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2008-03-31PC Minutes Joint PC ~ All?.~t!'!ilL€ JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, March 31, 2008 ALBERTVILLE CITY HALL 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER PRESENT: Mayor Ron Klecker, Council members John Vetsch, Dan Wagner, and Tom Fay, Planning & Zoning Commission members Scott Dorenbush, Sharon Leintz, and Denise Prow, Assistant City Engineer Adam Nafstad, City Planner Al Brixius, Building Official Jon Sutherland, and City Administrator Larry Kruse. ABSENT: Council member Leroy Berning, Commission members Frank Kocon, and Dale J;:dgren. The following people were in attendance; Steve Zachman, Stu Zachman, Henry Zachman, Steve Anderson, Brooke Rehovsky, Mike Potter, Heidi Potter, Gary Merges, Jamie and Ginger Hakes, Jon and Denise Troe, Bob and Kathy LaRose, Phil and Annette Johnson, Duane and Mona Krueger, Stan Barthel and Jamie Hakes. Mayor Klecker called the joint City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. City Planner Al Brixius began his oral report. NE QUADRANT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE (GREEN HAVEN) City Planner Brixius began with a presentation noting that in 2007 the City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission looked at a number of land use concepts for the remaining undeveloped parcels within Albertville. During that meeting there was only discussion; therefore, no formal amendment to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan was adopted. Since that meeting, the Albertville Marketplace Addition has been approved and is moving forward with the development bringing sanitary sewer to the site. The City would like to utilize this opportunity of the current development to evaluate expanding the sanitary sewer and water utilities to other property owners within the NE Quadrant. Expansion of utilities would include the Green Haven Estates Subdivision and other properties in the area. Brixius discussed we want the public to be aware of what is occurring so the City can receive input and devise a long range comprehensive plan. M:\Public Data\City Council\Council Minutes\2008 Minutes\M 03-31-08 CC-PZ Approved.doc City of Albertville Joint City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes March 31, 2008 Page 2 of5 He outlined the overall zoning in this area of Albertville and the adjoining area of Otsego. Al explained the importance of integrating the 2 areas zoning for the long term and noted the existing land Use Plan for Otsego includes High Density Residential, Commercial, and Industrial. He further identified 60th Street NE as a fairly significant high traffic corridor. Al discussed the status of the various projects such as Albertville Marketplace, and reviewed the status of the existing utilities that serve the area and explained the importance of looping water mains in the utility system. He stated the City has concept plans only and has not developed a proposed utilities plan at this point. He is looking for discussion, public input, and direction. Brixius reported that Staff is doing their best to be proactive by evaluating the pros and cons of reconstructing the streets along with bringing municipal utilities to the addition. Council and Commission members would like to inform the property owners and get their input. The neighborhood workshop is intended to present the Inventory and Preliminary Concept Plan and illustrate how the area fits within the context of Albertville and the adjoining communities. Following the neighborhood workshop, Staff would bring the Inventory, Concept Plan and neighborhood comments to the Planning Commission and City Council for their review. This meeting would be done in a workshop setting, in order to solicit input on the Concept Plan, and to receive direction for the formulation of a Comprehensive Plan amendment regarding both the graphic and narrative recommendations for land use, transportation, and utilities for northeast Albertville. Al reviewed the future land uses that abut Albertville to the east for the City of Saint Michael. Their land use planning has identified commercial along 1-94 and industrial uses above that to County Road 37. These are identified as suitable uses that will take advantage of the transportation corridors. Al pointed out that transportation affects planning layout grids for streets and that 1-94 has a principal arterial highway classification, MacIver Avenue NE and County Road 37 are identified as major collectors and are expected to have high traffic volumes. Al discussed the interchange changes that tie into this transportation planning and then related this to our neighborhood planning and the condition and status of the existing neighborhood roads and utilities. Al referred to the City Engineer Adam Nafstad's preliminary assessments. City staff is planning longer term maintenance schedules and while assessing the condition observed that Mackenzie, 58th and 59th in the Green Haven Subdivision show severe signs of roadway failure. Adam identified that street repairs are necessary and should include utility upgrades as this would be an opportunity to upgrade the street. Al commented about various options with utilities and reiterated there have not been plans or cost estimates developed at this time, that evaluation of the existing sewer systems was important, and he reviewed a comparison of existing and improved land values. M:\Public Data\City Counci1\Council Minutes\2008 Minutes\M 03-3 I -08 CC-PZ Approved.doc City of Albertville Joint City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes March 31, 2008 Page 3 of 5 Al concluded his presentation and commented that we should take a look at the land use and street layout concepts and rezoning as a concept, that he is looking for input and he wants to work to obtain good long range planning. He directed the small groups to discuss the information and mark up the maps provided to each group and challenged them to look at interim solutions and again look out to a 20 year period. Several small group discussions were held and input was reviewed and discussed. A brief listing of comments is as follows: Mona Kruger stated that after their house burned down they considered rebuilding but put it on hold in order to evaluate the long term development that will surround them. In the long term, they felt due to the higher zoning in Otsego across the street it was not compatible for rebuilding. They are a proponent of rezoning to go commercial. Mona also stated she realizes that utilities are part of a long term use plan. She is concerned with costs and that her property would be harder to sell as residential and that there are difficulties either way. John Vetsch commented that he would like to see the property zoned commercial and likes the plan as put forward by Brixius but is concerned with the cost of utilities. Mike Potter spoke in support of the plan and indicated the location of his property may be next in line for development. Various comments from various persons in attendance were: . Would like to go commercial when the time comes . The existing freeway noise drives people crazy and that is a big negative . Leave the property and conditions as they are but provide for the commercial options when it is ready to happen so it can happen . Leave it open to or for development but do not shove utilities in immediately . Do not shove utilities at folks raising families . Several people were concerned that a stoplight/signal/turn lane should go in at Mackenzie and that traffic enforcement should be increased. In addition, there have been accidents at or near this intersection Assistant City Engineer Adam Nafstad commented the cul-de-sac on 58th Street NE could be preserved and industrial traffic could be directed away from this. City Administrator Larry Kruse stated he had similar experience with pending development and the transition from existing septic systems and that it was in everyone's benefit to be aware the potential of what can come. Knowing or planning ahead can save cost or minimize investment that would otherwise be lost. He discussed long term options for replacing failing septic systems M:\Public Data\City Council\Council Minutes\2008 Minutes\M 03-31-08 CC-PZ Approved.doc City of Albertville Joint City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes March 31, 2008 Page 4 of5 and pointed out the City would seek to help with transition to City utilities by buying time as one example. Other long term options were discussed. A Green Haven Neighborhood Survey regarding house, septic, well information was circulated at the beginning of the meeting, for residents to help the City assess the current status. Some members of the public had concerns and comments were as follows: . There was a concern the questions regarding the status of their septic systems was not fair and that it is difficult to publicly state there may be a problem with their system . That the existing residential development was being squeezed out by commercial and hat as systems failed they would not be able to replace them and the property would transition to commercial . That they liked their neighborhood and it was a nice place for children to play City Administrator Larry Kruse stated that economic conditions must be ripe for development changes to occur and that this was long range planning. In addition, the City has no preconceived notions but the road is failing and needs to be rebuilt. The road needs more than just maintenance and that it is important to come up with a long term plan. And to protect long term investment. A resident felt the road was not being maintained, that's why it was falling apart, that it was okay for cars, and that it did not need curb and gutter and that the road was being used as a wedge. Kruse agreed that the road could maintain a rural profile and may not need curb and gutter. There was some spirited discussion regarding the road and maintenance. It was discussed there are various conditions of ownership of properties in the subdivision that some would be affected more or less based on their ability to afford the cost of improvements. Some would suffer a greater loss because of their recent investment into a mound system. There was a concern that this neighborhood was a donut hole in the way of progress and that even if they hook up to sewer and water that was a dying expense because they may not be able to sell their homes because of the new development and traffic. There were other concerns voiced for example: they were stuck in a hole. Residents wanted to see the numbers and understand the actual costs and what options would be available. Most agreed that something needs to be done with the road soon. M:\Public Data\City Council\Council Minutes\2008 Minutes\M 03-31-08 CC-PZ Approved.doc City of Albertville Joint City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes March 31, 2008 Page 5 of 5 Al commented this discussion is about a comprehensive plan update and that he could propose a current, interim, and long term plan and is basically seeking comments in order for him to develop a plan to protect existing neighborhoods and direct the change and transition. We are not prepared to change configuration but to plan/direct where utilities would layout plan strategy. The change would be guided. Al thanked the residents for their time and stated this was intended to be a fact finding mission and be able to respond to issues. Mayor Ron Klecker stated that the Phil Morris development provides an opportunity for residents however nothing is in stone it is on paper, we all have erasures. We need to respect our neighbor's opinions and nothing is forced. Council members Vetsch, Wagner, and Fay reiterated that nothing is being forced, this is planning for the long term, that if improvements are made there is opportunity for differed assessments and this will give people opportunity do something with their property. 1)1ere were estimates that based on the time required for study, platting, and utilities; development is 3 to 5 years out at a minimum. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Klecker adjourned the joint City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission meeting at 9:15 P.M. -R~KL..d Ron Klecker, Mayor ~ ~.~i~ Sharon Leintz, Plannmg d Zomng ChaIrperson ~~ M:\Public Data\City Council\Council Minutes\2008 Minutes\M 03-31-08 CC-PZ Approved.doc