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Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, May 1, 2013 Page 2 those done in the role as a representative of the Planning Commission, with the latter always 45 considered public data. 46 Discussion included members permitted to contact staff without any violation of Open Meeting 47 Laws; formation of subcommittees to discuss specific topics, with the full body taking action at a 48 subsequent open meeting; social functions and educational seminars permissible as long as no 49 actual commission business is discussed, and with full awareness of public perceptions and/or 50 misperceptions. 51 Chair Gisselquist thanked City Attorney Gaughan for the informative presentation. 52 6. Public Hearings 53 Chair Gisselquist reviewed the protocol for Public Hearings and subsequent process. 54 a. PLANNING FILE 11-009 55 Request by Jason Westad, Joan Blanchard, Jacqueline Stiehl, Sarah Dahlke, 56 Annette Walker, and Ramsey County for approval of a COMPREHENSIVE LAND 57 USE PLAN MAP CHANGE, ZONING MAP CHANGE, AND RECOMBINATION MINOR 58 SUBDIVISION at 986 Millwood Avenue, 2961 Chatsworth Street, 2967 Chatsworth 59 Street, 2983 Chatsworth Street, and 2991 Chatsworth Street 60 Chair Gisselquist opened the Public Hearing for Planning File 11-009 at 6:45 p.m. 61 Associate Planner Lloyd summarized the request as detailed in the staff report dated May 62 1, 2013; noting that action taken on plat proposals was quasi-judicial, with the City’s role 63 to determine facts associated with the request and apply those facts to legal standards 64 contained in State Statute and City Code. 65 Mr. Lloyd reviewed these residential properties immediately adjacent to Ramsey County 66 Open Space at Lake Josephine County Park and how the read setbacks had blurred over 67 time, with residential landscaping, play structures and storage sheds inadvertently 68 encroached into park property. Mr. Lloyd noted that this application sought to correct his 69 situation by trading a portion of the southernmost residential property to the park (986 70 Millwood Avenue) in exchange for an equivalent amount of land from the park to be 71 distributed among those residential properties. Mr. Lloyd noted this realignment was 72 further addressed in Section 4.3 of the staff report; essentially moving property 73 boundaries 11’ to the west. However, Mr. Lloyd advised that this would require changes 74 to the City’s Comprehensive Land Use and Zoning Maps. 75 Member Daire sought information on the street right-of-way and current ownership; with 76 City Engineer Debra Bloom clarifying that the right-of-way would remain dedicated to the 77 City as public right-of-way in public domain, for potential use for utilities, pathways, or 78 roadways. However, Ms. Bloom advised that there was no intention for this right-of-way, 79 at Churchhill Street and Millwood Avenue to be used due to existing wetlands and 80 drainage in that area. Ms. Bloom advised that there had been some preliminary 81 discussion on whether or not to provide for a soft or hard trail for park access, but nothing 82 had materialized at this point. 83 At the request of Member Stellmach on how closely the 11’ was currently being used as 84 residential, Mr. Lloyd responded that his discussions with Ramsey County staff indicated 85 various levels of encroachment. Mr. Lloyd advised that, with the intent of that property 86 line not disappearing in the future, measures would be taken by Ramsey County to 87 delineate the property line, with stakes/signs indicating park land beyond a certain point, 88 but not a fence installation. 89 Jason Westad, 986 Millwood Avenue 90 Mr. Westad noted that he was the property owner giving up land at the southern portion 91 of his parcel; and thanked Commissioners for tonight’s hearing. Mr. Westad advised that 92 this had been a long process, over 2.5 years, and costing considerable money for 93 surveys and appraisals. Mr. Westad noted that Ramsey County had given their written 94 approval, with the final step being City approval for the recombination. 95