Planning Commission Minutes 02-08-1999 (Special Meeting)
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MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, February 8, 1999
Members:
Richard Carlson, Rod Dragsten, Roy Popilek and Robbie Smith.
Staff:
Jeff O'Neill and Fred Patch.
Absent:
Dick Frie and Council Liaison, Clint Herbst
1. Acting Chair Richard Carlson called the special meeting to order at 7 p.m. and declared a
quorum present.
2. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
No items were added to the agenda.
3. Citizen Comments.
There were no citizen comments.
4.
Continued Public Hearing - Consideration of a request for a Preliminarv Plat and
Conditional Use permit for a Development Stage PUD approval within the Monticello
Orderlv Annexation Area. Applicant: Gold Nugget Development. Inc.
Jeff O'Neill summarized what had taken place to date on this development. Action on
the development had been tabled pending input from the MOAA Board. Since there has
been no agreement between the City and the MOAA Board on the land use designation
for this property, the Planning Commission could table this matter until such time as
information was received from the MOAA Board or the Planning Commission could
make a recommendation to forward to the City Council.
Robbie Smith stated that he was leaning towards going with the residential designation
for this property and felt that the Planning Commission should take a stand on this. Rod
Dragsten felt that residential was the best use of the land but he felt there were other
things to ensure the quality of housing and amenities to enhance the development that
could be incorporated into the covenants or development agreement and the Planning
Commission should look at these items. There was discussion on what details supporting
the claim that this was upscale housing could be addressed in the restrictive covenants.
Shawn Weinand felt this could be accomplished as long as there weren't too many
restrictions placed on the developer. However, he cautioned the City not to expect
$175,000-$250,000 homes in this development but stated that the homes would be a step
up from what was in the area. The Planning commission discussed the need for upscale
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Planning Commission Minutes - 2/8/99
housing and how it could be achieved.
The Planning Commission discussed the ponding areas in the proposed development
including the capacity of the holding pond and what could be done to enhance its
appearance. Horst Graser suggested plantings or prairie grasses in the ponding area but
stated that it may take 2-3 years for the plantings to become established. The developer
in his etlorts to make this development a desirable place to live had made considerable
financial commitment to the trail system as well as other amenities for the development.
Rod Dragsten felt that some of the problem was a result of the property being such a t1at
piece of land. He felt that some contouring of the land would create a better lot that
would command a higher price. A higher priced lot would more likely have a higher
priced house on it. In discussing the development the Planning Commission felt the
need for assurances that this development would be a step up from what is existing.
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Dave Klein asked what the major concern of the Planning Commission was. Was it to
encourage construction of higher price homes in order to increase the tax base. He noted
that changes in the energy code would add $5,000.00 to the cost of home so he felt it was
inevitable that higher priced homes would be coming in. Dave Klein indicated that in a
market study that he had done he found that housing in the price range of $11 0,000 to
$125,000 was what was in demand. Dave Klein stated he was in support of the Gold
Nugget Development and keeping the 220 acres as residential use. He stated that it
would be harder to attract upscale housing if the housing is adjacent to the freeway.
The staff noted that there was time before the next meeting to have the developer come
up with the items that he was proposing to utilize in this development in order to entice
upscale housing. When asked ifhe would be comfortable waiting until the next regular
meeting, Horst Graser responded that he would like to have the Planning Commission
make a decision on the development at this meeting and make review of the covenants a
condition of the approval that could be met later. Rod Dragsten stated he had
reservations about forwarding something on to the council for their consideration that was
not complete. He felt if more time was taken to work out the details on the development,
the City Council would be more receptive to the Planning Commission's
recommendation.
Horst Glaser indicated the restrictive covenants submitted would be based on 500+
lots. If the property use is changed in whole or part, such as designating a portion of the
land for industrial use it would impact the restrictive covenants. He also felt that the
residential portion of the development should not havc to pick up the drainage from any
portion of thc property that was designatcd for industrial use. Richard Carlson stated that
there is pressure to dcmonstrate that this wi11 be a step up from developments that the
City has had in the past and therc is pressure to supply the industrial designation to some
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other land. In order for this 220 acre parcel to remain residential there is the need to find
some other land area for industrial use. Fred Patch indieated that in 1997 approximately
128 homes were built and in 1998 a total of 207 home were bui It. The cunent inventory
of available platted lots (approximately 220) could be depleted in 18 months if the current
building trends continue. The industrial land inventory is adequate to supply the City for
40 years.
Horst Grascr stated that there was some redesign work on the development and he would
like to defer this until he has a definitive answer as to whether the City wants the land as
residential or industrial. He will, however, deal with the other issues raised at this
meeting, such as the restrictive covenants.
ROY POPILEK MOVED AND ROBBIE SMITH SECONDED THE MOTION TO
RECOMMEND -1'0 THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE 220 ACRE PARCEL KNOWN
AS THE GOLD NUGGET DEVELOPMENT SHOULD REMAIN DESIGNATED AS
RESIDENTIAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
AND THE AREA REFERRED TO AS CHADWICK/BOHANON IS BETTER
SUITED FOR LIGHT INDUSTRIAL BECAUSE OF ITS LOCATION RELATlVE TO
THE FREEWAY.
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In further discussion on this item, Richard Carlson stated that on Gold Nugget
Development the Planning Commission was following what was set forth in the City's
Comprehensivc Plan which is the basis for its finding that the property should remain
residential in usc. Rod Dragsten questioned whether the motion should just cover the
residential as the other areas were still open to discussion.
ROY POPILEK AMENDED HIS MOTION TO S1 A TE THAT AI;rERNA TIVE
AREAS CLOSER TO THE FREEWAY WOULD BE BETTER SUITED TO LIGHT
INDUSTRIAL USE RATHER THAN RESIDENTIAL. ROBBIE SMITH SECONDED
THE AMENDED MOTION. Motion canied unanimously.
ROBBIE SMITH MOVED AND ROY POPILK SECONDED THE MOTION TO
APPROVE THE PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR PINE MEADOWS BASED ON A
FINDING THAT THE PROJECT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE EXISTING AND
FUTURE LAND USE PLAN, IS CONTIGUOUS TO THE CITY OF MONTICELLO,
AND COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ANNEXATION AS
OUTLINED IN THE MONTICELLO ORDERLY ANNEXATION AREA
AGREEMENT AND WITH THE CONTINGENCY THAT THE PLANNING
COMMISSION WILL BE REVIEWING THE COVENANTS AND BUILDING
RESTRICTION INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY THE DEVELOPER AT THE
MARCH 2, 1999 MEETING.
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Upon further discussion, Rod Dragsten stated he believed that the Planning Commission
should have all the information before them bcfore they acted on the plat. Roy Popilek
rescinded his second to the motion madc by Robbie Smith. The motion died for a lack of
second.
ROD DRAGS TEN MOVED TO TABLE ACTION UNTIL THE NEXT REGULAR
MEETING ON THE PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR THE GOLD NUGGET
DEVELOPMENT PENDING SUBMITTAL OF INFORMATION BY THE
APPLICANT RELATING TO COVENANTS AND BUILDING RESTRICTIONS.
RICHARD CARLSON SECONDED THE MOTION. Motion eanied with Robbie
Smith voting in opposition.
There was a brief general discussion of the North Anchor/Bridge Park. It was felt that the
property between Front Street and the river would not bc suitable for privatc development
as it could not meet current setback requirements. It would seem logical, ultimately, for
the City to become the owner of the property. This property should not be purchased by a
privatc developer or be allowed to be exchanged for park land in the area.
ROBBIE SMITH MOVED AND ROD DRAGSTEN SECONDED THE MOTION TO
TABLE DISCUSSION ON THE NORTH ANCHOR/BRIDGE PARK ITEM UNTIL
THE MARCH 2,1999 PLANNING COMMISSION SO THAT STAFF COULD
PREPARE A LISTING OF PRIORITIES AND GOALS FOR PLANNING
COMMISSION REVIEW. Motion carried unanimously.
ROD DRAGSTEN MOVED AND ROBBIE SMITH SECONDED THE MOTION TO
ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:15 P.M. Motion carried unanimously.
(J a..u..,~ ~ '-^-Os.:"S 4 Q..r-
Recording Secretary
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