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PC-03-01-11 CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD TUESDAY, 1 MARCH 2011 7:00 P.M. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chair Geng called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M. Chair Geng welcomed two new members of the Planning Commission, Steve Charbonnet and Michael Garelick. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Geng; Commissioners Charbonnet, Garelick, Davis, Arnst, Hasek, and Hutchins; Planning Director Nielsen; Council Liaison Siakel. Absent: None. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Arnst moved, Hasek seconded, approving the Planning Commission Agenda of March 1, 2011 as presented. Motion passed 7/0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  February 15, 2011 Hutchins moved, Arnst seconded, approving the Planning Commission Minutes of February 15, 2011 as presented. Motion passed 7/0. 1. SMITHTOWN CROSSING DISCUSSION For the benefit of all, and especially the new members of the Planning Commission, Director Nielsen recapped the basics of the Smithtown Crossing concept and what the activities and discussions have included to-date. Nielsen stated that the Comp Plan identified the area as prime for redevelopment. In January 2010 the study area and planning issues were identified. The Commission began to formulate a “vision statement” (what would be desired for the area in the future) in April. In May the Commission met with the landowners within the study area, and in June conducted a developer panel discussion. Throughout the year discussions have covered mixed-use development; tax increment financing; and design criteria. In August the Commission went on a mobile tour of developments in the Metro area. Director Nielsen presented the first draft of his report “Smithtown Crossing Redevelopment Study” which is a culmination of the discussions over the past year. The report includes the issues, the plan, the Vision Statement, and methods of potential City participation. At the suggestion of Commissioner Hasek and Chair Geng, Nielsen said he will highlight at least three areas within the project boundaries that have developable acreage. Commissioner Arnst suggested the report also contain, as an appendix, summaries of the mobile tour; the landowner’s meeting; and the developer’s forum including the key issues of building height, density, and PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 March 2011 Page 2 of 3 parking. She also suggested putting captions on the photographs; identify the dates of meetings where discussion took place regarding the project; and information on traffic volume. Commissioner Garelick said he thought the area needs to have a focal point and be a destination that people want to go to. He also said he didn’t think the residential portion should be limited to senior housing only. Director Nielsen said he will incorporate the Planning Commission’s recommended revisions into the report th and submit it to the City Council at their March 14 work session. 2. DISCUSS DEER FEEDING Director Nielsen stated that the City has a Deer Management Program that is in its fourth year. He said, however, that there are people feeding the deer which defeats the City’s efforts to reduce their population. Nielsen explained that deer feeding disrupts their natural circulation pattern which leads to herding, and that increases vehicular conflicts as well as disease. The City has been considering enacting a ban on deer feeding to better control the situation. So far efforts to discourage deer feeding have been an educational approach via the City Newsletter and website. In spite of this, the latest deer count survey, from February 2011, show the numbers have actually increased. Nielsen said even though adopting an ordinance for a deer feeding ban would not require a public hearing, he has suggested there at least be a public forum or open house style meeting to discuss the topic with residents. The meeting would be publicized in the newsletter and website. Commissioner Hasek said he would like to find a way to hear from people who are on both sides of the issue, not only the people who are against a ban. Nielsen noted that Councilmember Siakel has suggested that a short question to the public is often effective when included on the utility bills. The Commission agreed to that as a good plan. Commissioner Garelick asked what an acceptable number of deer would be. Nielsen said approximately 15 per square mile is considered tolerable for Shorewood. In discussing a timeline for the next steps, Nielsen said a draft ordinance could be reviewed in April, an article ndrd about the proposed ban could go in the May newsletter, and the 2 or 3 quarter utility bills could post a survey question to residents. A more defined timeframe will be discussed at the April meeting. 3. DISCUSS SUSTAINABILITY Director Nielsen said he has been to a couple of conferences so far on the topic of sustainability and noted that it is a huge issue and is somewhat overwhelming as there is a ton of information available. He said he has found a program through the Pollution Control Agency called “GreenStep”, which appears to provide a simple approach to the matter. He stated that using the GreenStep program would start with the City adopting a resolution declaring interest in participation and becoming a GreenStep city. This could be discussed in a joint work session with the Planning and Park Commissions and City Council, tentatively some time in April. Commissioner Charbonnet asked if a reference to sustainability should be added to the Smithtown Crossing project. Nielsen said it is currently very expensive to build under “green” standards, especially LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certified, but there probably should be some reference. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 March 2011 Page 3 of 3 4. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR None. 5. OLD BUSINESS None. 6. NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Hasek said he thought there needs to be a little more formality and organization in how the meetings are conducted, such as asking the Chair for the floor prior to speaking, and being able to speak without interruption. He said he felt that would benefit the Recorder and everyone else if there were no discussions aside, so it is clear what a speaker is saying and why they are saying it. Chair Geng said he agreed with Hasek’s suggestion. 7. DRAFT NEXT MEETING AGENDA th The April 5 meeting will include follow-up on the timeline for the deer feeding ban process, and sustainability. 8. REPORTS • Liaison to Council Chair Geng reported on items considered and actions taken by the City Council at its meeting of February 28, 2011. • SLUC None. • Other None. 9. ADJOURNMENT Arnst moved, Hutchins seconded, Adjourning the Planning Commission Meeting of March 1, 2011 at 8:30 P.M. Motion passed 7/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Patti Helgesen, Recorder