2008-02-26 Planning Comm MinutesPlanning Commission Minutes
February 26, 2008
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
February 26, 2008
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, February 26, 2008, in the Council
Chambers at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve at 7:30 P.M.
The following Commissioners were present: Chair Lally, Commissioners McManus, Norton, Povolny, Viksnins, and Field. Those
absent: Commissioner Hennes. Those present were Public Works Director Sue McDermott, Assistant to the City Administrator
Jake Sedlacek, and Planner Steve Grittman. Minutes were recorded by Rebecca Shaffer.
Election of Officers
Commissioner Viksnins moved, seconded by Commissioner Norton, to elect Commissioner Lally as Chair for the 2008
year.
AYES 6
NAYES 0
Chair Lally moved, seconded by Commissioner Viksnins, to elect Commissioner Povolny as Vice Chair for the 2008 year.
AYES
NAYES
Approval of January 22, 2008 Minutes
Commissioner McManus moved, seconded by Commissioner Field, to approve the minutes of January 22, 2008 as
presented.
AYES
NAYES
Hearings
PLANNING CASE #08 -03
Daniel Saltzman
1921 Glenhill Road
Critical Area Permit
Chair Lally said the applicant is not available at this meeting and asked for a motion to table this case. Commissioner Field asked
if there was anyone in the audience that may want to talk to this case.
Chair Lally opened the public hearing.
Seeing no one coming forward wishing to speak, Chair Lally asked for a motion to close the public hearing.
Commissioner Norton moved, seconded by Commissioner Field, to close the public hearing.
AYES 6
NAYES 0
Commissioner Viksnins said the Planners Report stated that outdoor pools are required to have fencing and it would be wise for
the applicant to have that information available for the next meeting.
Planning Commission Minutes
February 26, 2008
Commissioner Viksnins moved, seconded by Commissioner Norton, to table Case No. 08 -03 until the next Planning
Commission Meeting.
AYES 6
NAYES 0
PLANNING CASE #08 -04
Laura Lacina
1914 Glenhill Raod
Critical Area Permit
Planner Steve Grittman reviewed a map showing the location of 1914 Glenhill Road, which is a single family parcel, occupied by
a single family home in the critical area, and zoned R -1 single family residential.
Mr. Grittman said the applicant has applied for a Critical Area Permit to allow for the construction of an addition to the rear of the
home as well as a patio and deck attached to that new addition. Mr. Grittman said the primary issues in the critical area relate to
storm water management and protection of the bluff area, as well as views.
Mr. Grittman said this home gives very few impacts to the area The addition meets all zoning ordinance requirements and the
applicants have also provided a series of elevations that show the sketch of the house addition.
Staff recommends approval of this Critical Area Permit as proposed.
Commissioner McManus asked Mr. Grittman to confirm that the side yard setback is 10 -ft. Mr. Grittman said it was, and that the
drawing is difficult to see that. Mr. Grittman explained on the map where the property lines are located.
Commissioner Viksnins said the rear yard setback is proposed to be 25 feet and asked the Planner to comment on this. Mr.
Grittman said the ordinary setback to the rear refers to enclosed structures and allows encroachment for the open deck.
Laura and Corbin Lacina, 1914 Glenhill Road, were available for questions.
Commissioner McManus asked the applicants if they were comfortable with the Planners opinion on the setbacks. Mrs. Lacina
said they do. Mr. Lacina said their contractor was also concerned about this.
Chair Lally opened the public hearing. Seeing no one coming forward wishing to speak, Chair Lally asked for a motion to close
the public hearing.
Commissioner Norton moved, seconded by Commissioner Field, to close the public hearing.
AYES 6
NAYES 0
Commissioner Field moved, seconded by Commissioner Povolny, to approve the Critical Area Permit as presented.
AYES 6
NAYES 0
PLANNING CASE #08 -05
Sue McDermott — City of Mendota Heights
1101 Victoria Curve
Wetlands Permit for Street Construction
Planner Steve Grittman reviewed a map showing the proposed street reconstruction project. The construction of the project will
impact a portion of wetlands in the city and as a result, the wetlands ordinance requires that any construction within 100 -ft of a
wetland requires a wetlands permit
Planning Commission Minutes
February 26, 2008
Mr. Grittman said the street reconstruction will make some storm water improvements, and as part of this project, will do a better
job of treating storm water giving improvement to the water quality.
Staff feels that this application meets all requirements and recommends approval of the Wetlands Permit.
Commissioner McManus asked what symptoms were found that brought this to Staff's attention. Mr. Grittman said the project
was not directed by water problems, but the wetlands are affected by the street reconstruction. Public Works Sue McDermott said
there will be curb and gutter, with storm sewer improvements. There are some areas where the drainage will be improved.
Commissioner McManus asked if there are any serious issues with this project. Ms. McDermott said she was not aware of any.
Chair Lally opened the public hearing.
Ken Noack, 677 4th Avenue E., asked about the rip rap and stream regrading. Mr. Noack said this stream gets backed up with tree
branches and also is affected by the bike path. Mr. Noack said he hopes that the new culverts will take care of the drainage issues.
Mr. Noack talked about a friend of his that lives near Marie Avenue, who had a stream nearby that is cleaned out by the County.
Mr. Noack asked if this would be possible to do by his home. Ms. McDermott said that property by Marie Ave. has had more
severe problems. Ms. McDermott said that in this case, Staff has had some issues with the corner of 4th and Dodd, where there is a
channel, and Staff will be regrading portions of this channel where there has been some erosion. This area will be lined with rip
rap to prevent further erosion.
Mr. Noack asked if the Corps of Engineers are in charge of the waterways. Ms. McDermott said they are in charge of navigable
waters but this is not that type of water.
Chair Lally asked if the curb and gutter will help direct storm water so it does not add to the flow of the stream. Ms. McDermott
said the water will still flow into the stream, and Staff is trying to finds ways to prevent erosion.
Seeing no one coming forward wishing to speak, Chair Lally asked for a motion to close the public hearing.
Commissioner McManus moved, seconded by Commissioner Norton, to close the public hearing.
AYES 6
NAYES 0
Commissioner McManus moved, seconded by Commissioner Litton, to recommend approval of the Wetland Permit as
proposed.
AYES 6
NAYES 0
PLANNING CASE #08 -06
Jake Sedlacek — City of Mendota Heights
1101 Victoria Curve
Conditional Use Permit for Par 3
Planner Steve Grittman reviewed a map showing the location of the Par 3 Golf Course on Dodd Road. The City of Mendota
Heights is seeking a conditional use permit to allow for the expansion of the club house and some other improvements such as a
walkway. These improvements are related to accessibility issues allowing better access into the building that complies with the
Americans with Disabilities Act.
Mr. Grittman said the improvements will consist of a small addition, just over 100 sq. ft., to the south side of the club house
building with a new walkway to access this addition. The building will also be re -sided as part of the project to give an improved
aesthetic appeal to the neighborhood.
Staff recommends approval of this application based on the finding that the structure is consistent with the requirements and the
intent of the R -1 district.
Planning Commission Minutes
February 26, 2008
Commissioner McManus asked what the outline to the north of the building as shown on the drawing. Assistant to the City
Administrator Jake Sedlacek said this is an existing storage area.
Commissioner Povolny asked Mr. Sedlacek to indicate on the drawing where the walkway will be located.
Mr. Sedlacek explained how there will be handicap accessible restrooms in this addition. These restrooms will be able to better
accommodate visitors to the golf club. Mr. Sedlacek said there will be grant money to fund this construction.
Commissioner Field asked about a detailed landscape plan that was indicated in the Planner Report. Commissioner Field asked if
there is anything in the landscape plans which would cause this application to come back to the Planning Commission or the City
Council. Mr. Sedlacek explained that the landscaping will have some shrubbery and storm water guards, and as the landscape plan
is not relevant to the CUP, Staff wanted to submit this plan for information purposes.
Commissioner Field asked if there are any plans to replace the two oak trees which have been removed. Mr. Sedlacek said there
will be more trees planted in some better, more strategic locations.
Chair Lally opened the public hearing. Seeing no one coming forward wishing to speak, Chair Lally asked for a motion to close
the public hearing.
Commissioner Field moved, seconded by Commissioner Norton, to close the public hearing.
AYES 6
NAYES 0
Commissioner Norton moved, seconded by Commissioner Viksnins, to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit
as proposed.
AYES 6
NAYES 0
Verbal Review
Planning Case No. 08 -01 Maureen Haggerty Front Yard Setback Variance
• Approved by the City Council as recommended by the Planning Commission.
Planning Case No. 08 -02 Paster Enterprises MU -PUD Concept Plan
• City Council gave some feedback. At that meeting, Paster Enterprises provided an updated plan. A new plan
will be coming to the Planning Commission to the March meeting.
Commissioner Field moved, seconded by Commissioner Norton, to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Rebecca Shaffer, Recording Secretary