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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/12/20 - ADMIN - Minutes - Planning Commission - Study Session Planning commission December 20, 2023 6:00 p.m. If you need special accommodations or have questions about the meeting, please call Sean Walther or the administration department at 952.924.2525. Planning commission Study Session Members present: Matt Eckholm, Katie Merten, Tom Weber, Jan Youngquist Members absent: Mia Divecha, Jim Beneke Staff present: Gary Morrison, Sean Walther Consulting planners present: Rita Trapp, Jeff Miller 1. Zoning code update – expanding housing options Mr. Miller and Ms. Trapp presented the report. They noted the survey that was completed with residents related to housing options in the city and presented details. Chair Weber noted the graph and added the direction the city is heading is a great result. Commissioner Eckholm asked if a description box was utilized in the survey. He asked what else people said and those that selected “other.” Ms. Trapp stated they can go back and check. Commissioner Youngquist noted she focused on people’s comments and stated she found it interesting that some think that apartments or density does not build community, and some feel it does, so the different perspectives were interesting. Commissioner Eckholm added he is interested in the 77 people that disliked the privacy of a single-family home. He commented he would like to know if they read the question correctly. Ms. Trapp noted this is about scale and their responses could be related to that. Mr. Walther noted that 80% said do not build high rises in the city. Chair Weber stated that 300 people responded out of 50,000 residents – so he does not take the survey too seriously with those numbers. Mr. Miller stated recommendations for changes will come after the next planning commission meeting and added that 4 districts are being proposed. Mr. Walther noted higher density may have to be adjusted within the comp plan, and these conversations will be forthcoming. Ms. Tripp noted the site and building standards adding that site and building standards may vary with each district depending on the housing type they are applied to. DocuSign Envelope ID: 7AC6B08D-C9B8-4C05-908B-02D8A63A77BC Planning commission Dec. 20, 2023 Commissioner Eckholm stated he is more concerned about standards that may restrict the ability for someone to engage with 2–3-unit options, as opposed to those uses being spaced. He added he does not see any reason to put a 2 unit further away from a 1 unit at least in this section. Commissioner Merten noted lots with alleys, and that some of these standards should be parsed out again as related to setbacks. Commissioner Youngquist noted the impervious surface issue and added homeowners should not need to get surveys conducted, which seems like an unnecessary expense. She stated it is important when getting into the higher density housing done by developers. She stated the other factors will assist on impervious surface vs. getting surveys done. Commissioner Merten asked about putting concrete all over a backyard and if a site plan is required by the city. Mr. Walther stated a survey is only needed when getting close to a required setback or other standard and a survey is required to verify compliance. A survey is also used for other issues that come up, like grading. Commissioner Eckholm also noted concerns about a courtyard cottage vs. a town house neighborhood but added this may be a fringe case. Ms. Trapp added this refers to the orientation of a courtyard vs. a neighborhood, and added the city has standards on this as well. Mr. Walther added there have been comments from council about protecting solar access and especially with commercial properties. Ms. Trapp asked the commissioners about N3 zoning and the mid-rise scale. Commissioner Eckholm stated if N3 butts up against N1 there should be additional setbacks. He stated he would want them to be building specific. Ms. Trapp asked commissioners if there are concerns with N4 and how it relates to other districts. Commissioner Eckholm stated N4 is not in many areas, so there are not as many concerns here. Chair Eckholm noted the messaging on this will be important. Ms. Trapp stated the next step is to draft the district standards bring them to the planning commission for discussion. 2. Planning commission and board of zoning appeals 2023 annual report Mr. Walther noted the draft annual report for 2023 and presented it to the planning commission. DocuSign Envelope ID: 7AC6B08D-C9B8-4C05-908B-02D8A63A77BC Planning commission Dec. 20, 2023 He asked the commissioners to think about 2024 and what items can be added. He noted tree preservation as a strategy that council is setting as a priority and applying this to single family residential. 3. Adjournment – 7:45 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Sean Walther, liaison Tom Weber, chair member DocuSign Envelope ID: 7AC6B08D-C9B8-4C05-908B-02D8A63A77BC