02-19-19 Planning Commission MinutesOTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OTSEGO CITY HALL
FEBRUARY 19, 2019
7:00 PM
Call to Order.
Commissioner Offerman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call: Commissioners: Aaron Stritesky, Jim Kolles, David Thompson, Roger Mord,
Richard Nichols, and Alan Offerman; Absent: Chair Pam Black; Commissioner Steve
Schuck; City Council: CM Tom Darkenwald. City Staff: City Planner Daniel Licht and
Administrative Assistant Kelly Thelen.
1. Announcements:
None.
2 Consider the following minutes:
2.1 February 4, 2019 Planning Commission Meeting_
Commissioner Thompson motioned to approve. Seconded by Commissioner
Stritesky. All in favor. Motion carried.
3. Public Hearing Item:
3.1 Subdivision Ordinance design standards (continued from February 4, 2019).
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Commissioner Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 7:03 PM.
No comments made.
Commissioner Offerman brought the discussion to the Planning Commission members
at 7:03 PM.
Commissioner Thompson asked about the use of the twenty-four foot wide rural section
street with concerns about emergency vehicle access and on -street parking. City
Planner Licht replied that this street section design is only used for rural cluster
developments and not within the more dense developments in the sewer districts.
Commissioner Offerman asked for the standard weight design within the sewer districts.
City Planner Licht responded that it is a nine ton design street.
Commissioner Offerman returned to the public for additional comment at 7:06 PM.
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
February 19, 2019
Page 2
Sarah Stritesky, 15242 81St Court Northeast, commented that the proposed
amendments looked good.
There were no other comments from the public.
Commissioner Offerman closed the public hearing at 7:07 PM.
Commissioner Thompson motioned to recommend the approval ordinances
amending the City Code regarding subdivision design standards. Seconded by
Commissioner Nichols. All in favor. Motion carried.
4. Non -Public Hearing Item:
4.1 Residential fire safety.
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Commissioner Offerman said the fire resistant materials are worth looking into.
Commissioner Offerman also asked if the City could require more trees to help block the
wind in the newer developments. City Planner Licht replied the City currently requires
two trees at least two -and -a -half caliper inch per lot.
Commissioner Thompson said that fire proof siding would protect the neighboring and
give the fire department more time to arrive. Commissioner Thompson suggested the
City would only require fire resistant siding on sides of homes. City. Planner Licht replied
the building department said outside of Riverwood National, builders are not using fire
resistant siding except on front elevations for aesthetic reasons.
Commissioner Thompson asked if the prices referenced are given for the cost of siding
the entire house. City Planner Licht said yes.
Commissioner Nichols questioned how LP Smartside siding looks together with the vinyl.
City Planner Licht replied it could be required on sides only and not the front or rear of
house.
Commissioner Nichols asked about the option of sprinkler systems. City Planner Licht
said sprinkler systems are in the building code and the City is not allowed to add
requirements to systems regulated by the building code. Commissioner Nichols
commented he does not see cost benefit of requiring fire resistant siding.
Commissioner Stritesky noted that almost all of the houses with secondary damage are
separated by more than twenty feet from the other involved houses.
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
February 19, 2019
Page 3
Commissioner Nichols optioned for the setbacks to ten feet over use the fire resistant
siding. Commissioner Nichols said he is concerned what the builders will say because
the City should do one over the other but not change the whole thing.
Commissioner Mord inquired how the three surrounding City deals with the issue.
City Planner Licht replied St. Michael is looking into this whereas other cities have not
addressed the issue.
CM Darkenwald questioned if the fires occurred during the building process or after
completion. City Planner Licht responded the houses at Wildflower Meadows and
Rivepointe were in the process of new construction.
Commissioner Thompson said the fire on 59th Street had high winds and melted siding
on the house across the street. City Planner Licht said that houses across the street did
not need a building permit to repair any damage and thus were not included in the
report.
Commissioner Nichols commented it is hard to do something that would solve all the
problems regarding fire prevention short of sprinklers but the City cannot require that.
Commissioner Thompson said that allowing seven foot setbacks should require fire
resistant siding.
Commissioner Nichols commented on a newer residential development in St Michael on
CSAH 36 that looks like the homes have narrow setbacks. City Planner Licht said he
with inquire with the City of St. Michael.
City Planner Licht said the next step is to prepare language for requiring a ten foot
setback within the option to go to a seven foot setback with fire resistant exterior
materials. The Planning Commission agreed that the draft language be sent to builders
for their input prior to moving to adopt a change in requirements.
Commissioner Mord asked about implementing a change in requirements for
development in progress so as not to be a hardship. City Planner Licht responded that
the effective date of any amendment could be determined in adopting the proposed
standards.
Commissioner Thompson asked if the utilities and air conditioning were required to be
in the back of the house. City Planner Licht answered the air conditioning must be
setback five feet from side lot lines.
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
February 19, 2019
Page 4
City Planner Licht said this topic will be back to the Planning Commission for further
discussion. Commissioner Offerman added he would like to see what other cities have
for setbacks. City Planner Licht replied that City staff will provide that information.
5. Update on City Council actions.
CM Tom Darkenwald updated the Planning Commission on recent City Council actions.
6. Update on future Planning Commission Agenda items.
City Planner Licht updated the commissioners on possible future agenda items.
7. Adjourn.
Commissioner S-tritesky motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
Thompson.:-All'in favor. carried. Adjourned at 7:39 PM.
Alan Offerman, Commissioner
ATTEST: t�ol RL
Kelly elen, Administrative Assistant