ITEM 2.1OTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OTSEGO CITY HALL
JUNE 18, 2018
7:00 PM
Call to Order.
Commissioner Offerman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call: Commissioners: David Thompson, Roger Mord, Steve Schuck, Jim Kolles and
Alan Offerman; Absent: Chair Pam Black, Commissioners: Aaron Stritesky, and Richard
Nichols; City Council: CM Vern Heidner; Staff: City Planner, Daniel Licht and
Administrative Assistant, Kelly Thelen.
1. Announcements:
City Planner Licht introduced administrative assistant, Kelly Thelen. Commissioners
welcomed her. Kelly Thelen thanked them.
2 Consider the following minutes:
2.1 June 4, 2018 Planning Commission Meeting_
Commissioner Thompson requested revision of his comment on page three:
"Commissioner Thompson was concerned about the eight units being so close to single
family and thinks there should be a transition with smaller townhouse buildings with
future developments".
Commissioner Thompson motioned to approve as amended. Seconded by
Commissioner Kolles. All in favor. Motion carried.
3. Public Hearing items:
3.1 Riverbend North.
A. PUD District Amendment.
B. PUD Development State Plan for Phase 1.
C Preliminary Plat.
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Applicant Darren Lazan of Landform Professional Service, LLC, Casey Darkenwald and
John Darkenwald of Darkenwald Corporation present. Lazan said they made application
a year ago and made changes. Lazan described the project amenities: outdoor patio,
grill, interactive fitness machines, thirty -five -person theater to watch movies or games,
dog wash facility, bike shop and storage to take advantage of trails, and many more.
Lazan stated no objections to the twenty-one conditions.
Commissioner Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 7:22 PM.
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Michelle Virginia, 7716 River Road Northeast, shared concerns about traffic. With 164
apartment units, CSAH 42 is already a busy road. It will be hard for her to get out of
own driveway. Ms. Virginia had objections to four story apartment building. Ms. Virginia
also asked if the sheriff's office had opinion on the traffic study and need of more police
in area?
Commissioner Offerman brought the discussion to the Planning Commission members.
City Planner Licht reviewed the traffic study and explained that CSAH 42 is minor
arterial roadway. Individual driveways exist along the east side of CSAH 42 that predate
when the City was incorporated. The property has been designed in compliance with
the City and Wright County requirements. The location shown for access was planned
with Trunk Highway 101 being upgraded to freeway.
Mr. Licht explained the proposed fourth story height of the building and being
separated by retail and convenience gas uses from existing homes to the east.
Mr. Licht said the City has adopted a Comprehensive Plan to guide development and
the development is consistent with that plan. The Comprehensive Plan anticipates
development of up to 400 homes per year. The City as part of its budget process
review levels of service and potential development issues with the Wright County
Sheriff's Office. Public safety services can accommodate this proposed development.
Commissioner Schuck asked if traffic signal could go as access to the development
complex. City Planner Licht said the traffic study determined that a signal is not
warranted. Commissioner Schuck asked if right turn in only by residents and future
convenience store and asked about potential changes to the site plan.
City Planner Licht said that City staff would work on this issue with the applicant.
Commissioner Offerman would like a change also because added use of the right lane
in to get into apartment.
Commissioner Thompson concerned about the southeast corner of the apartment
building being close to the homes in Riverbend Mobile Home Park. City Planner Licht
said the building is setback eighty to one hundred feet from the south plat line.
Commissioner Offerman asked if the setbacks from the property line meets the
requirement for the additional building height. City Planner Licht said yes.
Commissioner Offerman asked developers to provide for coniferous trees along
Highway 101 for year-round screening and modify to include quicker growing trees.
Applicant Lazan said they would work with City staff to incorporate alternative
plantings.
Lazan noted that the developer of Riverbend North is the owner of Riverbend Mobile
Home park and aware of building proximity.
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Lazan said the developer will work with City staff on traffic flow within the site as
discussed by the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Mord asked about decommissioning of the private waste water treatment
facility. City Planner Licht stated that Riverbend Mobile Home Park is a single
corporation that rents pad sites to residents and that the sewer connection is being
made at a single point with the Mobile Home Park, the same as the existing municipal
water connection.
Commissioner Schuck asked about tearing up resident's yards or if all connections are
there. City Planner Licht replied that all internal pipes are managed by Riverbend
Mobile Home Park. Commissioner Schuck asked if connections are immediate. Lazan
stated the infrastructure for the connection is in place and only a short pipe is needed
to be added.
Commissioner Offerman asked if East Waste Water Treatment Facility below treatment
utilization. City Planner Licht said that the proposed development and connection of
Riverbend Mobile Home Park to City utilities is benefit to the City for system financing
and utilization of existing capacity.
Commissioner Mord asked if the proposed apartment building is a fully fire sprinkled
facility. Lazan said yes. City Planner Licht added there is adequate pressure in the City
system for the use.
Commissioner Thompson questioned the allocation of garage parking spots. Lazan
replied it is supply and demand for parking with garage stalls assigned for additional
cost. Commissioner Schuck noted that the tuck under garages have one or two stalls.
City Planner Licht clarified that the two stall garages could be rented to two separate
tenants.
Commissioner Offerman asked for additional public comment.
Michelle Virginia, 7716 River Road Northeast, said she does not want apartments, retail,
and a gas station. Ms. Virginia disagreed with the conclusions of the traffic study. Ms.
Virginia is also concerned about a decrease property value. Commissioner Thompson
asked how long she lived there. Ms. Virginia answered 10 years.
City Planner Licht stated that since 2004 the Comprehensive Plan has guided the site
for commercial uses. City Planner Licht said in 2014 a PUD District was approved for
multifamily uses. Both of these actions required a public hearing and provided
opportunity for public comment on land use. Commissioner Thompson asked if F&F
convenience gas store was gone when Ms. Virginia moved in. Ms. Virginia replied it
was there for a short time and kids would walk along CSAH 42. Ms. Virginia would like
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to see trail on CSAH 42 for kids. Commissioner Schuck and City Planner Licht reminded
of trail ten feet wide separate from CSAH 42.
Commissioner Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 7:50 PM.
Commissioner Mord questioned if the traffic study done also looked on impact on CSAH
42 and Quaday Avenue. City Planner Licht said the traffic study did not extend west of
Trunk Highway 101. City Planner Licht said that the transportation plan for CSAH 42 is
for future signals at Quaday Avenue and Otsego Elementary when warrants are met.
Commissioner Schuck motioned to recommend City Council approval of an
amendment to the Riverbend North PUD District based on the ordinance
drafted by City staff as presented. Second by Commissioner Mord. All in
favor. Propose to sign.
Commissioner Schuck motioned to recommend City Council approval of the
Preliminary Plat for Riverbend North and PUD Development Stage Plan for
Riverbend North Phase 1, subject to the twenty-one conditions listed in the
planning report, and:
22. The landscape plan shall be revised to incorporate fast growing deciduous trees and
coniferous trees/shrubs along the west and east plat lines, subject to review and
approval of the Zoning Administrator.
Second by Commissioner Kolles. Vote is 4 ayes and 1 nay. Opposed by
Commissioner Thompson.
3.2. City Code Recodification,
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Commissioner Offerman asked if everyone can use it Codifier's website. City Planner
Licht said yes. Commissioner Thompson added they use Sterling in Wright County.
Commissioner Offerman agreed that the current website access is out of date.
Commissioner Schuck added it is not easy to use current website. City Planner Licht
showed how to search and found results.
City Planner Licht said yes Sterling.
Commissioner Offerman opened Public Hearing 8:03 PM.
Keith Knutson, 6630 ODean Avenue Northeast, asked if accessible immediately on
website.
City Planner Licht said the City Code will be available after City Council approval.
Commissioner Offerman brought the discussion to the Planning Commission.
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Commissioner Offerman agreed update is good idea.
City Council Heidner explained legal ramifications of codification.
Commissioner Offerman asked if it is significant cost. City Planner Licht said generally
the price is $25,000-$30,000, but as Otsego follows similar code layout price reduced.
Commissioner Offerman asked for additional public comment.
There was no additional public comment.
Commissioner Offerman closed Public Hearing at 8:06 PM.
Commissioner Thompson motion to recommend City Council approval of an
ordinance enacting a code of ordinances for the City of Otsego amending,
restating, revising, updating and codifying the Zoning and Subdivisions
Ordinances as well as the other ordinances included in the City Code. Second
by Schuck. All in favor. Motion carries and will be at Monday's City Council.
4. Update on City Council actions.
Council Member Heidner updated the Planning Commission on recent City Council
actions.
5. Update on future Planning Commission Agenda items.
City Planner Licht updated the commissioners on possible future agenda items.
6. Adjourn.
Commissioner Kolles motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
Schuck. All in favor. Motion carried. Adjourned at 8:15 PM.
Alan Offerman, Planning Commission
ATTEST:
Kelly Thelen, Administrative Assistant