PC-01-19-10
CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
TUESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2010 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Geng called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Geng; Commissioners Vilett, Gagne, Arnst, and Hasek; Planning Director Nielsen;
and Council Liaison Turgeon
Absent: Commissioners Ruoff and Hutchins
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 5, 2010
Gagne moved, Hasek seconded, Approving the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of January
5, 2010 as presented. Motion passed 5/0/1 (Arnst abstained).
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING CO. RD. 19/SMITHTOWN RD. AREA REDEVELOPMENT
(A.K.A. “SMITHTOWN CROSSING”)
Director Nielsen presented an “issues map” which provided information regarding conditions or issues
particular to each parcel within the area known as Smithtown Crossing. He reviewed the occupancy, or
ownership, of each property as well.
Nielsen noted that the boundary of the study area needs to be better defined along with determining a
method for transition between commercial and residential uses. He said current trends have developers
building vertical mixed-use projects, with commercial on the ground-level and residential above it. The
Glen Lake development is an example of vertical mixed-use. The vacant lot owned by the Legion on
Smithtown Road, and the Gideon Glen property provide opportunity for creating buffer and transition at
each end of the area.
Nielsen said one of the key issues is access, from County Road 19, as well as Smithtown Road. Due to
the intersection design, the access point from Smithtown Road will need to be at least 120 feet west of the
Country Club golf course driveway. The other issue is vehicular and pedestrian circulation, both inside
and out of the project area. Nielsen mentioned that Commissioner Hutchins had pointed out that potential
future use of the golf course property needs to be kept in mind when reviewing access design.
Commissioner Gagne stated there should be an indication somewhere of the yet to be built trail that was
planned to go in along the east side of the South Lake Police Department property intended to provide a
link to the LRT trail.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
19 January 2010
Page 2 of 3
Nielsen said the main concern is how to assemble these parcels into basically one project. If a developer
makes a proposal that involves only one or two of the parcels, they can be required to accommodate
development of the adjacent property, and the overall project can be done in phases.
Commissioner Arnst suggested that there could be a set of features, or criteria, that a developer must
adhere to for any development proposals within Smithtown Crossing, as a way to maintain the basic
concept for the area.
Chair Geng cautioned that, with real estate prices already being high, creating a desired plan for the area
could cause property owners to hold out for even more. Nielsen agreed that some of that could happen,
but said there is also a financial risk in allowing development to occur all around you and not be part of
the plan when development costs can be shared.
Council Liaison Turgeon said we also need to look at how these properties could be developed
independently, since the City can’t control all of them. What features do these parcels need to have so
they will all tie in together?
Commissioner Arnst asked what the next steps are. Nielsen said we need to finish the inventory by
getting the land values and land sizes, formalize the issues map, identify pedestrian access links,
determine expectations of developers such as for landscaping and architectural treatment, vehicular access
points, and determine the westerly boundary.
Chair Geng said one consideration could be to hold an informational meeting with the landowners,
showing them how the area would look if developed as a whole, compared to piece by piece.
Commissioner Hasek suggested the Smithtown Road boundary be almost as far west as Christopher
Road, perhaps containing single-level senior housing.
2. DISCUSS DEER MANAGEMENT
The issue that had been raised by the Planning Commission regarding deer management was about people
feeding deer. The Commission discussed the many reasons why it is not a good idea to feed them and
encourage their population, while at the same time the City is making an effort to remove them. The
Commission agreed that the best approach is to continue with an educational effort during 2010 by
providing informational articles by the DNR and other sources via the City newsletter and website. And
re-evaluate the deer-count survey next year to see if it had any effect.
3. WORK PROGRAM 2010
Director Nielsen provided a graph illustrating the Work Program schedule. He reported that things are
right on schedule, if not a little ahead of it.
He noted the Mixed-Use Regulations discussion will appropriately occur in the middle of the Smithtown
Crossing study.
Nielsen stated much of the work necessary will be done by staff, and any issues will be brought to the
Planning Commission.
The idea of Mother-In-Law apartments could be part of the Housing Plan discussion. At the suggestion
of Commissioner Arnst, the term “Aging-In-Place” should replace “Mother-In-Law Apartment”.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
19 January 2010
Page 3 of 3
The Comp Plan Video will need more time in order to work with Lake Minnetonka Cable Commission to
provide cablecasts. Commissioner Vilett suggested a link on the City website to a You Tube spot.
Commissioner Arnst said the High School Government class students could make an interesting video for
the City.
The topic of sustainability is scheduled for 2011, but will be touched on periodically prior to that.
4. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
There were no matters from the floor presented this evening.
5. DRAFT NEXT MEETING AGENDA
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The February 16 meeting will include further discussion of Smithtown Crossing, and recap of the in-
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house training program of January 30.
6. REPORTS
• Liaison to Council
The Liaison to Council schedule through May is as follows:
February: Arnst
March: Geng
April: Vilett
May: Hasek
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Director Nielsen reported that the January 11 Council meeting included discussion of the Manor Park
dredging issue. The dredging was determined to be too expensive due to toxic sediment from some
driveway seal coating chemicals. The Zoning fee amendment was approved. The Council also discussed
a proposed Rule amendment by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.
• SLUC
No report was given.
• Other
None.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Gagne moved, Vilett seconded, Adjourning the Planning Commission Meeting of January 19, 2010
at 9:03 P.M. Motion passed 6/0.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Patti Helgesen, Recorder