Red Wing Advisory Planning Commission Regular Meeting City Hall Council Chambers Commissioners Present: Chair Christopher Nelson; Commissioners Marilyn Meinke, Deanna Sheely, Dave Lewis, Scott Safe, and Samantha Tix Cardell Commissioners Absent: All Commissioners were present. Others Present: Brian Peterson, Planning Director; Steve Kohn, Assistant Planning Director; Dustin Schulenberg, Council Liaison 1. Call to Order Chair Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p. m. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Motion to Excuse Absent Commission Members All Commissioners were present. Chair Nelson reported that Commissioner Shelby Mendoza has resigned. 4. Approval of Agenda A motion was made by Commissioner Meinke, seconded by Commissioner Lewis, to approve the agenda as presented. Chair Nelson requested that parking issues be discussed during Commissioner Concerns. A vote was taken, and the motion carried unanimously. 5. Public Comment Period There was no public comment. 6. Approve Minutes of June 16, 2015, Planning Commission Meeting A motion was made by Commissioner Lewis, seconded by Commissioner Sheely and unanimously carried, to approve the meeting minutes. 7. Public Hearing: Variance request by Alison Youngs, 904 Hawthorn Street, Red Wing, to operate a " Personal Services" use at 1603 Old West Main Street with only four (4) off-street parking stalls Assistant Planning Director Kohn provided background information. He stated that the proposed business represents a permitted use in the MC zoning district. The tentative site plan and parking issues were reviewed. Due to the site configuration only four parking stalls can be accommodated, and a variance has been requested. Other parking options and similar situations with other businesses in the area were discussed. Assistant Director Kohn stated that approval of the variance as submitted is recommended, and the Planning Commission may wish to further discuss parking issues in this area. Potential use of the parking spaces in front of Red Wing Advisory Planning Commission Page 1 of 5
the building next door and former uses of the proposed site were discussed. Assistant Director Kohn clarified that the business owner would be responsible for striping the parking stalls and that no major exterior building changes are planned at this time. Chair Nelson reviewed the Public Hearing procedure and opened the Public Hearing at 7: 13 p. m. Applicant Alison Youngs further described the parking situation, adding the employees are planning to park a distance away. She clarified that there are approximately 11 employees, but these employees are never all working at the same time. Customer traffic was discussed. She clarified that the owner of the building next door is not able to provide parking spaces for her business at this time. The parking situation in the current location of this business was discussed. No one else came forward to speak. A motion was made by Commissioner Safe, seconded by Commissioner Meinke and unanimously carried, to close the Public Hearing. The Public Hearing was closed at 7: 17 p. m. Commissioner Meinke spoke in support of the proposed variance, citing the benefits of an improved business location. She agreed that the Planning Commission and City Council should work to address parking issues Old West Main area. Chair Nelson agreed with these comments. A motion was made by Commission Tix Cardell, seconded by Commissioner Meinke and unanimously carried, to approve the variance request. 8. Public Hearing: A Conditional Use Permit request by the Red Cottage Montessori, 28454 County 1 Boulevard, Red Wing Minnesota, Red Wing, to operate a Day Care Center to be located at 2302 Twin Bluff Road, Red Wing, Minnesota Assistant Director Kohn provided background information. The proposal is to utilize space located at First Covenant Church, 2302 Twin Bluff Road, on a temporary basis for one year while developing a new site in another location in Red Wing. He clarified that a conditional use permit is required due to the ages of the children attending the school, as the school is licensed by the State as a day care center. Up to 36 students are anticipated, ranging in age from 18 months to 8 years. Approval of the conditional use permit as submitted is recommended. Other preschools located in churches were discussed. Commissioner Meinke asked what would happen if it takes longer than a year to develop a new location. Assistant Director Kohn stated that a one-year waiver was granted from the State of Minnesota to not provide a fenced -in play area. Commissioner Meinke commented with regard to successful youth programs operating at the First Covenant Church. Commissioner Safe spoke in support of approving the conditional use permit, stating that this appears to represent a win- win situation for both Red Cottage Montessori and the First Covenant Church. Red Wing Advisory Planning Commission Page 2 of 5
Chair Nelson opened the Public Hearing at 7: 25 p. m. No one came forward to speak. A motion was made by Commissioner Safe, seconded by Commissioner Meinke and unanimously carried, to close the Public Hearing. The Public Hearing was closed at 7: 26 p. m. Chair Nelson spoke in support of approving the conditional use permit. A motion was made by Commissioner Meinke to adopt the staff recommendation and approve the conditional use permit for Red Cottage Montessori. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Safe and unanimously carried. 9. Minor Subdivision and Final Plat Request by Ryan Wedrickas, 2351 Langsdorf Avenue, to replat portions of Cannondale Court into new plat to be known as Wedrickas Family Estate. In addition, the Advisory Planning Commission is asked to make a finding that the land trade between Mr. Wedrickas and the City of Red Wing is consistent with the City' s Comprehensive Plan Planning Director Peterson provided background information and reviewed the site location and rationale for the proposed land trade. An outlot was originally platted to provide future access to property owned by Eugene Furchner, in the event that the current Highway 61 access is removed due to access management issues. Ryan Wedrickas would like to purchase additional lots to build a larger home and has proposed a land trade. Mr. Furchner is not opposed to the land trade, as long as the outlot is located to the west and not to the east. The land trade concept was brought before the City Council on June 8, and the consensus was for the proposal to move forward. The proposed plat was reviewed. Drainage and utility easements were discussed. Commissioner Meinke inquired whether the neighbor to the west, whose property would be adjacent to the outlot, was consulted. Director Peterson indicated that this property owner was not consulted, only the property owner to the north, Mr. Furchner. The ages of these lots were discussed. Director Peterson commented that approval of the minor subdivision and final plat request as submitted is recommended. In addition, the proposed land trade appears to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Chair Nelson spoke in support of the proposal, commenting with regard to language in the Comprehensive Plan pertaining to density and activity centers. Commissioner Meinke inquired with regard to the drop- off toward Highway 61. Director Peterson commented that this area of the property is more marginal, as rationale for creating one larger, more developable lot. Commissioner Lewis inquired with regard to the possible closing off of driveways onto Highway 61. MnDOT has indicated an interest in reducing the number of Highway 61 access points but that no definite time line has been communicated. Chair Nelson Director Peterson stated that commented that this should be taken into consideration in future discussions. Director Peterson commented with regard to the importance of good access management practices. Red Wing Advisory Planning Commission Page 3 of 5
A motion was made by Commissioner Lewis, seconded by Commissioner Tix Cardell and unanimously carried, to recommend approval of the minor subdivision and final plat request, with the conditions as discussed. A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Meinke and unanimously carried, to issue a finding that the proposed land trade is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan. 10. Barn Bluff Master Plan Discussion Director Peterson provided background information with regard to the master plan process and referenced the recently compiled reports and recommendations. The plan is to apply for a Minnesota Parks and Trails Legacy Grant and to place the bluff in the system as a Minnesota Regional Park. Liability and safety issues were discussed. Options for next steps were reviewed. It is recommended that the Planning Commission act as the steering committee for this process, rather than appointing another group to do this. Citizen engagement in the process was discussed. It is planned to hire a park planning consultant to facilitate the process, and Bruce Blair, who has extensive expertise in this area, has also offered to provide assistance. Director Peterson recommended that a member of the Planning Commission serve on the consultant selection committee. Commissioner Lewis spoke in support of the Planning Commission' s proposed role in this process as outlined and agreed with the need for improvements to Barn Bluff. Chair Nelson inquired with regard to representation on the consultant selection committee. Director Peterson recommended formation of a relatively small group for this purpose. Commissioner Meinke agreed that this project is a good fit for the Planning Commission to oversee and recommended involvement by the Heritage Preservation Commission, the Sustainability Commission, and other groups in the planning process. Commissioner Sheely expressed agreement with the process as discussed, especially the public engagement component and a goal to address public safety issues. Commissioner Lewis agreed with the plan to involve Bruce Blair. Commissioner Tix Cardell inquired with regard to contact with the Prairie Island Indian Community. Assistant Director Kohn commented that the team that worked on the Cultural Landscape Report reached out to the PIIC and anticipates that this would occur again as the master plan moves forward. Director Peterson commented with regard to the importance of outreach. Commissioner Meinke inquired with regard to Planning Commission action at this time. Director Peterson stated that he is requesting consensus to move forward at this time along with a Planning Commission representative to serve on the consultant selection committee. The time commitment for this assignment was reviewed. Commissioner Lewis volunteered to serve on the consultant selection committee. Red Wing Advisory Planning Commission Page 4 of 5
A motion was made by Commissioner Safe, seconded by Commissioner Sheely and unanimously carried, to support the plans in process for Barn Bluff as discussed by Director Peterson. A motion was made by Commissioner Safe, seconded by Commission Meinke and unanimously carried, to appoint Commissioner Lewis to represent the Planning Commission on the consultant selection committee. 11. Status Report Director Peterson highlighted the following items from his report: A. Transient Dock Planning. An update was provided with regard to transient dock planning activities, including discussions related to coordination of barge traffic and anticipated riverboat dockings. Projected cost estimates and funding options were reviewed. recommended that a long- range plan be developed. It has been B. Mississippi River Bridge Planning Update. A meeting is scheduled on August 19 at the Colvill Family Center for discussion of the Highway 63 river bridge and approach roadways and a required resident and property owner vote regarding the installation of noise walls. Chair Nelson commented with regard to the complicated voting process. Director Peterson and C. ( Pads for the Planning Commission. Director Peterson offered to help facilitate training on ipad usage, with a plan for paperless distribution of future meeting packets. D. Shelby Mendoza Resignation. Director Peterson reported that Shelby Mendoza has moved out of the City and has resigned from the Planning Commission. 12. Commissioner Concerns Parking issues in the Old West Main and Downtown areas were discussed. Director Peterson reported that some cities are reducing parking or eliminating parking requirements and commented on the high cost of parking structures. Further discussion of parking challenges and potential options has been suggested, such as utilization of the former car wash property for parking. Director Peterson commented that parking issues as a result of increased business activity is actually a desirable problem. 13. Adiournment A motion was made by Commissioner Tix Cardell seconded by Commissioner Lewis and unanimously carried, to adjourn the meeting. Chair Nelson adjourned the meeting at 8: 31 p. m. Red Wing Advisory Planning Commission Page 5 of 5