01-07-2020 Planning Commission Minutes
CITY OF SHOREWOOD COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2020 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Maddy called the meeting to order at 7:03 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Maddy; Commissioners Eggenberger, Gorham, Gault and Riedel; and
Planning Director Darling;
Absent: None
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda for January 7, 2020 was approved by general consent.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
December 3, 2019
Planning Director Darling noted that one name of a resident on Yellowstone Trail was spelled
incorrectly and noted that she would make sure it is corrected in the minutes.
Gault moved, Gorham seconded, approving the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of
December 3, 2019, as amended. Motion passed 3/0/2 (Riedel and Eggenberger abstained).
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Chair Maddy 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.
A. PUBLIC HEARING – MATTHEW SAYER – PRELIMINARY PLAT AND LOT
WIDTH AND AREA VARIANCES
Applicant: Sathre-Bergquest, Inc.
Location: 20325 Excelsior Boulevard
Chair Maddy noted that the Planning Commission will open the Public Hearing for this request,
but have been asked to continue it to the February 4, 2020 meeting at the request of the applicant.
He opened the Public Hearing at 7:05 P.M. noting the procedures used in a Public Hearing. He
noted that neither the applicant nor any residents were present tonight.
Commissioner Gorham asked why the applicant did not just hold off until they were ready next
month rather than going through the process to open the Public Hearing and continue it until
February.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JANUARY 7, 2020
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Planning Director Darling explained that it reduces the cost of publishing.
Gorham moved, Eggenberger seconded, continuing the Public Hearing for the Preliminary
Plat, Lot Width and Area variances for property located at 20325 Excelsior Boulevard to
February 4, 2020. Motion passed 5/0.
4. OTHER BUSINESS
A. ZONING ORDINANCES AMENDMENT
Planning Director Darling noted that this is for discussion tonight and no official votes will be
necessary. She stated that when she will bring it back to a future meeting for the Public Hearing
and official vote when the amendments are completed.
The Commission reviewed the marked-up copy of the proposed amendments to the zoning
ordinances. The Commission accepted the changes, as presented, for items #1 - #3.
The Commission agreed to modify the language in #4 to state “body of water”.
The Commission accepted the changes, as presented, for items #5 - #7.
The Commission suggested modifying the language in #8 to change the word “produce” to
“intensity”.
The Commission suggested changing the world “religious” to “religions” and remove the words
“the same” and instead say “people of faith regularly assembled for worship” for items #9.
The Commission accepted the changes for item #10
The Commission suggested changing the wording to “9 months or unless the Council chooses to
extend the timeframe” for item #11. The word “new” should also be changed to “old” when
discussing which home needs to be removed.
The Commission accepted the suggested changes, as presented, for items #12 - #14.
The Commission suggested amending in the tree preservation language for item #15 rather than
changing the code.
The Commission accepted the suggested changes, as presented, for items #16 and #17.
The Commission suggested changes to #18 to remove the word “or” from the last line and remove
the word “floodlighting” and replace it with “uplighting” for consistency. They discussed cleaning
up some other areas to make it more clearly understood.
The Commission accepted the suggested changes, as presented, for item #19
The Commission suggested changes to #20 and change the word “requirement” to
“requirements”. The Commission discussed changes to the language surrounding lighting.
The Commission suggested that all contractions be removed from all the ordinance language.
CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JANUARY 7, 2020
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The Commission accepted the suggested changes, as presented, for items #21 - #33.
The Commission suggested changing the height not to exceed 8 feet for item #34 rather than 4
as proposed.
The Commission accepted the suggested changes, as presented, for item #35.
The Commission suggested removing the height restrictions for letters on menu boards for item
#36.
The Commission accepted the suggested changes, as presented, for items #37 - #44.
The Commission decided that due to time constraints they would discuss the remainder of the
recommending zoning ordinance changes at the next meeting.
5. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR - NONE
6. REPORTS
• Liaison to Council
Planning Director Darling gave an overview of the matters considered and actions taken during
the Council’s December 9, 2019, meeting (as detailed in the minutes for that meeting).
• Update on New Construction Permits and Rental Licensing
Planning Director Darling stated that building permit issuance and revenues are up quite a bit,
mostly due to the Minnetonka Country Club development. She noted that once the Minnetonka
Country Club development is completed the City will not see this kind of increased revenue. She
stated that rental housing licenses also continue to increase. She reviewed the submission
requirements for people to be able to be granted a rental license.
• Draft Next Meeting Agenda
Planning Director Darling stated there is an application for redevelopment of a substandard lot,
but noted it is still incomplete so she is not sure if will be ready for the next meeting. She stated
that she is hoping there will be a subdivision to discuss and the Commission will also continue its
discussion on the proposed zoning amendment changes.
• Sensible Land Use Coalition January Program
Planning Director Darling stated that the next Sensible Land Use Coalition seminar is January 22,
2020 at Brookview in Golden Valley and is on sustainability and its implications for private and
public sectors. She stated that if any of the Commissioners would like to attend, to let her know
and she will get them signed up.
Upcoming Council Liaisons:
January – Commissioner Gault
February – Commissioner Maddy
March – Commissioner Eggenberger
April – Commissioner Riedel
CITY OF SHOREWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JANUARY 7, 2020
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May – Commissioner Gorham
7. ADJOURNMENT
Riedel moved, Eggenberger seconded, adjourning the Planning Commission Meeting of
January 7, 2020, at 9:47 P.M. Motion passed 5/0.