October 14, 2015, Planning Commission Minutes
CITY OF SPRING PARK
PLANNING COMMISION MINUTES
OCTOBER 14, 2015 – 7:00 PM
SPRING PARK CITY HALL
Attendance – Council Member Bren, City Planner Brixius
1. CALL TO ORDER – Chair Hoffman called the meeting to order at 7 p.m..
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -
3. ROLL CALL – Mason, Struck, Kaczanowski, Hoffman. Tempero absent.
4. ADOPT AGENDA – Struck makes a motion and Mason seconds to adopt the agenda. All votes ayes, motion carries.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Mason makes a motion and Struck seconds to approve the minutes. All votes ayes, motion carries.
a. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes from September 9, 2015
6. CONSIDERATION/DISCUSSION ITEMS –
a. Boat Launch Dynamic Sign Proposal Discussion
Brixius said a request was received from Hennepin County for a dynamic sign. He said there has been improvements to the boat launch and along with that a plan was developed involving a number of signs. Brixius said they’re directional and educational and the proposed dynamic sign will be used for public service announcements, Amber Alerts and weather alerts.
Brixius said the sign is 70 square feet and 15 feet in height. He said according to ordinance it does not require a permit but it must meet certain conditions. He said because this is zoned public, it restricts the size. He said an amendment will be needed to the ordinance but he suggests this move forward and the amendment take place next month. He said conditions are
• It must be 50 feet from residential and this is satisfied
• The sign will be angled with the queue arrangement presently in place
• The County is only asking for one dynamic sign and they are required to go static-to-static
• Next month a recommendation will also be brought forward to change the text faster
• A requirement is a light sensor and a dimming switch and it should be held to that standard to reduce glare.
Hoffman wonders how soon they want to proceed with this. Tolsma said the installation is scheduled for early to mid November. He said therefore the timeline should work. Kaczanowski asked if these are HC wide and the same size. Tolsma said this sign is a pilot sign. He was told there are other signs similar to this elsewhere in the county and the possibility is there will be one at every launch. Tolsma also confirmed it is one sided. Kaczanowski said this is a large sign and he is concerned about changing the ordinance and allowing other large signs to appear. Brixius said no because this would be an amendment just to the public zoning district. Brixius said this is a public safety sign and so they are trying to work together on this. Tolsma said in the past there have been large digital signs acting as message boards displayed. Struck wonders about this being two sided. She thinks they’re missing something here. Mason said he thinks the location should be closer to the Water Patrol building as it makes more sense and he wonders if this will dim down at night. Brixius said they are going to request it to respond to ambient light. Mason wonders about the fact that the closer one gets to the sign the more difficult it is to read. Brixius said technology is improving every day. Brixius said the LMCD, HC, HC Emergency Mgmt and the City will have an opportunity to display messages. He said the target population is boaters using the launch and will have the highest priority. Mason said the City has always wanted a community sign and this is the answer to that. Struck thinks it’s more appropriate to direct the signage to its audience, that being boaters. She said she thinks it will be weird to see community messages on a sign that is directed to boaters. Brixius said the initial hope was this sign would be closer to Shoreline Drive but HC wants the sign closer to the launch. Kaczanowski asked who is paying for this and Tolsma said the majority is HC but the city is putting in $2500 as well as the LMCD. Hoffman thinks this sign is so large in order to catch traffic on the road.
Hoffman asked if there has been a plan view received because he thinks the elevation is deceiving. He wonders how much of an angle is going to be towards the street. Brixius said he will request this. Mason wonders if that has been established. Tolsma said the bid was written so there will be input allowed from the County and the City. Brixius thinks if the sign is positioned towards the ReMax building it will protect Lakeview Lofts and the Mist. Kaczanowski asked how it is powered and Brixius explained power will be run to the sign and the message will be computerized.
Hoffman is looking for direction and Brixius said this was informational and next month will be the amendment change. Kaczanowski noticed the drawing it titled Spring Lake Park and should make sure it is corrected.
Hoffman is looking for a motion. Struck makes a motion to recommend that staff engage with Hennepin County to move this forward. Hoffman seconds. All votes ayes, motion carries.
b. Park Improvements Discussion –
Tolsma said there was previous direction to look at soccer nets and Frisbee golf baskets. He said he got some pricing and for the Frisbee golf baskets they’re around $400 per basket. He said soccer goals on the top end are $1500 for aluminum goals but it’s 2.5 inch thick and it won’t bend if weight is applied. He thinks if there are only one or two soccer goals, he thinks the higher end is the way to go. Kaczanowski wonders about size and Tolsma said since this is geared more towards youth he would look towards recommendations for middle school age. Kaczanowski suggests to stay around K-3rd or 4th grade size maximum because the goals get big. Tolsma thought about 6 feet tall to about 10 feet wide. Tolsma said it has to be moveable and Kaczanowski said that’s why a smaller one might be the better route. He said a ten foot wide net will take three people to move it. Mason wonders if they come with wheels. Tolsma thought there might be an aftermarket install but he thinks the mower can actually move it. Kaczanowski said now, for safety purposes, they have to be anchored. Hoffman wondered if this is removed in the winter. Tolsma said the net could probably be taken off but aluminum should be okay. Kaczanowski said Thor Thompson park doesn’t have an ideal spot for soccer that doesn’t interfere with the baseball field. Mason thinks the soccer should be focused at Wilkes Park. Tolsma agrees because grass doesn't last long in front of soccer nets and Thor Thompson doesn’t have the room to spare. Hoffman said he believes larger nets are better in terms of allowing a range of ages to play. Kaczanowski said he doesn’t think they should be any larger than ten feet wide.
Hoffman asked about budget. Tolsma said this will go on next year’s budget because of the lateness of the year. Tolsma said he’ll make an earmark on the budget under the parks fund that new equipment line item is spoken for. He will also give the council a heads-up on this. Hoffman said if there is funding for the goalie net they can wait for the Frisbee golf baskets. Tolsma said this depends upon how many baskets. Hoffman looked at it and thought three to start. Kaczanowski also thinks one soccer net for now would work to see if it is used. Tolsma said there is enough money to do this. Hoffman said he’ll draw up the layout for the Frisbee golf course. He suggests a field trip to decide where these might go.
7. COMMUNICATIONS
a. Council Minutes – September 8, 2015
b. Council Minutes – September 21, 2015
c. Council Work Session Minutes – September 28, 2015 – Kaczanowski wondered about what the issue is with Lord Fletcher’s Apartments. Bren explained there is no easement for proper drainage from the road to the lake and it is necessary to drain. Kaczanowski thinks this would be a benefit to LF. Tolsma said the property owner was offered a win-win deal on this and it didn’t happen.
8. MISCELLANEOUS – Discussed the fact that next month’s meeting falls on a holiday. It’s decided the next meeting will be Tuesday, November 10th.
9. ADJOURNMENT – Struck makes a motion and Mason seconds to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. All votes ayes, motion carries.
___________________________________
Wendy Lewin, City Clerk
____________________________________
Dan Tolsma, City Administrator
PLANNING COMMISION MINUTES
OCTOBER 14, 2015 – 7:00 PM
SPRING PARK CITY HALL
Attendance – Council Member Bren, City Planner Brixius
1. CALL TO ORDER – Chair Hoffman called the meeting to order at 7 p.m..
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -
3. ROLL CALL – Mason, Struck, Kaczanowski, Hoffman. Tempero absent.
4. ADOPT AGENDA – Struck makes a motion and Mason seconds to adopt the agenda. All votes ayes, motion carries.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Mason makes a motion and Struck seconds to approve the minutes. All votes ayes, motion carries.
a. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes from September 9, 2015
6. CONSIDERATION/DISCUSSION ITEMS –
a. Boat Launch Dynamic Sign Proposal Discussion
Brixius said a request was received from Hennepin County for a dynamic sign. He said there has been improvements to the boat launch and along with that a plan was developed involving a number of signs. Brixius said they’re directional and educational and the proposed dynamic sign will be used for public service announcements, Amber Alerts and weather alerts.
Brixius said the sign is 70 square feet and 15 feet in height. He said according to ordinance it does not require a permit but it must meet certain conditions. He said because this is zoned public, it restricts the size. He said an amendment will be needed to the ordinance but he suggests this move forward and the amendment take place next month. He said conditions are
• It must be 50 feet from residential and this is satisfied
• The sign will be angled with the queue arrangement presently in place
• The County is only asking for one dynamic sign and they are required to go static-to-static
• Next month a recommendation will also be brought forward to change the text faster
• A requirement is a light sensor and a dimming switch and it should be held to that standard to reduce glare.
Hoffman wonders how soon they want to proceed with this. Tolsma said the installation is scheduled for early to mid November. He said therefore the timeline should work. Kaczanowski asked if these are HC wide and the same size. Tolsma said this sign is a pilot sign. He was told there are other signs similar to this elsewhere in the county and the possibility is there will be one at every launch. Tolsma also confirmed it is one sided. Kaczanowski said this is a large sign and he is concerned about changing the ordinance and allowing other large signs to appear. Brixius said no because this would be an amendment just to the public zoning district. Brixius said this is a public safety sign and so they are trying to work together on this. Tolsma said in the past there have been large digital signs acting as message boards displayed. Struck wonders about this being two sided. She thinks they’re missing something here. Mason said he thinks the location should be closer to the Water Patrol building as it makes more sense and he wonders if this will dim down at night. Brixius said they are going to request it to respond to ambient light. Mason wonders about the fact that the closer one gets to the sign the more difficult it is to read. Brixius said technology is improving every day. Brixius said the LMCD, HC, HC Emergency Mgmt and the City will have an opportunity to display messages. He said the target population is boaters using the launch and will have the highest priority. Mason said the City has always wanted a community sign and this is the answer to that. Struck thinks it’s more appropriate to direct the signage to its audience, that being boaters. She said she thinks it will be weird to see community messages on a sign that is directed to boaters. Brixius said the initial hope was this sign would be closer to Shoreline Drive but HC wants the sign closer to the launch. Kaczanowski asked who is paying for this and Tolsma said the majority is HC but the city is putting in $2500 as well as the LMCD. Hoffman thinks this sign is so large in order to catch traffic on the road.
Hoffman asked if there has been a plan view received because he thinks the elevation is deceiving. He wonders how much of an angle is going to be towards the street. Brixius said he will request this. Mason wonders if that has been established. Tolsma said the bid was written so there will be input allowed from the County and the City. Brixius thinks if the sign is positioned towards the ReMax building it will protect Lakeview Lofts and the Mist. Kaczanowski asked how it is powered and Brixius explained power will be run to the sign and the message will be computerized.
Hoffman is looking for direction and Brixius said this was informational and next month will be the amendment change. Kaczanowski noticed the drawing it titled Spring Lake Park and should make sure it is corrected.
Hoffman is looking for a motion. Struck makes a motion to recommend that staff engage with Hennepin County to move this forward. Hoffman seconds. All votes ayes, motion carries.
b. Park Improvements Discussion –
Tolsma said there was previous direction to look at soccer nets and Frisbee golf baskets. He said he got some pricing and for the Frisbee golf baskets they’re around $400 per basket. He said soccer goals on the top end are $1500 for aluminum goals but it’s 2.5 inch thick and it won’t bend if weight is applied. He thinks if there are only one or two soccer goals, he thinks the higher end is the way to go. Kaczanowski wonders about size and Tolsma said since this is geared more towards youth he would look towards recommendations for middle school age. Kaczanowski suggests to stay around K-3rd or 4th grade size maximum because the goals get big. Tolsma thought about 6 feet tall to about 10 feet wide. Tolsma said it has to be moveable and Kaczanowski said that’s why a smaller one might be the better route. He said a ten foot wide net will take three people to move it. Mason wonders if they come with wheels. Tolsma thought there might be an aftermarket install but he thinks the mower can actually move it. Kaczanowski said now, for safety purposes, they have to be anchored. Hoffman wondered if this is removed in the winter. Tolsma said the net could probably be taken off but aluminum should be okay. Kaczanowski said Thor Thompson park doesn’t have an ideal spot for soccer that doesn’t interfere with the baseball field. Mason thinks the soccer should be focused at Wilkes Park. Tolsma agrees because grass doesn't last long in front of soccer nets and Thor Thompson doesn’t have the room to spare. Hoffman said he believes larger nets are better in terms of allowing a range of ages to play. Kaczanowski said he doesn’t think they should be any larger than ten feet wide.
Hoffman asked about budget. Tolsma said this will go on next year’s budget because of the lateness of the year. Tolsma said he’ll make an earmark on the budget under the parks fund that new equipment line item is spoken for. He will also give the council a heads-up on this. Hoffman said if there is funding for the goalie net they can wait for the Frisbee golf baskets. Tolsma said this depends upon how many baskets. Hoffman looked at it and thought three to start. Kaczanowski also thinks one soccer net for now would work to see if it is used. Tolsma said there is enough money to do this. Hoffman said he’ll draw up the layout for the Frisbee golf course. He suggests a field trip to decide where these might go.
7. COMMUNICATIONS
a. Council Minutes – September 8, 2015
b. Council Minutes – September 21, 2015
c. Council Work Session Minutes – September 28, 2015 – Kaczanowski wondered about what the issue is with Lord Fletcher’s Apartments. Bren explained there is no easement for proper drainage from the road to the lake and it is necessary to drain. Kaczanowski thinks this would be a benefit to LF. Tolsma said the property owner was offered a win-win deal on this and it didn’t happen.
8. MISCELLANEOUS – Discussed the fact that next month’s meeting falls on a holiday. It’s decided the next meeting will be Tuesday, November 10th.
9. ADJOURNMENT – Struck makes a motion and Mason seconds to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. All votes ayes, motion carries.
___________________________________
Wendy Lewin, City Clerk
____________________________________
Dan Tolsma, City Administrator