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2022-07-27 Planning Commission Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES JULY 27, 2022 A special workshop relating to the Zoning Code Update was held on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve at 5:00 P.M. The following Commissioners were present: Vice Chair Sally Lorberbaum, Commissioners Patrick Corbett, Cindy Johnson, Brian Petschel, Michael Toth and Andrew Katz. Also present: Community Development Director Tim Benetti, Planning Consultant Jennifer Haskamp, City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson, City Engineer Ryan Ruzek. Commissioner Lorberbaum called the workshop to order at 5:04 P.M. Approval of June 30, 2022 Notes Commissioner Petschel moved, seconded by Commissioner Corbett, to approve the prior work session’s notes and the motion passed. The Commission had discussion about R-1B; concern over if purposed R-1B would go against the Comprehensive Plan. Commission and Haskamp discussed options around historically platted nonconforming lots, a solution discussed during the Comprehensive Plan process was creating different categories and standards for nonconforming lot sizes within the same zoning ordinance. There is concern over unintended consequences such as larger lots rezoning to the new R-1B to subdivide. There was discussion over why the Commission is talking about this again after there was extensive discussion about this topic during the Comprehensive Plan. Planner Haskamp discussed the differences between the Comprehensive Plan process and Zoning Update. Zoning Districts Draft Purpose and Intent Statements Planner Haskamp presented the draft R-1 One Family Residential draft purpose and intent statement. The Commission had no comments. Planner Haskamp presented the R-1A Rural Residential draft purpose and intent statement. Planner Haskamp introduced the idea of changing order of residential districts to order of lowest-highest densities. The Commission had discussed about defining “larger lot” in the purpose statement. Planner Haskamp said it will be defined in the district standards. Planner Haskamp presented the R-1B Traditional One Family draft purpose and intent statement. The Commission continued discussion about the difference between a new zoning district and having different sets of standards within the R-1 district for different lots. Planner Haskamp described the difference between the options in terms of zoning amendment applications. The Commission had concerns if an overlay district would allow more opportunity for more lots to be this size. Planner Haskamp explained the option using the legal descriptions would be the most concrete way to prevent more lots from being in this zoning district or overlay. The Commission discussed concern if creating the new district would create newly subdividable lots. Planner Haskamp explained there would be a handful of new lots that could potentially be newly subdividable however it doesn’t mean the lots are developable. Haskamp discussed the option of creating new design standards to protect existing homes and existing scale of the neighborhoods, example: height averaging. Planner Haskamp presented the R-2 Medium Density draft purpose and intent statement. The Commission had discussion over the PUD overlay and if the PUD requirements have been reviewed and met. Director Benetti stated the PUDS can be reviewed at a later time. Planner Haskamp and Director Benetti discussed that the map will go through quality control/quality insurance prior to presentation and adoption to make sure the R-2 parcels are correctly identified on the map. Planner Haskamp presented the R-3 Multi-Family Residential draft purpose and intent statement. The Commission discussed the definition of “multi-family” and if the zone title should be changed. Haskamp and Benetti stated industry standard is to use the term multi-family. Planner Haskamp presented the B-1 Neighborhood Business draft purpose and intent statement. The Commission discussed they would like to be able see the zoning map before talking about the uses. Planner Haskamp presented the B-2 General Business draft purpose and intent statement. The Commission discussed they would like to see the zoning map before determining uses. Planner Haskamp explained if the Commission agrees on the purpose statements, the parcels zoned can be changed to match the purpose statements. The Commission discussed if the valuation of properties would change between B1 and B2. Director Benetti and Planner Haskamp stated the appraiser does not differentiate between B1 and B2 in the valuation. There was discussion over if the zoning change would affect the prohibited uses. The Commission had concerns if a building looks like a general business park if the zoning code would allow for more industrial uses. Staff will conduct another QA/QC to make sure the existing uses match the zoning designation. Haskamp discussed that General Business commonly overlaps with Light Industrial uses and the heavy industrial use concern can be addressed through the allowed table of uses. Planner Haskamp presented the I Industrial draft purpose and intent statement. The Commission had no comments. Planner Haskamp presented the PSP Public/Semi-Public draft purpose and intent statement. Planner Haskamp stated this would be a completely new district. The Commission discussed concerns over redevelopment to a higher intensity. Staff described options on how to address for redevelopment of golf courses, one of which is to automatically assign an R designation. Draft Table of Uses Discussion Planner Haskamp briefly introduced the Table of Uses. Planner Haskamp asked the Commission if Staff can generalize the specific uses into a broader category and receive feedback from Commissioners. Staff will also send the Commissioners the presented Table of Uses PDF and a Word document for Commissioners to edit and return. Commissioners agreed to this process. Adjournment Commissioner Lorberbaum moved, seconded by Commissioner Petschel, to adjourn the work session at 7:11 P.M. and the motion passed.