PC-03-16-10
CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
TUESDAY, 16 MARCH 2010 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Geng called the meeting to order at 7:02 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Geng; Commissioners Hasek, Hutchins, Ruoff, Davis, and Arnst; Planning Director
Nielsen; and Council Liaison Turgeon
Absent: Commissioner Vilett
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 2, 2010
Hutchins moved, Hasek seconded, Approving the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of March
2, 2010 as presented. Motion passed 6/0.
1. APPOINT PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIR/VICE CHAIR
Hasek moved, Hutchins seconded, to appoint Tom Geng to the position of Planning Commission
Chair for 2010. Motion passed 6/0.
Hasek moved, Davis seconded, to appoint Pat Arnst to the position of Planning Commission Vice-
Chair for 2010. Motion passed 6/0.
2. REVIEW DRAFT AMENDMENT – ZONING PERMITS
The Commission reviewed a draft Code Amendment that contained text for Zoning Permit requirements.
The Amendment is scheduled for public hearing at the next meeting of April 6, 2010.
Director Nielsen said that the loaded labor rate for the Building Official’s time is $45 per hour. The
estimated time spent on a Zoning Permit inspection being one-half hour, the suggested permit fee has
been increased to $25.
Commissioner Arnst suggested that an informational brochure/handout be created that could be included
with permit applications. The handout could include information about the use of sustainable products,
such as permeable pavers, as alternatives to traditional building products. In response to a question by
Commissioner Hasek, Director Nielsen explained why the City hasn’t yet chosen to allow hardcover
credits for permeable pavers.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
16 March 2010
Page 2 of 3
3. REVIEW DRAFT AMENDMENT – CHAPTER 201 (PLANNING COMMISSION BY-LAWS)
Director Nielsen provided a draft of Chapter 201 of the City Code which illustrated the changes that were
discussed at the last meeting. He said he had talked to the City Attorney about the proposed amendment who
advised a few minor edits, making it more consistent with the League of MN Cities’ language as well as the
City’s personnel policy.
The Commission discussed various elements of the text including relevance of a date referenced in Subd. 1,
and the frequency of review of the CIP. Nielsen said he will provide a re-draft at the next meeting of April 6
for final review.
4. DISCUSSION – SMITHTOWN CROSSING REDEVELOPMENT
Director Nielsen said that he and Administrator Heck met with Stacey Kvilvang, a representative of
Ehlers and Associates, and that he has also spoken with Scott Schmitt. He stated that Schmitt indicated
he is willing to meet with the Planning Commission, and Kvilvang offered to provide a representative
from Ehlers and Associates.
Nielsen noted that from his discussions he learned that vertical mixed-use is not doing well on the market
at this time.
Commissioner Arnst expressed concern about the limited number of developers being invited to discuss
the project. The Commission concurred that additional developers should be sought, ideally creating a
panel of participants. Also decided was that it be made clear that the purpose of meeting with them is for
discussion and feedback only.
Commissioner Arnst noted that since the Commission is discussing private property, it needs to be
sensitive to that. She said there needs to be a framework in place that can guide the redevelopment to be
something that is an asset. She further stated that the Commission needs to be able to state why it wants a
unified, coordinated plan for the area. Commissioner Ruoff said the Commission needs to clearly define
its goal; a unified, consolidated approach being the objective.
After further discussion it was determined that the landowners should be contacted first and invited to
meet with the Planning Commission at the May 4, 2010 meeting. And the developer’s forum could be the
th
following meeting of May 18.
Commissioner Arnst said she would like to have a better understanding of Tax Increment Financing and
asked Director Nielsen to provide information about it. The Commissioners agreed to discuss this at their
th
next meeting on April 6.
5. SELECT LIAISONS TO CITY COUNCIL
Planning Commission Liaisons to City Council were determined for the remainder of the year as follows:
June Davis October Geng
July Arnst November Hasek
August Hutchins December Hutchins
September Ruoff
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
16 March 2010
Page 3 of 3
6. REVIEW ZONING APPLICATION CHECKLISTS
At a previous meeting Commissioner Arnst had requested to review Developer Checklists. Director
Nielsen explained that the variance application procedure includes a checklist as a handout, and the first
step in any zoning application is to meet with the applicant to discuss each item on the checklist as well as
the relevant code and their plans. He said copies of the applicable code sections are also part of the
handout materials provided.
7. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
None.
8. DRAFT NEXT MEETING AGENDA
The April 6, 2010 Agenda will include two public hearings, the first regarding a residential C.U.P., and
the second one will be for the Zoning Permits code amendment; review the final draft of the By-laws;
discuss information about Tax Increment Financing; and continued discussion of Smithtown Crossing.
9. REPORTS
• Liaison to Council
Chair Geng reported on items discussed and actions taken by the City Council at their meeting of March
8, 2010.
• SLUC
Commissioner Hasek and Director Nielsen plan to attend the next Sensible Land Use Coalition program
st
on March 31: “Cap & Trade Demystified: What does it mean for Development?”
• Other
Commissioner Hasek and Director Nielsen gave a recap of a conference they attended regarding
sustainabililty.
Commissioner Arnst stated she is interested in having “New Business” added to the Agenda as a regular
item.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Arnst moved, Davis seconded, Adjourning the Planning Commission Meeting of March 16, 2010 at
8:41 P.M. Motion passed 6/0.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Patti Helgesen, Recorder