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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-05-14 PC Work Session Minutes Approved: March 5, 2014 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2014 9:00 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Vice Chair Roberta Thompson called to order the work session meeting at 9:02 p.m. ROLL CALL Present were: Commissioners Brent Bartel, Angela Hames, Andrew Holewa, Steven Jones (Alternate), and Vice Chair Roberta Thompson. Absent: Chair Clayton Larson, Commissioners Sam Scott, and Clayton Zimmerman. Also present were: Council Liaison Fran Holmes; Associate Planner Matthew Bachler; City Planner Ryan Streff; and Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher APPROVAL OF AGENDA FEBRUARY 5, 2014 The Agenda was approved as presented. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. 2014 Work Plan Review City Planner Streff reviewed the proposed 2014 Work Plan with the Commission and requested comments. He explained that the City Council will be asking the Planning Commission to join th them for a joint work session on March 17 to discuss the Work Plan for 2014. To assist in that discussion, staff asked the Planning Commission to provide input on topics that might be addressed at the March meeting. While the Council will make the final determination as to the goals and priorities for the coming year, it will be useful for them to have input from the Planning Commission. Vice Chair Thompson was pleased that the sign ordinance was listed as a priority and wanted to be assured this was discussed with the City Council. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION FEBRUARY 5, 20142 Commissioner Hames agreed stating the set square footage for wall signage should be reevaluated based on frontage, building size, and the distance from a right-of-way. She recommended the provisions for temporary signs also be reviewed given the number of recent requests for these types of signs. Councilmember Holmes encouraged the Commission to advocate for the Sign Ordinance revisions at the joint meeting. Commissioner Holewa suggested that staff research the number of sign standard adjustment requests that were made in 2013, and that this information be presented to the Council during the work session. Commissioner Hames recommended that staff review how many sign standard requests have been made since the Sign Ordinance was amended. She was in favor of the Commission sign codes. an adequate amount of signage when compared to neighboring communities. Commissioner Bartel was in favor of allowed wall signage being proportionate to the building size. Commissioner Hames discussed the multi-family design standards. She questioned if there were currently any new proposals for multi-family housing. She recommended that staff provide visual aids for the Planning Commission to help quantify the square footage requirements within the Zoning Code. -family design standards were approved in 2012. Recently, the Council directed staff to review unit sizes in comparison to neighboring communities to ensure the City was prepared for the development of TCAAP. This issue has been discussed by the Council at a prior work session and this item will be coming to the Planning Commission for review in March or April. Vice Chair Thompson asked what the Planning Commission would be expected to complete in 2014 with regard to TCAAP. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated the Commission would be looking at land use, overlay districts, design standards, and zoning requirements for the various land uses. She anticipated that TCAAP may look different than the rest of Arden Hills and new standards would have to be established. Associate Planner Bachler reported that the proposed Parks and Open Space District and Conservation District rezoning would be reviewed by the Planning Commission in March. Vice Chair Thompson discussed the online training available by the League of Minnesota Cities. She asked if front porch setbacks continued to be a concern since the Zoning Code was amended in 2006 to address this issue. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION FEBRUARY 5, 20143 City Planner Streff did not recall any requests that had been presented to the City within the past six months. Vice Chair Thompson was in favor of the Commission holding a brief work session to review the role of the Planning Commission. ADJOURN Commissioner Holewa moved, seconded by Commissioner Hames, to adjourn the February 5, 2014, Planning Commission Work Session Meeting at 9:29 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (5-0).