to each section are summarized as follows.
- Goals and Objectives -There were no changes.
- Issues - It was updated to reflect the proposed Land Use Plan and the Shorewood
Zoning Districts map are in synch. The issue of redevelopment was added. It
noted concern has been raised for maintaining the character of existing
neighborhoods. It identified three areas in particular -the Minnetonka Country
Club, Howard's Point Marina, and the commercial areas abutting County Road
19.
CI'T'Y ®F S~IORE~V®®I9 Pi,ANNING C®l0~II19~IISSI®N MEETING
17 June 2008
Page 2 of 4
- Policies -There were no changes made to this section. He recommended the
Planning Commission review the Policies Sections in the chapters of the
Comprehensive Plan annually. He explained the Policies Sections are used for
guidance when considering a development request.
- Concept Plan -The paragraph encouraging commercial development around the
existing shopping center was removed. Reference to the commercial areas
abutting County Road l9 was added, as was reference to the renovation of City
Hall.
- Plan -Land Use Classifications was updated to reflect the City had prepared a
Conservation Open Space Plan, and the City's efforts should focus on acquisition
of conservation easements versus the outright purchase of land. Land Use
Classifications: Commercial was updated to state any change in use for the
Howard's Point Marina property would reflect minimum density residential
designation; the property on Smithtown Road near Eureka Road where the auto
repair operation is located has been rezoned to residential use at such time the
business ceases to exist; and the City's preference for the redevelopment of the
commercial areas abutting County Road 19. Land Use/Zoning Changes was
updated to indicate the Proposed Land Use Plan has been adjusted to reflect
existing zoning patterns; to reflect the City's Zoning Code has been updated to
include maximum impervious surface requirements; to state the City will attempt
to maintain the scale of existing neighborhoods through its zoning regulations
and it will consider incorporating floor area ratio into its Code; and the City
downsized the number of commercial zoning districts it has. Lake Access was
updated to note that the owner's of Howard's Point Marina property have not
taken advantage of the relaxed L-R district restrictions and to address the
direction for redevelopment of the property, and that the City relaxed its
restriction on the mooring of power boats at the Shorewood Yacht Club.
Population and Household Projections will be updated. Chapter Summary will
be updated after the rest of the chapter if finalized.
Chair Schmitt questioned if it was wise for the Plan to acknowledge that "Tax increment financing has
been suggested as a tool to encourage the necessary land assembly." for the northwest quadrant of
Smithtown Road and County Road 19. Director Nielsen explained he included that statement because the
City Council has indicated it would be willing to consider TIF. The statement will be softened.
Director Nielsen asked the Commissioners to review the Chapter and' come prepared to discuss any
changes they want to recommend at the next meeting. He will try to have the maps in the Chapter
completed.
Transportation Chapter -Issues
Director Nielsen stated the Commission had been provided with the current Issues Section of the
Transportation Chapter. He commented the issue of mass transit needs to be updated. He will add an issue
relating to street maintenance and reconstruction. He noted Staff had met with Council to review the
City's roadway standards. The outcome of the meeting was the current standards were fine, but the front-
end project process for street reconstruction projects needed to be improved. He cited the problems
encountered with the Amlee Road, Manitou Lane, and Glen Road Street Reconstruction Project, some of
which should have been identified earlier in the project.
cTTy ®F sH®R~w®®D PLANNING c®MMISSI®N METING
1~ .ruse zoos
Page 3 of 4
Commissioner Geng stated the City of Minnetonka was considering changing its development process to
have the community get involved earlier and to have more informal meetings in preparation for the
Minnetonka Mills redevelopment effort that maybe considered.
Commissioner Hutchins questioned if the new issue of street maintenance and reconstruction had any
impact on the issue of fire protection in this chapter. Director Nielsen stated if a fire access road was
reconstructed it would have to be reconstructed to have no less than a 20-foot minimum clear driving
surface, the standard specified in the State Fire Code.
Community Facilities Chapter -Issues
Director Nielsen stated the Commission had been provided with the current Issues Section of the
Community Facility/Services Chapter. The issue of water system will be updated to eliminate the
reference to physical deficiencies existing within the overall system; the deficiencies specified had been
resolved. An issue about the City's direction regarding installing City water when streets are
reconstructed will be added. An issue will be added to encourage residents to have their private wells
tested periodically, and to identify a method for educating residents when problems in private wells
surface. The issue of stormwater management will be expanded to include the future need to address the
volume of water. The issue of public safety will be updated based on the findings from a committee
established to make recommendations as to how the present level of service and be maintained in the
future. The solid waste issue will be updated to reflect the City has organized refuse collection. The issue
of municipal buildings will be updated to reflect the City Hall renovation project. The issue of schools
will be updated to reflect the expansion of the Minnewashta Elementary School structure and property.
Commissioner Hutchins questioned how the City knew that the majority of residents do not feel that a
City-wide water system is desirable. Director Nielsen stated there had been surveys done and based on
experiences when installation of watermain was proposed.
Commissioner Geng questioned if the Plan included anything about historic preservation. Director
Nielsen stated a reference was made to doing an inventory.
Director Nielsen stated he planned to invite a guest speaker to come to a Planning Commission to talk
about senior housing. It's possible that could occur at the next meeting. Commissioner Gagne stated when
the first senior housing development was done in the City the neighbors in the area were quite upset.
Nielsen stated it would be difficult for residents near the Seasons or Shorewood Ponds to find something
to complain about.
2. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
There were no matters from the floor presented this evening.
3. DRAFT NEXT MEETING AGENDA
Director Nielsen stated that the 1 July 2008 Planning Commission meeting would be a study session and
it would be devoted to continued discussion of the Land Use Chapter, and issues sections of the
Transportation Chapter and the Community Facilities Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan.
4. REPORTS
CITY ®F SIIORPW®OI) PLANNING C®Mll~IISSION MEETING
17 June 2008
Page 4 of 4
Chair Schmitt reported on matters considered and actions taken at the June 9, 2008, City Council regular
meeting (as detailed in the minutes of that meeting). Council Liaison Woodruff elaborated on Schmitt's
report and he reported on matters considered and actions taken at the June 9, 2008, City Council work
session (as detailed in the minutes of that meeting).
• SLUC
No report was given.
• Other
None.
2. ADJOURNMENT
Gniffke moved, Hutchins seconded, Adjourning the Planning Commission Meeting of 17 June 2008
at 8:03 P.M. Motion passed 4/0.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED
Christine Freeman, Recorder