PC-02-16-16
CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Vice-Chair Davis; Commissioners Johnson and Maddy; and, Planning Director Nielsen
Absent: Commissioner Bean
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Maddy moved, Johnson seconded, approving the agenda for February 16, 2016, as presented.
Motion passed 3/0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 5, 2016
Maddy moved, Johnson seconded, approving the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of
January 5, 2016, as presented. Motion passed 3/0.
1. PUBLIC HEARING – CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT – FILL IN EXCESS OF 100 CUBIC
YARDS
Applicant: Gloria Aanenson
Location: 19325 Waterford Place
Vice-Chair Davis opened the Public Hearing at 7:02, noting the procedures used in a Public Hearing. She
explained the Planning Commission is comprised of residents of the City of Shorewood who are serving
as volunteers on the Commission. The Commissioners are appointed by the City Council. The
Commission’s role is to help the City Council in determining zoning and planning issues. One of the
Commission’s responsibilities is to hold public hearings and to help develop the factual record for an
application and to make a non-binding recommendation to the City Council. The recommendation is
advisory only. She stated this evening the Planning Commission is going to consider a conditional use
permit (C.U.P.) for fill in excess of 100 yards for Gloria Aanenson, 19325 Waterford Place.
Director Nielsen explained Ms. Aanenson proposes to raise the level of her back yard to create a level
play area for her children. The project involves bringing in approximately 600 cubic yards of fill material
on to the site and constructing a rather large retaining wall. Shorewood’s zoning regulations require a
C.U.P. permit for fill in excess of 100 cubic yards and a public hearing be held. He displayed exhibits of
plans for the proposed retaining wall. It would be made of boulders. The proposed retaining wall would
be approximately 220 feet in total length. It would be located approximately 65 feet from the rear lot line
and as close as five feet from the side lot lines. At its highest point it would be 11 feet tall.
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The property is zoned planned unit development (PUD) and contains approximately 29,642 square feet of
area. The lot slopes down from north to south with approximately 30 feet of grade change between the
front and rear of the lot. The area where the fill will be placed is relatively open. Dense deciduous
wooded area encompasses the rear yard of the site, south of the applicant’s fence.
With regard to the analysis of the case, Nielsen explained that issues associated with this type of request
are typically engineering related. Grading, drainage and structural aspects of the proposed wall are
addressed in the Engineer’s report. (A copy of the report was included in the meeting packet.)
Nielsen reviewed the Engineer’s comments and recommendations.
General
1. At a minimum, prior to the start of any construction a permit must be obtained from the
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) regarding erosion control.
Erosion and Sediment Control
1. All areas disturbed by construction activities must be restored within 14 days of the
completion of grading activities.
2. Erosion control such as silt fence must be installed and maintained through the construction
period and the establishment of turf.
3. The owner is required to sweep the street(s) to remove material that is tracked off the project
site. A street sweeper with a pick-up broom is required.
Grading Plan
1. The landscaping plan must provide contours of the site in the area of construction. The
proposed finished grades must ensure the stormwater runoff from the site does not flow onto
an adjacent parcel from the side-yards, and does not adversely affect adjacent properties. It is
recommended that a slight swale be constructed between the bottom of the wall and the side
yard property lines.
2. The owner will be responsible for damage to the curb and street due to heavy equipment and
trucks hauling material to the site and grading the site.
3. Storage of material on the roadway would not be allowed at any time.
Retaining Wall Construction
1. The proposed retaining wall encroaches five feet into the existing drainage and utility
easement. If approved, it is recommended that:
a. The applicant be required to have a prepared recordable document for County records
that indicates the owner will remove, replace, and restore the retaining wall and yard
areas disturbed by utility construction in the easement permitted by the City, and any
damage caused by the City for access of the easement.
b. The owner would be responsible for the costs of any required removal, replacement and
restoration required for the permitted use of the easement by the City or others as
permitted by the City.
c. The document requirements be recorded with the County and the affidavit of recording
be submitted to the City.
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2. After the wall is complete, the Engineer of Record must certify in writing to the City that the
retaining wall has been constructed in accordance with the design drawings, details and
calculations.
At staff’s direction, the applicant’s consultants revised their original plans so that no portion of the wall
within the 10-foot side yard setback area is higher than six feet tall, the height of a common fence. Any
portion of the wall taller than six feet would have to be located at least 10 feet from the side lot lines.
Nielsen noted staff recommends approval of the C.U.P. subject to the City Engineer’s recommendations.
Nathan Anderson, a landscape architect who is working with Ground One Enterprises (the landscape
contractor), stated he was present on behalf of the property owner. He thanked the Director Nielsen and
Engineer Hornby for their efforts to date.
In response to a comment from Vice-Chair Davis, Director Nielsen stated he does not anticipate that there
would be a need to do any work in the easement area where the retaining wall would be located.
Mr. Anderson explained the reason the encroachment is being requested is to maintain a relatively large
River Birch tree. That tree is close to 18 inches in diameter.
Vice-Chair Davis expressed concern about what would happen if there was a significant rain event after
all of the fill is brought on to the site. She asked when the fill would be brought on to the site. Mr.
Anderson responded in the spring. Mr. Anderson then stated they have worked on numerous projects such
as the one proposed and that they would be fully prepared for a significant rain event.
Commissioner Maddy asked Mr. Anderson who he has been working with. Mr. Anderson responded the
property owner. Maddy asked if the property owner understands what her responsibilities would be if the
utility easements need to be exercised. Mr. Anderson responded she does.
Vice-Chair Davis asked if any draintile would be installed behind the retaining wall. Mr. Anderson
explained that area would be back filled with “free draining soil” (a sand and gravel mix).
Commissioner Maddy stated that he does not see on the drawings where the outlet for that reservoir is.
Mr. Anderson stated that is actually percolating; it is not a draintile per se. That granular material would
allow any water coming toward the back of the wall to go down rather than through the wall. Vice-Chair
Davis noted that the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum recommends walls be built that way. Mr. Anderson
stated that because it would be a gravitational boulder wall it would be a permeable structure.
Commissioner Johnson stated it is his understanding that what is being proposed is to make the area safer
for children. Mr. Anderson stated it would be a more usable space for children. Johnson stated an 11 foot
drop doesn’t seem like it would be very safe. Mr. Anderson clarified it would be 11 feet of wall but the
finished grade would be a maximum of 9 feet six inches. He explained that part of the landscape plan
would include a barrier of planting material on top of the wall to prevent people from walking on top of it.
The intent is to plant a hedge by code so it cannot be penetrated through at maturity. Johnson asked if
there would be fencing. Mr. Anderson stated there would not be any new fencing and noted there is
existing fencing around a swimming pool.
Vice-Chair Davis asked how old Ms. Aanenson’s children are. Mr. Anderson stated they are teenagers.
Commissioner Maddy stated the City requires swimming pools to be fenced in.
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Seeing no one present to comment on the case, Vice-Chair Davis opened and closed the Pubic Testimony
Portion of the Public Hearing at 7:17 P.M.
Vice-Chair Davis stated she can understand why the applicant wants to do what is being proposed
because the property is very steep. She reiterated her concern about erosion control should there be a
significant rain event before the project is complete.
Maddy moved, Johnson seconded, recommending approval of the conditional use permit for fill in
excess of 100 cubic yards for Gloria Aanenson, 19325 Waterford Place, subject to the
recommendations specified in the City Engineer’s report dated January 25, 2016. Motion passed
3/0.
Vice-Chair Davis closed the Public Hearing at 7:20 P.M.
2. PUBLIC HEARING – REVISED DEVELOPMENT STAGE PLANS – MINNETONKA
COUNTRY CLUB PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT
Applicant: Mattamy Homes
Location: 24575 Smithtown Road
Vice-Chair Davis opened the Public Hearing at 7:20 P.M., noting the process will be the same as for the
previous item. She stated this evening the Planning Commission is going consider revised Development
Stage plans for the Minnetonka Country Club (MCC) Planned Unit Development (PUD) located at 24575
Smithtown Road for Mattamy Homes.
Director Nielsen explained that during its January 5, 2016, meeting the Planning Commission reviewed
and unanimously recommended approval, with conditions, of the Development Stage plans and the
preliminary plat for Mattamy Homes’ MCC PUD. This Public Hearing is to consider revisions to those
items. He displayed a copy of the original preliminary plat that was recommended for approval. He then
displayed a copy of the revised preliminary plat.
The developer is proposing that the age-targeted units that were going to be developed on the northeast
corner of the site be constructed along the Niblick Alcove cul-de-sac. The traditional lots originally
planned for Niblick Alcove would be constructed along Featherie Bay on the northeast corner of the site.
The total number of units to be constructed remains the same. The original plat had 17 age-targeted units
on the northeast corner and 13 traditional lots on Niblick Alcove. The revised plat has 20 age-target units
on Niblick Alcove and 10 traditional lots on Featherie Bay.
The revision was made in response to the market which indicates the age-targeted units would be better if
they were either look-out or walk-out styles. The revision allows that to happen.
Nielsen noted it was necessary to hold another Public Hearing because there was a change to the
preliminary plat.
Rick Packer, with Mattamy Homes, reminded the Planning Commission that during its January 5 meeting
he had told the Commissioners to expect things to change. He explained that Mattamy’s intent had been
to sell the age-targeted lots originally proposed for the northeast corner to another builder for quite some
time. About 12 custom builders requested to purchase those lots from Mattamy. Every one of them
insisted on having either look-out or walk-out basements rather than basements with only access
windows. For a number of engineering reasons that style could not be built on the northeast corner. The
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suggestion was to build traditional units on the northeast corner, which was Mattamy’s original proposal,
and build the age-targeted units (i.e. single level living) along Niblick Alcove. The topography in the
Niblick Alcove area allows look-out or walk-out styles to be built without any problems. It is a simple
engineering thing that allows units to be built that Mattamy can be successful with.
Mr. Packer explained Mattamy has chosen to go with Wooddale Builders for the age-targeted units along
Niblick Alcove. That company has done a project in the City of Orono where it built the single level
living product and it has done a project in the City of Bloomington along the river bluff. Yesterday that
builder sent him its building plans and it wants to build all turned garages. That style would make the
front of the houses look very nice. You would not see garage doors from the street. The side of the
garages would be treated similar to the exterior of the front of the house. That builder puts a deck and
four-season porch off the back on the top elevation. That builder builds a two and a half or three car
garage. That adds more to the building footprint.
He displayed a drawing showing what the two and one-half car units would look like. He explained the
builder wants a modification to the PUD for the setback from the street. The streets in the drawing were
private streets and the setback from the curb/sidewalk was 15 feet. One of the reasons Mattamy worries
about distance from the street is it wants to ensure people have a place to park a vehicle in front of the
garage without the vehicle overhanging the sidewalk or curb. With garages being turned that issue goes
away. The MCC age-targeted units would be built along a public street with an 11 – 12 foot boulevard
and then a 15 foot setback. Because of the turned garages, the builder has snugged up the house 5 feet on
one side and 10 feet on the other side. The builder would not let any of the units to be closer than 15 from
each other.
He stated that this evening the Planning Commission is also being asked to consider revised setbacks. He
noted Mattamy does not want the setback issue to hold up the progress of the preliminary plat process. If
he needs to he can come back and talk about the setback separately and provide survey drawings.
He displayed additional drawings of what things would look like.
Mr. Packer reiterated he received the information about the revised setbacks the previous day. He thought
it would be prudent to bring that up during this hearing and get some feedback from the Planning
Commission.
Vice-Chair Davis asked if Wooddale Builders is going to build all of the age-targeted units on the site or
just those on Niblick Alcove. Mr. Packer clarified only on Niblick Alcove. Commissioner Johnson asked
if the setback revision would only be for the units on Niblick Alcove. Mr. Packer confirmed that. Davis
then asked if the changes would be consistent with Mattamy’s taste level. She stated communities are
passing ordinances that do not allow garages that butt out of the house. Mr. Packer stated in all of
Mattamy’s plans where the garage faces forward the garage never sticks out in front of a house. Davis
stated when you look at the drawings all you see is garage after garage after garage. Mr. Packer stated it is
impossible to hide the garages.
Commissioner Maddy asked what the sidewalk plan is for Niblick Alcove. Mr. Packer clarified there are
no sidewalks on the cul-de-sacs. Maddy asked if Mattamy will consider having one along Niblick Alcove
now that age-targeted units will be built there. Mr. Packer responded no and noted there would not have
been a sidewalk when the age-targeted units were going to be on the northeast corner. Director Nielsen
stated there will be a sidewalk on the age-targeted units on the northwest corner. Maddy asked if the
change in location affects the location of any of the other proposed trails. Mr. Packer responded no.
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Vice-Chair Davis asked if there will be access to the trail along Country Club Road from the Niblick
Alcove cul-de-sac. Mr. Packer responded no and stated the trail does go behind the lots.
Commissioner Johnson asked Mr. Packer to speak about the height comparison; what was proposed and
what is being proposed now. Mr. Packer stated he does not have the dimensions of what they were. The
new builder’s plans are for an 10/12 slope roof; Mattamy uses an 8/12 slope roof. Therefore, the builder’s
houses could be 4 – 5 feet higher. Johnson stated he was talking about a two-story traditional house with
an egress basement as compared to a one-story house with a walk-out. Mr. Packer stated they would both
be two-story behind the house.
Commissioner Maddy asked if staff has developed an opinion on the requested change to the front yard
setback for the age-targeted units along Niblick Alcove. Director Nielsen noted that staff just received
that information that afternoon.
Commissioner Johnson asked if Wooddale Builders is making the age-targeted units longer that what
Mattamy had originally proposed. Mr. Packer stated when the garage is turned sideways the house ends
up being longer. That results in a loss of some of the back yard or front yard.
Commissioner Maddy asked if Wooddale Builders does double loaded streets of the type of house it is
proposing. He stated what he visualizes with those age-targeted units is something that looks like a
Minneapolis alley; it is going to be garages on both sides. Vice-Chair Davis stated it is very regimented.
Maddy asked if that is what the market actually wants. Mr. Packer noted 55 feet is a very standard width
for the product proposed. He stated none of the builders Mattamy spoke with had an issue with the width
of the lots. Maddy stated his concern was not so much about the width; it was about the garages being
way out in front of every house. Mr. Packer stated, for example, there would be a garage that is 22 feet
wide that comes forward as opposed to the entire house which is 40 feet wide being forward. What had
been proposed was 40 feet of face 25 feet back from the curb; the new proposal is 20 feet of face that
would be 15 feet back. He thought the new proposal mixes things up more. However, there is no garage
left or right option. All the garages have to be on the same side. Mr. Packer stated if there is any
receptiveness to what is proposed then the Planning Commission would be provided with actual
streetscapes.
Vice-Chair Davis asked if the product or the lots came first. Did Wooddale Builders see the lots and
realize they had a product for them? Or, was the property subdivided to accommodate the houses? Mr.
Packer stated the lots are fine and noted that if Mattamy could not have found a builder who wanted to
build on them then Mattamy would have built them. He reiterated Mattamy does not want to hold up the
preliminary plat because of Wooddale Builders’ proposal. He clarified all that is being changed is the
grading plan and the setbacks. The grading plan benches back another seven feet.
Davis stated she does not think seeing all the garages along Niblick Alcove is consistent with the way Mr.
Packer has described Mattamy’s taste or with the age-targeted units originally proposed for the northwest
corner of the site. She clarified that she prefers the new proposed location for the age-targeted units on the
east side of the site.
Vice-Chair Davis opened the Pubic Testimony Portion of the Public Hearing at 7:42 P.M.
Karen Couney, 5925 Seamans Drive, stated she would like to offer her perspective on Wooddale
Builders’ proposed age-targeted units being she is around that age. She likes the little plaza being created
between the garage and the front door. As a person ages it is closer from the front of the garage to the
front door. A visitor can drive up closer to the front door of the house. When a car parks in front of a
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street facing garage a visitor’s car is parked further away from the front door. And, there is no personal
plaza for interacting.
Bev Meakins, 24715 Yellowstone Trail, stated she liked Commissioner Maddy’s analogy of the look of a
Minneapolis alley. All a person will see is garage after garage after garage. She does not envision it would
look very attractive. She does not think it would have a much of a single-family residential feeling. She
then stated she thought the number of proposed houses has been increased. On the plat she was looking at
there had been four houses total on 49 – 52 and another four houses total on 53 – 56. Now there are five
houses on each. She asked when that happened. Mr. Packer stated that happened when Bentgrass Way
was moved down to save trees. Ms. Meakins asked if Niblick Alcove was a golf term. Commissioner
Johnson stated all the street names have some golf significance.
George Greenfield, 24715 Yellowstone Trail, stated that during a conversation with Shorewood Director
of Public Works Brown he indicated that the City had approved working hours of 7:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Director Nielsen explained the construction hours are 7:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. weekdays, 8:00 A.M. – 6:00
P.M. Saturdays, and no work on Sundays. Mr. Greenfield stated he thought that was excessive for a
number of reasons. He does not want to come home from work, sit down to eat dinner and have to listen
to construction noise after 6:00 P.M. He thought a 10-hour day for people who are doing that type of
physical work is more than long enough. Construction workers generally cannot live in a location
convenient to the construction site. Having a 12-hour workday and then travel time ruins their personal
lives.
Mr. Greenfield stated he read in the local paper that the new price of the age-targeted units midway down
the east side of the site is going to be higher than the price originally mentioned. Mr. Packer concurred.
That is the third time the price has changed on the age-targeted units. He thought that is contrary to the
spirit of what the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) recommended; it wanted some diversity in
housing style and price. He thought a couple of members of Council made what now seems to be
insincere protestations about wanting multiple prices of houses in the development. He viewed the price
changes as a “bait and switch” type of thing.
Vice-Chair Davis closed the Pubic Testimony Portion of the Public Hearing at 7:50 P.M.
Vice-Chair Davis stated that she personally does not care for the new look of the proposed age-targeted
units on the east. She agrees with the analogy that it would look like an alley. She does not think it would
be at the taste level that Mattamy promised the City. She thought that area would look different than the
rest of the development and from what has been promised for the age-targeted units on the northeast
corner. She clarified that is her opinion. She noted that she appreciates the logistics and problems of the
new age-targeted lots; they are very narrow and very deep.
Commissioner Johnson stated he has seen it done where it can work with a significant amount of
landscaping and that will drive the price even higher. He wants to see what the houses would look like on
the lots before he completely weighs in on this; that information is not available.
Commissioner Maddy asked Mr. Packer to speak to the new price of the various housing types. Mr.
Packer stated he thought the starting prices would be around $600,000 and then go up from there based on
how it is finished for the age-targeted units Wooddale Builders will build. The age-targeted units
Mattamy will build will start around $450,000 and its traditional houses will start closer to $700,000 and
range up to about $900,000. The custom houses east of Club Valley Road near the large wetland area will
be $1 million plus units. He noted that by the time Mattamy starts to build its age-targeted units the
starting price will likely go up to $600,000 because of an increase in construction costs. He also noted that
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there will not be any of what is termed “affordable” in that development. The ground is too expensive for
that. He stated Mattamy’s very base house without the lot is around $275,000 and that well exceeds the
median range for a family in the Twin Cities.
Mr. Packer stated it would be rare to have one construction crew on the site working a 12-hour shift.
Different trades come and go during the day. Some workers will be working inside into the early evening.
Generally the heavy trades workers begin working early in the morning and are done by 5:00 P.M. Vice-
Chair Davis asked if the most disruption would be during grading and installing the storm sewer. Mr.
Packer stated that is when the heavy machinery will be moving around and generating beeping sounds.
Mr. Maddy stated that framers make a lot of noise also. Mr. Packer noted that one of the conditions of
approval is the construction traffic will come onto the site from the north.
Commissioner Maddy asked if Mattamy has any standard job site requirements for subcontractors. Mr.
Packer stated how they must act and behave is in Mattamy’s contract.
Vice-Chair Davis re-opened the Pubic Testimony Portion of the Public Hearing at 7:55 P.M.
Whitley Mott, 24890 Yellowstone Trail, asked Mr. Packer if moving the cul-de-sac would put extra
traffic pressure on Yellowstone Trail. He expressed concern that the people living in the age-targeted
units on the east will exit on to Yellowstone Trail. There will be 10 more age-targeted units than there
would have been traditional units. He asked if the Traffic Committee has weighed in on this.
Vice-Chair Davis stated it is likely they will exit and enter on to the site from Yellowstone Trail. She
noted the Traffic Committee would not have seen the revised plat. Director Nielsen confirmed that and
explained that the Committee was advised at the outset that it was not to deal with the design of the plat.
For example, some of the Committee members wanted some streets to access Country Club Road.
Commissioner Maddy asked when the Committee next meets. Nielsen noted the Committee is almost
done with what it was asked to do. It is currently working on its report of final recommendations. Vice-
Chair Davis recommended the Committee be provided with a copy of the revised preliminary plat.
Mr. Packer explained that question had been asked and answered when the number of lots was increased
from 121 to 140. The consensus of all of the traffic engineers was that the residents living in the age-
targeted units would generate less traffic than those in the single-family traditional units. People who
purchase the age-targeted units would likely be empty nesters; they would not have children in school.
They may also be retired. He stated if he lived on the site and wanted to go south on Highway 41 he
would exit the site on the south on to Yellowstone Trail. He then stated he does not think relocating the
age-targeted units on the east to the south would impact traffic.
Vice-Chair Davis asked what changes have to be made to the setbacks. Director Nielsen stated the
developer is asking for a 15 foot front yard setback for the age-targeted units proposed for along Niblick
Alcove. And, instead of the 7.5 foot side yard setbacks he is asking for a 5 foot and a 10 foot setback. The
distance between two houses would still be 15 feet.
Vice-Chair Davis again closed the Pubic Testimony Portion of the Public Hearing at 7:59 P.M.
Vice-Chair Davis asked what the setbacks are for the age-targeted units on the northwest corner. Director
Nielsen stated 35 feet. Davis stated the 15 foot front yard setback for the age-targeted units on the east
would go to the garage and then another 20 feet back to the house. She reiterated she is not fond of the
most recent proposal.
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Commissioner Johnson stated he wants to see things on paper before he makes a recommendation on the
setbacks.
Vice-Chair Davis asked if the units could be staggered because of the depth of some of the lots. She stated
because she does not have the grading plan she cannot determine what the terrain is.
Commissioner Maddy stated he was somewhat sold on the idea; he does not mind it very much. Vice-
Chair Davis stated that might be because he had lived in the city. Maddy stated there are many residential
properties in Shorewood that have garages that reach out to one side or the other. This PUD would be an
opportunity to diversify housing stock. He noted that he is not comfortable with stating an opinion on the
setbacks this evening.
Commissioner Johnson noted he is in agreement with the information the Planning Commission had been
provided before this meeting.
Director Nielsen noted the revised preliminary plat does not change regardless of the setbacks. The
Planning Commission can recommend approval of the preliminary plat so that Council can consider
taking action on it during its February 22 meeting. The Commission could then discuss the setbacks
during its March 15, 2016, meeting.
Commissioner Maddy stated if the Planning Commission recommends approval of the revised
preliminary plat and eventually does not recommend approval of the change in setbacks he asked Mr.
Packer if Mattamy would still want to change the location of the age-targeted units on the east side of the
site. Mr. Packer responded yes.
Davis moved, Johnson seconded, recommending approval of the revised Development Stage plans
for the Minnetonka Country Club planned unit development located at 24575 Smithtown Road, as
presented which shows the age-targeted units on the east have been moved to Niblick Alcove.
Motion passed 3/0.
Vice-Chair Davis closed the Public Testimony portion of the Public Hearing at 8:04 P.M.
3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
There were no matters from the floor presented this evening.
4. OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS
Vice-Chair Davis stated she heard residents talking about hockey rinks. She had asked Director Nielsen
what type of permit is needed for rinks and learned that a fence permit is required. She saw a property
where there was a rink with blazing lights around it on the front of the property. She explained that during
Council’s February 8, 2016, meeting it approved a nuisance ordinance amendment related to air pollution
from an outdoor furnace. She stated there are a lot of things that are nuisances in the City that may or may
not need permits and she suggested the Planning Commission revisit that as part of its work plan. Director
Nielsen noted there is one whole Chapter in the City Code related to nuisances. He stated discussion of
nuisances could be added to the Commission’s 2016 work plan.
Director Nielsen stated he is going to suggest to Council that the 2017 budget include funding for a
consultant to do the next update to the Comprehensive (Comp) Plan. He noted he will provide the
Commissioners with a copy of the City’s System Statement from the Metropolitan (Met) Council. It talks
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about what the Met Council expects from Shorewood and other communities. That will basically start the
discussion about the update to the Comp Plan. He asked the Commissioners to start to think about
planning issues and he will ask the same of Council and the Park Commission.
He commented that the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) for the Minnetonka Country Club (MCC)
development suggested that the area encompassed by it along Club Lane be considered for different
housing as it redevelops.
He stated he anticipates the City will receive proposals for developments in the Smithtown Crossing area.
Nielsen noted that as of yet he has not drafted the 2016 work plan.
There was ensuing discussion about elderly housing and various projects being considered in the
community and nearby communities.
There was discussion about other items that maybe should be included in the work plan.
5. DRAFT NEXT MEETING AGENDA
Director Nielsen stated the consideration of revised setbacks for the Minnetonka Country Club
development project and the Oppidan elderly housing project are slated for the March 15, 2016, Planning
Commission meeting. The Lehman’s want to rezone their property located over by Radisson Road and
Mary Lane. That will be on the agenda as well.
Vice-Chair Davis asked if the request for revised setbacks will require a public hearing. Director Nielsen
stated he needed to research that. Davis asked if there has been any progress on giving some of the outlots
away. Nielsen stated he did not know and the use of the outlots will be addressed in the Declaration of
Covenants. Davis asked if the Planning Commission will see the Covenants. Nielsen stated the
Commission asked to so it will and noted that is not required by the City Ordinance.
6. REPORTS
• Liaison to Council
Vice-Chair Davis reported on the items considered and actions taken during Council’s February 8, 2016,
meeting (as detailed in the minutes of that meetings).
• SLUC
Commissioner Maddy stated the next Sensible Land Use Coalition (SLUC) session is about the new real
estate market. It is part two of a three session discussion.
• Other
Vice-Chair Davis asked if an artificial turf playfield is going to be put in Badger Park. Director Nielsen
stated the City has solicited quotes to do that. Davis asked if that is a good idea. Nielsen stated he thought
there are a lot of good reasons to do that. One of them is reduced maintenance costs. He had spoken to
someone where an artificial turf playfield was installed and that individual indicated that their watering
costs, fertilizing and maintenance was about $40,000 less than for a regular grass field. It is anticipated
CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
February 16, 2016
Page 11 of 11
that the artificial turf playfield will add an extra month of play. He noted that the snow sculptures built as
part of the Arctic Fever event will not be built on the artificial turf playfield.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Maddy moved, Johnson seconded, Adjourning the Planning Commission Meeting of February 16,
2016, at 8:32 P.M. Motion passed 3/0.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Christine Freeman, Recorder