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Not Approved PLANNING COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS Regular Meeting—September 16,2014 7:00 p.m. Present: Chairperson Bruce Howard, Commissioners Paul Banker, Steve Danger,Marvin Deick, Susan Erickson,Erin Nichols-Matkaiti, and Verne McPherson Absent: None Also Present: Janice Gundlach-City Planner, and Gina Bauman-Councilmember Agenda Review: There were no changes to the agenda. Minutes from July 15,2014: Motion by Commissioner Nichols-Matkaiti,seconded by Commissioner McPherson,to approve the July 15,2014 meeting minutes as presented. Approved 7-0. Council Action: Councilmember Bauman reported the Council discussed the preliminary levy at their last meeting. She provided further comment on the budget, noting the levy had a 1.92% increase and was approved on a 4-1 vote(Bauman opposed). It was her hope that the levy increase would be reduced prior to being approved. She encouraged the public to participate in the Truth in Taxation meeting on December 9,2015. She indicated a Crosswalk Study had been completed for the City. A brief report on the Cable Commission was provided. She commented the new cable provider for the metro area would be Greatland Communications. Public Hearing: (A) City of New Brighton requests a Rezoning and Comprehensive Plan Amendment, zoning and guiding property for light industrial and residential land uses,property which is currently unaddressed and located generally west of Old Highway 8 NW, south of the New Brighton/Mounds View municipal boundary, north and west of Rush Lake and east of Rice Creek and Long Lake Regional Park, having parcel identification numbers of 173023420006, 173023420007, 173023430002. City Planner Janice Gundlach reported the rezoning request was necessary as the federal government sold the existing railroad right-of-way to a private party,who intends on using the land for a private purpose. Being the property is currently designated for right-of-way uses,there are no zoning controls in place to guide development. One of the three properties included in this request was purchased by Murlowski Properties, Inc. (MPI)who intends to submit land use applications to expand the Belair Excavating operations at 2200 Old Highway 8 NW. One restriction on the property is that the existing railroad tracks remain in easement,as at least one customer in the City of Arden Hills still receives deliveries via rail. The railroad right-of-way purchase consists of approximately 20 acres of land. The intended use for most of this land is consistent with Belair Excavating's current use,which consists of the exterior storage of black dirt, bituminous,and concrete and associated equipment storage in support of Belair's excavation business. In order to process MPI's land use request,the new property must be zoned and guided in a way that allows the City to effectively enforce land use regulations. Planner Gundlach explained the Commission may recall that the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 820,which prohibited the development of this excess right-of-way for a period lasting until July 23, 2014 (also referred to as a moratorium). The purpose of the moratorium was to protect the planning process and the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City, and to ensure that the City and its citizens retain the benefits of, and the protection sought to be afforded by,the City's comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances. Over the last six months the City has been working with MPI on their proposed expansion plans. The proposed Rezoning and Comprehensive Plan Amendment, coupled 1