02-05-01 PCCITY OF OTSEGO
PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING
FEBRUARY 5, 2001
8 PM
OTSEGO CITY HALL
1 Chair Carl Swenson will call the Planning Commission Meeting to order
Chair Swenson called the meeting to order at 8 PM.
Roll Call: Chair Carl Swenson; Planning Commission Members: Ken Fry,
Richard Nichols, Steve Schuck, Patrick Moonen, Jim Kolles.
Council representative: Vern Heidner.
Council attendance: Mayor Larry Fournier, Councilmembers Jerry Struthers
and Suzanne Ackerman.
Staff: Mike Robertson, City Administrator; Judy Hudson, City Clerk/Zoning
Administrator; Dan Licht, City Planner.
2. Consideration of he planning Commission Minutes of.,
a_ T nuar�v 1 f� 2001
Commissioner Schuck motioned to approve the minutes. Seconded by
Commissioner Nichols. All in favor. Motion carried.
3. Public Hearing for the. applicant S & Z Investments. Inc-, and Bulow Inc
for Myrtle I n oni owner for a PTD (Planned Unit Development) Con Plan
Review for a d .v lonment of 75 single family lots at 8922 1`T sh ua Avenue &E
PID 118-500-201200 100 acres -
Chair
resChair Swenson opened the Public Hearing at 8:03 PM.
Judy Hudson verified the proper publishing, noticing and posting was done.
Dan Licht presented the Planner's Report.
The developers, Chris Bulow and George Sanford briefly went over their concept plan.
Chair Swenson opened the Hearing for Public comment at 8:19 PM.
Russ Voght, 91st Street: Concern with the lot widths.
Krishona Martinson, Nashua Avenue: Concern with the additional traffic, wants the
entrance moved to align the City Hall's north entrance, 75 houses are too many and the
surrounding neighborhood consists of larger lots,
Steve Wiltermuth OBrian Avenue: Concern with the street extension (90th) from this
development connecting OBrian, if it will be offset or not. He thought the community
septic system looked like a good solution.
Leslie Buford, 85th Street; She feels this development is "out of step" with the
neighborhood, concern with the expansion of 85th Street is because of this development,
concern with traffic, density, impact to water table with chemicals from lawns, not against
the development but 75 homes are too many.
Stan Schuster, 85th Street: Concern that 75 houses are too many.
Diane Wiltermuth, OBrian Avenue. Concern with the 90th Street extension.
Planning Commission Meeting of February 5, 2001, cont'd. Page 2.
Judy Woods, OBrian Avenue: Diverting the water in a different direction would be a
benefit, concern with all the additional water going into ground from the homes, her water
table is high at her lot.
Tim Flynn, 85th Street: Concern with value of the homes since he feels water table is too
high for many lots to have full basements.
Randall Begin, Napier Avenue: He stated support for the development.
Carol Roden, Nashua Avenue: Concern with the increase of residents bringing more
crime to Otsego, concern with the speeding on Nashua Avenue.
Tom Skoog, lives south of development. Mr. Skoog supports 50 homes rather than 75.
Chair Swenson brought discussion back to Planning Commission at 8:56 PM.
Commissioner Nichols asked if there are any lots platted in the tier 1 area. Dan Licht
replied there are 5 lots located in tier 1, which means they have to be a minimum of
20,000 square feet.
Commissioner Schuck questioned if there will be access for the City to maintain the septic
system. Mr. Licht said yes.
Commissioner Kolles questioned if the total number of lots could be lowered. Chris
Bulow replied that since the drainage project for the City is expensive, 75 lots are needed
to make this project feasible. Chris said the lots would average $50,000.
Chair Swenson stated the Planning Commission was adamant to the last developer for 50
lots.
Commissioner Nichols supports the 50 lots because of the benefit of the drainage project
for the residents to the east of this project but is uncomfortable with individual wells and
would rather see a community well done.
Commissioner Schuck agreed with the 50 lots and questioned if park and trail fees could
be reduced because of the City Park across the street.
Chair Swenson opened the Public Hearing back up for Public Comment at 9:09 PM.
Leslie Buford, 85th Street. She doesn't want the City to participate in the drainage
project.
Greg Dungan, OBrian Avenue. He said 75 homes are too many.
Tom Constant, 85th Street and member of the Park and Recreation Commission. 75
homes are too many and there should be no break in the Park and Trail fees for the
developer because the money is needed for park development.
Lou Luconic, land owner. She feels its time to go forward with this development of her
land, that getting nice homes for Otsego brings in revenue to increase services such as
Police Department or a Post Office. She has never tried to stop development around her
property.
Judy Woods, OBrian Avenue. She is opposed to the development.
George Sanford, developer. He stated he appreciated all the comments and understands
that no one likes to see all the developments, but there is demand and we would like to
Planning Commission Meeting of February 5, 2001, cont'd. Page 3.
provide Otsego with nice homes. He also stated allowing only 50 lots would not make.the
project feasible.
Kim Blades, Nashua. She is not against development, but not 75 lots and the entrance
should go across from City Hall.
Carol Roden, Nashua Avenue. She is not against the development but not with 75 homes.
Chair Swenson closed the Public Hearing at 9:20 PM.
Commissioner Nichols motioned to approve the PUD -CUP Concept Plan for
development of 54 single family lots with communal septic and water systems,
subject to the eight (8) conditions listed in the Findings of Fact. Seconded by
Commissioner Kolles. All in favor. Motion carried.
Discussion occurred between the motioned being made and the vote of motion.
Commissioner Moonen wants to preserve as much land as possible. Commissioner Fry
stated he has the same concern as the residents. Commissioner Nichols would like less
homes and more open space and also feels that this development needs two accesses.
Commissioners Moonen, Kolles and Schuck agreed with two accesses. Chair Swenson
stated the determination of the access locations should be done by the City Engineer.
4- Electinn of officers -
a. Chair
Commission Nichols nominated Carl Swenson for Chair.
Commissioner Moonen nominated Richard Nichols for Chair.
Commissioner Nichols declined the nomination.
Commission Nichols motioned to close nominations. Seconded by Commissioner
Kolles. Chair Swenson opposed. Motion carried five (5) to one (1).
The Chair for 2001 is Carl Swenson.
Chair Swenson thanked the Planning Commissioners and said it is an honor to serve as
their Chair.
b- Vice Chair
Commissioner Kolles nominated Richard Nichols.
Commissioner Schuck motioned for nominations be closed. Seconded by
commissioner Fry. All in favor. Motion carried.
The Vice Chair for 2001 is Richard Nichols.
C. Secrfltary
Commissioner Nichols nominated Jim Kolles.
Commissioner Nichols motioned for nominations be closed. Seconded by
Commissioner Schuck. All in favor. Motion carried.
5- Any other Planning Commission Business
a- ( lndate on Council Actions by CM Heidn r
CM Heidner reported on the Farr Senior Housing Development, which was tabled by the
Planning Commission Meeting of February 5, 2001, contd. Page 4.
City Council to give the Historical Preservation Commission time to determine if the
existing house has historical value and it was determined that it does not.
Mike Robertson discussed with the Planning Commission canceling the next meeting since
it falls on President's Day and possibly the Chair and Commissioner Nichols won't be able
to attend. Since there are no Public Hearings scheduled the Commission agreed to cancel
the February 19, 2001 Planning Commission Meeting.
6 Adjourn by 10 PM -
Commissioner Moonen motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Schuck.
All in favor. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:50 PM.
Jim Kolles, Secretary
Recorded by: Judy Hudson, City Clerk, Zoning Adm.