Planning Commission Minutes - 03/04/2024 (Joint Workshop)MINUTES
JOINT MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION/CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
Monday, March 4, 2024 — 4:45 p.m.
Monticello Community Center
Planning Commissioners Present: Vice Chair Andrew Tapper, Rob Stark
Planning Commissioners Absent: Chair Paul Konsor, Teri Lehner, Melissa Robeck
City Councilmembers Present: Mayor Lloyd Hilgart, Charlotte Gabler, Sam Murdoff, Tracy
Hinz, Lee Martie
Staff Present: Angela Schumann, Steve Grittman, Rachel Leonard, Ron
Hackenmueller, Hayden Stensgard
I. Call to Order
Planning Commission Vice Chair Andrew Tapper called the joint workshop of the
Monticello Planning Commission and City Council to order at 4:47 p.m.
2. Concept Stage Planned Unit Development Submittal for a proposed multi -phased
Residential Development including Single -Family Residential and Medium Density -
Residential uses
PIDs: 155-259-000060,-000070,-000080,-000090,-000100.-000110.-000120
Legal Description: Outlots F, G, H, I, J, K, L, Haven Ridge
Applicant: Twin Cities Land Development
Community Development Director Angela Schumann provided an overview of the
Concept Stage Planned Unit Development (PUD) joint workshop meeting's purpose and
intent. The purpose was for a concept stage PUD review aimed at providing helpful and
constructive feedback to the development team that presents the concept. Notices
were sent out for this meeting to the surrounding area where the development is
proposed. Ms. Schumann added that the meeting did not involve a public hearing, but if
time allows, residents present may address the group.
City Planner Steve Grittman provided an overview of the agenda item to the Planning
Commission, City Council, and the public. The group was asked to consider a concept
stage PUD for a multi -phased single-family residential development consisting of 298
lots. The submittal team had indicated that they would complete the development in its
entirety in five separate phases. The group was asked to identify any areas of concern
that would require change to avoid the potential for denial during the land use
application process, as well as any elements of the concept that would be essential for
grounds for approval.
Ben Schmidt, of Twin Cities Land Development (applicant), addressed the Planning
Commission, City Council, and the public. Mr. Schmidt provided an overview of Twin
Cities Land Development and how their team came to this point with the proposed
concept and also noted that they were available for questions.
Mr. Tapper asked why the flexibility request includes smaller finishable square footage
areas for homes in the proposed T-N district area of the concept. Mr. Schmidt clarified
that given the size of the lots for those specific areas of the concept, if homes were to
be built on them without a basement (slab -on -grade), 2,000 finishable square feet of
home would not fit on those lots. Though not a concern for homes with finishable
basements, flexibility is requested for the opportunity to have slab -on -grade homes
available to prospective residents. The flexibility would also allow for more builders to
be able to construct homes in the development, providing more variety of home
selection and design within the neighborhood.
Mayor Hilgart noted that given the current environment surrounding housing
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character.
Mr. Tapper asked the proposer if they believed all the townhomes would be built by the
same builder. Mr. Schmidt believed they would all be built by one builder.
Mayor Hilgart asked why the roads accessing the townhome areas would be private
streets. Mr. Schmidt noted that the private streets can be smaller than the public
streets, providing more area for development of the townhomes without disrupting too
much of the woodland in the same vicinity.
Councilmember Charlotte Gabler mentioned the westernmost street of the concept,
Elemore Lane NE, is a long section of road around the development without a stop sign,
and asked if the development team would foresee any issues with that. Mr. Schmidt
noted that all of the streets intersecting with Elemore Lane NE would have a stop sign,
and said that consideration could be given to putting a stop sign where Elemore Lane NE
turns at close to a 90-degree angle at the northwest corner of the development.
Councilmember Gabler asked if the ponds shown on the site plan were existing and
would be enlarged in conjunction with the development. Mr. Schmidt clarified that the
ponds do not exist currently, but would be created to manage stormwater within the
development.
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Councilmember Gabler asked for clarification on the plan for a park within the
development, or if this neighborhood would rely on Hunters Crossing Park to the North
to serve as the closest park location for the development. Mr. Schmidt noted that the
intention would be to add more park area to Hunters Crossing Park with the realigning
of 85t" Street NE when the roundabout is installed.
Ms. Schumann added that given the amount of wetland area surrounding the
development, City staff has worked with the developers to create an extensive pathway
system, that will also be considered as a component of the park dedication
requirements. Consideration would need to be given in the future to the distance from
the south end of the development to the nearest park location, as neighborhood
walkability to parks remains an important component of the City's park system.
Councilmember Gabler asked if this development would incorporate a neighborhood
conservation overlay district that is referenced within the Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan
(Comp Plan). Ms. Schumann noted that though there are areas of this concept plan that
reflect some of the guidelines of that overlay district laid out within the comp plan, it is
not anticipated that the overlay district would be incorporated into this development.
Councilmember Gabler asked if the development team knew what the home designs
would be for the slab -on -grade houses in the 55-foot lot width area of the development.
Mr. Schmidt clarified that there is no defined design for those specific homes and that
they anticipate a wide variety of home designs throughout the development.
Public Comment
Rob Collins, 8278 Eisele Ave NE, Monticello, MN 55362, asked how many townhomes
were proposed at the south end of the roundabout, and if all the trees in that area were
to remain. Mr. Schmidt clarified that there were 22 in that location, and though not all
the trees in the area would be saved, the development team is planning to avoid the
disturbance of trees in the area as much as possible.
Public Comment
Nancy Friesen, 8116 Edmonson Ave NE, Monticello 55362, asked if there are plans for a
berm or screening along the southwest portion of the development. Mr. Schmidt noted
that boundary landscaping is important for both new homeowners moving into the
development, as well as the existing property owners adjacent to the development
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area, and those will be considered in those areas as the development continues to
progress in the process.
Public Comment
Paul Nelson, 4750 25th St SW, Waverly, MN 55390, asked where the stormwater for this
development would go, and expressed concern for potential flooding of surrounding
farmland from the stormwater created from the development. Brian Krystofiak, or
Carlson McCain, Inc. said that the majority of the west side of the development would
flow through the ponds to be created, and eventually discharge into the wetland at the
south edge.
Mr. Schmidt added that the anticipation is that the amount of runoff in this location
currently will be more than the runoff that will occur following full development of the
site.
Mr. Nelson asked where the majority of traffic for the development would be entering
anu leaving Lne ueveiopment. Mr. -)cnrniut saw tney wouiu veriry tnat inrormation witn
a traffic study, but would anticipate once the roundabout is completed, people within
the development would utilize that in the northeast, rather than exiting to the west.
Mayor Hilgart added that the direction they use to exit the neighborhood is ultimately
dependent on where the traffic's destination is.
Councilmember Sam Murdoff asked if the landscape proposal for the lots was 3 caliper
inches per tree (9 caliper inches total) per lot in place of any shrub plantings. Mr.
Schmidt clarified that is what would be proposed per the PUD flexibility.
Councilmember Tracy Hinz noted that the development team's focus on providing
variety in this concept neighborhood is a positive and looks forward to seeing that
further incorporated as they get closer to development of the site.
No action was taken on the item.
3. Adjournment
By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Recorded By: Hayden Stens and
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Date Approved: April 2, 2024
ATTEST:
Angela Schumann,)Corfimunity Development Director