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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-08-21 Council Minutes CITY OF CORCORAN SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 21, 2003 H:\City Hall Information\CITY GOVERNMENT\Council, Commissions & Committees\Council Information\Council Minutes\Previous Years\2003 - Need to PDF\08.21.03 Special Council Minutes.doc 1 The City Council met in special session on August 21, 2003 at City Hall in Corcoran, Minnesota. Present were Councilors Bucher, Gageby and Guenthner; Planning Commissioners Ebert and Kluck; and staff members Administrator Vergin, Planners Lindahl, Krall and Jansson. Excused absent were Councilors Lymangood and Thomas, and Commissioner Hanson. Mayor Guenthner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MOTION by Bucher, seconded by Gageby to approve the agenda. Voting Aye: Bucher, Guenthner and Gageby. (Motion Carried) MOTION by Gageby, seconded by Bucher to approve the July 17, 2003 minutes as presented. Voting Aye: Bucher, Guenthner and Gageby. (Motion Carried) Public Forum – No one addressed the Council. Planner Lindahl summarized the goal of the meeting, Sherri Buss would provide an overview of the work that has been completed by the Natural Resource Committee; Carolyn Krall will provide an overview of the area plans and guidelines and review the market analysis prepared by QSA; Lindahl will review the revised residential standards; and address public notification of the upcoming open house. Natural Resource (NRI) Ordinances – Sherri Buss The NRI prepared three ordinances to address Wetlands, Shorelands and Floodplains. These will become part of the zoning ordinance when the implementation planning process is completed and the ordinance is adopted. Wetland Ordinance - The Wetland Ordinance incorporates the State Wetland Conservation Act. It includes requirements for buffering, which is based on the quality of the wetland, higher qualities require larger buffer areas. The buffers will provide habitat and protect the environment. Monuments, signs or markers will be utilized to identify the buffers and educate the public. The Ordinance does include provisions for enforcement. Shoreland Ordinance – The Shoreland Ordinance is modeled after the DNR model ordinance along with input from DNR staff to make modifications that apply to Corcoran. The Shoreland ordinance governs water use and land use within areas adjacent to public waters. Public waters in Corcoran consist of the North and South Forks of Rush Creek (tributary streams) and Lake Jubert (natural environment lake). The ordinance identifies buffer requirements and setbacks, vegetation management, topographic alterations and stormwater management. The City can adopt the ordinance without DNR approval, however this will not eliminate the need for DNR approval when dealing with developments that will impact Shorelands, if on the other hand the city has the DNR review and approve the ordinance, the city will have the control and will not need additional DNR review. The group was in consensus that they would prefer to have DNR approval up front rather then dealing with a continuous review process. Addressed the impervious surface requirements within the ordinance. The DNR requires no more than 25%, unless the City uses the MPCA best management standards. Called to Order Roll Call Agenda Approval Minute Approval Public Forum Summary of Meeting Goals NRI Ordinances Wetland Ordinance Shoreland Ordinance CITY OF CORCORAN SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 21, 2003 H:\City Hall Information\CITY GOVERNMENT\Council, Commissions & Committees\Council Information\Council Minutes\Previous Years\2003 - Need to PDF\08.21.03 Special Council Minutes.doc 2 The group concurred that they would prefer to have the ordinance driven by standards rather then by percentages. It was noted that the City can require other creeks within the City, not identified by the DNR, to adhere to the ordinance, such as Jubert Creek. Floodplain Ordinance – This ordinance updates the City’s current ordinance. The significant change is the change in the definition of the Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation from one to two feet above the 100 year flood. This standard is important as it reduces the potential for flooding and reduces the potential of sump pumps discharging in the sanitary sewer system. The NRI group did not have an opportunity to create a tree preservation ordinance, but feel that this may be able to be completed yet this fall with the creation of the Parks and Trails Commission. The NRI group did identify “search areas” of where parks and trails should go, placing more emphasis on the urbanized development areas. Area Plans – Carolyn Krall The general guidelines have been established to set a clear definition of urban design objectives. It is the expectation of the City. Southwest District - establishes the gateway to the City on Highway 55 at County Road 19. This plan calls for a higher quality business park with landscaped setbacks and buffers. New residential development should have a range of housing types and densities, while preserving natural open space. Northeast District – establishes the gateway at County Roads 30 and 101. This reflects the rural character that Corcoran has to offer. This will provide more high quality business parks, with office, commercial and light industrial uses. The PUD area will provide life-cycle residential development mixed with retail and commercial uses. Southeast District – the central focus will be new retail and commercial development, along with mixed-use planned unit developments consisting of retail and service commercial with a mix of low, medium and high density residential. This area will see realignment of streets to ease overloading of the existing transportation network, however, timing of those will depend upon the economics. This district includes the downtown area, which should encourage a pedestrian friendly zone. Improvements and/or redevelopment in the west side of 116 should encourage the closing of accesses on to 116. Downtown Plan / Downtown Overlay District - this area is within the Southeast District. The proposed downtown plan includes amenities such as a linear town square with a gazebo, city park and future water tower. The City Hall will act as an anchor with the eventual location of other public buildings such as a post office and library. The guidelines provide for of high-quality development consisting of shops, restaurants, offices, houses and community facilities. This will be pedestrian friendly with space for community activities. Floodplain Ordinance Area Plans Southwest District Northeast District Southeast District Downtown District CITY OF CORCORAN SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 21, 2003 H:\City Hall Information\CITY GOVERNMENT\Council, Commissions & Committees\Council Information\Council Minutes\Previous Years\2003 - Need to PDF\08.21.03 Special Council Minutes.doc 3 Ms. Krall emphasized that the guidelines are a tool and the area plans area a vision for the City to use to encourage and promote the type of development that they wish to have. QSA Market Analysis – The group reviewed the analysis regarding the future PUD planning areas within the City. It was the consensus that Mr. Quam, co-author, did not need to attend a future meeting. The information provided is useful and confirms that the development mix is appropriate. The City can preserve their plan and wait for the market to come to Corcoran. Public Input Tim Brown of Laurent Development and John Uban of Dahlgren Shardlow and Uban addressed the group on behalf of the Laurent Development Company. Mr. Uban expressed the importance of utilizing PUDs to encourage the types of development that the City wants. Rooftops are important in order for the commercial growth to occur. George Gmach, resident, emphasized the need for residential development around the parks areas. Feels there is too much focus on the east side of 116, feels the focus should be on the west side to utilize the park and ability to walk to it. Other Business Revised Residential Standards – Planner Lindahl addressed the residential standards as they are proposed to date. It was previously agreed that the building rights should be retained, but perhaps need to re-look at minimum lot sizes. Should not create any lot that does not have a building right to it. The OSP, Open Space Preservation Plat, is a tool which will allow additional building rights when preserving open space. The Future Urban Service Area should be designated as Agriculture to preserve for urban services. Accessory building standards should be reviewed if creating larger lots that eventually could become urbanized. Discussion pursued by the group on building rights versus minimum lot sizes; the ability to preserve agriculture property, but allow the rezoning to RR when appropriate; the importance of not impacting or talking away an economic right of a property owner; the need to take away the unspoken expectation of property owners that the clock will be reset allowing additional building rights in the future. Public Comments – George Gmach, resident, concerned with consideration of a 5-acre minimum lot size, as development costs would be higher and topography may not lend itself. Land divisions are recorded and the burden should be on the property owner to prove the building rights associated with their property. Recommends leaving as is with incentives to preserve property for additional building rights. Discussion pursued, with a consensus for consideration of RR being 2 acres of contiguous buildable land, and PFSA being a 10 acre minimum to protect for future urbanization. Tom Cossette questioned what is it that the council wants to achieve. QSA Market Analysis Public Comments Revised Residential Standards Public Comments CITY OF CORCORAN SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 21, 2003 H:\City Hall Information\CITY GOVERNMENT\Council, Commissions & Committees\Council Information\Council Minutes\Previous Years\2003 - Need to PDF\08.21.03 Special Council Minutes.doc 4 Mayor Guenthner responded that the City has been looking at the rights and economic rights of the citizens based on the policies that exist and what is being proposed. Trying to achieve the preservation of rural historic Corcoran. Comments on the newsletter are to be to staff by 4:00 p.m. Monday, August 25 for final changes. The next special meeting will be held on September 18, 2003, the agenda will include performance standards, administration, enforcement, final area plans and an update on infrastructure from Engineer Vander Top. Landform is working with the Crow River News to prepare an article on the upcoming open house. No assessment of the meeting was done. MOTION by Bucher, seconded by Gageby to adjourn, 9:30 p.m. Voting Aye: Bucher, Gageby and Guenthner. _____________________________ Susan Vergin, City Administrator Newsletter Next Agenda CRN Article Adjournment