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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft MinutesPRIOR LAKE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, January 7, 2012 1. Call to Order: Chairman Phelan called the January 7, 2013 Planning Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Those present were Commissioners Blahnik, Phelan, Roszak, Hite, Spieler, and Community and Economic Development Director Dan Rogness 2. Approval of Agenda: MOTION BY PHELAN, SECONDED BY SPIELER TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 7, 2013 MEETING AGENDA AS PRESENTED. VOTE: Ayes, Blahnik, Hite, Phelan, Roszak, and Spieler. The Motion carried. 3. Consider Approval of December 3, 2012 Meeting Minutes: MOTION BY BLAHNIK, SECONDED BY HITE TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 3, 2012 MEETING MINUTES. VOTE: Ayes, Blahnik, Hite, Phelan, Rosd- 4. Public Hearings: None 5. Old Business: None 6. New Business: k, and ,Spieler. The Motion carried. 40 A. Review Request to Vacate a'portion of Eleventh Street Right -of -Way. Located South of Spring Lake Road (CSAH 12) and North of Spring Lake, within the Plat of Spring Lake Townsite. Director Rogness presented the process of the vacation as dictated by state statue. He indicated that the city received an application from two property owners at 2675 (Gottschalk) and 2697 (Nelson) Spring Lake Road for a Street, Alley and Utility Vacation. The reason for this request in the application is that the property has been maintained by the homeowners since 1969. The 60 -foot wide street right-of-way has essentially become the side yards of the two adjacent property owners with retaining walls that were constructed many years ago. The original plat of Spring Lake Townsite was designed to include numerous square blocks separated by a large local street network. The platted streets also connected directly to Spring Lake via a public "Reserve" right-of-way. Rogness also noted the DNR's comments in a letter dated January 2, 3013. Commissioners Questions: Hite asked when were the other areas vacated and for what reasons? Director Rogness responded that he does not know the reason for previous vacations within the Spring Lake Townsite plat. His best guess is that there were similar requests from adjacent property owners. Hite asked about the timing of the new Spring Lake Regional Park development along the shoreline of Spring Lake? Director Rogness responded that there is no specific date set at this time. The master plan for the park is a long term plan. Roszak asked whether the vacated property can be put up for sale? Director Rogness responded no because when right-of-way vacations occur within a single plat, the right-of-way is divided down the middle with each adjacent property owner receiving a deed for half. Roszak asked whether they could subdivide it in the future and create a lot? Director Rogness responded that the amount of property in the case would not meet the minimum lot size. Blahnik asked whether the legal descriptions of the lots change with the vacation? Director Rogness stated that legal descriptions would stay the same since with existing lot and block descriptions. However, the future legal description of each adjacent lot would also include half of the vacated right-of-way. Blahnik asked whether there is a cost to the city for this process? Director Rogness responded no, other than our staff time processing the application. Phelan asked if this piece to be vacated would be taking away viable access to public on the north side of the lake? Director Rogness responded there is currently no access for the public through this site. Staff's perspective is that it does not seem rational to install any type of public access when there is a planned 14 -acre lake access less than a quarter mile away with Spring Lake Regional Park. Commissioner Comments: Spieler stated his support, the property does not seem to be able to support a trail or recreational use, nor does it make much sense with Spring Lake Regional Park having access nearby. 2 Hite stated she will be supporting the vacation by meeting the two criteria related to conformance with the Comprehensive Plan and fulfilling an interest of the public to do so. Roszak stated support for the vacation, due to the future planned access through Spring Lake Regional Park. Blahnik stated his support; the right-of-way was platted with the original 1857 plat, and it has not been used for public access since that time. Therefore, there is a public interest in transferring it to private ownership. Phelan stated support for the vacation; since other similar properties have been vacated around the lake, and with Spring Lake Regional Park providing access, the vacation will not negatively affect the public. MOTION BY PHELAN, SECONDED BY BLAHNIK TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE VACATION TO CITY COUNCIL BASED ON ITS CONFORMANCE TO THE 2030 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND BASED ON ITS FULFILLMENT OF BEING IN THE PUBLIC'S INTEREST TO DO SO. VOTE: Ayes, Phelan, Blahnik, Hite, Roszak, and Spieler. 7. Announcements and Correspondence: None 8. Adjournment: MOTION BY PHELAN SECONDED BY BLAHNIK TO ADJORN THE MEETING. VOTE: Ayes, Blahnik, Hite, Phelan, Roszak, and Spieler. The Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m. Peter Aldritt, Community Development Assistant 3