05-21-92 PC Minutes~.~ ~ I,~
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MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION
May 21, 1992
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held at the Golden Valley City
Hall, Council Chambers, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota. The
meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Johnson at 7:05 PM.
Those present were Commissioners Groger, Johnson, Kapsner, Lewis, Pentel and
Prazak; Commissioner McAleese was absent. Also present were Mark Grimes,
Director of Planning and Development; and Mary Dold, Administrative Secretary.
Vice Chair Johnson welcomed new Commissioner Pentel to the Planning Commission.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - APRIL 13, 1992
MOVED by Kapsner and seconded by Lewis, and motion carried unanimously to
approve the April 13th minutes as submitted.
II. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT - STANDARDS FOR
R CUL- - A RE
Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development, gave a brief summary of his
staff report to the Planning Commission.
The City Council approved the preliminary plat of "Garden Park" with the
following two conditions:
1. An amendment to the Subdivision Code be approved to permit smaller
diameter cul-de-sacs in certain circumstances; and
2. Direct the staff to initiate an amendment to the Subdivision Code that
would allow smaller diameter cul-de-sacs in certain situations.
Staff felt that a smaller cul-de-sac with a right-of-way diameter of 100' and a
paved diameter of 90' is justifiable when the total length of the street is less
than 190 feet (Code now requires 120 feet and 100 feet, respectively).
The staff is proposing the following change by substituting it for the existing
language in that paragraph:
A cul-de-sac street shall be measured along its center line from a
point in the extended line from the back of the curb line of the
intersecting street of origin to the back of the curb line of the
cul-de-sac at its closed end. If there is no curb, the measure-
ment shall be made from the corresponding edge of the improved
surface of the roadway.
Maximum length of a cul-de-sac street shall be 500 feet. Except as
provided hereinafter, each cul-de-sac shall have a closed end
turnaround with an outside diameter of the improved roadway surface
of at least 100 feet and a street right-of-way diameter of at
least 120 feet.
Golden Valley Planning Commission Minutes
May 21, 1992
Page 2
Alternatively, if the proposed cul-de-sac street is 190 feet or less
in length, the subdivider may apply for a reduced turnaround having
an outside roadway diameter of at least 90 feet and a street right-
of-way diameter of at least 100 feet. Since such reduction in size
may increase the difficulty of street maintenance or fire prevention
activities, the Director of Public Works or the Fire Marshall may
require limitations regarding the type, placement or replacement of
any structures or plantings to be located in or within 10 feet of the
cul-de-sac right-of-way. Structures for purposes of this paragraph
shall include fences, fire hydrants, light poles, mail boxes, utility
boxes or poles, etc. The Director of Public Works may also impose
additional limitations concerning the location and width of driveways
accessing all lots with frontage on the reduced turnaround cul-de-sac
street and, in no event may the width of a driveway exceed 50q of the
width of the lot it accesses as measured at the roadway by extending
the side lot lines to the back of the curb line.
The staff believes that short cul-de-sac streets can be built smaller in dia-
meter without reducing the City's ability to maintain the street or provide
public safety access. However, the Public Works Director and Fire Chief do have
the right to limit structures and the location of structures within 10 feet of
the cul-de-sac right-of-way line. Also, driveway location may also be deter-
mined as part of this amendment.
Mr. Sirney commented that he would prefer a smaller paved diameter of 80' for
short cul-de-sac streets. He would like to put in an "island" in the mi ddle of
the 90 ft. paved area and will work with the Public Works Director to see if
this could be done. Currently, the City does not have any of these "islands."
Vice-Chair Johnson opened the informal public hearing. Seeing and hearing no
one, Vice-Chair Johnson closed the informal public hearing.
There was a unanimous consensus by all the commissioners (Pentel not commenting)
that the 90' diameter is appropriate.
MOVED by Lewis and seconded by Prazak and motion carried unanimously, to recom-
mend to the City Council, approval of an amendment to the Subdivision Code,
Section 12.20, Subd. 2(I), regarding the length and width of cul-de-sac streets.
III. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT - FLOOD PLAN AND
0 RIC
Mark Grimes gave a brief review of his memo to the Planning commission. He also
reviewed maps showing homes in the flood zone. The Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) is requiring the changes of all cities that are a part of the
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). If the City does not have a flood zone
ordinance, homeowners cannot get flood insurance. The MN Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) wrote the City in November of 1991, requiring several changes to
the City's Floodplain Ordinance.
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Golden Valley Planning Commission Minutes
May 21, 1992
Page 3
Commissioner Prazak asked what the implications would be for a homeowner lying
within the flood zone. Mr. Grimes said the DNR originally asked the City to
adopt an ordinance that would allow no rebuilding of structures if their use is
discontinued or destroyed to 50go of current market value.
Commissioner Lewis asked if what the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
presented for change in the November 6, 1991 letter must be accepted by the
City. Mr. Grimes commented that the requests by the DNR is the letter of
November 6, 1991, are acceptable except for #6 which would have a substantia l
impact on the homeowner lying within the flood zone.
Commissioner Pentel commented that she would like the first sentence of Subd.
11.606(2) retained and added to the revised #6 from the November 6, 1991 letter.
She also commented about the #9 from the November 6, 1991 letter relating to
Subd. 15A(1) of the existing Floodplain Ordinance. Mark Grimes said this would
have to be changed except when special permits are issued. Structures can only
be built within the flood fringe area. The flood fringe will have to be
defined.
Commissioner Prazak asked where a flood fringe was located. Mr. Grimes said it
is on the edge of the floodplain.
Mark Grimes talked about flood fringe and .that it will have to be defined prior
to the City Council review of the Ordinance. Also, it was suggested that public
informational meeting be held for the people along Bassett Creek. A represen-
tative from the Bassett Creek Management Commission should be invited to explain
what the ordinance changes mean.
Mr. Grimes commented that after the City Council approval, the revised plan will
be sent back to the DNR for their final approval.
The staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve the changes suggested
by the DNR in their letter dated November 6, 1991, with the exception of adding
the first sentence from Subd. 11.606(2) to the revised #6 and modify #9 to con-
form with #6.
MOVED by Kapsner and seconded by Lewis, and motion carried unanimously to
recommend to the City Council approval of the proposed ordinance amendment along
with the modifications to #6 and #9 (to conform with #6) of the November 6, 1991
letter of the DNR.
IV. REPORTS ON MEETINGS OF THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, CITY
Jean Lewis gave a brief summary of the BZA meeting of May 12, 1992. Warren
Kapsner gave a brief summary of the City Council meeting of April 21, 1992.
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Golden Valley Planning Commission Minutes
May 21, 1992
Page 4
V. OTHER BUSINESS
Mark Grimes told the commissioners there would be no June 8th meeting due to the
lack of an agenda. He briefly talked about the progress of Habitat and
groundbreaking ceremonies. And lastly, he asked if any commissioners. were
interested in attending the Commission .Dinner.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chair Johnson adjourned the meeting at 8:35 PM.
n ewes, ecretary
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