HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-03 - Council Agenda PacketCITY OF CORCORAN
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/ PLANNING COMMISSION/ PARKS & TRAILS COMMISSION
MEETING
7:00 PM — Thursday, March 3, 2011
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approval of Agenda
4. New Business
a. Introductions
i. Background, Interests, City Vision
ii. Other Comments
b. Roles and Expectations*
c. A primer on the Open Meeting Rules and Communication Between Officials*
d. Update and Walk- Through of Comp Plan and Ordinance Update Process*
e. TIF project Outline*
f. 24 Month Calendar
g. A Review on the Financial Outlook of the City
h. A Project Case Study -Where Does Everyone Fit into the Process
5. Announcements
*Literature to review
Material relating to these agenda items can be found in the House Agenda Packet,
located near the entrance to the Community Room Meeting Area.
Agenda Memo -March 3, 2011
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Dan Donahue, City Administrator
Regarding: Administrator Notes
4) New Business
a) Introductions. All of the Commissioners and Council will have an opportunity to
introduce themselves and talk a little bit about their background, interests, and
maybe their vision for the city.
b) Roles and Expectations. This will be an open discussion on the understanding of
what are the rules governing the city, the council, and the commissions. For your
review, I have included in your packet the ordinances that cover the two
Commissions.
c) Open Meeting Rules and Communications. I have included some material that
may help in clarifying a somewhat challenging subject. We are all governed by
rules that in many ways may seem counter - intuitive to good communication
between co- workers. However, these rules are meant to assure transparency in
dealing with the business of the city and in the end, openness is what our
business is all about. See the documents I have provided on the Open Meeting
Law and on the Communications Policy of the City.
d) Comp Plan and ordinance Updates. All of you have been part of the process to
adopt a new Comprehensive Plan and the accompanying ordinance updates. In
you packet is a report on a plan adopted by the council to reach a conclusion to
the process.
e) TIF Project Update. This is one of two major projects that are before the city. The
project will have an impact on all of the bodies of the city. I will spend a little time
going over the highlights.
f) Developing a 24 month Calendar. This item will be a discussion on setting some
timelines on completing the major business initiatives before the city over the
next two years.
g) A Review of the City's Financial Outlook. I will present some material on
Thursday about the financial outlook of the city, the cost and financing ideas for
the TIF Project, and other pertinent financial issues that might be on the minds of
everyone.
h) A Project Case Study. City Planner Kendra Lindahl will have a presentation and
will lead everyone through a case study of a project. The intent is to have
everyone better understand where we all fit into the development process.
If anyone has questions prior to this meeting, please contact me. See you Thursday.
Page 1
CHAPTER 34: PLANNING COMMISSION
34.10 ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
The planning commission for the City shall be hereby established. The commission shall be the
City planning agency.
34.11 COMPOSITION.
The planning commission shall consist of six (6) regular members, two (2) alternate members,
and one (1) City Council representative. The City Council representative shall not be a voting
member of the Planning Commission.
A. All regular and alternate members shall be appointed by the City Council and may be
removed by a three -fifths vote of the Council.
B. Regular Members - Of the planning commissioners first appointed, two shall be appointed
for a one year term, two shall be appointed for a two year term, and two shall be appointed
for a three year term. Their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years,
Appointees shall hold their offices until their successors shall be appointed and qualified.
The City Council shall approve the necessary appointments to the Commission no later
than March 31 of each year. Every appointed member shall before entering upon the
discharge of his or her duties take an oath that he or she shall faithfully discharge the duties
of his or her office. All members shall serve without compensation.
C. Alternate Members — Shall be annually appointed. All members shall serve without
compensation.
D. The City Council may appoint a non - resident to any of the city commissions so
long as there is no more than one (1) non - resident on a commission at any time and
provided that the individual's non - residence status is determined to be temporary.
E. A quorum shall consist of any combination of four (4) regular and/or alternate members.
The City Council representative shall not count towards a quorum of members.
Title III: 34 -1
k
34.12 ORGANIZATION; MEETINGS.
A. The commission shall elect a chairperson from among its appointed members for a term
of one year; and the commission may create and till such other offices as it may
determine.
B. The commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of business and shall keep a record
of its resolutions, transactions, and findings, which record shall be a public record.
Expenditures of the commission shall be within amounts appropriated for the purpose by
the City Council. The commission shall submit to the City Council a monthly report of
its work during the preceding month.
34.13 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
The planning commission shall be the planning agency and shall have the powers and duties
given such agencies generally by Minnesota Statutes § 462.351 - 462.364. It shall also exercise
the duties conferred upon it by this Section.
34.14 ZONING ORDINANCES; PUBLIC HEARINGS.
No zoning ordinances or amendments thereto shall be adopted by the Council until a public
hearing has been held thereon by the planning commission upon notice as provided in Minnesota
Statutes § 462.357, Subdivision 3.
34.15 PLATS; APPROVAL.
Any plat of land submitted to the Council for approval shall be referred to the planning
commission for review and recommendation.
34.16 BOARD OF APPEALS AND ADJUSTMENTS.
The planning commission shall serve as the Board of Appeals and Adjustments for the City. The
decisions of the Board on matters within its jurisdiction shall be advisory to the Council.
Following the hearing, the Board shall make its order deciding the matter and shall serve a copy
of such order upon the appellant or petitioner by mail. The Board shall at the same time submit a
copy of its decision to the Council, which shall have final authority to approve, reject, or modify
the decision of the Board.
(Ord. 193, passed 05- 13 -04, Ord.217, passed 04- 14 -05)
Title 111: 34 -2
CHAPTER 36: PARKS AND TRAILS COMMISSION
-s.
P
36.10 ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMISSION.
The Parks and Trails Commission for the City shall be hereby established.
36.11 COMPOSITION.
The Parks and Trails Commission shall consist of nine (9) regular members, and three (3)
alternate members that shall be appointed in the manner set forth in this subsection. In
addition, one (1) City Council member shall act as a liaison to the Commission. The liaison
shall attend meetings of the Parks and Trails Commission and act as a mode of communication
between the Parks and Trails Commission and the City Council. The Liaison shall have no
vote on the Commission.
A. All members shall be appointed by the City Council and may be removed by a three -
fifths vote of the Council.
B. Regular Members — Members of the Commission are appointed by the City Council for
staggered three -year terms. Of the Parks and Trails commissioners first appointed, three
shall be appointed for a one year term, three shall be appointed for a two year term, and
three shall be appointed for a three year term. Successors shall be appointed for terms of
three years, Appointees shall hold their offices until their successors are appointed and
t' qualified. The City Council shall approve the necessary appointments to the Commission
no later than March 31 of each year. Before entering upon the discharge of his or her
duties, every appointed member shall take an oath that he or she shall faithfully discharge
the duties of his or her office. All members shall serve without compensation.
C. Alternate Members — Shall be annually appointed. All members shall serve without
compensation.
D. The city council may appoint a non - resident to any of the city commissions so long as
there is no more than one (1) non - resident on a commission at any time and provided that
the individual's non- residence status is determined to be temporary.
E. A quorum shall consist of any combination of five (5) regular and /or alternate members.
The City Council liaison shall not count towards a quorum of the members.
Title Ill: 36 -1
36.12 ORGANIZATION; MEETINGS.
A. The commission shall elect a chairperson from among its appointed members, for a term
of one year; and the commission may create and fill such other offices as it may
determine.
B. All regular members of the Commission, including the Chairperson, may vote on any
questions before the Commission, except that no member of the Commission shall
partake in any discussion on or vote upon any question in which he or she is directly or
indirectly interested.
C. The commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of business, with the approval of
the Council, and shall keep a record of its resolutions, transactions, and findings, which
record shall be a public record. Expenditures of the commission shall be within
amounts appropriated for the purpose by the City Council.
D. The Commission shall determine the date and time of meetings and shall set such public
hearings as are necessary and desirable, or required by law, or this Code.
36.13 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
The Parks and Trails Commission shall have the powers and duties allowed under the City
Charter and State law, including:
A. To hold meetings of its members, to consider such matters pertaining to parks and trails
in the City as shall be referred to the Commission by the Council, or as the members of
the Commission themselves deem proper.
B. To prepare a corn rep _pensive plan for future development of the City parks and trails
system, to be submitted to the City Council for implementation, and to maintain said
plan, and recommend amendments of the plan to the City Council, as may become
necessary or desirable.
C. To act in an advisory capacity to the Council on all matters pertaining to a parks and
trails system in the City. All pertinent contracts of purchase, sale, employment, use and
management shall be made by the City through the City Council upon advice thereof
from the Parks and Trails Commission.
36.14 REPORTS.
The Commission shall make an annual written report to the City Council, not later than the last
dam of February_ of each calendar year, containing the Commission's recommendations f6i the
ensuing year, and also a summary of activities in the prior year.
(Ord. No. 195, passed 05- 13 -04, Ord.219, passed 04- 14 -05)
Title 111: 36 -2
9f.
CITY OF CORCORAN
ORDINANCE 2011 -255
Motion By:
Seconded By:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE III (ADMINISTRATION) OF THE CITY CODE TO
MODIFY THE COMPOSITION OF THE PARKS AND TRAILS COMMISSION (SECTION
36.11).
THE CITY OF CORCORAN ORDAINS:
Section 1. Amendment of the City Code. Title III of the City Code of the City of
Corcoran, Minnesota, is hereby amended as follows, based on the findings in Resolution
2008 -13:
36.11 COMPOSITION.
The Parks and Trails Commission shall consist of nine (9) regular members, three (3)
alternate members and up to two (2) student members that shall be appointed in the
manner set forth in this subsection. In addition, one (1) City Council member shall act as
a liaison to the Commission. The liaison shall attend meetings of the Parks and Trails
Commission and act as a mode of communication between the Parks and Trails
Commission and the City Council. The Liaison shall have no vote on the Commission.
A. All members shall be appointed by the City Council and may be removed by a three -
fifths (3/5) vote of the Council.
B. Regular Members — Members of the Commission are appointed by the City Council
for staggered three -year terms. Of the Parks and Trails commissioners first
appointed, three shall be appointed for a one year term, three shall be appointed for
a two year term, and three shall be appointed for a three year term. Successors shall
be appointed for terms of three years, Appointees shall hold their offices until their
successors are appointed and qualified. The City Council shall approve the
necessary appointments to the Commission no later than March 31 of each year.
Before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, every appointed member
shall take an oath that he or she shall faithfully discharge the duties of his or her
office. All members shall serve without compensation.
C. Alternate Members — Shall be annually appointed. All members shall serve without
compensation.
D. Student Members — Shall be annually appointed at the pleasure of the council.
Student members shall have no voting or office responsibility. All members shall
serve without compensation.
E. The city council may appoint a non - resident to any of the city commissions so long
as there is no more than one (1) non - resident on a commission at any time and
provided that the individual's non - residence status is determined to be temporary.
Ordinance 2009 2502011 -255
Page 2
F. A quorum shall consist of any combination of five (5) regular and /or alternate
members. The City Council liaison and student members shall not count towards a
quorum of the members.
Section 2. Effec+ %e. This amendment shall take effect upon itspassage and
publication.
ADOPTED by the City Council the 22"" day of QGtobo,- 20
►4
Guenthner, Ken
►4A
*1
►4 _
ire
►� , , e
Asleson, Rich
n
-e
VOTING AVF,
VOTING NAV
n
Guenthner, Ken
n
aw I
- Mr., - -
-
n
Asleson, Rich
n
Cossette, Tom
VOTING NAV
n
Guenthner, Ken
n
Guenthner, Ken
R
Asleson, Rich
n
Asleson, Rich
n
Cossette, Tom
n
Cossette, Tom
R
Gmach, George
n
Gmach, George
n
Milbrandt, Rosalyn
F]
Milbrandt, Rosa
ATTEST:
Daniel 1 Donahue, City AdminiStFater
Jeanie Heinecke - Clerk
lyn
Ken Guenthner, Mayor
City Seal
I
CHAPTER 7
Minn. stat. §§ 204C.03. Minnesota election law provides that meetings are prohibited between
202A.19. 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on any election day, including a local general or special
election. Thus, if a school district is holding a special election on a
particular day, no other unit of government totally or partially within the
school district may hold a meeting between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Meetings are
also prohibited after 6 p.m. on the day of a major political precinct caucus.
11. Meeting procedures
A. Quorum
Minn. Stat. § 412.191, subd. 1. To transact city business in a statutory city, state law requires a quorum
(majority) of the councilmembers be present. This minimum may include,
but does not have to include the mayor, or, in Standard Plan cities, the
clerk. Charter cities, however, may provide that a different number of
councilmembers constitutes a quorum.
Minn. star. § 645.08(5). For most other public bodies, a majority of its qualified members
constitutes a quorum.
B. Open meeting law
1. Purpose of the open meeting law
St. Clozd Newspapers, Inc. v. The open meeting law requires that meetings of public bodies must
Dist. 742 Community
332 N.W.2d I (Minn, 1483). generally be open to the public. It serves three vital purposes:
HANDBOOK FOR MINNESOTA CITIES
• Prohibits actions from being taken at a secret meeting where the
interested public cannot be fully informed of the decisions of public
bodies or detect improper influences.
• Ensures the public's right to be informed.
• Gives the public an opportunity to present its views.
This chapter last revised 12/2008
7:9
CHAPTER 7
:Mankato Free Press v. City of On remand, the district court found that the individual interviews were not
North Mankato, Dec. .9-98-68) done to avoid open-meeting-law re uirements. This decision was also
{Minn. Ci. App. De 15, 1998) R
(unpublished opinion). appealed, and the court of appeals, in a 1998 unpublished decision,
affirmed the district court's decision. Cities that want to use this type of
interview process with job applicants should first consult their city
attorney.
7:10 This chapter last revised 12/2008 LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES
2. Groups governed by the open meeting law
Minn. Stat. §§ 1313.01, subd. l;
Under the Minnesota open meeting law, all city council meetings and
465.719, sued. 9.
executive sessions must be open to the public, with only a few exceptions.
Po3 verAgency v. Boyne. 573a1
The open meeting law also requires meetings of any committee,
N.w 2d 362 (Minn. 1998).
subcommittee, board, department or commission of a public body to be
open to the public. The governing bodies of local public pension plans,
housing -and redevelopment authorities; economic development authorities,"
and city- created corporations are subject to the open meeting law. The
Minnesota Supreme Court has held, however, that the governing body of a
municipal power agency, created under Minn. Stat. §§ 453.51- 453.62, is
not subject to the open meeting law because the Legislature granted these
agencies authority to conduct their affairs as private corporations.
3. Gatherings governed by the open meeting
law
Moberg v. Indep. Soh. Dist. No.
The open meeting law does not define the term "meeting." The Minnesota
281,336 N.W.2d 510 (Minn.
1983); St. Cloud NeivspVers
Supreme Court, however, has ruled that under the open meeting law,
Inc. v. Dist. 742 Community
meetings are gatherings where a quorum or more of the council or other
Schools, 332 r1.w.2d 1 (Minn.
governing body or of a committee, board, department or commission of the
1983).
city council or other governing body are present, and at which the members
intentionally discuss, decide or receive information as a group on issues
relating to the official business of that body.
As a result, the open meeting law does not generally apply in situations
where less than a quorum of the council is involved. However, serial
meetings in groups of less than a quorum that are held in order to avoid the
requirements of the open meeting law may be found to violate the law,
depending on the specific facts.
a. Interviews
Mankato Free Press v. City of
A 1997 Minnesota Court of Appeals' decision considered a situation where
North Mankato, 563 N.W.2d
,9t (Minn, cc_ App. 1897).
individual councilmembers conducted separate interviews of candidates for
a city position. The district court found that no "meeting" of the council
had occurred because there was never a quorum of the council present
during the interviews. The court of appeals sent the decision back to the
district court for a determination of whether the councilmembers had
conducted the interview process in a serial fashion to avoid the
requirements of the open meeting law.
:Mankato Free Press v. City of On remand, the district court found that the individual interviews were not
North Mankato, Dec. .9-98-68) done to avoid open-meeting-law re uirements. This decision was also
{Minn. Ci. App. De 15, 1998) R
(unpublished opinion). appealed, and the court of appeals, in a 1998 unpublished decision,
affirmed the district court's decision. Cities that want to use this type of
interview process with job applicants should first consult their city
attorney.
7:10 This chapter last revised 12/2008 LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES
CHAPTER 7
1
S
C. Technology
Moberg v. lndep. Sch. Dist. No.
b, Informational meetings
St. Cloud Newspapers. Inc. v.
The Minnesota Supreme Court has held that informational seminars about
Dist. 741 Community schools, N.W.2d 1 (Minn. 1983).
33..
school -board business, which the entire board attends, must be noticed and
Memo Meetings of City
open to the public. As a result, it appears that any scheduled gatherings of a
Councils, , May 2004 for more
quorum of a public body must have proper notice and be open, whether or
information.
not the public body takes or contemplates taking action. This includes
meetings where members receive information that may influence later
decisions, but excludes chance or social gatherings. A quorum of members
of a public body, however, cannot discuss or receive information on official
business in any setting under the guise of a private social gathering.
Thuma Y. xroschel. 506 N.W.2d
Under certain circumstances, it may be possible for a quorum of the city
14 (Minn. Ct. App. 1993).
council to attend a meeting of another public body without violating the
A.G. Op. 63a -5 (Aug. 28, 1996).
open meeting law even though notice of a special council meeting is not
provided. For example, when persons constituting a quorum of a city
council attended a meeting of the city's planning commission, the
Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled there was a violation of the open
meeting law —not because of the councilmembers' attendance at the
meeting —but because the councilmembers conducted public business in
conjunction with that meeting. Based on this decision, the attorney general
has advised that mere attendance by additional councilmembers at a
meeting of a council committee, held in compliance with the open meeting
law, would not constitute a special council meeting requiring separate
notice. The attorney general advised, however, that the additional
councilmembers should not participate in committee discussions or
deliberations absent a separate notice.
Compare St. Cloud Newspapers,
It is not clear whether the participation of a city council in a training
Inc. v. Dist. 742 Community
Schools, 332 N.W.2d l (Minn.
program sponsored by the League of Minnesota Cities to develop various
19 93) with A.G. Op. 63a -5
skills would be defined as a meeting under the open meeting law. The
(Feb. 5, 1975).
determining factor may be whether or not the program includes discussions
of specific matters relating to an individual city's business.
C. Technology
Moberg v. lndep. Sch. Dist. No.
It is not entirely clear how the open meeting law applies to technology,
281, e (Minn.
such as e-mail or telephone calls. Although the law does not specifically
Y
1983); S e LMC Info rmation
Memo Meetings of City
address the use of e-mail and other technology, it is possible that any form
Councils, , May 2004 for more
of communication between councilmembers or members of other public
information.
bodies could violate the open meeting law under certain circumstances.
Electronic Communications As a result, city councils and other public bodies should not use e-mail,
Benveen Cotuncilmembers, telephone calls and other technology to communicate back and forth with
LMCIT Information Memo. p
other members of the public body when both of the following
circumstances exist:
• When a quorum of the council or public body will be contacted
regarding the same matter.
+ When city businesses is being discussed.
HANDBOOK FOR MINNESOTA CITIES This chapter last revised 12/2008 7:11
CHAPTER 7
4. Open meeting exceptions
The open meeting law is designed to favor public access. Therefore, the
few exceptions that do exist are carefully limited to avoid abuse.
Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, subd. t(d) All closed meetings, except those closed as permitted by the attorney - client
privilege, must be electronically recorded at the expense of the public body.
Unless otherwise provided by law, the recordings must be preserved for at
least three years after the date of the meeting.
Minn. Stat §§ 13D.01, subd. 3;
Before closing a meeting under any of the following exceptions, the public
13DA4, sand. s; See The Free
Press v. Coramy ofDlue Earth,
body ust state on the record the specific rounds that permit the meeting
Y > P g p g
677 N.w.2d 471 (Minn. Ct.
to be closed and describe the subject to be discussed. The same notice
App. 2004) (holding that the
requirements that apply to open meetings also apply to closed meetings.
county's statement that it was
closing a meeting under the
attomey- client privilege to
discuss "pending litigation" did
not satisfy the requirement of
describing the subject to be
discussed at the closed
meeting).
a. Labor negotiations
Minn. Stat. § 13D.03, subd. 1
The city council may, by majority vote in a public meeting, decide to hold a
(b),
closed meeting to consider its strategy for labor negotiations, including
negotiation strategies or developments, or discussion of labor - negotiation
proposals. The council must announce the time and place of the closed
meeting at the public meeting.
Minn. Stet. § 13D.03, subds 1
After the closed meeting, a written record of all members of the city
(d). 2,
council and all other people present must be available to the public. The
council must tape - record the proceedings at city expense, and preserve the
tape for two years after signing the contract. The tape - recording must be
available to the public after all labor contracts are signed for the current
budget period.
Minn. Stat § 13D.03, subd. 3. if someone claims the council conducted public business other than labor
negotiations at the closed meeting, a court must privately review the
recording of the meeting. if the court finds the law was not violated, the
action must be dismissed and the recording sealed and preserved. if the
court determines a violation of the open meeting law may exist, the
recording may be introduced at trial in its entirety, subject to any protective
orders requested by either party and deemed appropriate by the court.
b. Not - public data
Minn. Stat. § .13D.05, subd. 2. The general rule is that meetings cannot be closed to discuss data that are
not public under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. A meeting
must be closed, however, if certain not - public data is discussed.
For example, any portion of a meeting must be closed if expressly required
by law or if any of the following types of not- public data are discussed:
7.12 This chapter last revised 12/2008 LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES
ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
Agenda Item No. 11b.
Council Meeting:
February 24, 2011
Prepared By:
Dan Donahue, Administrator
Topic:
Ordinance Update Process
Action Required:
Direction
Policy:
Budget Impact:
Summary:
I have been working with the City Planner Kendra Lindahl to develop a plan for moving
forward on completing the 2030 Comp Plan and the accompanying required
amendments to the city's Zoning Codes. I am attempting to set the:
• Calendar to complete this whole process
• Identify and categorize what must be done and what should be done at a later
time. I will leave the setting of priority within these two categories to the
city council
• Keep the approved budget to complete these activities before you at all time
I have been hindered over the past year to provide greater clarity to this process due to
the conditions and restraints imposed by a duel planning process, a duel grant process,
layered requirements by the grant making bodies, and the state requirements for
completing the Comprehensive Plan for the city. I hope what I have worked out to clear
away the clutter meets with your approval.
I think the first thing we have to do is put this completion process coordination under
one person -the City Planner Kendra Lindahl. I think we have reached the point were the
work product produced by Bonestroo Consultant Tina Goodroad is adequate to the
point that Ms. Lindahl and myself can take it and complete.
Recommended Zoning Ordinance Calendar Update Process
1. March 3rd: Joint PC /CC meeting (7:00 — 7:30 present ordinance update
process)
2. April 7t" Planning Commission meeting. Present full draft of revised
ordinance.
Administrator's Report— February 24, 2011 Council Meeting
Page 2
3. May 5th Planning Commission meeting. Present a final draft of the zoning
ordinance and zoning map based on feedback from the April meeting. We would
expect to have the draft approved for a public hearing.
4. OPTIONAL May 19th Open House. Present draft ordinance and map to the
public in advance of the public hearing.
5. June 2 n Planning Commission meeting. Public Hearing on the zoning
ordinance update and zoning map. The planning commission will take public
comments and make a recommendation to the City Council.
6. June 23rd City Council meeting. Adopt the zoning ordinance and zoning map
as recommended by the Planning Commission.
a. The ordinance will take effect upon Council action, but will need to be
published in the Official newspaper.
Categorization of Ordinances into Must Do Now and Future
1. To be completed by June 30, 2011
a. New zoning districts and district standards to be consistent with the 2030
Comprehensive Plan
i. OPTIONS: The draft includes residential and commercial district
performance standards. The City can:
1. Adopt with performance standards (as shown in the current
draft)
2. Adopt without performance standards
3. Adopt without performance standards but keep Appendix A
(Design Guidelines)
b. Revised Accessory Building Standards
i. There seemed to be general consensus from the PC and CC on the
desired changes.
ii. This is an issue that is raised repeatedly by the public.
c. Adopt new zoning map
i. Keep Holding Zone
1. This is what we have now. Rather than a protracted
discussion of the pros and cons of the different options, this
will simply continue the existing condition until such time as
the City has time to review in detail.
2. Keep the Holding Zone district standards as currently drafted
and revise later when the City has time and budget for
additional analysis.
d. Performance Standards. This section should at least have minimum
updates to ensure consistency with accessory building section. Staff
believes a complete overhaul is necessary, but proposes to make minimal
changes needed to eliminate conflicts and save comprehensive changes
for next year.
e. Growth Management Ordinance. This may simply be updates to the
premature subdivision ordinance, but will note the need to keep balance
between residential and commercial development.
Administrator's Report— February 24, 2011 Council Meeting
Page 3
f. Ordinance clean up items:
i. Inconsistencies in different districts regarding essential services
(they are currently listed as both a permitted use and an
administrative permit)
ii. Clarify how setbacks are measured from existing public streets that
are not within a public right -of -way (like Lion's Parks adjacent to CR
101).
iii. Update definitions in Zoning Ordinance to reflect new uses and
definitions for phrases that have raised questions in the past.
iv. Greenhouse language is inconsistent across district and should be
corrected.
v. Clarify commercial kennels as a primary uses vs. as a home
occupation.
vi. Seasonal outdoor sales standards should be made consistent
across districts
g. Revision to Open Space Preservation Plat Standards /Greenway Corridor.
This technically is not required at this time but given the importance the
city has placed on completion of this specific process, I have placed it in
the Must Do list.
2) Not on the Must Do List but To Be Completed after July 1, 2011 with Dates to
Be Set Later. The following items were indentified in the Comprehensive Plan as
implementation tasks; or by the City Staff, Commissioners, or Council Members as
needed updates, but are they are not required to be updated at this time. These
items can be delayed until there is city time and budget to make changes:
a) Update Development Rights Map
i) This should be done on a regular basis, but the development right are
reviewed and confirmed by staff when development is proposed. Staff
recommends that this map be updated when budget is available for the
research and analysis needed to complete the task.
b) Updates to the Subdivision Ordinance
i) Staff has identified several clean up items that should be adopted in the
Subdivision Regulations, but these items can wait for the annual December
clean up.
ii) Staff would like to propose more comprehensive changes (such as a minor
subdivision process that would reduce costs and simplify the process for
residents that are doing a 2 or 3 lot subdivision), but these are not urgent
issues and can wait until the budget allows.
c) Eco System Management. As I understand it, this is an issue that was raised as
part of the comprehensive planning process, but there is no statutory
requirement that must be addressed immediately. This is a significant exercise
and will require a commitment from staff, commissioners and Council.
d) Sign Ordinance (Chapter 84). We will need to update the sign ordinance to
reflect the new districts, be consistent with the zoning ordinance intent and clean
up some confusing elements. However, sign ordinances are an enormous
undertaking in most cities and we recommend delaying action on this time.
Administrator's Report— February 24, 2011 Council Meeting
Page 4
e) Non - conformity section. This section should be reviewed and revised to ensure
that the city is phasing out non - conformities while allowing basic maintenance.
The current ordinance may be too flexible and makes it difficult for the city to
phase out non - conformities. This is not an issue that comes up very often, so
this is one area that could be delayed until budget allows.
f) Performance standards. This is one of the most important sections of the
ordinance because it defines how development will look (building materials,
landscaping, parking, etc). This section should be reviewed and updated, but if
the building materials section is updated as proposed by staff, then we believe
the remainder can be delayed until next year.
g) Park Dedication Ordinance. This was identified as a priority from the Parks
Commission. This is part of the subdivision ordinance and should be worked on
with the City planner. There is no statutory requirement that this be updated this
year, therefore, we recommend delaying action until time and budget allow.
h) Home Occupations. The council has expressed some desire to examine the way
we process home occupations. We believe that given the few home occupations
that we see annually, this ordinance update can wait until time and budget allow.
i) Misc. updates. I recommend budgeting for an annual ordinance update to keep
the ordinance current after the major changes.
Budget to Complete the Calendar and the Must Do List
In this process (beginning in 2010) of completing both the Comp Plan and the ordinance
updates, we have encumbered expenses of:
Provider
Expenses
Bonestroo -DNR Grant
$18,944.76
Bonestroo -CGO
$19,043.50
Landform
$4.028.84
TKDA
$0
Total
$42,017.10
The original budget was $50,700 in revenues. I know there are expenses from
Bonestroo yet to be invoiced to the city. As Ms. Goodroad is not available this past
week, I will have to update the council at the council meeting as to the up to date cost of
Bonestroo in this process. I will also have to estimate expenses to complete the editing,
formatting, and binding of the Comp Plan document by Bonestroo.
The city will receive an additional $10,000 from the Met Council once the 2030 Comp
Plan is finalized and they receive the city's resolution approving the plan. To accomplish
the above plan to both complete the Comp Plan itself and to complete the "Must Do"
ordinance updates, my estimate is $5- 7,000. Next week after I talk to Ms. Goodroad,
will have a complete budget plan to show you at the council meeting.
Administrator's Report— February 24, 2011 Council Meeting
Page 5
Summary
The City is required by State Statute to update its zoning ordinance to reflect the
new comprehensive plan. I believe that the bulk of the work for the minimal required
updates has been completed by Bonestroo already and could be adopted by the City
with no additional City Council meetings (other than what is stated above) and
minimal impact to the adopted 2011 Budget. Delaying action on adoption of these
minimum ordinance updates would be inconsistent with State Statute and would
likely cost additional time and money to revisit the issues again next year when
circumstances and stakeholders may change. Therefore, I recommend this
simplified plan for the Zoning Ordinance updates.
MEMORANDUM
DATE
February 14, 2011
TO
Dan Donahue
cc
FROM
Kendra Lindahl
RE
Zoning Ordinance Update Process
L A N D F
From Site to Finish
105 South Fifth Avenue
Suite 513
Minneapolis, MN 55401
O R M
•
• •
Tel: 612 - 252 -9070
Fax: 612 - 252 -9077
www.landform.net
The city should follow the points below to complete the statutory requirements for the Comprehensive Plan
update.
• Cities are required to review and update their comprehensive plans at least once every 10 years,
and the Metropolitan Council is required to review the updated plan. The current round of updates
was launched with the release of the system statements on September 12, 2005. These updates
were due in 2008, three years from the date the system statement was received. The City of
Corcoran Comprehensive Plan was reviewed by the Metropolitan Council and was found to be
compliance with regional plans. The City of Corcoran must now officially adopt the
Comprehensive Plan. It is my understanding that the Plan is being finalized and will be ready for
adoption in April 2011.
• If local zoning ordinances or other official controls conflict with a community's comprehensive plan
as the result of an update or amendment to the plan, the official controls must be amended by the
community within 9 months following the update or amendment to ensure the official controls do
not conflict with the comprehensive plan. Local governmental units must adopt official controls as
described in their adopted comprehensive plans and must submit copies of the official controls to
the Council within 30 days following adoption, for informational purposes. (MN Stat. 473.864,
Subd. 1)
• If we adopt the Comprehensive Plan in April 2011, we are required by statute to adopt our official
controls to implement the plan within 9 months (by January 2012).
Landform�, SensiblyGreen and Site to Finish are registered service marks of Landform Professional Services, I.I.C.
1
U C:
O
—
O (6
U o
c J
cu C �
�= O N
Q ( E
O 73
U)
N � �
Sc J Q
• �s7
co
w
C7 a
�~
ap
UJ '
Q� • A
'�I�, • 1 w - - ' t SN3W3lJ`W+B y gam• ..� i
3 ¢ L
tl } I RAP �� ••
N ' z (n • 'o
�y g• "+171 w
PH IM aldeW
r-
O
N �
L LJ 1�
IL LL
m
m v
c 4
U m
U �
U Y N
N �
d
U Z
o `-0
a a
o °-
m
� y U
U `
_ O
C C
N
fn p U
w d u
c
`m 3
U
w co
C C
O)
C J
- - L
06
� L
2 _
' W H } ° t •• Q Q�
z • (f)
U 2= W Za I j •• �,r.
Y I ow w u 1drv/ U
W I F-
0
w
� �� 0 z O (6
} ° m : U
ix !a
o
Y
W
U
y
j
- -z- 9LL PH Ajunoo
io 16
M S �+
r *.
LL
Q�
w
o
O LL
Q
}
CQ
S_
A
U
]
O
�N
''
U
LL
o
-
E
E
Z
m�
o
D
Q
r
>>@
m
m
g
v
o
"
4%
7
Cn
U)
w
L
L
U
L
U
t
U
L
U
C LL
N
LLa
4J
rr
c
r
z
z O
O
L
S�
L
a-
Q
ry
a �
m
O
O
c�
Ep
L
LO
i
E
ZM
CD
Nr--
r d