PC 2005 03 01 WORK SESSIONCHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION
WORK SESSION MINUTES
MARCH 1, 2005
The Work Session began at 6:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Dan Keefe, Debbie Larson (arrived late), Jerry McDonald, Kurt
Papke, Uli Sacchet, and Rich Slagle
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Steve Lillehaug
STAFF PRESENT:
Kate Aanenson, Sharmeen Al-Jaff, Bob Generous, Josh Metzer, and Matt
Saam.
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Deb Lloyd, Janet Paulson, Deborah Zorn, Bryan Litsey, Mark Undestad,
and Thor Smith.
ROLE OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
Roger Knutson presented the “Knutson Pyramid” on a city’s discretion in making decisions:
Planning Commission Work Session – March 1, 2005
At the base of the pyramid are those decisions which represent Legislative Discretion in which
the city is in the policy making mode. At this level of decision making, the city has a great deal
of latitude and discretion in their decision making process. Included in legislative action are the
Comprehensive Plan in which the city is representing its vision for the community and Zoning
with which the city implements the Comprehensive Plan. Any changes to the zoning ordinance
must be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; and if inconsistent with the Comprehensive
Plan, must be brought in to compliance with the Comprehensive Plan within nine months after
adoption.
The remaining levels of the pyramid are Quasi-Judicial decisions. For Quasi-Judicial decisions,
the city is applying policy to facts. In this role, the city applies the facts of a specific proposal to
the existing law of the community to reach a decision. Examples of Quasi-Judicial decisions are
Plats (the subdivision of land), Variances, Conditional Use Permits, Site Plan Review and
Building Permits. As the city review moves up the discretion pyramid, its decisions are more
limited by the specifications of existing laws and regulations.
For Plat reviews, the city reviews a subdivision against both the subdivision ordinance, which
dictates design standards which must be met, and the zoning ordinance, which specifies things
such as minimum lot areas, lot widths and lot depths.
For Variances, the city has to balance the idea of “hardship”, i.e., the restraints that the zoning
ordinance places upon the potential use of a property, versus a determination of whether the
proposed use is “reasonable”.
For Conditional Use Permits, the city reviews the proposal against the criteria established for a
particular use. If the use meets the criteria, the city must approve the use. Conditions may be
imposed for the proposed use to mitigate or eliminate potential negative impacts created by the
use.
For Site Plan Reviews, the city determines whether the proposed development complies with the
zoning ordinance requirements for buildings.
For Building Permits, the city determines whether the proposed structure complies with the
zoning ordinance requirements for buildings as well as compliance with state building and fire
codes.
TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITY
The Planning Commission and staff performed some exercises to help them learn a little more
about one another, such as getting in line based on the first letter of their middle name and again
on the month order of their birthdates.
2005 CITIZEN SURVEY
Kate Aanenson noted that it has been several years since the city conducted a citizen survey. She
stated that the City Manager had requested that the Commission develop some questions or
issues that should be included in the survey. The following questions/issues were presented by
the Planning Commission:
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Planning Commission Work Session – March 1, 2005
Housing Diversity/Affordability
Traffic … the use of roundabouts
Parks, Open Space and Trails
Should the city operate a golf course?
Does the city have sufficient retail, restaurants and commercial opportunities
Are there enough sidewalks?
Should the city pursue/provide wireless internet?
Is the city doing enough about water quality for the lakes and streams (groundwater)?
How do people feel about Highway 212? Are they aware of the potential impacts of the
Highway’s construction?
Do residents feel that they have enough notification?
2004 YEAR END REVIEW/ANNUAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
Kate Aanenson reviewed the Planning activity for 2004 as well as building permit data. She
pointed out that this was the lowest level for single-family homes in a long time with only 92
homes permitted in the year. Some of the more significant achievements for 2004 were the
completion of the City Code update, beginning Market Street Station, review of the Planned Unit
Development Criteria for the Southwest Metro Transit Site on Highway 312 and 101, Lifetime
Fitness and the Stone Creek Town-Offices.
Kate Aanenson told the Planning Commission that the republished City Code was now on line
and gave a demonstration of accessing the Code.
Kate Aanenson explained that the city would be having aerial photography of the city done in the
spring. As part of the aerials, planimetrics showing improvements such as structures, sidewalks,
driveways, roads, fire hydrants, etc. will be incorporated as well as topography at two foot
contours.
PLANNING COMMISSION HANDBOOK
Kate Aanenson presented each of the Planning Commissioners with a handbook for
commissioners regarding their roles and responsibilities.
PLANNING COMMISSION INTERVIEWS
The Planning Commission interviewed Thor Smith, Bryan Litsey and Mark Undestad.
The Work Session adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Generous, Senior Planner
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