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07-19-21 Planning Commission MinutesOTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER JULY 19, 2021 7:00 PM Call to Order. Chair Offerman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Roll Call: Chair Alan Offerman; Commissioners: Charles Foster, David Thompson, Vern Heidner, Aaron Stritesky, Richard Nichols* Absent: Pam Black and Jim Kolles; Present: City Council: CM Tom Darkenwald, Mayor Jessica Stockamp*, CM Tina Goede*, CM Jeff Dahl*. City Staff: City Planner Daniel Licht and Deputy Clerk Bethany Benting. 1. Announcements: City Planner Licht stated that some Commissioners are participating via teleconference in accordance with Minnesota Statute 13D.015. Those indicated with a (*) attended via video conference. City Planner Licht noted that an email received regarding Item 3.2 was distributed to the Commissioners. 2. Consider the following minutes: 2.1 Planning Commission June 21, 2021. Commissioner Thompson motioned to approve the minutes as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Foster. Roll Call: Those for; Offerman, Foster, Heidner, Thompson, Stritesky, Nichols. Those opposed; None. Motion carried. 6-0 3. Public Hearing Items: 3.1 Northwater: A. Zoning Map amendment rezoning from R6 District to R5 District. B. Preliminary plat and PUD -CUP for 97 single family lots. C. Vacation of existing drainage and utility easements. City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report. Applicant Dan Willenbring, Tamarack Land Development, was present and agreed to the staff report. Mr. Willenbring noted that Deb Ridgeway of D.R. Horton was also present. Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 7:12 PM. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission July 19, 2021 Page 2 Nancy Schuster, 7193 McKenzie Ave NE, stated she is concerned about people/residents being able to see in her windows. City Planner Licht stated he spoke to Mrs. Schuster before the meeting and reassured her that there would be about 100 feet distance between her home and those proposed to the south. Chair Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 7:15 PM. Chair Offerman addressed Mrs. Schuster's concerns noting the distance is far greater do to wetlands. City Planner Licht stated the minimum setback is typically 40 feet, but since there is a wetland, the separation is about 100 feet. Chair Offerman asked if residents are able to plant trees in the rear yards for privacy. City Planner Licht said yes. Commissioner Thompson stated residents now might have even more privacy and space due to the developer not building townhomes. City Planner Licht agreed stating that the development is now half the number of dwellings as the original proposed development. Chair Offerman asked about the construction of turn lanes on CSAH 38. City Planner Licht stated the developer is required to construct the turn lanes and Wright County will later be doing a surface improvement to match the other new sections of CSAH 38. CM Darkenwald asked how many homes are now in the Martin Farms development with the changes proposed with this plat. City Planner Licht said that between Martin farms and Northwater there will be approximately 600 homes. Commissioner Heidner motioned to recommend approval of a Zoning Map amendment rezoning Outlots C, D, and E Martin Farms to R-5 District based on a finding that the request is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Seconded by Commissioner Stritesky. Roll Call: Those for; Offerman, Foster, Heidner, Thompson, Stritesky, Nichols. Those opposed; None. Motion carried. 6-0 Commissioner Heidner motioned to recommend approval of the Northwater preliminary plat, PUD -CUP, and vacation of existing drainage and utility easements, subject to the following conditions as stated in the report. Seconded by Commissioner Foster. Roll Call: Those for; Offerman, Foster, Heidner, Thompson, Stritesky, Nichols. Those opposed; None. Motion carried. 6-0 Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission July 19, 2021 Page 3 3.2 Bancor Group, Inc.: A. Amendment of the Future Land Use Plan of the 2012 Comprehensive Plan to change the guided land use from industrial to low density residential. City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report. Applicant Paul Robinson, Bancor Group, was present and presented a slideshow explaining their request. Chair Offerman opened the Public Hearing at 7:49 PM. Corey Tanner, 7952 Palmgren Ave NE, stated he opposed the request based on establishing a precedent for other amendments and because the proposed use would create compatibility issues in the area. Kelly Kiffineyer, 10365 80th St NE, noted the email provided to the Planning Commission but wanted to address a couple concerns in person. Ms. Kiffineyer stated their farm relies on drainage at four different locations that flow from her property through other land and is concerned about the effect on drainage the project may have. Ms. Kiffineyer also said they grow organic certified apples and grapes that are sensitive to common lawn chemicals that may be a problem with residential development. Chair Offerman closed the Public Hearing at 7:54 PM. Commissioner Thompson asked Mr. Tanner about his comment regarding complaints. Mr. Tanner explained that anytime you have a neighborhood with industrial uses and traffic the city will get complaints from the home owners. Commissioner Heidner asked how big the expansion will be of the W-WWTF. City Planner Licht explained that the project is a phased expansion planned in accordance with the Sewer Master Plan. Commissioner Thompson asked how City Planner Licht estimated the number of houses that could be built within the current West Sewer District. City Planner Licht explained. Chair Offerman asked how a transition between Kittredge Crossings and industrial to the north is to be accomplished. City Planner Licht explained the transition along rear yards that can include increased setbacks, berms, trees, and/or fencing for the industrial uses. Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission July 19, 2021 Page 4 Chair Offerman asked if Kaleidoscope Charter School could expand without the requested amendment. City Planner Licht said yes. Commissioner Foster asked Mrs. Kiffineyer where the apple trees and grape vines are located on her property. Mrs. Kiffineyer explained that they are scattered throughout her land near the southeast line. Commissioner Thompson asked about the chemicals that may cause land harm knowing the City is aware of the drainage problems in that area. City Planner Licht said it would be up to the property owners to use or not use certain kinds of lawn chemicals. Chair Offerman asked about the HOA park and trails. City Planner Licht explained the City allows private neighborhood parks as a conditional use. Mr. Robinson added that the development can be revised based on feedback that private parks are not desirable. CM Darkenwald asked Mr. Robinson for clarification on relationship between the property owner, Bancorp Group, and Kaleidoscope Charter School. Mr. Robinson stated that Bancorp Group has an agreement to potentially develop the property, but neither the developer or property owner has any formal agreement with Kaleidoscope Charter School. Commissioner Heidner said it is difficult to change an industrial area into housing as is being proposed. Commissioner Heidner said that Otsego still has a lot of land to develop homes and there is a more limited area dedicated land for industrial. Commissioner Heidner said he is opposed to the requested change. Chair Offerman said he agrees with Commissioner Heidner that there is a lot of land left to develop as residential uses without changing areas planned for industrial uses. Commissioner Stritesky stated that if the industrial changed to residential as requested, there still is a buffer concern to the east and west of the property. Commissioner Stritesky said he does not want to see this become a bigger issue and is opposed to the request. Commissioner Heidner motioned to recommend the application for a Comprehensive Plan amendment be denied based on a finding that the request is inconsistent with the policies of the 2012 Comprehensive Plan. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Roll Call: Those for; Offerman, Foster, Heidner, Thompson, Stritesky, Nichols. Those opposed; None. Motion carried. 6-0 Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission July 19, 2021 Page 5 4. Updates: 4.1 Updates on City Council actions. CIA Darkenwald updated the Planning Commission on recent City Council actions. 4.2 Updates on future Planning Commission items. City Planner Licht updated the commissioners on possible future agenda items. 5. Adjourn. Commissioner Stritesky motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Foster. Roll Call: Those for; Offerman, Foster, Heidner, Thompson, Stritesky, Nichols. Those opposed; None. Motion carried. 6-0 Adjourned at :23 PM. Alan Offerman, Chair ATTEST: �) - ang��Ao- Bethany Ben ' g, Deputy Clerk