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PC 03-26-2024March 26, 2024 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 1 of 4 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 26, 2024 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve at 7:00 P.M. The following Commissioners were present: Chair Litton Field, Commissioners Cindy Johnson, Brian Petschel, and Andrew Katz. Those absent: Commissioners Patrick Corbett, Brian Udell, and Jason Stone. Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved as submitted. Approval of February 28, 2024 Minutes COMMISSIONER KATZ MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JOHNSON TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 28, 2024. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 Hearings A) PLANNING CASE 2024-01 SPENCER MCMILLAN, 1707 DELAWARE AVENUE – PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT Community Development Manager Sarah Madden stated that after the agenda was published, the applicant reached out to staff and requested to table the item to the next regular meeting to provide more time for them to work with staff on this request. She stated that she would still give the overview presentation and would ask the Commission to open the public hearing as it was noticed for tonight. Community Development Manager Sarah Madden explained that Spencer McMillan is seeking a new Preliminary and Final Plat approval of the properties located at 1707 Delaware Avenue and two vacant parcels generally located at the north end of Ridgewood Drive. The proposed plat is titled McMillan Estates, and the subdivision would divide and redistribute would divide and redistribute the existing land within the three parcels into three new lots of record. Hearing notices were published and mailed to all properties within 350-ft. of the site. Written comments have been received and are included in the packet. As of the submittal of the staff March 26, 2024 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 2 of 4 report, there were five instances of public comment, and three more comments were received prior to the meeting. Community Development Manager Sarah Madden provided a planning staff report and a presentation on this planning item to the Commission (which is available for viewing through the City’s website). Staff recommended denial of the application based on the findings-of-fact for denial as noted in the staff report. She stated that as noted earlier, the applicant has requested that the request be tabled to allow more time to work with staff and staff supports that request. Commissioner Petschel asked if staff believes that a private drive would be treated differently that a road. He noted that a road that dead ends would not be allowed and asked if that would be acceptable for a private drive. Community Development Manager Sarah Madden stated that in this application she is applying the regulation to a private street. She explained that the applicant would propose a private driveway to the new home site, but not a private street. Chair Field opened the public hearing. Spencer McMillan, applicant, thanked staff noting that Community Development Manager Sarah Madden and Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek have been great to work with. He commented that the presentation was very thorough. He stated that based on the findings of staff he has requested to table the item in order to continue to work with staff to address the issues that were identified and present a solution that would work for all parties. Commissioner Katz asked if the applicant believes that one month would be enough time to update the plans. Mr. McMillan believed that he would be able to do so. John Weikert, 1737 Delaware Avenue, provided some historical context to his property and the subject property. He believed that most of the neighbors are opposed to lot three and a home in that location. He stated that if a home were not placed on lot three, or if that lot were eliminated from the future review, he believed that most of the neighbors would no longer object to the request. Sean Fahnhorst noted several environmental and transportation concerns that he has with the proposed request including the length of the cul-de-sac as proposed and variance that would be required, as well as concerns with the wetlands and drainage issues. He commented that the neighbors were notified of this just eight days ago and would have appreciated additional time. Chair Field noted that the case was properly noticed. March 26, 2024 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 3 of 4 Paul Pontinen, 1760 Ridgewood Drive, stated that he and his wife have lived on their property since the 1970s. He referenced the proposed driveway, which was discussed earlier, and noted that his home is about 40 feet from that proposed drive. He commented that there are many mature trees that run along the property line, and they have concern that the proposed driveway would remove a number of the mature trees and could damage the root systems of the trees on his property as well. He asked that the drive be moved further from his property. Jonathan Deering, 1759 Ridgewood Drive, stated that he has concerns with the building of the driveway or potential road as well as concerns with water management, wildlife management, and ecological impact. He stated that north of the cul-de-sac is a stream as well as a wetland that crosses the property. He commented that his property is the lowest lying property in the area and had concerns with potential flooding of his property. He noted that the previous wetland delineation was completed in one of the worst drought conditions and asked if that could be redone under wetter conditions. He commented that the natural beauty and wetlands add value to the area and understands why the home would be desired for lot two. He noted all the wildlife that make this area their home and development will potentially displace those animals. He asked that the Commission consider that when hearing any potential variance requests that may come. Commissioner Katz referenced the comments that have been made related to the drainage and asked if Mr. Deering also has wet conditions on his property. Mr. Deering confirmed that he does have a wet area on his property as well, although it has been dry this past year. Seeing no one further coming forward wishing to speak, Chair Field asked for a motion to close the public hearing. COMMISSIONER PETSCHEL MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KATZ TO TABLE THIS ITEM AND CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING ON APRIL 30TH, DIRECTING STAFF AND THE APPLICANT TO CONTINUE DISCUSSING THE PROPOSAL. Further discussion: Chair Field noted that he is a neighbor to the west, as his property abuts the western boundary of the subject property but does not believe that he has a conflict of interest. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 New/Unfinished Business A) ADOPT A LIVING STREETS POLICY Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek provided a planning staff report and a presentation on this planning item to the Commission (which is available for viewing through the City’s website). The Commission is asked to discuss the proposed Living Streets Policy and offer any feedback. March 26, 2024 Mendota Heights Planning Commission Meeting Page 4 of 4 Commissioner Katz who would submit the formal request to the City Council. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek replied that he would be asking the Commission to make a recommendation to the City Council on the policy. Commissioner Johnson noted the reference to multimodal transportation on streets and asked for examples. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek listed some examples such as walking, biking and driving. He stated that rideshare options would also be desired as that would reduce the amount of traffic on the roads. COMMISSIONER KATZ MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PETSCHEL TO RECOMMEND CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE LIVING STREETS POLICY. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 Other Community Development Manager Sarah Madden noted that as stated earlier the next meeting of the Planning Commission will take place on April 30th. She also provided an update on recent City Council actions related to planning cases and topics. Chair Field thanked the Public Works team for their excellent job clearing the recent snow events. Adjournment COMMISSIONER JOHNSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KATZ TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:55 P.M. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0