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PC-07-19-11 CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD TUESDAY, 19 JULY 2011 7:00 P.M. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chair Geng called the meeting to order at 7:07 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Geng; Commissioners, Hasek, Hutchins, Charbonnet, Garelick, Davis, and Arnst; Planning Director Nielsen; Council Liaison Woodruff; Administrator Heck; and Engineer Landini. Absent: None. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Hutchins moved, Hasek seconded, Approving the Planning Commission Agenda of July 19, 2011 as presented. Motion passed 7/0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ●May 17, 2011 Davis moved, Arnst seconded, Approving the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of May 17, 2011 as amended. Motion passed 7/0.  June 7, 2011 Hasek moved, Hutchins seconded, Approving the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of June 7, 2011 as presented. Motion passed 7/0. 1. MINOR SUBDIVISION Applicant: City of Shorewood Location: 5750 Covington Road Director Nielsen explained that earlier this year the City Public Works Department commenced work on a drainage improvement project on the north end of Silver Lake to remove silt that had accumulated from runoff flowing across the adjacent street. The project is the first step in an overall water quality program for the lake. An existing control structure was cleaned out, but more work will need to be done to prevent the problem from recurring. Proposed future improvements include a detention facility, such as an underground tank or basin, that will collect the silt which can be removed periodically. The detention facility will require additional land on the south side of Covington Road. Because of the need for additional land and on-going maintenance, the City proposes to buy the easterly 137 feet of property owned by Jim and Nancy Stubbe at 5750 Covington Road, which requires that the property be subdivided. Nielsen said the newly created parcel will be put to a public purpose, and the Stubbes’ lot will still conform to the zoning requirements for the P.U.D. zoning district in which it is located. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 19 July 2011 Page 2 of 5 Commissioner Hutchins asked how the proposed improvements will impact Outlot C (a wetland area). Director Nielsen said it will clean that up as well. He added that Outlot C is already owned by the City. Hasek moved, Hutchins seconded, recommending approval of the minor subdivision of 5750 Covington Road. Motion passed 7/0. 2. DISCUSS SMITHTOWN CROSSING Director Nielsen stated that at the last discussion it was determined that another joint meeting with the nd City Council was needed in order to affirm the vision for Smithtown Crossing. He said either August 2 th or the 16 are the most opportune dates. There was no indication that any of the Commission members had a conflict with either date. Nielsen said he was recently approached by a representative of Dimension Architecture to discuss ideas about senior housing development for a portion of the project area. Nielsen said this developer has not submitted an application for consideration, as he is strictly speculating at this point. The developer was willing to share his concept sketch with the Commission. The sketch depicted senior housing containing four stories and underground parking, with commercial use and parking filling in the remainder of the land area. Commissioner Garelick said that Smithtown Crossing should be the glue for bringing together all types of Shorewood residents, including the island residents and that it be a destination point. Nielsen said from all the previous discussions and the tour, it has been determined that a desirable feature would be a commons area where people can sit together and relax with a cup of coffee. Commissioner Hasek stated that community identity is something that Smithtown Crossing might be the last chance to provide. Nielsen said the joint meeting should include discussion based on a concept drawing with detail showing a housing component, commercial component, a common open area oriented to Gideon Glen, and an entry feature situated at the corner of Co. Rd. 19 and Smithtown Rd. He said there has been differing opinions about where the open area should be. th Commissioner Arnst asked if the neighborhood meeting is going to be on October 4. Nielsen said he did not know for sure, but that has been his suggestion. 3. DISCUSS SUSTAINABILITY Director Nielsen said the next step should be for the Commission to review the 28 Best Practices from the GreenSteps program to determine which of them should be incorporated into the Work Program. He indicated that some of the Practices may be appropriate to assign to other groups, such as the Park Commission or other task committees. 4. ZONING CODE DISCUSSION – “DYNAMIC SIGNS” Director Nielsen said the City is currently looking at an electronic sign for the SouthShore Community Center and the Holiday Gas station would also like to incorporate one into their freestanding sign at Waterford Center. He said if the City is going to allow electronic signs, what needs to be considered are timing, size, and brightness at the minimum. Different cities have various timing allowances anywhere from 4 seconds up to hours. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 19 July 2011 Page 3 of 5 Mike Cronin, representing Holiday Gas, stated that the City of Minnetonka allows billboards to change messages at 8 second intervals, as a result of their study. On-premise business signs are allowed a 20 minute interval. Commissioner Hasek asked if electronic signs would end up at Smithtown Crossing. Nielsen said signage is controlled by the zoning district. A transitional district such as the R-C (Residential- Commercial), would not allow such intense signage. Councilmember Woodruff recommended that the Planning Commission look at sign ordinances that already exist and decide where the signs should be allowed. Nielsen said Shorewood’s current code works pretty well in proportioning allowable size and the number of signs per business site. When deciding what signage should be allowed at certain areas, the nearby zoning districts need to be taken into consideration so there is consistency throughout the area, and not abrupt differences in signage types. Nielsen said he is still scouting for good examples of signs to photograph or videotape for presentation. Commissioner Arnst said she wouldn’t want to see examples of signs that wouldn’t be allowed anyway. In response to an inquiry from Director Nielsen, the Commission concurred that reviewing other city ordinances, studies and viewing video examples should be the next step. Discussion again centered on driver distraction and other dangers that may be inherent with electronic signs which is the reason timing, size, brightness, etc. needs to be carefully studied and regulated. Commissioner Garelick asked if electronic signs, in comparison to the current non-electronic signs, generate more money for the sign companies and that is what is driving .the economy with them. Nielsen said, even though the signs are very expensive they can make a lot more money for the sign companies than the non-electric signs. They pay for themselves rapidly, and then some. Mr. Cronin agreed. Chair Geng said that a map showing commercial locations in Shorewood would be helpful for the next discussion. He stated that he read there is also an increased risk in vehicle accidents where these signs are located near curved streets. 5. 2011 WORK PLAN Director Nielsen said the response to the deer feeding ban survey has been very strong so far, and the nd deadline isn’t until the end of the month. The responses will be tabulated for discussion at the August 2 th meeting and a public information meeting can be held on August 16. th Due to adding the Deer Feed Ban public meeting to the August 16 Agenda, the life-cycle housing discussions, originally Aug. 16 and Sept. 20 are being moved back one month respectively – to Sept. 20 and Oct. 4. Nielsen stated that the City Council wants all license requirements to be reviewed to determine if the City’s current code is in conformance with state law. In regard to animal control, there may be consideration of adding farm animals to the regulations. Some of these items will be directed to the Planning Commission for review and become part of the Work Plan. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 19 July 2011 Page 4 of 5 6. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR None. 7. OLD BUSINESS Commissioner Hasek asked about the status of the property for sale on Smithtown Road, since it is within the Smithtown Crossing boundaries. Councilmember Woodruff said that it is being considered by the Council, but the details are not public information at this time. Commissioner Arnst asked what happened in regard to the trail crossing signage, especially the crossing on Co. Rd. 19. Nielsen said the County has not responded to the City as yet, and staff will need to make follow-up contact. Arnst asked when the no-right turn restriction will be removed at CUB Foods and Lake Linden Drive. Administrator Heck responded that he had the impression from Public Works Director Brown it would happen along with some other road work on that street, but he said staff will follow up with Brown for a definitive answer. Chair Geng asked if the Administrative Enforcement regulations have been put to use. Nielsen said there is a hearing scheduled for next week, which will be the first appeal case so far. There have been a couple of sign violations cited where the fine/penalty was simply paid rather than contested. 8. NEW BUSINESS None. 9. DRAFT NEXT MEETING AGENDA As per the 2011 Work Plan, the August 2, 2011 Planning Commission Agenda will include the Deer Feeding Ban Survey results; Dynamic Signs; Sustainability – the 28 Best Practices; and there are two zoning applications. 10. REPORTS  Liaison to Council Director Nielsen reported on items considered and actions taken at the City Council meeting of July 11, 2011. Councilmember Woodruff provided an update on efforts to increase regulation of the public access site on Christmas Lake, due to concerns about the Zebra mussel infestations. Chair Geng noted that the Council Liaison schedule needs to be completed for the remainder of the year. Commission members volunteered as follows: July: Geng October : Davis August: Garelick November: Arnst September: Charbonnet December: Hutchins  SLUC None. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 19 July 2011 Page 5 of 5  Trail Committee Commissioner Hasek reported that the Trail Committee has their preliminary report prepared and a trail priority map completed. 11. ADJOURNMENT Arnst moved, Davis seconded, to adjourn the Planning Commission Meeting of July 19, 2011 at 8:47 P.M. Motion passed 7/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Patti Helgesen, Recorder