09-19-11 PCITEM 1_1
OTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OTSEGO CITY HALL
SEPTEMBER 19, 2011
7 PM
1. Chair Black will call the meeting to order.
Chair Black called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call: Chair Pam Black; Commissioners: David Thompson, Richard Nichols,
Tammie Fallon, and Aaron Stritesky. Absent: Jim Kolles and Brian Gerten.
City Council: CM Vern Heidner. City staff: Lori Johnson, City Administrator;
Daniel Licht, City Planner; and Tami Loff, City Clerk.
CM Heidner introduced new City Administrator Lori Johnson.
2. Consider the following minutes.
2.1 August 15, 2011 Planning Commission Meeting.
Commissioner Fallon motioned to approve as written. Seconded by
Commissioner Thompson. All in favor. Motion carried.
3. Planning Item:
PUBLIC HEARING:
3.1 Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for proposed 85th
Street Extension (Nashua Avenue to Mason Avenue).
City Planner Licht presented the Planning Report.
City Clerk Loff attested that all the proper noticing, posting and publishing was
completed.
Chair Black opened the Public Hearing at 7:12 PM.
Kurt Byers, 8695 Nashua Avenue, Otsego, asked if the City has done a study on
the amount of traffic and the impact. City Planner Licht said estimate would be
around 10,000 per day. Mr. Byers asked what the traffic count is right now. City
Planner Licht said he does not have that information at this time. Mr. Byers
asked what the triggers are for the street project. City Planner Licht said the two
most likely triggers would be adjacent development or if the school district
developed their property at MacIver Avenue/80th Street.
Carol Roden, 8665 Nashua Avenue, Otsego, asked why on the map attached to
the EAW summary it states gravel pit. City Planner Licht said that map was
sourced from USGS and it does not indicate any City approvals for that land use
activity.
Dennis McApline, 8507 Nashua Avenue, Otsego, said his big concern is that the
85th Street extension would be going right through property. Mr. McAlpine asked
the width of the roadway from the edge of the pond. City Planner Licht said 80
feet. Mr. McAlpine is concerned with filling in the existing pond. City Planner Licht
Planning Commission Meeting September 19, 2011. Page 2.
said that more detailed plans and information regarding the extent of fill required
would be needed at the time the project goes forward.
Commissioner Nichols said with alternate 2 the report states that there is an
additional 2,000 feet of roadway, and asked if is that to get around Mr.
McApline's property? City Planner Licht said yes it is additional roadway needed
to move the route to the north of the McAlpine property. Commissioner Nichols
asked if the City Engineer took into account the cost of filling in the wetland
because he is concerned with that also. City Planner Licht said at there is a
significant topography issue east of Nashua Avenue related to Alternate #2 as
well as impacts to additional properties.
Chair Black asked if all of the alternatives are planned Parkway sections. City
Planner Licht said yes.
Commissioner Nichols asked on the map exhibits what blue areas designate. City
Planner Licht said these areas are designated as wetland on National Wetland
Inventory map.
Commissioner Nichols asked if the Planning Commission is considering the
alternatives or the overall study. City Planner Licht said the Commissioner's are
asked to vote on the EAW, which includes all three alternatives. The decision as
to which alternative is constructed will be determined in the future based on
additional information not related to environmental impacts.
City Planner Licht said that when the City does move ahead with the project
there would be additional noticed public meetings for those impacted by the
project.
Commissioner Nichols asked for a brief description of how the pond would be
protected during construction. City Planner Licht said there would be erosion
control plans included in the construction plan set that would define the limits of
the wetland impacts.
Kurt Beyers, 8695 Nashua Avenue, Otsego, what area would there need to be
development for this project to go forward. City Planner Licht explained the City's
sewer staging plan and said that development adjacent to the future roadway
would trigger construction.
Ed Specht, 8740 Mason Avenue, Otsego, would Mason Avenue be improved from
85th Street South. City Planner Licht said there is no time frame at this time and
when the project moves forward the City and that the City is aware of the
condition of Mason Avenue and other existing streets in the area. Mr. Specht
Planning Commission Meeting September 19, 2011. Page 3.
asked if access will be limited to 85th Street. City Planner Licht said there would
be no direct lot access to 85th Street.
Carol Roden, 8665 Nashua Avenue, Otsego, said she is concerned with Nashua
Avenue being 55 MPH and with Prairie Park location. City Planner Licht said the
that Nashua Avenue has been planned as a future County Road prior to
construction of City Hall and Prairie Park and that the design provide for safe trail
access.
Denise McAlpine, PO Box 694, Crosslake, has invested property in the Carron
Addition, discussed the alternatives from the EAW summary and feels alternative
2 is the best option. City Planner Licht said at this time the City Engineer
recommends alternative 1.
Denise McAlpine, PO Box 694, Crosslake, asked if they will be given the same
benefit that the people along 70th Street where given as to no assessments. City
Planner Licht said that is a future City Council decision.
Dennis McAlpine, 8507 Nashua Avenue, Otsego, said alternative 1 option will
take his sewer so when the project goes forward will the city make him go with a
mound system because he doesn't want that he would prefer a gravity system
which he feels is the best. City Planner said when it gets to that the City would
have to look at the design. Mr. McAlpine said his neighbors well is out in the
front of their property and the sewer is in back they don't have the room for a
new system. City Planner Licht said the City would have to acquire the total
property if that were the case.
Chair Black closed the Public Hearing at 7:58 PM.
CM Heidner said the City doesn't know when this project is going to happen the
two triggers are development and the school system as well as available funding.
CM Heidner said the City Council is trying to plan ahead because this will be an
expensive street.
Commissioner Thompson motioned to recommend adopting findings
that the planned future 85th street project from Nashua Avenue to
Mason Avenue is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and does not
have potential for significant environmental effects and that
preparation of an EIS is not to be required based on a review of the
EAW and other evidence received. Seconded by Commissioner
Stritesky. All in favor. Motion carried.
Planning Commission Meeting September 19, 2011. Page 4.
City Planner Licht said this item will be on the September 26, 2011 City Council
agenda.
3.2 Consider amendment to the Zoning Ordinance regarding variances.
City Planner Licht presented the Planning report.
City Clerk Loff attested that all the proper noticing, posting and publishing was
completed.
Chair Black opened the PH at 8:04 PM.
Commissioner Nichols asked if the text has changed in the draft than the one
reviewed at the August 15, 2011 meeting? City Planner Licht said nothing has
changed.
Wendy Byers, 8695 Nashua Avenue, Otsego, asked with the change in variances
does this mean we can build a bigger garage? City Planner Licht said no and that
variances are rarely approved and must show a unique physical condition on the
property that prevents any reasonable use. Chair Black closed the Public Hearing
at 8:07 PM.
Commissioner Stritesky motioned to recommend approval of an
amendment of the Zoning Ordinance regarding variances as presented.
Seconded by Commissioner Nichols. All in favor. Motion carried.
4. Anv other Plannina Commission Business.
4.1 Update on City Council actions by Councilmember Heidner.
CM Heidner updated the Commission on City Council actions.
4.2 Update on future Planning Commission Agenda Items by
Ta m i Loff.
City Clerk Loff said there are no future agenda items at this time and that she
will keep the commissioners updated.
5. Adjournment by 10 PM.
Commissioner Fallon motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
Thompson. All in favor. Motion carried. Adjourned at 8:13 PM.
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Pam Black, Chair
Attest: JU41---y Vy �cw
Tami Loff, City Clerk