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2018-10-15 Planning Comm Minutes Joint City CouncilCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Joint City Council – Planning Commission Work Session October 15, 2018 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held at the City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Garlock called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Councilmembers Duggan, Miller, Paper, Petschel were present. Planning Commission members present included Chair Litton Field, Jr., Commissioners John Mazzitello, Patrick Corbett, Michael Noonan, Mary Magnuson, Michael Toth, and Brian Petschel. Those absent: None City staff present included Mark McNeill, City Administrator; Tim Benetti, Community Development Director; Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director; Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Technician; and Lorri Smith, City Clerk. REVIEW OF 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Community Development Director Tim Benetti gave an overview of the updating of the Comprehensive Plan which is required to be updated every 10 years. This plan is then submitted to the Metropolitan Council (Met Council), other agencies, and surrounding communities. He reviewed the purpose and the sections it contains:  Introduction & Background  Land Use  Transportation,  Parks and Open Space  Housing  Economic Development  Natural Resources  Resilience  Critical Area Plan (Mississippi River Critical Corridor Area)  Implementation  INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND Councilor Duggan suggested that the schools be placed in order of size. There was consensus to leave as is, in alphabetical order, on page 1-20. Councilor Duggan requested that White Pine Senior Living be recognized as being a memory care facility on page 1-18.  LAND USE Discussion centered around dropping the low density residential uses of LR15, LR9, and LR5 as proposed since the public has shown much concern for not changing this use, and leaving it as is. There was consensus to not add the LR15, LR9, and LR5 categories to the plan. May 16, 2018 Joint Council-Parks Rec Commission Work Session page 2 of 2 The proposed future Land Use Map, shown on page 2-12, was discussed. Three lots are shown as medium density, which are now zoned single-family. There was consensus to not change the zoning for two of these lots. The lot on Lexington/Highway 13 is proposed to be changed to medium density, to fit in with the surrounding zoning. Councilor Duggan asked if there might be better language to replace “character of the community” as stated on page 2.4, Goal 2.  TRANSPORTATION Councilor Petschel recommended deleting the paragraph referring to a policy that no longer exists in regards to runway use at MSP airport, on page 3-17. On page 3-18, she suggested deleting #6, since that no longer is a procedure that is used at the airport. Councilor Duggan stated the plan recognizes the Light Rail Transit facility at Fort Snelling, but does not show transportation option for how to get there. Commissioner Mazzitello stated that on page 3-14, the plan includes a proposed bus route from Robert Street in West St. Paul to the Fort Snelling Light Rail Transit.  PARKS AND TRAILS No changes proposed.  HOUSING Commissioner Mazzitello questioned Goal 1, listed on page 5-1, and asked how the city was handling code violation complaints. It was noted that issues are handled on a complaint basis, although city staff has been directed to take care of noticeable ones. Councilor Duggan suggested on page 5-9, in the last sentence, that the words ‘or remodeled’ be added with new housing.  ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT It was noted that there were few changes made to this section. Councilor Duggan suggested that ‘maintain’ be added to the title of Goal 5, on page 6-3.  NATURAL RESOURCES Councilor Duggan suggested that the key wetland management issues be identified, as stated on page 7-12. Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director, stated that the plan does include a Significant Vegetation Map on page 7-22. Councilor Petschel suggested that any new commissions be thoroughly explored and the City Administrator be consulted, before they are created, since they take a lot of city resources and staff time to administer. She suggested in policy # 7.1.1., the word ‘Implement’ be changed to ‘Explore’. Commissioner Corbett suggested that this section includes too many specific actions for the city to take, and suggested this section be pared down to be broader in scope. These should include guidelines for staff. May 16, 2018 Joint Council-Parks Rec Commission Work Session page 2 of 2 There was consensus that city staff would rework this section before this goes to the Planning Commission for the public hearing.  RESILIENCE No changes were suggested to this section.  CRITICAL AREA PLAN It was noted that this section is recommended by the Department of Natural Resources.  COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Cindy Johnson stated that she helped to create the Natural Resources section. It is language that came from Dakota County and other area cities. She asked if the section could be left unchanged and not pared down, as it includes small steps to the long range plan. Jonathan Zagel stated the plan should include grand goals for the city. Individual steps are a challenge, and the goals of the city should be for long-term. Marty Evans, 2015 Victoria Road South, owner of property proposed to be re-guided from LR to MR Medium Density Residential, feels the Council and the Planning Commission are taking into account the will of the people, he would like to have his property remain as single-family. Jill Smith stated she is a strong proponent of natural resources, but feels the Natural Resources section to too specific. She stated a Comp Plan should be aspirational and a 20-year plan. It was noted that the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the 2040 Comp Plan on October 23, 2018, and the City Council will have this on their November 20, 2018 agenda to accept the plan. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm.