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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/08/17 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Regular OFFICIAL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA AUGUST 17, 2016 – 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynne Carper, Claudia Johnston-Madison, Torrey Kanne, Lisa Peilen, Richard Person, Joe Tatalovich, Ethan Rickert (youth member) MEMBERS ABSENT: Carl Robertson STAFF PRESENT: Sean Walther, Phillip Elkin 1. Call to Order – Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes of August 3, 2016 Commissioner Carper asked that corrections be made to the minutes as follows: 2A. Approval of July 20, 2016 minutes should indicate that Commissioner Robertson seconded the motion of approval; 3B. Arlington Row Apts. West public hearing should indicate that Commissioner Kanne seconded the motion recommending approval. Commissioner Carper made a motion to approve the minutes of August 3, 2016 as amended. Commissioner Person seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 3-0-3 (Johnston-Madison, Peilen and Tatalovich abstained). 3. Hearings A. Floodplain District Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map Amendments Applicant: City of St. Louis Park Case No.: 16-34-ZA Sean Walther, Planning and Zoning Supervisor, presented the staff report. He explained that the amendments pertain to Floodplain Districts in order to remain in compliance with Federal and State regulations and to maintain the City’s eligibility to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. He explained further that the city needs to update its floodplain ordinance and floodplain district boundaries to adhere to new federal and state requirements no later than November 4, 2016. Mr. Walther stated that 215 property owners whose land intersects changes to the floodplain district boundary were notified of the public hearing. Official Minutes Planning Commission August 17, 2016 Page 2 Mr. Walther presented and discussed the floodplain district boundary changes map. He noted that three hand-outs with FAQs, detailed maps and topography data are provided for residents in attendance. He said questions about individual properties can be answered after the Planning Commission meeting adjourns. Commissioner Peilen asked how frequently the map is revised by the federal government. Mr. Walther said he believed the last map revision occurred in 2004. Mr. Walther spoke about online tools which the city proposes to provide to property owners with resources for more information regarding Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Chair Johnston-Madison opened the public hearing. Sandra Ewing, 3148 Hillsboro Ave S., spoke about flooding at her property two years ago. At that time fire staff said they didn’t need to sandbag because of the structure elevation. She asked if FEMA bases flood zones on topographic data. She commented that some neighboring properties flooded, some did not. She spoke about having to hire a surveyor in 1996. Mr. Walther responded that the 100-year flood plain does have an elevation associated with it. It varies throughout the Minnehaha Creek area in St. Louis Park. He spoke about the letter of amendment process as well as proposed mapping tools to assist residents. He noted that FEMA maps are not perfect but they are an assessment of risk. He said topographical data and rainfall data is much improved since the last map revision in 2004. Katherine Heyerdahl, 3171 Hillsboro Ave. S., said she has done a lot of research on her own. She said she has not been able to file a request for map amendment as there has been a hold on all changes during the last three years. She said the FEMA website has the ability for property owners to attach digital documents to support an amendment request rather than having to hire a surveyor. She commented that Anoka now has high quality website maps which can be submitted to FEMA. Mr. Walther responded that Anoka County is about one year ahead of the city in this process. St. Louis Park hopes to replicate the tools that Anoka County now has. He said the city’s goal is to be able to provide resources to residents around Labor Day. As no one else was present wishing to speak, the Chair closed the public hearing. Official Minutes Planning Commission August 17, 2016 Page 3 Commissioner Peilen made a motion recommending approval of the Zoning Ordinance Amendment and Zoning Map Amendment pertaining to Floodplain Districts. Commissioner Carper seconded the motion, and the motion passed on a vote of 6- 0. 4. Other Business: None 5. Communications: None 6. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Sells Recording Secretary