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Regular Planning Commission Meeting <br />Minutes – Wednesday, August 5, 2015 <br />Page 7 <br />Purchase Agreement separated out the park dedication issue. Therefore, Mr. Bilotta <br />299 <br />asked that the Commission add an additional condition that the developer agrees to pay <br />300 <br />park dedication fees in the amount of $3,500 per unit, the standard rate, as separated <br />301 <br />from the agreement and in negotiations, and therefore was not following the normal <br />302 <br />process of the Parks & Recreation Commission making a recommendation. <br />303 <br />At the request of Chair Boguszewski, Mr. Bilotta advised that, at this time, the developer <br />304 <br />estimated a total of 116 units; and confirmed that the $3,500 park dedication fee was a <br />305 <br />standard per unit cost. <br />306 <br />In conclusion, staff recommended approval of the revised Preliminary Plat dated August <br />307 <br />3, 2015 including Lot 2; based on the conditions outlined in the staff report, in addition to <br />308 <br />the additional condition as detailed by Mr. Bilotta. Mr. Lloyd suggested that, given the <br />309 <br />uncertainty with the quantity of trees or another means to accommodate their <br />310 <br />replacement, Condition C be revised to address tree preservation/replacement as an <br />311 <br />obligation of subsequent Final Plat approval by the City Council. <br />312 <br />Chair Boguszewski clarified that, if Condition C remained as currently written in the staff <br />313 <br />report, and subsequently it was found that getting 365 trees on the site after construction, <br />314 <br />the applicant could then choose to come forward with a Variance request; to which Mr. <br />315 <br />Lloyd responded affirmatively, similar to that process used by Pizza Lucé as an example. <br />316 <br />Given the sensitivity of and interest by the community in tree preservation, and personally <br />317 <br />as a Planning Commissioner, Chair Boguszewski asked that staff make sure that it is <br />318 <br />clearly understood by the applicant that any future Variance is not a given, but any actual <br />319 <br />application to the Variance Board would be thoughtfully considered, and if the Preliminary <br />320 <br />Plat was approved tonight it should in no way indicate to the applicant or give them any <br />321 <br />signal that a future Variance application would be granted. <br />322 <br />At the request of Member Daire, Mr. Lloyd clarified the location of the replacement storm <br />323 <br />water easement. <br />324 <br />At the request of Member Cunningham, Mr. Lloyd clarified that the identity of the city- <br />325 <br />owned parcel, identified as Lot 2, was addressed as 2668 Lexington Avenue N. Also, Mr. <br />326 <br />Lloyd confirmed for Member Cunningham that because this subdivision was for less than <br />327 <br />four lots, it did not meet the threshold requiring that the developer hold an open house; <br />328 <br />with the proposal involving three lots, but creating two lots under the revised Preliminary <br />329 <br />Plat. <br />330 <br />At the request of Member Gitzen, Mr. Bilotta confirmed that current negotiations would <br />331 <br />determine ultimate ownership of Lot 2; originally a single-family lot, but currently <br />332 <br />designated multi-family zoning. As part of those negotiations, Mr. Bilotta confirmed for <br />333 <br />Member Gitzen that easements and access points would be addressed; and any further <br />334 <br />title and boundary issues would be resolved prior to the Final Plat approval and included <br />335 <br />in documents and maps filed and recorded with Ramsey County. <br />336 <br />As noted by Member Gitzen, Mr. Lloyd clarified that his intent was not to indicate any <br />337 <br />additional dedication required on the north end on Woodhill Drive, but simply to recognize <br />338 <br />that street with rights-of-way for verification through the process. <br />339 <br />Member Bull asked for staff to address the characteristics for the driveway on Lot 2, and <br />340 <br />whether there would be additional hard cover to extend the driveway. <br />341 <br />Mr. Bilotta advised that, while this is a city lot, as part of the broader look with any and all <br />342 <br />property acquisition, it was intended as the entry point to serve this area, along with any <br />343 <br />necessary easements for surrounding properties as part of the larger development for <br />344 <br />adjacent parcels (e.g. Old Owasso School site). Mr. Bilotta noted that the City would <br />345 <br />prefer that location as the access point versus the currently controlled access point, <br />346 <br />based on Lexington Avenue being a county road and grade issues, as well as its location <br />347 <br />directly across the road from the Fire Station. Mr. Bilotta advised that that preference was <br />348 <br />to pull access points as far away from that intersection as possible without sliding them <br />349 <br />further into and creating issues at County Road C and Lexington Avenue to the south. <br />350 <br /> <br />