HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-26-01 joint meeting .Joint Meeting of the
'Planning Commission/Environmental Affairs Committee
Lakeville City HaII Council Chambers
July 26, 2001
Planning Commission Chair Karl Drotning-.called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the
Lakeville City Halt Council Chambers.
.Planninq Commission Members Present: Drotning, Michaud, Wulff,. Detjen, Comer
Planninq Commission Members Absent: Grenz, Puncochar
Environmental Affairs Committee Members Present: Rosselit, Kline, .Goodwin, Skeps,
Stolte, Schmitt
Environmental Affairs Committee Members Absent: McManus
The Environmental Affairs Committee approved the minutes of their July. 17, 2001
special work session as written.
Mayor Johnson addressed the. joint Planning Commission and Environmental .Affairs
Committee. Mayor Johnson overviewed the Met Council meeting on Wednesday, July
25, 2001. regardingthe comprehensive plan amendment for the TimberCrest at :Lakeville
project.. He stated that Met Council representatives were very complimentary-of the
project design and presentation, including specific comments regarding the stormwater
management techniques and planned roadway improvements.. The comprehensive plan
amendment was unanimously approved by the Met Council
Mayor Johnson also. stated that he was pleased with the comments received on the
EAW. Specifically, the DCSWCD was very complimentary of the. project design' utilizing
low impact development. Mayor Johnson closed in saying that he feels strongly about
the project's importance to the community and thanked the commissioners fortheir time.
City Attorney Roger Knutson overviewed the process .that led to tonight's meeting. .The
City Council approved distribution of the EAW fora 30 day review and comment period.
- The formal 30 day comment period closed at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25, 2001. A
total of 8 comments were received on the EAW, none from private agencies. None of
the responding agencies indicated that an EIS is required.
.The City Council is looking for review and comment from the Planning Commission and
Environmental Affairs Committee even though State Statute does not require it. The
Planning Commission and Environmental Affairs Committee .are being asked to
determine whether the project has "Potential for significant environmental effects". If so,
then EIS will be required. If not, the project can move forward to platting, rezoning and
site plan approvals. The purpose of -the meeting is not to ..review details of the proposed
site plan.
Planning Commission and Environmental Affairs Committee members introduced
themselves to the audience.
City Administrator Bob Erickson addressed the commission. members. Mr. Erickson
stated that the Met Council received a recommendation from their staff for approval of
the TimberCrest at Lakeville comprehensive plan amendment. Their recommendation
was based on significant review of the project's impacts to regional transportation and
.water resource. systems.
Three Lakeville residents addressed the Met Council for approximately 70 minutes. The
Met Council heard their testimony. Met Council members also asked several questions
of City staff ,and consultants regarding the .project. In general, Met Council
representatives felt that the proposed project exhibited smart growth principles and
excellent cooperation between the developer, the City of Lakeville and Dakota County.
Mr. Erickson asked the commissioners take the time this evening to read the comments
submitted and the. draft responses from WSB and SRF prior to initiating discussion on
the EAW..
The commissioners took a 15-minute break to review comments on the EAW.
Chair Drotning stated that Bret Weiss of WSB and Jim Dvorak and Jeff Bednar of SRF
Consulting, in addition to City. staff, were present to respond to questions from
commissioners.
Planning Commissioner Jerry Comer stated that he felt there was no potential for
.significant environmental effects. Planning Commissioners Dale Detjen, Wendy Wullf
and Thomas Michaud, Jr. concurred.
Chair Drotning stated that he felt the environmental. effects will be addressed as part of
the site plan review.
Environmental Affairs Committee Chair Bill Rosselit stated that the Environmental Affairs
Committee questioned some of the language and motives of the EAW, document. Chair
Rosselit also stated that some of the questions raised at the work session are still open
- for discussion. He thanked the City Attorney for clearly outlining the Environmental
Affairs Committee's review responsibility.
Mr. Erickson addressed comments about the language in the EAW.. He stated that City.
staff and consultants worked to include the details and specificity in the document. Chair.
Rosselit asked whether a recommendation for no potential for significant environmental
effect means that the Environmental Affairs Committee will not be able to question the
specific details of the site plan when it comes forward.
City Attorney Knutson stated that the Environmental Affairs Committee will be able to
.perform all of their site plan and plat review responsibilities.
Chair Rosselit opened the floor for comments from Environmental Affairs Committee
members.
Commissioner Skeps askedwho would complete the EIS if a determination were made
that one is required. City Attorney Knutson stated that the City of Lakeville would remain
as the Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU) for the environmental review.
Commissioner Stolte stated that he felt comfortable .that -there is no potential for
significant environmental effect.
There was no additional comments from the Planning Commission or Environmental
Affairs Committee.
Motion: Commissioner Wulff moved and .Commissioner Comer. seconded for the
Planning Commission to recommend that the City Council find that the
proposed project will. not have potential for significant environmental
effect and that the- City Council make a determination that an EIS is not
required.
Ayes: Drotning, Michaud, Wulff, Detjen, Comer
No: None
Motion: Commissioner Skeps moved and Commissioner Kline seconded for the
Environmental Affairs Committee to recommend that the City Council find
that the proposed project will not have potential for .significant
environmental effect and that the. City Council make a determination that
an EIS is not required.
Ayes: Rosselit, Kline,. Goodwin, Skeps, Stolte, Schmitt
No: None
Mr. Erickson asked that the Environmental Affairs Committee and Planning Commission
consider setting special meetings to review the preliminary and final plat for the
TimberCrest at Lakeville project. The Planning Commission and Environmental Affairs
Committee agreed to meet on .the 23~d and 21St of August, respectively.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Penny B ev , Recordin ecretary
Attest
Karl Drotning, Chair William Rosselit, Chair
. Planning Commission Environmental: Affairs Committee