WS 2005 04 25
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
APRIL 25, 2005
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:35 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman Lundquist, Councilwoman
Tjornhom, Councilman Labatt and Councilman Peterson
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Justin Miller, Kate Aanenson, and Todd Hoffman
JOINT MEETING WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
Planning Commission Members Present: Mark Udestad, Debbie Larson, Deborah Zorn, Dan
Keefe, Jerry McDonald and Uli Sacchet
Mayor Furlong explained that the City Council sees the role of Planning Commissioners is to
find consistency with the city’s comprehensive plan, education of residents at public hearings,
explaining the city process, and that their goal should be fairness and consistency. Jerry
McDonald asked how the Planning Commission should address issues like land use in the
AUAR area which was brought up in an e-mail by a resident. Uli Sacchet asked for clarification
on what determines residential versus industrial zoning. Todd Gerhardt explained that it’s
basically on a first come first serve basis and then staff looks at landforms and contours to see
what use best fits the property. Dan Keefe asked what principles the commission should follow
in meetings with large amounts of people, i.e. Yoberry and Pinehurst. Councilman Lundquist
stated that the Planning Commission’s job is to see if the project fits within the rules and
regulations of the city and it’s comprehensive plan and leave the politics and emotions out of it.
Mayor Furlong explained that the benefit of the public hearing is to listen to comments from
affected residents to see if there’s anything staff or the applicants have missed and to educate and
explain the city process to the citizens. Todd Gerhardt explained that the other job of the
Planning Commission is to challenge the development to see if it’s the best that it can be without
being too restrictive. Uli Sacchet asked about the time line requirements, and what the Planning
Commission should do when the deadline is near but the commission doesn’t feel the plan is
fully cooked. Mayor Furlong stated that the City Council reads the comments prior to the vote
and then the summary after the vote. Uli Sacchet asked for direction from the City Council on
how serious they are regarding connecting neighborhoods and the need to follow the
comprehensive plan at the Planning Commission, stating that that issue is the most emotional
from residents standpoint and would ask that the City Council be consistent with street
connections. Councilwoman Tjornhom explained that the code and comprehensive plan can be
and is interpreted differently by different people so the role of the Planning Commission is to
interpret the rules and make a recommendation.
JOINT MEETING WITH THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION.
Park and Recreation Commission members present: Glenn Stolar, Jack Spizale, Paula Atkins,
Steve Scharfenberg and Ann Murphy
City Council Work Session – April 25, 2005
Mayor Furlong thanked the commissioners for their service to the city. Glenn Stolar explained
how exciting the playground replacement teamwork is going with the city staff, commission
members and neighborhood residents, and where the city is headed with trail and park
development. Jack Spizale stated completion of City Center Park was a big accomplishment
from last year. Glenn Stolar stated that the off leash dog area is what the commission has been
working on recently and updated the City Council on the status of their work and alternatives
they’ve been exploring. He asked for feedback from the City Council about a city owned golf
course. Todd Gerhardt stated that currently the City Council does not have any plans for a city
owned golf course. Councilman Peterson explained that basically due to land prices and cost of
operations, his feeling was that “that ship has passed”. Mayor Furlong stated the city is always
looking for opportunities so keep the idea on the back burner, but it is not in the forefront at this
time. Glenn Stolar stated the other big issue in the city is the supply and demand of athletic
fields and usage of those fields. Todd Hoffman explained that historically supply has not kept up
with demand and explained the process the city uses to resolve usage issues. Jack Spizale asked
about a possible partnership with the new school site in Chanhassen.
Staff stated that the 90% Review for the East Water Treatment Plant will be done in conjunction
with item 6 on the agenda. NPDES discussion was postponed due to Lori Haak being ill. Todd
Gerhardt asked that item 1(d) be pulled off the consent agenda.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session meeting at 6:55 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
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