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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-04-2002 Planning Commission MinutesMINUTES OFTHE ORONO PLANNI%'G COMMISSION MEETING Wednesday, September 4, 2002 5:30 o'clock p.m. ROI.I. The Commission met on the above mentioned date %%ith the following; members present: Commissioners Jeanne Mabusth, David Rahn, Cynthia Bremer, J. Mark Fritzler, Jan Rery Representing staff were Planning; Director Mike Galfron, Zoning; Administrators Wendy Bottenberg and Paul Weinberger and Recorder Denise Leskinen. Absent were Chair Sandra Smith and Commissioner I I/ I Lin n Commissioner Mabusth called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.h1. (0) #02-2821 TEMPLE ISRAEL (CAMP TEKO) 645 TONKANN A ROAD Bob Shiff, representing Temple Israel was present. Also present for the applicants: Leon Wong, of Rafferty Rafferty Tollefson Architects, Allan Engler, of Diversified (c(Instruction and Julie Peterson, accessibility consultant. Bottenberg explained that the applicants have requested a conditional use permit to pernut construction of an addition to the existing dining hall and make improvements (v trails on the property. The first construction project would be to add an addition and a deck to the existing dining hall and to repair the existing open air chapel stage, benches, and railings. The improvements to the trails consist of 10 trail projects that take place on different areas of the property. Many of the trails are only to be fixed due to erosion; others are upgrades to make them passable. The only project that is a concern for staff is Trail project $5. Bottenherg; stated that it is a concert because it is next to the lakeshorc and normally city ordinance doesn't alloy improvements such as retaining walls. She continued stating that Camp Teko is unusual in that it is one of only two camps in the City, the ether being the Vet's Camp on Big Island. The applicants have submitted plans which were forwarded to the engineer for review; the engineer had been on vacation therefore staff is still %waiting for comments. Bottenberg pointed out that the applicants have submitted plans to the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and obtained an approval pemut from them. Bottenberg stated that staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit for the :wilding and trail prof :cis with the following conditions: I ► The retaining Nulls and erosion control measures to be constructed on trail project #5 along the lakeshore be appro%ed by the (it% Engineer and thr Building Official prior to issuance of a building permit. Where retaining Halls wIII be visible front the lake, the applicants shall incorporate vegetative screening into the design where feasible. 2) The lighting on the dining hall shall meet City Ordinance standards. 3► Silt fencing must he ►nstailed to prevent runoff into I.ahc 'Minnetonka. Bob ShifTthanked the Commission for allowing; them to be off the regular agenda to accommodate the holiday. lie stated that the interest to impro%e the camp is aimed at making it a wonderful opportunity for kids and noted also that the camp is available in the winter for use by other organizations. Shit i went on to say that like many other religious organizations funds can he scarce and maintenarcc is deferred. This year a significant amount of money Aas raised Page I of 5 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETIN'(: Wednesday. September 4, 2002 5:30 o'clock p.m. to make improvements and a portion of those funds are set aside for endowments for the trails and other maintenance. Shiff stated that it is their goal to improve the camp for regular activities but also the accessibility, safety features, and to provide sonic environmental improvements such as erosion control so that the camp can continue to operate in a fashion that is suitable both as a camp and as a lakeshore property. Shiff concluded by introducing the people who Lame with him and added that he would he happy to respond to any questions. Mabusth asked if Mr. Wong had anything to say. Wong replied that he had nothing to add, and that he felt the scope of the project was clearly laid out. Mabusth asked the Commission members if they wished the applicant to review the possible need for trail repairs involving the other phase of the conditional use permit which involves land alterations. She noted that it is actually a two part conditional use perniil, first for the expansion construction of the existing use requiring a conditional use permit for camp use in the LR- I B zoning district and second phase for the land alteration conditional use permit involving improvements within the 0-75' setback area of approximately 400' in length potentially using crushed lime rock. Shiff stated that the path along the shore of the swimming beach to the boating beach extends approximately 400' that in the past was a trodden path. He indicated that it has eroded away on the lake side and in steeper areas there has been sonic erosion in the hill that has conic duwn. lie continued stating that what they would like to do is control the erosion and restore paths so that it is usable and provide a surface that is maintainable and will last for a long time. lie indicated that the goal is not to pave it, instead it has been recommended that 5 8" or smaller crushed limestone compacted is a surface that can be traversed by somebody "A a disahilit% and is fairly easily maintained. Shiff indicated that it may require something to hold it such as rip rap up the shore in sonic areas, but basically all they -&ant to do is it) restore the path using whatever techniques are most appropriate and acceptable. lie explained that what was suggested Hould hopefully be effective in most of the areas but understands that in particular areas something else may need to he done. Shiff added that they %%ould like to do whatever is consistent with chat the City. the Watershed District and the DNR "ant. lie indicated their desire to remain flexible. Mabusth indicated that there was mention in the report of a boulder Hall and referred w an earlier discussion %►ith the applicant that sonic sections may involve a seawall %% ithin the 4111t' but noted that we don't know yet. Shiff'reiterated that they want whatever will he effective and consistent with the City, the Watershed District and the DNR's limitations or requirements or preferences. Mabusth asked if there were any specific comments from the Watershed District rcgaidinu, tht• possible need fir a sea%► all or retaining w ails Shill*said no. Page 2' of 5 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Wednesday. September 4, 2002 5:36 o'clock p.m. Mabusth stated that is was difficult for staff and the Commission to provide some guidelines on the variance portion of the conditional used permit since they do not have any real facts. She inquired as to how this would he presented to Council next Monday night. Staff stated that the application would not be going to Council on Monday night. Mabusth noted that she thought it was rushing along. Gaffron indicated that the application would be on the agenda for September 23n1 Mahusth asked if some updated information would be available for the September lh'h meeting. Gaffron statcd that we may have information but the applicants won't be present. Mabus!h asked if any information would be known by the 161h of September. Shiff stated that they would try to address any specific areas in that time frame. He noted that because of concerns that either the Watershed District, the Planning Commission, or the City would say no, he was reluctant to spend money on engineering and planning. Shiff continued that if they have approvals then they could proceed with the engineering and whatever specific information is requested by staff. Planning Commission, and Council. Mabusth noted that there would be a reduction of hardcover in the 0-75' setback area as a result of the improvement. She asked if there would be repairs to the other trails. Gaffron stated that the plans show two cross sections for lakeside trail improvements, and on document C3.1 it does not define which areas would have a back retaining wall to hold the slope up. He noted that it would be useful to some extent to knoN which segments would require that type of treatment as one of the recommendations from staff was !hat in areas inhere a retaining wall is needed one of the goals has always been to screen retaining walls so they arc not visible from the lake. Gaffron went on to say that it would he helpful to know %%hich segments oftratl are in areas where the shoreline is eroded up to the trail and %here you might h,.• a to relocate. He continued that a better depiction %,.ould be useful and noted that Planning Commmssion does not have the detail along that length to knoll where the impacts would be the greatest. Mahusth agreed that the information would he useful, certainly before Council could make any recommendation. She asked if we would have the information by September 23' i and our engineer would have the chance to revie%% it. Gaffron asked if that would work for the applir,unts !Mabusth asked the applicants if that �k OLII.l �\ ork Paee ; of MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Wednesdav, September 4, 2002 5:30 o'clock p.m. Shiff stated that although this work probably would not be done until spring, if the information is necessary in order for the City to approve, they would get that portion of the analysis done immediately. Mabusth stated that pan of the conditional use permit also involves new construction. She continued that she wanted it confirmed that the 100' setback had been made for the new addition. Shiff said yes, it is beyond. Mabusth reiterated that the 100' setback has been made by the new addition. She noted that it was a public hearing and asked the audience if there were any questions. "there were no questions. Mabusth asked the Planning Commission for their comments. Fritzler stated that trail project # 5 was G' wide but noted that he saw somewhere in the documentation that it could go wider. Mabusth askcd 11* it was possible that some of the trails first shown as one width may go wider. Sluff stated that there was no functional need to male it wider than 6'. He noted that in some areas it simply is wider; they want to control erosion and fix the surface but are not looking for anything wider than 6' as a traversable path. Mabusth noted that where there is severe erosion on some of the paths the crushed lime rock would be put down. She asked if other kinds of improvements would be done to prevent drainage. She asked if a Swale or something would be created on some of the steep paths. Shiff explained that on some steep areas where one side comes down to the path, there are valleys that washed into the lake and are being stopped by trees and other things growing there. He continued that there may be a need for something on the uphill side that holds it back Shiff stated tha; as suggested those should be Iow and engineered in such a way that they are not visible but effective. Shi ff reiterated that they would use techniques and methods that are acceptable and allowable to end up with erosion control and a traversable path. Mabusth stated that while doing these improvements attempts should be made to correct the erosion. She noted that the erosion is severe on that property given the topography. Shiff referred to an earlier comment noting that if appropriate steps to control the erosion are not taken they will end up back here looking for more approvals and more money. Mabusth asked for a motion or comments. Bottenberg asked the applicants if they feel it is a push to get the information or would they like to consider the application in multiple parts, with an approval on one pan and part of it tabled. Page 4of5 MINUTES OF TILE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEE"FING Wednesday. September 4, 2002 5:30 o'clock p. m. Shiff stated that the last time they were here to get the building approved they were told that they should bundle everything together in the future and they have attempted to do that. fie continued, stating that the reality is they would like to start construction on the improvements to the dining hall as soon as possible to get into the ground and get it closed up before the weather gets bad and then finish the interior during the winter. Shiff stated that he would love to get that much but also wanted to be practical and not create so many pieces and more efforts for the city. Mabusth suggested that they break it up into the construction part where there would be no problem with getting that pushed forward to Council and said it would be advisable to table the land use portion. She went on to say that it is doubtful that the applicants could get the finite kind of information needed for a final plan before September 16' . She said that we might be looking at the third Monday in October. Shiff conferred with Leon Wong. Shiff asked if they could talk about separating trail #5 from the rest so that when they do the dining hall the trail work in that area would also be approved. Shiff noted that he did not think there was any controversy or concern about those trails, and then they could work on #5. Mabusth asked the Commission members if they had any problem with separating the way the applicant suggested. There were no concerns FriVler noted that trail 5 was the only one that more information was needed. Mabusth explained that it technically involves a variance to th. code and that final information is needed before it can he presented to Council IM final approval. I'ritzler moved, Berg seconded, to appro%c :application 402-2821 'temple Israel camp I eko. 045 Tonkassa Rd. approsing the construction project but excluding that portion identified as trail #5. VOTE: Ayes 5. Nass 0. Berg moved, Fritzler seconded, to table appro%al of inr,)ro%ernen1% to trail t$5. % tYI F : es 5. Nays 0. Mabusth closed application public hearing at 5:59PM. Sandra Smith. Chair Page 5 of 5