12-02-02 PCCITY OF OTSEGO
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
DECEMBER 2, 2002, 8 PM
OTSEGO CITY HALL
1. Chair Nichols will call the meeting to order.
Chair Nichols called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.
Roll Call: Planning Commission Members: Chair Richard Nichols, Steve
Schuck, David Thompson, Christian Mbanefo, Ken Fry, and alternate Pam Black.
Excused absences: Carl Swenson and Jim Kolles.
Staff. Mike Robertson, City Administrator; Judy Hudson, City Clerk/Zoning-
Administrator and Dan Licht, City Planner.
Council: Mayor Larry Fournier; Vern Heidner, Virginia Wendel, and Jerry Struthers.
Also attending was Councilmember-elect Dan Scharber.
2. Consider the following minutes:
2.1. November 18, 2002 Planning Commission Meeting_
Commissioner Schuck motioned to approve the minutes as amended. Seconded by
Commissioner Black. All in favor. Motion carried.
3. PlanningItems:
ems:
3.1. Applicant Farr Development, Comprehensive Plan Amendment to Change
the Land Use from Industrial to Mixed Use Consisting of Medium to High Density
Residential, Commercial, and Industrial - Tabled from November 4, 2002 Planning
Commission Meeting
Dan Licht presented the additional Staff Report. He noted an additional industrial area
could be created around County Road 37 and Naber/Nashua that would have access to I-
94 at the current County Road 37 interchange and at the hoped for future Naber
interchange. Darrel Farr stated that they felt their plans stands on its own and that it will
create a walk able community where people can live, work, and play. He expected that it
would take 9-12 years for the entire development to be built out. Administrator
Robertson described the potential new interchanges on 1-94 that have been requested by
local governments. He noted that Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT)
does not support these interchanges and that they have to be considered highly speculative
at this point in time.
Chair Nichols noted that the Public Hearing had been closed at the November 4, 2002
Planning Commission meeting, and that the Planning Commission had to make a
decision.
Commissioner Schuck asked how this would change the overall percentage of industrial
guided land in the City. Dan Licht stated that taking out the Farr area and adding the
Naber/County Road 37 area would mean about 10% of the City would be guided
industrial.
Planning Commission Meeting of December 2, 2002, cont'd. Page 2.
Chair Nichols stated that he liked the Concept plan because it will get sewer to I-94 faster
than originally thought possible. He said the plan provides a nice mix of uses and open
space. Commissioner Schuck agreed but asked if this set a precedent for changing other
industrially guided land to the north and west of this property. Dan Licht indicated that
the land ownership in those areas is fragmented without many large parcels. Mike
Robertson said that he expects the City will receive similar requests if this one is
approved.
Councilmember Heidner asked Darrel Farr if he was willing to phase the development so
that all the commercial and industrial would be finished in one phase before residential
development began in the next phase. Darrel Farr said that he would agree since his plan
was to start on the east side of the property and work west.
Commissioner Schuck motioned to recommend approval of the Comprehensive Plan
Amendment, subject to the seven conditions listed in the Planner's Report, with a
modification to Condition #1. Seconded by Commissioner Mbanefo. All in favor.
Motion carried.
3.2. Applicant Quest Development, Comprehensive Plan Amendment to
Change the Land Use from Industrial to Mixed Use Consisting of Single Family and
Medium Density Residential and Commercial - Tabled from November 4, 2002 Planning
Commission Meeting,
Administrator Robertson stated the applicant requested this item be carried over until the
December 16, 2002 Planning Commission meeting. Commissioners agreed.
4. Any other Planning Commission Business,
A. Update on Council actions by CM Heidner.
Councilmember Heidner went over recent Council actions.
5. Adjournment by 10 PM.
Commissioner Schuck motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Mbanefo.
All in favor. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:27 PM.
Richard Nichols, Chair
ATTEST:
Judy Hudson, Zoning Adm/City Clerk