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2007-01-22 CC Minutes Joint PCA,lbertville SrmA Town Lhrkw fc City Ufa. ALBERTVILLE Joint PLANNING and ZONING COMMISSION and CITY COUNCIL January 22, 2007 Albertville City Hall 7:00 PM PRESENT: Planning Commission Chair Sharon Leintz, Planning Commission members Scott Dorenbush, Frank Kocon, and Denise Prow, Mayor Ron Klecker, Council members John Vetsch, LeRoy Berning, Dan Wagner, and Tom Fay, City Planner Al Brixius, City Attorney Mike Couri, Assistant City Engineer Adam Nafstad, City Administrator Larry Kruse, Building Official Jon Sutherland, and City Clerk Bridget Miller Planning Commission Chair Lenitz called the Albertville joint City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. ADOPT AGENDA MOTION BY Council member Wagner, seconded by Commission member Kocon to approve the agenda as presented, and on file in the office of the City Clerk. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING Chair Leintz opened the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. Chair Leintz explained to the public that the commission and council will hear the Albertville City Planner's report first. Then representatives from St. Michael will have the opportunity to make a brief statement regarding amendment. After St. Michael has spoken the commission will listen to anyone present from the public to approach the podium to speak on the issue. City Planner Brixius reviewed that the City of St. Michael requested that the City consider amending its Comprehensive Plan to allow for the future extension of Main Avenue NE south into St. Michael through discussions regarding intercommunity drainage issues within Albertville. City Planner Brixius stated that historically Main Avenue NE had been a significant street serving both the local community and the region. Prior to 2006, Main Avenue NE was also known as CSAH 35, when it served as a major collector highway for Wright County. MAPublic Data\City Council\Council Minutes\2007 Minutes\M 01-22-07 Final with edits. doc City of Albertville Joint City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes January 22, 2007 Page 2 of 7 The Wright County Transportation Plan, in 1994, conceptually proposed the extension of Main Avenue NE into St. Michael to provide some relief for growing traffic congestion on CSAH 19. The majority of development along Main Avenue NE occurred while the roadway was under the jurisdiction of Wright County. City Planner Brixius touched on three benefits of the Main Avenue NE /Edgewood Drive connection, for consideration.. One would be to link Albertville's historic downtown with St. Michael's Town Center, which would provide an alternative travel route for Albertville and St. Michael residents to share. Another benefit would be to relieve local traffic congestion on CSAH 19 and CSAH 37 and improve mobility for local residents and businesses. The potential increase in traffic on Main Avenue would be primarily confined to local trips from neighborhoods and businesses between CSAH 19 and Barthel Drive NE. The concerns staff have with the connection include, the number of driveways with direct access to Main Avenue, pedestrian safely at the Albertville Primary School, intersection congestion at 37 and Main, and the right-of-way acquisition required to make the connection. City Planner Brixius noted there has been concern from residents that live on Main Avenue NE and access their property directly from Main Ave.. Should the connection go through, the traffic will increase making it more difficult for them to get onto Main Avenue NE. St. Michael Mayor Jerry Zachman commented that connecting Edgewood Drive and Main Avenue NE would enhance both communities. And that having the ability to protect the property through planning now, would allow for the opportunity to develop a road in the distant future. The City of St. Michael would support a safe way of transportation between the two cities. Zachman stated St. Michael was not pursuing the road nowand it may be 5, 10, 15 or 20 years before it would be constructed. Zachman emphasized getting it on the map and protecting the corridor. Zachman stated St. Michael was not going to force the Edgewood, Main Street Extension onto Albertville. Mayor Zachman concluded by saying he would love to see it on the map. St. Michael City Engineer Steve Bot stated that the main purpose for the connection is for general transportation between the two communities. Not only via roadways, but for the two cities to consider connecting any potential trails. Bot went on to explain that the connection of these two roadways would provide a parallel north -south collector roadway to CSAH 19. Main Avenue NE is designed as a collector roadway and the function of a collector roadway is to provide transportation between neighborhoods and minor business concentrations. St. Michael City Engineer Bot noted that it is a logical connection, which would provide direct access to a future Library and a Senior -Community Center that would benefit Albertville residents. MAPublic Data\City Council\Council Minutes\2007 Minutes\Workshop\M 01-22-07 Draft with edits.doc City of Albertville Joint City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes January 22, 2007 Page 3 of 7 Bot suggested the use of pavement markings and bump -outs to narrow the travel lanes, which can have a calming effect and provide extra room for bicycles and or parked cars. These techniques are used in other communities and have has success. Council member Vetsch brought up the fact regarding the amount of potential traffic that would be traveling or passing through Albertville to get to a business outside of Albertville. There is a residential development located in Otsego that is on the north-east border of Albertville. Within the development there is approximately 1,500 households, which could create about 2-3 potential trips a day through Albertville; therefore adding 4,500 cars traveling on Main Avenue NE. Council member Fay pointed out the fact that the traffic on Main Avenue NE today is very congested. Should Albertville consider penciling the connection of Main Avenue NE to Edgewood Drive this would only add to the current congestion. There are peak times during the day now, but it has become more and more anytime during the day making it difficult to get onto Main Avenue NE. Mayor Klecker asked if the south -end of Edgewood Drive would connect to Hwy. 241 in the future. Bot confirmed that Edgewood Drive would connect some day in the future to Hwy. 241 and at the intersection there will be traffic signals. Albertville Council wanted to know what the progress of Naber Avenue is. Bot reported that it is in the process of an Environmental Assessment. As the Albertville City Council is aware, will be costly and the time frame for construction is comparable to Albertville's I-94 Interchange. Mayor Zachman stated that today it may be difficult to obtain access onto Main Avenue NE. This is a plan for the future; it may not happen for 10-15 years down the road. The connection of Main Avenue NE and Edgewood Drive will not happen next. All St. Michael is asking for is to protect the right-of-way for when and if the potential connection happens. Chair Leintz opened up the discussion for the general public. Don Peterson — 11252-53`d Street NE — Albertville Marlene Zachman — 11459-501h Street NE — Albertville John Bistodeau — 11531-50th Street NE - Albertville Lee Kasper — 11449-60th Street NE — Albertville Mark Haller — 11565-50th Street NE — Albertville Tom Haller — 11579-501h Street NE — Albertville Gerard Robeck — 5167 Main Avenue NE — Albertville David Vetsch — 11648-51 st Street NE — Albertville MAPublic Data\City Council\Council Minutes\2007 Minutes\WorkshopW 01-22-07 Draft with edits.doc City of Albertville Joint City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes January 22, 2007 Page 4 of 7 Gerald Corbin — 5014 Main Avenue NE — Albertville Lisa Goblirsch —11381-53rd Street NE — Albertville Helen Nelson — 11599-52nd Street NE — Albertville Dan Rankila — 4663 Lange Avenue NE — St. Michael The residents that spoke on the topic opposed the possibility to connect Main Avenue NE and Edgewood Drive. The reasons against the connection were: • Increased traffic traveling along Main Avenue NE • Residents obtaining access onto Main Avenue NE becoming more difficult • Safety - Albertville Primary School becoming a Kindergarten only grade level and expecting young students to cross Main Avenue NE • Residents with children trying to cross Main Avenue NE to play on the school playground equipment or fields • Speed of vehicles traveling along Main Avenue NE would potentially increase, even with the School Speed Zone, who would enforce it • STMA High School will be converted to a Middle School, which would mean younger students walking along Main Avenue NE in Albertville to the school • Cost to construct the connection taking into account the wetlands on the Zachman and Bistodeau property Chair Leintz closed the Comprehensive Plan Amendment public hearing at 8:25 p.m. After listening to the City Planner, City of St. Michael and comments from the public the Planning and Zoning Commission made the following motion. MOTION BY Commission member Dorenbush, seconded by Commission member Kocon to make a recommendation to the City Council to deny the Comprehensive Plan Amendment considering the connection of Main Avenue NE into St. Michael. Motion carried unanimously. Chair Leintz called for a 10-minute recess at 8:30 p.m. Mayor Klecker reconvened the joint City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission workshop at 8:40 p.m. DISCUSSION ON THE LAND USE WITHIN ALBERTVILLE CITY LIMITS City Planner Brixius reviewed the current Land Use within the Albertville city limits recommending that any outcome of the discussion could be brought back at a workshop to be held next month. MAPublic Data\City Council\Council Minutes\2007 Minutes\Workshop\M 01-22-07 Draft with edits.doc City of Albertville Joint City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes January 22, 2007 Page 5 of 7 Brixius went on to discuss that the biggest concern is CSAH 19 and the capacity of traffic along the corridor. What staff is looking for is the City Council and Planning Commission to think about what the city envisions, as we go forth, what the build out could potentially be for Albertville. Brixius presented three options for the various areas demonstrating potential roadway connections throughout the northwest section of Albertville (north of the Albertville Premium Outlets). Brixius pointed out that the City has been working with Wright County and the City of Otsego aligning the access point on 70th Street NE. One concern to deal with as the land becomes developed north of 67th Street NE and west of Keystone Avenue NE is the stormwater. Brixius then discussed the historic Downtown Albertville land use pointing out that the city has a number of areas to take into account with the proposed land use. A list of items to consider are; area stormwater retention, maintain access to I-94 and CSAH 37, Main Avenue NE and CSAH 37 intersection, potential redevelopment of existing single-family homes located on Main Avenue NE and 60th Street NE, acquisition of railroad right-of-way, expand STMA Ice Arena, extension of Lachman Avenue. Following the downtown land use, CSAH 19 corridor south of 57th Street NE was discussed. Assistant City Engineer Nafstad commented that Wright County is trying to acquire the right-of- way for the trail systems and met the required slopes. Nafstad reminded the Council that CSAH 19 Improvement was a County initiated project; therefore the County is required to obtain the right-of-way. The County has had the land appraised and will be acquiring the necessary land to construct CSAH 19. City Attorney Couri brought to the Council and Commission's attention the fact that the plans and specs have been presented to the State by Wright County for approval. There was additional discussion pertaining to the access points on CSAH 19, which staff shared that Wright County is setting the future access points that would be allowed off and onto CSAH 19. The last area discussed for Land Use was the northeast section, which included the Albertville Marketplace Development, St. Albert's Cemetery and Michael Potter property. Along with these properties were those located south of I-94 along Barthel Industrial Drive NE. City Planner Brixius concluded stating that there would be a workshop in February to discuss the Albertville Land Use and direct staff what the city envisions as the build out potential of Albertville. MAPublic Data\City Council\Council Minutes\2007 Minutes\Workshop\M 01-22-07 Draft with edits.doc City of Albertville Joint City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes January 22, 2007 Page 6 of 7 DISCUSSION ON A MORITORIUM ON SIGNAGE HEIGHT WITHIN THE ALBERTVILLE CITY LIMITS City Planner Brixius brought to the council and commission's attention the concern relating to the height of signage within Albertville. Staff continues to deal with issues or concerns pertaining to signage throughout Albertville and the subject of the Second Wind sign or Mobil sign is generally brought up. The concern is the development of property along the I-94 corridor and the height of the signage. There has been discussion regarding the Knechtl property, Albertville Marketplace, and recently a concept plan for Niemeyer Trailer Sales that could potentially be allowed a 75 foot high sign. The question is "does the Council and or Commission want to consider amending the current Sign Ordinance regulating the height of signage along I- 94?" Along with amending the height, the city could amend the amount of illumination that would be allowed. Planning Commission asked what other communities do pertaining to sign language or ordinances. City Planner Brixius responded by stating that each community is different; therefore the sign ordinance would vary depending upon where the city was located. After further discussion and the suggestion from the Council to purchase a light meter no action was taken at this time. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY Commission member Prow, seconded by Commission member Kocon to adjourn the joint City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission workshop at 9:50 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. DISCUSSION ON CSAH 19 IMPROVEMENT ASSESSMENTS Mayor Klecker reconvened the Council portion of the workshop at 9:51 p.m. Assistant City Engineer Nafstad briefly reviewed the CSAH 19 Improvement Project sharing that the cost estimate for the Albertville's portion of the improvement is $1.7 M, which will include the road improvement, storm sewer, trails, landscaping and lighting. Nafstad calculated the assessment for the commercial properties that abut CSAH 19. Council expressed concerns assessing the school property. City Attorney Couri reported that council can legally assess the school, but the council also has the option to exempt the school from the assessment. MAPublic Data\City Council\Council Minutes\2007 Minutes\Workshop\M 01-22-07 Draft with edits.doc City of Albertville Joint City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes January 22, 2007 Page 7 of 7 Council and staff discussed the various options available to the city on how to handle the payment of the CSAH 19 Improvement, whether the city considers assessing and or levying for the project. The council felt more confident explaining to the residents the need to assess a portion of the project and levy some of it too. Council brought up the potential assessment for the I-94 Improvement Project and not wanting to assess multiple projects to the same land owners. City Administrator Kruse stated the City was working with an appraiser to determine the amount of benefit the I-94 interchange would bring to neighboring properties. Administrator Kruse recommended getting an appraiser to provide a professional opinion on the amount of benefit the land owners along CSAH 19 would receive from the improvement. City Administrator recommended holding the assessment hearing closer to completion of the project, that way the city would have more accurate numbers on total project costs. Council directed staff to create a tier system in calculating the potential assessment for the abutting properties. The commercial properties along CSAH 19 south of the Coborn's area would be a tier one, the second tier would be those commercial properties south of the Coborn's area, but not abutting the roadway and those commercial properties at the intersection of CSAH 19 and 57th Street would be tier three. Staff stated that at the February 5, 2007 City Council meeting a public hearing for CSAH 19 Improvement has been set and published. At the meeting, council and staff would listen to the property owners. Following the Improvement Hearing, an Assessment hearing would be set, which could take place one to two months after the Improvement hearings. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY Council member Wagner, seconded by Council member Berning to adjourn at 10:45 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. /. I-Aak Sharon Leintz, Planning C ission Chair ---74i�' Ron Klecker, Mayor -& 'Al A�4w - Bridget Miller, Vity Clerk MAPublic Data\City Council\Council Minutes\2007 MinutesMorkshop\M 01-22-07 Draft with edits.doc