PC SUM 2012 01 17
CHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION
WORK SESSION
SUMMARY MINUTES
JANUARY 17, 2012
7:00 P.M. – WORK SESSION, Fountain Conference Room
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Andrew Aller, Mark Undestad, Kathleen Thomas, Kevin Ellsworth,
Kim Tennyson and Lisa Hokkanen.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Tom Doll.
STAFF PRESENT:
Kate Aanenson, Community Development Director and Bob Generous,
Senior Planner.
PUBLIC PRESENT:
None
Kate Aanenson welcomed the commissioners and thanked them for all their efforts.
1.Planning Commission Annual Report.
Bob Generous presented the staff report on the activities of the Planning Commission in
2011. There were 11 Planning Cases processed by the Planning Commission in 2011, which
contained 26 items that were acted upon by the Commission less than historically reviewed
due to the economic slowdown. Staff noted that we had initiated the review of Residential
Planned Unit Developments as well as began discussion on surface water management
regulations and issues. Building permit activity has increased from 2010.
Kate Aanenson presented the initial work project for 2012 including Residential PUD
amendments, review of Community Commercial and Regional Commercial zoning districts,
and work on the 2005 Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) update and amendment.
Kate stated that City Council will be reviewing these work items and she would get back to
the Planning Commission.
Kevin Ellsworth asked about the idea of engaging youth in planning from area high schools.
The other commissioners were supportive of the idea.
2.Discussion of Potential Code Amendments: Stormwater, Wetlands, Signs and Ballfield
Lights.
Bob Generous presented the staff report on the five potential items to be reviewed and
amended:
1)Storage of Recreational Vehicles. Directed by the Planning Commission to proceed.
2)Ballfield Light Heights. Directed by the Planning Commission to proceed.
3)Decorative Banners. Directed by the Planning Commission to provide additional
background research and criteria prior to proceeding.
4)Driveways. Directed by the Planning Commission to develop additional criteria
when the exception shall be allowed prior to proceeding.
Planning Commission Work Session Summary – January 17, 2012
5)Wetland Protection. Concurred with staff recommendation and directed to proceed.
3.Discuss PUD Process and Requirements.
Kate Aanenson presented the staff report on this item. There are two areas of concern
regarding the existing ordinance: that the Concept review is not as informal as it is intended
and that the ordinance may be too prescriptive and not sufficiently flexible as intended for
Planned Developments. The potential flexibility is from existing zoning requirements in
order to achieve some vision or development objective.
The Planning Commission appeared to concur that some change to our ordinance may be
appropriate, but that it still had much that was good. Staff was directed to continue to look
into the PUD ordinance, to look into how other communities address Planned Developments
and to, potentially, have the City Attorney address the Planning Commission on this issue.
The Commission also asked if the City Attorney could discuss issues such as conflict of
interest and levels of city discretion.
4.Discuss Planning Commission Interviews.
Kate Aanenson stated that there were two positions that were up for 2012, Lisa Hokkanen
and Tom Doll. Commissioners are required to reapply if they want to be appointed and that
the Planning Commission does not interview existing Commissioners, just new applicants,
but that City Council would interview all applicants. The interviews are scheduled for
February 21, 2012.
Kate Aanenson presented the Chanhassen Rotary Club 2012 Distinguished Service Award
nomination request. The Planning Commissioners as a group are requested to submit a
nomination. Commissioners are requested to think of someone they believe is deserving of the
nomination.
The Work Session was concluded at 8:30 p.m.
Submitted by Kate Aanenson
Community Development Director
Prepared by Robert Generous
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