11-08-23 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – November 8, 2023 7 Senior Planner Fransen stated this was a pretty regular occurrence depending on the work going on in the City. Commissioner Bjorklund asked how many times a year this much materials was moved. Community Development Director Jagoe reported she did not have a quantitative number for the number of grading and erosion control permits that were issued by the Public Works Department on a yearly basis. She shared that to date the City has not issued any CUPs for Land Reclamation over 400 cubic yards. She noted she could speak with Public Works and could follow up with the Planning Commission. Commissioner Bjorklund recommended further language be provided regarding what a periodic operation is. In addition, he wanted to know if the City had approved periodic operations in the City. Senior Planner Fransen stated periodic operation implies the same location where there is consistent movement over an extended period of time. She commented she could direct this question to the Public Works Department in order to gain further information on the type of periodic operations that were occurring in the community. Chair Vijums asked for the reasoning as to why performance timeline was removed from the code language. Senior Planner Fransen shared that this was discussed with the Public Works Director/City Engineer. The provision established that permits would need to be reissued after 120 days though in practice some projects extend beyond 120 days. Removing this provision would allow permits to remain open longer than 120 days without being rereviewed and reissued. Commissioner Weber explained he has worked in permitting for county government before and noted it was quite common to move 40 cubic yards of dirt, but typically moving more than this approaches the one acre limit, which would involve State agency approvals. Chair Vijums opened the public hearing at 7:37 p.m. Chair Vijums invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. There being no comment Chair Vijums closed the public hearing at 7:37 p.m. Chair Vijums moved and Commissioner Wicklund seconded a motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 23-019 for a Zoning Code Amendment to Chapter 13 and Chapter 15 of the Arden Hills City Code to standardize the permitting requirements for filling and excavation as well as the types of activity that shall be allowed, based on the findings of fact and as presented in the November 8, 2023 Report to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Bjorklund stated he would like to make a friendly amendment to the zoning code amendment requiring staff to provide a definition for periodic operations.