PLAN COMMISSION

December 7, 2006

Members present: Breault, Koch, Yoerg, Mailloux, Caruso and Bieraugel

Others present: Dick Muenich, Tim Erickson, Marc Putman, Jon Anthinson, Jay Griggs, Randy Hanson and Denny Darnold

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Breault at 7:00 p.m.

Motion by Koch, seconded by Caruso to approve the meeting minutes of November 9, 2006. Motion carried.

Petition for annexation, 42 acres, south of Coulee Trail and east of CTH F – School District of Hudson. Darnold noted the general location of the area requested for annexation to the city is south of Coulee Trail and east of CTH F and generally south of the St. Croix Meadows dog track and east of the YMCA Camp St. Croix. Darnold introduced Dick Muenich, School Board member and Tim Erickson, School District Finance Director. Muenich noted that he and Mr. Erickson were available to respond to any questions that the plan commission may have.

Yoerg asked what was expected for consideration by the plan commission this evening. Darnold noted that since this is the initial review by the plan commission that he only desired to have the commission raise any issues or concerns that they would like the school district and city staff to further review. Darnold noted that the school district was sent the planner’s review so that they may be able to respond to any matters contained in that memorandum.

Darnold briefly reviewed the contents of his memorandum emphasizing his concern that a traffic analysis should be conducted so that the school can address the traffic / roadway improvement issues.

Breault explained that some of the ancillary roadway and pedestrian crossing improvements for the middle school and Prairie Elementary School facilities were considered and installed after the schools opened and that these issues should be addressed now, prior to the city’s consideration of the annexation and early in the planning stages.

Darnold commented that he has requested the city engineering consultant Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik and Associates to prepare a cost estimate of conducting a traffic analysis. It was agreed by the plan commission that they wanted a traffic analysis to be completed and paid for by the school district. Muenich agreed to that request.

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Bieraugel asked that the wastewater treatment plant capacity analysis be re-reviewed. Darnold agreed to provide that analysis at the next meeting that this issue is discussed and considered by the plan commission.

Koch noted concern about the multi-jurisdictional responsibilities of road maintenance. Darnold stated he would be scheduling meetings with the County Highway Department, town of Troy, School District and city representatives to review those issues.

Darnold also noted that the Hudson Area Sewer Plan and city of Hudson comprehensive plan would need to be amended to address the proposed extension of municipal sanitary sewer to this site.

Muenich thanked the plan commission for their consideration. No action was taken on this issue.

Status report and review tentative schedule regarding preparation of guidelines, standards and policies and architectural review of projects in the downtown business area and set special meeting for 12-14-06 – Community Development Director. Darnold reviewed a tentative schedule for continued work on the review and recommendations for revisions or development of new guidelines, standards and policies for development within the downtown business district:

December 14 – Plan Commission, evening meeting

January 4 – Plan Commission, evening meeting if the regular schedule is not too full and can afford appropriate time to discuss this matter, or a morning meeting, or a meeting on Monday, January 8^th, evening

January 18^th – Public Workshop

February 5^th – Presentation to the Common Council

It may be necessary to have a plan commission meeting following the public workshop and prior to the February 5 Council meeting, possible dates January 22, 23 or 29.

Darnold noted that he will contact the Phipps Center for the Arts regarding the availability to have the public workshop at the Phipps Center which will be able to accommodate more people than the council chambers.

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Marc Putman, Putman Planning and Design presented examples of projects that their staff has worked on including Stillwater, Lake Elmo and Apple Valley. An aerial photograph of downtown Hudson was presented as to how work has begun to analyze the existing conditions for the area from Buckeye Street to Walnut Street and First Street to Second Street including spot elevations and the footprint of the proposed plan by GCI Builders for redevelopment of the River City Center site. Putman advised the plan commission that they will have preliminary work accomplished on development guidelines prior to the December 14^th meeting.

Darnold introduced some draft examples of goals, objectives and policies for the commission to give consideration to and to modify as this process continues. Bieraugel questioned if the downtown should be identified as a business center of the community as the goals refer to it. Putman responded that in discussions of these types of goals, objectives and policies it is necessary to discuss the intent of the statements to ferret out what the plan commission perceives in their meaning as each member may have a different mental picture of what a business center or another term means.

No action was taken.

Other business for discussion purposes or placement on future agendas. Darnold indicated that this would be the only regular scheduled meeting of the plan commission in December; and any other meeting will be for the exclusive purpose of the continued work on the downtown development guidelines, standards and policies. The first regularly scheduled meeting in January is the 4^th.

Motion by Caruso, seconded by Yoerg to adjourn. Motion carried. 7:47 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Dennis Darnold, Secretary