HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-08-2004 Council Work Sessionip Council Work Session
5:30 p.m., Thursday, April 8,2004
Orono City Council Chambers
AGENDA
Time
1. Update Regarding the 2003 Property Revaluation by the City Assessor IS Minutes
2. Park Commission Reappointment 5 Minutes
3. Appointment of Planning Commission Chair and Vice-Chair(s)10 Minutes
4. Update Regarding Big Island Access Lane 10 Minutes
5. Update Regarding Street Trees in Navarre 15 Minutes
7. Discussion Regarding the Need to Update the City’s Zoning Code 25 Minutes
8. Council Policy Regarding Communications between Individual Council
Members and Developer Representatives
15 Minutes
9. Scheduling of a Joint Worksession With the Planning Commission Regarding 10 Minutes
the City’s Hardcover Policy.
lO.Miscellaneous Updates
a. Highway 12 Information meeting-7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 15
b. WoodhUl Country Club preparing to request two-way mtffic on Woodhill Road
11.Other
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TO;Mayor Peterson and Council Members
FROM:Ron Moorse, City Administrator
DATE: April 7,2004
SUBJECT: Update Regarding Big Island Access Lane ^
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Approximately one year ago, the Council held a work session, to which it invited a number of the
Big Island residents, to discuss the issue of access, and particularly the access lane adjacent to the
Uran property. At that meeting, the Council directed stafT to determine the feasibility of
constructing an access lane on the City ’s right-of-way to replace the access lane that was removed
when it was determined it was located on the adjacent Uran property.
Staff determined it is feasible to construct an access lane at a reasonable cost, and with minor
impact on the wetland area. However, because the construction requires more than the permitted
amount of fdl of fill in the 0-75 foot lakesbc*e setback zone, it requires a conditional use permit.
The CUP application was recently reviewed by the Planning Commission. Based on the comments
of a small number of property owners who suggested the City needs to go beyond simply providing
the specific access lane requested, and take a broader look at access for this portion of Big Island;
and based on the Public Services Director not being at the meeting to provide information regarding
the access lane, the Planning Commission tabled the application. The property owners also
suggested there should be a meeting of all of the Big Island property owners regarding access before
taking action on the CUP.
The application will go back to the Planning Commission at its April 19 meeting. Staff is
recommending the application be approved without further addressing the broader access issues.
As indicated above, the broader access issues were discussed at the March, 200:t workscssion. It is
important that we be able to move forward w ith the access lane to particularly address the needs of
the two properties it will serve that are currently landlocked.
Staff is also recommending that the City move slowly regarding further expanding vehicular access
to Big Island, as this could have significant impacts on the character of the Island. Additional access
points will lead to pressure for clearing trees along the City-owned rights-of-way on the Island. It
will also promote additional use of motor vehicles on the Island. These are issues that need careful
examination prior to any action.
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TO;
FROM;
DATE;
Mayor Petersoi . .d Council Members
Ron Moorse, City Administrator
April 7,2004
SUBJECT: Update Regarding Street Trees In Navarre
The top priority coming out of Uie 2003 Navarre Town Meeting was the planting of trees along the
County Road 1S commercial area. Staff has worked with a local landscape contractor to develop a
tree planting plan. An outline of the plan is attached. The plan will be presented in more detail at
the worksession.
There are a number of issues that have been identified through the planning process. These include
funding issues, as well as issues related to taking advantage of other opportunities that are being
created by the tree planting project. For example, the tree planting project will involve cutting out
portions ot the concrete sidewalk. This creates the opportunity to replace the current sidewalk with
something much more attractive. But this would involve additional costs.
The next step in the planning process is to meet with the business owners and business property
owners to review the plan. Undoubtedly, one of the questions from this group will be regarding
whether any costs will be borne by the business propert ies. Staff would like to have a preliminary
discussion regarding the funding issue at the worksession.
UQ
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City of Orono
SiORLING'S
Lake Minnetonka Landscapes, Inc.
4113 Suniet Drive. Spring Park. MN SS384
(932) 47l'0255 F« (952) 471-9581
April 1, 2004
PAGE 2
ATTN: Mrs. Janice Gundlach
Mr. Greg Gappa
RE: Navarre Beautification Project and Tree Planting/Street Scape
Based on site inspection,plan furnished and as per cur conversations we propose the following
recommendations:
G Unitize store fronts with same architectural
G Remove all existing hard sur^e, replace cr».«crete (pavers cplionai)
G Use structural soil in tree planting areas
G Space trees to minimize conflict with unds urt.jnd utilities, light and store fronts
G Install tree guards o'A :>II trees
G Place pianters/typical jm
Approximate inoat this coint iite work/evaluatiofli
G Removal and disposal of conaete 'ectit* to accommodate
G Soil exchanges using structural so.i' uv attached information)
G Trees Planted
G Tree Grates installed (fast iron 48' squartr n ’laivcs. wsh
16' tree opening, power coat texture, biack'
WithTree Guard (welded steel, 60' height, attached Vt grate,
power coat texture, black) (s^ information altacV<;>)
G Replacement of com t re ^tvoruinated with tree grate frame
G Planter Instalic;^J rianted (precast concrete planter with
exposed a'sjw;r'/v8*.j fin's*') '48'w X 24"h) (see information attached)
$240.00 each
Cost pending soU testing
Possibly S300 each
$1,200.00 each
$2,422.50 each
$500.00 per tree
$1,885.00 each
Plan displays a minimum of 6 trees, 7 planters. The actual quantities that site will accommodate is
pending signage and utility locations. Site has potential for 12 trees and 10 planters.
Suggested budgeting for this project: $4,662.50 per tree
$1,885.00 per planter
NOTE: Final scope of work wiil allow us to furnish a firm price on total project.
Sincerely,
U.
George Norling, President
Professlonaily serving commercial otkI residential communities since 1974
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TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Mayor Peterson and Council Members
Ron Moorse, City Administrator
April 7, 2004
SUBJECT : Zoning Code Updates Needed
1 here are a number of key areas of the zoning code that do not provide the City with the capabilities
it needs to adequately guide development. One of these areas is the zoning regulations related to
residential development at densities greater than two units per acre. Another is the regulations
related to commercial development.
For a number of reasons, staff is recommending the council consider two development moratoria to
enable r.c v zoning regulations to be developed and implemented. The first moratorium, which
would be related to higher density residential development, would be put in place os soon as
possible. The purpose of this moratorium is to enable new zoning regulations related to higher
density residential development to be developed and put in place prior to the City receiving
development applications related to this type of development.
The second moratorium, which would be related to a much broader range of zoning applications,
would be put in place from November, 2004 through February, 2005. The purpose of the second
moratorium is to give Planning staff a period ol time to focus specifically on updating priority
sections of the zoning code.
Zoning Regulations Related to Higher Density Residential Development
In relation to the residential development, as part of the update of the City's Comprehensive Plan,
the City re-guided two areas from 2-acre density to 2-4 units per acre density to enable the provision
of a broader range of housing to meet the life-cycle housing needs of the City ’s residents. If a 15
acre parcel was developed at 2-acre density it could be de\ eloped into approximately 7 lots. If
developed at two units per acre, it would result in approximately 30 units on the property. If it was
developed at 4 units per acre, it would result in 60 units. This substantially increased density is a
substantial financial windfall for the property owner.
The City docs not currently have the type of zoning regulations in place to enable it to adequately
guide this t> pe of development. The types of regulations to be developed include items such as
minimum standards for townhouse design, and density standards that provide for additional
requirements as the density increases.
Since the substantial increase in density allowed by the Comprehensive Plan substantially increased
the value of the property, providing a potential windfall to the property owner; the City could add
regulations, tied to the higher end of the allowed density range, that would place more requirements
on the development that would benefit both the City and the development. This could include
quality of materials, amenities, etc.
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TO;
FROM:
DATE:
Mayor Peterson and Council Members
Ron Moorse, City Administrator
April 7,2004
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SUBJECT: Council Policy Regarding Communications Between Individual Council Members and
Developer Representatives.
When the Council is in the process of reviewing a development application, it is not uncommon for
the developer to want to contact individual Council members to promote the application.
Depending on the status of the application, these contacts can put individual council members in a
difficult position. The council member needs to balance the need to be accessible with the need to
ensure the communication does not undermine the public application review process. It can be
beneficial for a city council to set out a policy that provides a guide for council members regarding
communications with developers.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
lual Council Members and
I, it is not uncommon for
le application.
il council members in a
essible with the need to
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mcil members regarding
Notice is hereby given that the Orono City Council will meet in a work session at 5:30 p.m. on
Thursday, April 8,2004, in the Orono City Council Chambers, 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono,
Minnesota. The purpose of the meeting is to provide the Council with updates regarding a
number of current issues, including the 2003 propcrt> revaluation, street trees in Navarre, the
access lane on Big Island, and the need to update the City's zoning code; and to discuss the
appointment of a Planning Commission Chair, a Park Commission appointment, and other issues
of current interest. This meeting is open to the public.
City Clerk