2014-07-22 Planning Comm Minutes
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PLANNING COMMISSON MINUTES
July 22, 2014
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, July 22,
2014, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve at 7:00 P.M.
The following Commissioners were present: Chair Litton Field, Jr., Commissioners Michael
Noonan, Doug Hennes, Robin Hennessy, Mary Magnuson, and Ansis Viksnins. Those absent:
Commissioner Howard Roston. Others present were City Planner Nolan Wall and Public Works
Director/City Engineer John Mazzitello.
Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as submitted.
Approval of June 24, 2014 Minutes
COMMISSIONER MAGNUSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HENNES, TO
APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JUNE 24, 2014, AS PRESENTED.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 1
Hearings
PLANNING CASE #2014-18
Elite Motor Sports
Conditional Use Permit
Chair Litton Field noted that this planning case was noticed and asked if there was anyone in the
audience who came to speak about it during the public hearing.
Seeing no one coming forward, Chair Field explained that the case was cancelled because the
application was withdrawn.
PLANNING CASE #2014-19
Mark Gergen, on behalf of Cory Morrisette and Gail Darling, 641 Callahan Place
Subdivision Request
Planner Nolan Wall explained that the applicant requested a lot split for the subject parcel located
at 641 Callahan Place. The subject parcel is approximately 1.0 acre or 43,510 square feet and
owned by Cory Morrisette and Gail Darling. It is zoned R-1 and guided for low density residential
July 22, 2014 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 1
development on the Comprehensive Plan. The applicant has a purchase offer on the parcel
contingent upon the approval of this subdivision. If approved, the applicant intends to demolish
the existing home and construct two new single family homes.
Planner Wall shared a copy of the submitted survey. The subdivision would create two lots, both
in excess of the 15,000 square foot minimum lot size requirement for the R-1 district. Parcel A
would be 21,679 square feet and parcel B would be 21,722 square feet; both parcels would have
100 foot of frontage on Callahan Place, would be compliant with the R-1 lot standards, and
consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
This request only considered the lot split and was not a site plan specific to any future development;
although the setbacks were noted. Any drainage and setback issues would be addressed by staff
once final plans are submitted as part of the building permit application.
Staff recommended approval of the subdivision request for this lot split with conditions. Staff also
recommended an additional condition be added requiring a five foot drainage and utility easement
along the rear property boundary line. Based on the findings of fact, the subdivision would be
consistent with the City Code and Comprehensive Plan.
Commissioner Magnuson asked for confirmation that the 100 foot frontage on Callahan Place
would be consistent with at least some of the lots in the area. Planner Wall confirmed.
Chair Field opened the public hearing.
Mr. Mark Gergen, 18004 Jacquard Path, Lakeville, came forward to answer questions from the
Commission. There were no questions from the Commission.
Mr. Jerome Schiltgen, 646 Callahan Place, asked what kind of structures are planned to be put up
and how they would change how the neighborhood looks. He also wondered if they would be
spaced far enough apart. Chair Field replied that due to the nature of the application, a lot split
request only and not a site plan or building application, the Commission would be unable to answer
his questions.
Mr. Mark Bade, 632 Marie Avenue, also owns a property at 636 Marie Avenue that he is
developing. He stated that his only concern is that there are some drainage issues in the back of
these lots and would like them to be addressed. Chair Field replied that these issues would be
addressed in the building permit phase of the application. Mr. Bade suggested that the owners
review the drainage issue before the lot is split to make sure they could correct that problem.
Mr. Mark Gergen stated that he would work with staff on addressing the drainage issue.
COMMISSIONER NOONAN MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER VIKSNINS, TO
CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 1
July 22, 2014 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 2
COMMISSIONER NOONAN MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER VIKSNINS, TO
RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF PLANNING CASE 2014-19, SUBDIVISION REQUEST
BASED ON THE FINDING OF FACT THAT THE PROPOSED SUBDIVISION IS
CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY CODE AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND WITH THE
FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
1.The existing single family dwelling is demolished prior to the subdivision being recorded by
Dakota County.
2.Park dedication fee in the amount of $2,700, in lieu of land, is collected after City Council
approval and before being recorded by Dakota County or issuance of any additional permits
by the City.
3.Street reconstruction assessment fee, as part of Callahan Place Improvement 2008-04, is
collected after City Council approval and before being recorded by Dakota County or issuance
of any additional permits by the City.
4.Connection charges for sanitary sewer and water main shall be paid prior to issuance of a
building permit.
5.The applicant shall submit grading and utility plans and a dimensioned site plan with associated
easements, subject to review and approval by the City Engineering Department as part of any
building permit application.
6.Any land disturbance activities must be in compliance with the City’s Land Disturbance
Guidance document.
AND WITH THE ADDITIONAL CONDITION REQUIRING A FIVE FOOT DRAINAGE AND
UTILITY EASEMENT ALONG THE REAR PROPERTY BOUNDARY LINE
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 1
Chair Field advised the City Council would consider this application at its August 5, 2014 meeting,
which begins at 8:00 p.m.
Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Rulemaking
Chair Litton Field reminded the Commission that this subject was briefly discussed at the June 24,
2014 Planning Commission Meeting. Since that time, Planner Nolan Wall had prepared an outline
of the issues that would apply to the City of Mendota Heights. Staff requested input and questions
from the Commission on the proposed rules. The City Council would be requested to provide
similar input at their August 5, 2014 meeting; after which staff would combine the feedback
received with their own and submit them to the Department of Natural Resources by August 15,
2014.
Planner Nolan Wall provided background on the proposed draft rules and indicated the areas that
would affect the City of Mendota Heights specifically. He also explained that once adopted, the
amended rules would require the City to amend the existing Critical Area Overlay District
standards. In addition, the MRCCA section of the Comprehensive Plan would have to be amended.
Commissioners asked questions and provided comments regarding the roles and responsibilities
of the different entities involved, how many homes are in the critical area and would be affected
July 22, 2014 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 3
by the changing rules, height limits associated with the difference categories, the possibility of
contracting the scope of the critical area, assuming this is adopted when would the City of Mendota
Heights be required to amend its Comprehensive Plan, and reference to the flexibility provision.
Verbal Review
Planner Wall gave the following verbal review:
PLANNING CASE #2014-13
th
Ken and Mary Kay Noack, 677 – 4 Avenue
Lot Split, Lot Width and Detached Garage Size Variance, and Wetland Permit Requests
•Approved by the City Council
PLANNING CASE #2014-17
Ned Rukavina and Leslie Pilgrim, 1704 Vicki Lane
Front and Side Yard Setback Variances
•Tabled by the City Council at the July 1 and July 15 City Council Meetings
•Application deadline has been extended to allow for additional review and discussion at
next months’ City Council meeting
Staff Announcements
•Critical Area Public Information Meeting, July 24, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. in Hastings, MN
•Two industrial developments on Pilot Knob Road and on Lemay Avenue are both
progressing nicely now that the weather is cooperating
•Next Planning Commission Meeting, August 26, 2014
Adjournment
COMMISSIONER MAGNUSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NOONAN, TO
ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:02 P.M.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 1
July 22, 2014 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 4