Planning Commission Work Session Minutes

June 8, 2015

Page 1

North Branch Planning Commission

Work Session Minutes

June 8, 2015

Members Present: Commissioners: John vonLange (absent),Tom Borchardt, Mark Ramaley, Brian Bellfield and Don Swanson

Also Present: Planner Roberts and Council Liaison Furman

  1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm.

2.Roll Call

  1. Public Comment

None.

  1. Transportation Study Update

Furman noted the Transportation Committee met to discuss access to ESSBY including right in and right out, bridges and/or ramps, interchanges, which requires special legislation, truck traffic from the east and a truck route bypass. Borchardt said that he is concerned with truck traffic. The Commission discussed truck traffic concerns. Borchardt said that it may work to have a roundabout at Hemingway and a new Harvester Avenue with no businesses being displaced. The Commissioners and Staff discussed various alternative traffic routes.

  1. Comprehensive Plan Update

The Commission and Staff discussed the Comprehensive Plan. Roberts went through the plan with the Commission to discuss wording and make updates. Borchardt commented about the issue with park dedication funding only being used for building and not maintaining parks. Borchardt said that he wants the City to really think about taking land for parkland because it can be used for other uses. Furman commented about a training session regarding a percentage of population to acreage of parks that was recommended and now she heard from Councilmember Blomquist that the percentage recommendation has changed. Furman asked Staff to look into the recommended percentage. Borchardt commented that the City has about 400 acres of parkland including City, County and wildlife preserves. Borchardt would like to see some of those acres on the tax rolls. Roberts pointed out the plan for 20/40 projected growth and the demand for retail, industrial, etc. and said it should be discussed for updating. Borchardt asked for a map at the next worksession that shows the boundaries of the 20-year growth ring and a map that shows the extent of existing sewer and water within that area.

  1. Meeting Updates
  1. June 15, 2015 Regular Planning Commission Meeting
  2. June 18, 2015 City Council Work Session

Roberts indicated that there is no business to discuss at the June 15 regular meeting. The Commission agreed to cancel the meeting.

Roberts noted there is a City Council Work Session on June 18 to discuss engineering standards and guidelines that the Commission was interested in if anyone wishes to attend.

Borchardt asked about property in ESSBY being looked at by a developer and he was asked what the Planning Commission can do to expedite the process to move the sale along. Roberts indicated there may be a need for a public hearing for a sale but the EDA also would be involved as the entity selling the land.

Motion by Ramaley, seconded by Swanson to adjourn.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Planner Ken Roberts

TOSS/jrl