10-18-21 Planning Commission MinutesOTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
October 18, 2021
7:00 PM
Call to Order.
Chair Offerman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call: Acting Chair: David Thompson; Commissioners: Charles Foster, Vern Heidner,
and Richard Nichols*; Absent: Chair Alan Offerman, Jim Kolles, Aaron Stritesky, and
Pam Black; Present: City Council: CM Tom Darkenwald*. City Staff: City Planner Daniel
Licht and Deputy Clerk Bethany Benting.
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.
2. Consider the following minutes:
2.1 Planning Commission August 16, 2021.
Commissioner Heidner motioned to approve the minutes as written.
Seconded by Commissioner Foster. Roll Call: Those for; Heidner, Thompson,
Foster, Nichols. Those opposed; None. Motion carried. 4-0
3. Public Hearing Items:
3.1 Prairie Pointe:
A. Zonina Map amendment rezonina from A-1, Agriculture Rural Service
District to R-5, Residential Single and Two Family District.
B. PUD -CUP and preliminaryplat.
C. Vacation of public right-of-way.
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
Applicant, Reed Schultz with DR Horton, was present and agreed to the staff report.
Commissioner Heidner asked if the plat includes necessary easements to access for
stormwater maintenance within the outlots to be deeded to the City. City Planner Licht
said yes.
Acting Chair Thompson opened the Public Hearing at 7:11 PM.
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
October 18, 2021
Page 2
Kelly Poland, 12214 77th Street NE, asked how construction vehicles are to access the
development. City Planner Licht said that construction traffic would be directed by the
City Engineer to use 80th Street or 83rd Street and the City would work with D.R. Horton
to control their contractors.
Joe Tupy, 12268 76th Street NE, asked about removal of trees along the plat line
abutting Martin Farms. City Planner Licht stated the removal of trees is likely necessary
as part of the grading plan. Mr. Tupy said if trees are removed from within the plat, it
may result in the loss of trees on his property. City Planner Licht asked for Mr. Tupy's
contact information that way the City Engineer and developer can follow up regarding
his concerns and potential options. Mr. Tupy also asked about the setback
requirements for the houses north of Martin Farms. City Planner Licht stated there is a
20 -foot rear yard setback and seven -foot side yard setback from the property line to the
front of the structure home. Mr. Tupy commented that he feels Lots 169 to174 feels
very squeezed in. City Planner Licht stated the lots meet the lot requirements for the
R-5 District.
Charles Hollenback, 12320 76th Street NE, via zoom expressed concern about the
removal of trees along the plat line between the property and Martin Farms. City
Planner Licht said that he would ask Mr. Tupy to coordinate with the other property
owners related to the follow up requested by the City Engineer and developer.
Acting Chair Thompson asked about the size of the building pad shown on the grading
plan. Mr. Schultz explained that the building pad illustrated on the plans is an oversized
area that the house and expansions such as a deck or seasoned porch are within and
that the building pad is not the actual size of the house to be constructed.
Randy Pouliot, 8457 Mason Ave NE, asked about the vacation of the public right-of-way
and drainage. City Planner Licht explained the vacation of the right-of-way and
turnback of the north portion of the easement to the Pouliot's property. City Planner
Licht said the City Engineer will review to make sure the existing stormwater drainage is
maintained. Mr. Pouliot also asked about access from the development to 83rd Street.
City Planner Licht said there is access to 83rd Street at Mason Avenue but that the
design of the subdivision will minimize through traffic.
Charles Hollenback, 12320 76 Street NE, via zoom asked about the time line and the
layout of the proposed development to the final building. City Planner Licht explained
the plat approval process and indicated that construction was not likely until Spring
2022. Mr. Hollenback asked more explanation of the land deeded to the City for a park.
Mr. Licht explained the area is to be left natural as passive open space limited to the
planned trail.
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
October 18, 2021
Page 3
Acting Chair Thompson compared the proposed greenway corridor to Wilson Preserve.
City Planner Licht noted that this greenway area will ultimately be much larger than
Wilson Preserve.
Mr. Hollenback asked if there was review of the bald eagles within the land. City
Planner Licht stated there was not a requirement for an environmental assessment, but
City staff will review it and follow up with applicable regulations accordingly.
Commissioner Heidner asked City Planner Licht to show a Wright County GIS aerial
photograph of the area. Commissioner Heidner noted that the GIS images shown that
the existing trees between the property and Martin Farms appear to be mostly within
the property.
Mr. Tupy asked if the property has been walked on and look at or was it looked at from
just a map. City Planner Licht explained that the developer had done a field survey of
the property.
Ms. Poland asked about Otsego Creek and how it would be protected. City Planner Licht
said that Otsego Creek will be entirely within outlots deeded to the City and that the
creek channel will be improved in accordance with the Stormwater Management Plan to
provide for regional stormwater drainage.
Acting Chair Thompson closed the Public Hearing at 7:40 PM.
Commissioner Heidner asked about construction traffic on streets and the timing of the
phasing section. City Planner Licht explained. Mr. Schultz commented that they do not
have details about the phasing said he expects the area closest to Prairie View
Elementary School would be developed first. Mr. Schultz also said the development
would take about three to four years to complete.
Commissioner Foster motioned to recommend approval of Zoning Map
amendment rezoning the subject site to R-5 District based on a finding that
the criteria established by Section 11-3-2.F of the Zoning Ordinance are
satisfied. Seconded by Commissioner Heidner. Roll Call: Those for; Heidner,
Thompson, Foster, Nichols. Those opposed; None. Motion carried. 4-0
Commissioner Heidner motioned to recommend approval of vacation of
existing public right-of-way and a PUD-CUP/Preliminary Plat for Prairie
Pointe, subject to the following 14 conditions as stated in the staff report.
Seconded by Commissioner Nichols. Roll Call: Roll Call: Those for; Heidner,
Thompson, Foster, Nichols. Those opposed; None. Motion carried. 4-0
Minutes of the Otsego Planning Commission
October 18, 2021
Page 4
4. Updates:
4.1 Updates on City Council actions.
CM Darkenwald updated the Planning Commission on recent City Council actions.
4.2 Updates on future Planning Commission items.
City Planner Licht updated the commissioners that there will not be a planning
commission meeting on November 1st.
5. Adjourn.
Commissioner Foster motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
Heidner. Roll Call: Those for. Heidner, Thompson, Foster, Nichols. Those
opposed; None. Motion carried. 4-0
Adjourned at 7:52 PM.
David Thompson, Acting Chair
ATTEST: Bp�—' 0 - "
Bethany Be • g, Deputy Irk