12-17-01 WSCITY COUNCIL
WORKSHOP
WITH
PLANNING COMMISSION
MONDAY
DECEMBER 17, 2001
OTSEGO CITY HALL
Mayor Fournier called the Workshop to order at 7 PM. Attending the workshop were:
Mayor Larry Fournier; Councilmembers: Vem Heidner, Jerry Struthers and Virginia
Wendel. Suzanne Ackerman arrived at 7:30 PM; Planning Commission Members: Carl
Swenson, Steve Shuck, Ken Fry, Richard Nichols, Jim Kolles, Christian Mbanefo and
David Thompson. Excused absence: Patrick Moonen. Staff attending was: Mike
Robertson, City Administrator; Judy Hudson, City Clerk/Zoning Administrator; and Dan
Licht, City Planner.
Mayor Fournier commended the Planning Commission for all their work and would like
from this workshop their thoughts and future views for the Western Otsego area.
Dan Licht presented his December 12, 2001 Memorandum and also his December 14,
2001 Memorandum outlining a proposed timeframe schedule for the West Sewer District
for January and February 2002.
Richard Nichols asked if a wastewater treatment plant is needed in the west since it
would only create a demand for more housing. Mayor Fournier stated if the City doesn't
build one we will eventually lose the land to Albertville and we need to preserve the tax
base. Carl Swenson stated this creates leapfrog development and he fears losing control.
CM Wendel stated support for a WWTP as she knows landowners that are willing to sell.
CM Heidner said he feels the City will have a better chance of preserving the Ag Land
with a WWTP. Dave Thompson asked how much agricultural land would be lost. Dan
Licht said full build out would reduce AG land from 6,000 acres to 4,400 acres.
Mayor Fournier asked for feedback. Christian Mbanefo stated he supports change as long
as it is planned out. CM Heidner said the City shouldn't be afraid of change and noted
the Comprehensive Plan has been changed three times in ten years. Carl Swenson
supports have the sewer district surround Albertville. Steve Schuck agreed but said he
wanted to preserve some AG land.
Richard Nichols questioned if the Rural Residential Preserve should be extended. Carl
Swenson was concerned that the wording in the Comp Plan regarding a community
system could mean individual water and septic. Dan Licht will review this. Richard
Nichols feels the Ag. Preserve Area should remain at four per forty with no package
plants allowed, or require that any sewer connect into the City System. And, during the
Workshop of December 17, 2001. Page 2.
Interim don't do clustering but let them have 10 -acre lots.
Regarding Townhouses, Dan Licht is going to ask Chris Bulow for more information on
his town home development plan. Everyone agreed they want to see something different
from what the City has.
Dan Licht will have more information on town home density for everyone to review.
Commissioners Ken Fry and Steve Schuck said they felt having 25% of the City
population in town homes was too high. They would be more comfortable with 15%.
Richard Nichols said he didn't have a percentage in mind, but did not favor any more
town home development on single-family land.
Mayor Fournier thanked everyone for his or her comments and adjourned the meeting at
8:40 PM.
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Mayor La Y
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At es : J d Hudson, City CI rk/Zoning Adm.