[music] Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Good evening. Welcome to the January 22nd, 2026th meeting of the Minnetonka Planning Commission. The commission generally meets twice a month, always on a Thursday. The schedule and tentative meeting agendas can be obtained by calling the planning division or by checking the city website at minnotonkamn.gov. The commission holds public hearings on land use applications. For all land use applications, the city notifies property owners within at least 400 ft of the site and posts plans and information on the website. For some applications, the city also places signs on the properties or in the Sun Sailor newspaper. From a specific process standpoint, the commission makes recommendations to the city council on reszonings, subdivisions, conditional use permits, and amendments to the city's comprehensive guide plan, zoning ordinance, and subdivision regulations. We also make final decisions on site plans, signage requests, variance requests, and expansion permits. Unless these requests are part of an application that must be heard by the city council, in which case we make a recommendation and they make the final decision. Anyone dissatisfied with a final planning commission decision may appeal to the city council by submitting a written request to city staff within 10 days of this meeting. From a broader standpoint, the city's comprehensive guide plan, zoning ordinance, and subdivision regulations are the city's best efforts to codify a balance between individual rights and community responsibilities. Individual rights are easy to understand. Community responsibilities are more subtle, but the idea is that we as members of a community agree to limit our individual rights for the common good of the group. The planning division, the planning commission, and the city council are charged with managing this sometimes difficult balancing act. We ask that you keep this broader perspective in mind as we review tonight's applications. Uh to make meetings more efficient in 2026, the city's boards and commissions have been have introduced a new process for public comments. If you would like to speak at tonight's meeting, uh, fill out a comment card at the speaker's podium. Include your name and the topic that you wish to address. The cards will be collected before the public hearing item. I'll announce your name when it's your turn to speak, and I apologize in advance for any mispronunciations. Uh, again, welcome. Uh, staff, will you please call roll? >> Yes, I >> uh Hansen >> here. >> Henry, >> here. >> Brink >> here. Minion >> here. >> Waterman >> here. >> Banks >> here. >> Chair Maxwell >> here. There are seven of us seated tonight. All right. Uh, next is the approval of the agenda. Are there any changes, Miss Thomas? >> Uh, there are no changes this evening. >> All right. May I have a motion to approve the agenda? >> I'll make the motion. >> Motion, Henry. >> I'll second. >> Second, Banks. All those say I. I. I. Any opposed? All right. Motion carries. Uh, next is the approval of the minutes of the December 18th, 2025 uh, commission meeting. Any changes? No. We have a motion to approve the agenda or the minutes. >> Make the motion. >> Uh, motion minion. >> Second. >> Uh, second Brink. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. The motion carries. Uh, next up, moving right along, is report from staff. >> Uh, thank you, uh, Chair, I almost said mayor. Chair, I'm not a you wouldn't believe how many times at the council I call them all commissioners. Um, Chair Maxwell and Commission, I have four items this evening. First is a report from the January 12th council meeting. There was one item on that agenda that the planning commission had considered that was Oakland Woods Estates. That was essentially, if you recall, um a reapproval of a two lot subdivision on the east side of Oakland Road. It had been approved in the past but never finalized. Um so it was a reapproval and the council did approve that on their consent agenda. They also reappointed uh commissioners Minion and Maxwell to the planning commission for two-year terms and reappointed Commissioner Hansen to the zoning ordinance update uh group though converted his role from planning commission representative to we'll call citizen at large. My second note for this evening is um that we will be cancelling the February 5th planning commission meeting due to lack of complete items. We do have applications kind of in the hopper waiting to come before you, but we as staff have called them incomplete because we don't have all the data and information that we need in order to review those and provide a recommendation. So, there are some things coming down the pipeline. They're just not um ready for you yet. So, your next meeting will be February uh the 19th. Third, uh the boards and commissions dinner, just to get that on your schedule if you don't have it already, will be held April the 29th, which is a Wednesday. Um I'm not sure who the speaker is um yet, but we want to um do that. I Miss Wishnack has one more announcement and then I have a presentation. >> Uh we have family funday here. the fire department does on Saturday that will be held from 10 until 1. And so that lots of activities, some chili and apple cider, etc. So, I know it's going to be chilly, but um if you want to hang out at the fire department for a period of time, come on down. It's right here on campus. Thanks. And then my last thing this evening is tonight is Commissioner Henry and Commissioner Hansen's uh last uh meeting with us. They were both appointed to the commission back in 2018. And as we like to do, I'm going to do a some look back on their time uh on the commission. For for better or worse, you I'm not sure if you want to see these numbers. Um but during that time between um your appointments and December 31st of last year, you reviewed 894 uh applications, attended 166 uh planning commission meetings. And if we kind of average out that time, basically you spent um two full months, work months uh just uh sitting sitting in in this chair. Um, your review resulted in construction of over 3,000 um, multi-household units and 27% of those are affordable, which I believe Miss Wnack will tell you that our actual affordable housing policy is we want to get up to 20%. But we were um, beyond that in those eight years. um 105 single uh family or single household lots were uh created during that time and 96 million dollars in new commercial construction um was approved. Uh you didn't approve th those dollar amounts obviously, but you reviewed and approved projects that resulted in in commercial construction. I did pull out a a project from each year and I think that they really showcase the variety of things that you looked at in 2018. Uh first of its kind in Minnesota indoor uh skydiving. Um people come from actually around the country. They know where these um eye flies are and they visit them. In 2019, um, we reviewed Highcraftoft Meadows, which was a development off of Orchard Road on the north side. It used to be a we called it the old horse farm, um, on the site. And it was really um, the first in many, many years of a a small lot development. We're at 12 to 15,000 square foot lots and what I would say is relatively smallcale um, construction of new homes. in 2020. Then during virtual times uh for this group uh we reviewed the point which is now called a mirror on what had been a very large and uh vacant lot on the Carlson campus and I think Miss Wishnack that that building was nearly fully rented upon completion um and is um been wildly successful. Thus, the the town homes, rental town homes being built to the south. Uh 2021, again, first of its kind, uh Dick's House of Sport. Um those of you that were on the commission know we had many meetings about uh Dick's House of Sport at Ridgedale. And this model, when I was looking for a photo online, this model has been recreated now uh in several places throughout the United States. I almost picked one um from Tennessee until I realized that was not Richdale. Uh 2022, the first uh new school building built in the Minnitonka school district for decades was the Vantage and Momentum building. In 2023, another small lot um kind of some people call detached town homes or villa product uh on Ridgewood Road. Um, for many of you, maybe the longest uh planning commission meeting uh that you've attended in 2024, the Mills T Twin homes project uh on the Minnotonka Mills uh church site uh in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity. And this one in 2025, I think some people saw as flying under the radar, but as planning staff and community development staff, it was a great project. it's kind of beginning what we hope is a trend of really reinvestment into some of our office buildings in the community that are looking a little tired. Um so that was a a great project uh for us. So, uh, just to conclude, we'll land on this page again. And, um, it's always been clear to staff and I think the community that both, uh, Commissioner Hansen, Commissioner Henry, that you were very thoughtful in your reviews of projects, even if you tried to be self-deprecating. Um, that you were very, uh, thoughtful. Your comments and questions really pointed to your desire to approve projects that are good for the city at large um that are appropriate and you worked within what are quite frankly the narrow parameters of the planning commission um to do that. So we've appreciated your work. We will miss you and we hope that you continue to engage in the life of your community. So with that I would turn it back to the chair. >> Thank you Miss Thomas. And I really appreciate that um highlight of these two uh members who um have been role models for me on the uh commission for sure since I joined it after you guys. Um next item on the agenda, I'll save my comments um about you guys. Um we're ready for report from planning commissioners. Anybody have anything to report this week? >> Oh, Commissioner Henry. Oh, [clears throat] just that on Tuesday we had a sustainability commission meeting and as we talked in the back, but I wanted to make sure that people in the worldwide audience hear this too, but we have a couple of young members that are seniors in high school and one of them is wrote an article uh championing the sustainability commission and the work that we're doing. So, that was seen by everybody in the student body and probably their families as well. So, I'd say the youth are leaving us in good hands or we're leaving them in good hands. They're taking the wheel. >> Thanks. Anyone else? >> All right. Uh we then will move on. Um item seven is consent agenda. We have nothing on that uh agenda item. So, we'll move on to public hearings agenda on item number eight. Um the non uh hold on. Okay. So uh before we begin consideration of the non-consent agenda item, I'd like to review the steps in the process. Uh first we'll announce the item. The staff will give a report on that subject. Then the commission will ask questions of staff. Next, the applicant will be invited forward to make a presentation or offer any comments. and then commissioners may ask questions of the applicant at that time. Then the public hearing will be open to anyone here can give comment on the proposal. Uh if you wish to speak, come to the podium, state your name and your address for the record. Please keep your comments brief and try not to repeat points already made. Um address your comments or questions to the commission and then we'll make sure that those get answered whether they're questions for staff or for the um applicant. So the first item uh the only item on our non-consent agenda is item 8A preliminary and final plat with flood plane alteration permit of elevator second edition at 25503 and 2550 Plymouth Road. Uh Miss Reigns, I believe this is your item. Yes. Thank you, chair. >> Yes. City staff recommends that the planning commission recommend that the city council adopt the resolution approving Elevare second edition. This motion requires four votes. In 2024, the city approved Elev, an eight lot subdivision uh which is south of the subject property. Elev second edition is a two lot redevelopment. Since 2024, ownership has changed to Swanson Homes who is the current applicant and property owner and current developer of Elevair first edition and would be second edition. for the subdivision process. We'll be using that for processing this uh project for simplicity basically to remove existing uh easements for vacation and required new easements in a more straightforward process so that we can record that plat with Henipin County. Uh administrative lot line adjustments is something that we can do outside of coming to planning commission. However, with the vacation, it just makes this complex complex process easier to come as a subdivision. For this proposal, in general, we're starting with two lots and finishing with two lots. The existing site is east of Plymouth Road, just north of Elevare First Edition, and is generally southeast of Wood Haven. The subject property is really two properties. Both are single residential parcels. Both sh have a shared access going off of Plymouth Road. Uh the two original homes and outuilding have been demolished. So currently the site is unimproved. The site does have a large flood plane generally in the center near the existing flood excuse me property line. And together the properties are just under two acres. Swanson Homes is requesting a preliminary and final plat and flood plane alteration permit. As proposed, the project does meet our city code standards. Uh that is for the subdivision flood plane entry protection ordinances. With the redevelopment, there will be a shift in the lot line to the east and then there'll be a relocation of the existing shared driveway from Plymouth Road, which is a county road to Emerald Trail. So, it'll be a singular access spreading across um spreading out to the two different properties. There'll be flood plane alteration to build up the driveway going to 255 and then there'll be some uh grading for storm water management during the elevator first edition uh review process. We did send the project to Henipin County for review. At that time we received some comments about access. So at that time they advocated that should this northern two parcels be redeveloped to relocate the access from Plymouth Road County Road under their jurisdiction to Emerald Trail and this proposal reflects those comments. The highest point of the property is in the eastern side where the further proposed home is and where one of the original homes was. The lowest point is generally the flood plane area, specifically the bofiltration basin. Within this red outlined area is the proposed grading area. grading will accommodate the new driveway, the new shared driveway, uh the larger building pads, flood plane alteration, and the storm water management facility, which is that bofiltration basin, and then a burm between the first house and Plymouth Road. Elevator second edition does have some crossdevelopment proposals. two aspects basically the flood plane alteration and the storm water management will either cross over into elev first edition or connect and uh expand on some portion of that. The cross development will require alteration of existing amendment, excuse me, of existing agreements, specifically the drainage and utility easement, the storm water management agreement, and then the developer agreement. On this right image is the proposed flood plane alteration. The red area is fill, which would be building up the flood plane area. Blue is cut meaning excavating or increasing the flood plane capacity. Generally this proposal is going to increase the cut meaning increase that flood plane capacity. In general for flood plane uh we don't allow net fill which means that you cannot have more fill than cut in a proposal. This left image is for storm water management. for the improvements which would be an increase in impervious surface area. There is storm water management required. They're proposing a basin which would have a utility connecting to the existing storm water utility from Elev first edition going up into the city's storm water utility which is in the Woodbridge Trail rightway. Stormwater facilities must control water quality, rate, and volume of runoff. So essentially, all conditions must be at or better than previously existing with these new improvements for trees. There's a slight difference between the two projects, Elev first edition and second edition. The first edition met a city code standard which allowed them to go beyond the standard removal thresholds. Standard removal thresholds would be 35% high priority trees and 50% significant trees. That standard says that to paraphrase a density of more than one unit per acre or higher you can exceed those standard thresholds. That's how ELE first was able to do that. Eliver second edition has a density of 0.95 units per acre, meaning they do not meet that standard. So they have to meet our threshold standards. As proposed, they will meet them exactly, removing 15 high priority trees and 21 significant trees. Staff finds that the proposal meets the city code, specifically the subdivision, flood plane, and tree protection ordinances. Staff recommends that the planning commission recommend that the city council adopt the resolution approving the preliminary and final plat flood plane alteration permit for elevator second edition at 253 and 255 Plymouth Road. Thank you, chair. >> Uh, thank you, Miss Reigns. Does anyone on the commission have questions for staff? Commissioner Hans Henry Hansen. >> I got up. It's >> my last chance. I got to get it in. >> I got I like it. Uh thank you, Chair Bria. Thank you. um for the for the trees since the since the applicant's kind of right on the nose there. Have has the city and the applicant already done a tree study and we know which hey these are these 15 trees, these are these 21 trees or is that kind of still in flight? Chair, Commissioner, uh when we get an application, one of the required item items is a tree survey and inventory. As part of our city review process, our development team has someone from natural resources who will go out to the site and verify the trees. So, they've already reviewed it and verifi verified the trees. >> Cool. Thank you, >> Commissioner Brink. >> Yes, thank you, Chair. Um just a question on access again. And I'm thinking more emergency access, fire, police, if they've reviewed this, um cuz it would appear in the old situation um when access was directly off of Plymouth Road via Woodbridge Trail, um emergency access seemed like it was, you know, a lot closer, a lot better. Now it's kind of a little more secure, you know, via Emerald Trail. I'm just wondering if police and fire have looked at this and they're okay with it. Commissioner, Chair Brink, uh, excuse me, Chair, Commissioner Brink, as part of the development team, uh, we do have fire staff that review this. They did not mention any comments of concern. >> All right. Thank you. >> Uh, Commissioner Banks. >> Thank you, Chair. Um just one question about the the access um since access to u these two new properties would potentially be from um I guess that's Emerald Trail. What would happen to Woodbridge Trail? What what would happen to that um that road that is currently used for these properties? >> Chair Maxwell, Commissioner Banks. Okay. Sorry, just waiting for No, it's okay. I was waiting for it to stop. Uh, so there is a right of way, which is the Woodwell Woodbridge Trail right ofway. Half of it is shown here. The other half is down on the subject property. That is actually being proposed for vacation because we no longer require it. Uh, this northern portion was not included in that vacation proposal because it is not owned by the applicant. So they would need the property owners to agree to that whereas they were just focusing on their own project. >> And if I may add a little bit more just to maybe people will recollect that um there's actually not a roadway there right now. It's just a right of way for construction of a road. And when uh Elevare One came in, I think it was called Emerald Estates when it first came in. Um the proposal was to uh put a road punch through a road from Plymouth Road um to the east connecting to Emerald Trail which would then connect further to the south. That had been the city's plan for these properties for decades. And uh during that review process, it became very clear um from residents in Emerald Trail that that was not um something they supported. And ultimately the the city council agreed with that. And so um it it was clear to at least city staff that there would never be a roadway connection, at least not in in the near term in in that area. And so we are comfortable with the vacation of the right of way. The planning commission actually doesn't review vacations, which is maybe kind of a missing uh link here. That is something that the council reviews. I would say that there are um utilities in that area. So the city would maintain utility easements to ensure we still can can have those there. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? Uh Commissioner Henry, >> thanks Chair. Let's see a few questions with the flood plane alteration. This was a I'm assuming it was natural. And then when they talk about that they're cutting and filling and there's a net gain in flood plane, is that measured by surface area or is it measured by volume? >> Chair Maxwell, Commissioner Henry, it is measured by volume. [clears throat] >> Okay, that's what I thought. Looking at the area, it hasn't changed, but they're cutting more out. Okay. Can you explain the reason why between the first and second additions that there's a fill needed between the flood plane? It would seem like it would ease drainage if you didn't have to fill an area. That red stripe >> roughly in the middle >> chair commissioner I would defer to the applicant. >> Okay. I'll ask them the question when they come up. I think I know the answer to this question too, but there was a slide where it showed in red outline that that part of the property that's that's it the one that needs to be filled or graded anyway. Can you remind everybody at home too if is there a maximum percentage of a proposal that you can you can grade or is there none and it's only based on the tree ordinance? Chair, Commissioner. Uh, so this outline would be based off of meeting the code standards for the tree protection ordinance. We don't have a uh, excuse me, we don't have a maximum as far as the area for grading. Obviously, apart from being on their property. Okay. Thank you. Let's see. You mentioned before about the tree ordinance where you said that if the if there was more than one let's see if there's less than one acre per house then it's not beholden to the tree ordinance. Is that correct or is it just the opposite? >> The opposite. >> Okay. So if there's there's more than one acre lots are larger then they're not beholden to those original percentages. >> One unit per acre. More than that. Yes. more than one unit per acre, which means that for a unit that could be on a lot that's smaller than an acre, >> it means an acre or bigger. >> Acre or bigger. Okay. >> Yes. >> Yeah, that makes sense. With one acre or bigger lots, then what other threshold percentages of the tree ordinance? Are they they have to follow anything or is it is it a certain amount? >> That I will ask Susan to ask answer. Sorry. uh Chair Maxwell and Commissioner Henry, the ordinance limits um tree removal to these thresholds. And then the ordinance goes on to say if a developer chooses to or wants to exceed these thresholds, they cannot develop at more than one unit per acre. So essentially it caps the density. Um it does not cap the tree removal. >> Okay. So theoretically they could take many more trees out than what the original thresholds were if they had a higher density. Okay. >> Which is Yeah. Which Miss Wishnack is reminding me and as Bria noted in her um presentation is what happened um with the previous developer uh on Elevare to the South. >> Thank you. >> Other questions? All right, I have one. Um, you mentioned that there's a requirement for an agreement with Elev 1 for the flood plane alteration. Is that something that has been done already? And is that is that something that the city is required to do or that the developer is required to do? Chair Maxwell, uh there's multiple agreements that need to be revised just because there was already agreements completed with Elevar first and since because uh Elevator second will be impacting that work that is why we have to revise them. Uh no, we have not revised those documents at this time, we do them together. So it's a city formatted um city attorney formatted document. The applicant will do a draft, city staff will review it, make sure that it meets all of our standards and is acceptable, and then it is recorded with the county. >> So, is it something that the the elevator one developer has to agree to? So, this would be contingent upon that agreement um being obtained. >> Chair Maxwell, I believe that our agreements are with Swanson Homes for Elev first edition. So, they are the same applicant. >> Okay. And if I may add on to that, because this all happened after uh the planning commission reviewed um the development with a different developer, um when the new developer came on board, um the city worked to transfer all of those agreements um to Swanson Homes, which is the new developer. And so that happened behind the scenes. that was not something that um was required to come before this body, but the new developer, Swanson Homes, was still had to meet all of the conditions of that original development. So, as Miss Reigns noted, um the agreements are with Swanson Homes. They own this property. I don't think that they'll um fight the the new agreement. >> All right. Understood. Thank you. Any other comments or questions uh questions for staff from commission? uh commissioner >> maybe just one and maybe for the applicant just a an early softball but m Bria like we now have this I don't know for lack of a better word a bigger development to the south and then this skinnier French fries to act on top so I'm curious from a developer perspective and a planning commissioner or planner perspective how do these two feel tied in I guess and feel like one neighborhood cuz like That's what they're going to feel like, I think, to 95% of people that drive up and down Plymouth Road. So, is there trails or is it just two random houses that face north and eight other houses that are grouped together? So, that's kind of one thing maybe I'd be curious for your opinion on like do they sync up in your opinion and I that might be for the applicant to talk through too, but professional insights. So, >> Chair Maxwell, Commissioner Hansen, I would say that visually looking at the houses, they're all roughly the same size. Um, yes, there'll be some separation as far as access. Um, we don't have any notes or any plans shown right now for trails, but that is something that the developer could do as the owner of both additions. Obviously, they'd need to work with staff to make sure they're not going in through any flood planes and, you know, so on and so forth. But, all right, I think that's it for questions for staff at this time. I'll invite the applicant forward to uh make a presentation or give any comments and then to uh address any questions that we have for you. Hello. Excuse me. [clears throat] I'm Curt Swanson of Swanson Homes, owner and developer of uh both of these. Uh I wasn't involved, as you know, in when the first edition was uh done because it got approved and then we bought the project uh or the property from them. So, um, uh, I, uh, but when, uh, we had an option for these two sites on the north side, uh, and because and they, they were tied in because of the, um, the because of the way the water flow through there. So, it kind of had to be part of that first edition initially. We had the option from the landowner to buy them. We thought it would make sense, why not do that? Kind of tie it together. um your question about actually having them so you can kind of walk from different lots. Um we if it would have worked out to have that fine but we're calling it elevator second just cuz it's right next to the first and we can market it all as one but it isn't necessarily meant to be uh that um you know all the people in the first edition are or that is is is all excuse me all one neighborhood. It's more uh just single family lots that are next door and so we're marketing it all as one. Obviously, they'll be accessing off of Emerald Trail. And I'm sure the the people that buy in the second edition probably be more neighborly with the Emerald Trail folks than they will the But you never know. You back up neighbors. Maybe maybe I guess we'll see, but there won't be a direct access. But anyway, is there any questions of that or of of us of Swanson Homes? I don't know if you've been through there. Uh the first edition anyway, we've got a model home going. we will be h completing in June for the artisan home tour. I welcome all of you to stop out and see us. Um we've got two of them under construction right now that are sold in the neighborhood and two others in design um and some other interests. So I'm hopeful that over the next probably two years we'll be able to wrap uh wrap up the neighborhood. It should go pretty quickly. But uh it's going very well and uh we're feel fortunate to uh be building here. So, any questions anyone that has of me? >> Uh, thanks Mr. Swanson. Uh, Commissioner Banks, you have a question. >> Yeah, thank you. Thanks, Kurt um for the information. Just a question about construction for the two uh >> Eleiver 2 I guess is what you're calling it. Um, obviously there's a road um off of Eliver Court for all of construction trucks for that first subdivision. Um, how would you handle construction and traffic and trucks to the the new the two homes? >> Well, it'll be probably be a combination, you know, seeing how there's is the existing driveway there. I would think that we would maybe try to use that somewhat. Uh um, but I'm not going to say that every all the construction would come through there. Obviously, there's public road right there with Emerald Trail to use as well, but we like to try to minimize that, especially with the heavy equipment and that type of thing. So, that's something that we uh uh we're thinking about doing. We haven't really gone over that with the city to see if there's any issues or concerns with that. But, um uh that's that was kind of our intent. >> And then my second question, um is there a association a home association? >> No. There is not. >> Okay. So, so the two homes wouldn't have to >> Right. >> Okay. Great. >> All right. Thank you. >> Other questions? Commissioner Henry, >> thank you. I asked the city staff and they recommended I talk to you about this, but [clears throat] can you explain why there's scheduled to be filled in between the first and second editions in the flood plane? >> Well, actually, I'll let Mike, he's a engineer, and he can answer it much better than me. >> Thank you. >> U Mike St. Martin, president, principal civil engineer with LAS. Um, to your question about the the fill, we had built the original pond as part of the first edition and as part of that, there is a a dyke essentially created the north property line and so that's going to be maintained in the as the second phase comes through. There's two different outlets. There's a primary outlet in the northwest corner of that pond that goes to storm sewer that crosses the um proposed second edition property and there is another outlet that went to the ditch that was was crossing the property that was adjacent to the metal shed that was there and now that that outlet's been reconfigured and it's still routing now through the secondary bot bofiltration basin which has its own outlet. So in tandem those two systems are going to work together. The south one is still going to maintain the same amount of drainage it was doing for the south property and then it'll have a combination outlet that goes through for the two new lots in the second edition. Okay, that's good. And then since you have experience in it, I'm just curious about if you if you scoop out more and you put some fill in other areas, how how do you know empirically that the flood plane will drain as well as what was there naturally? A lot of people say, "Well, we're just going to have a net gain." But if you, it's not in this case, but some people scoop in a different area physically, but if the soil type is different, doesn't drain as well, then it may not be as in effective of a flood basin. So, if you could speak to that, I'm curious. >> Yeah. And the soils in this area are are fairly tight. Um, they don't they don't have much drainage underneath them. So, most of it's going into the existing ditch and existing storm sewer that's in Woodbridge Trail. And so the proposed system has an infiltration basin and a bofiltration basin. So we add a media and a drain tile to help filter that that drainage and go through that system and then to a pipe. So it's more of an engineered system versus a natural um swale and basin that had been established. So we're re um as Bri had mentioned, we're adding more volume. So we're going to get more total volume and have an engineered system that's going to be maintained versus something that was just a low low area kind of in the back of the woods. So it be more of a maintained system >> and in your experience the engineered the maintained system works as well or better than the natural swale. >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you. And this may be more of a question for the applicant too, but city staff in their presentation talked about the applicant desired to vacate the Woodbridge Trail after the [clears throat] after the construction is complete. I'm just curious if the applicant if you've spoken with neighbors to the north to see it sounds like you have to have buy in from them to fully vacate. You can't just vacate the south half of the trail. If I'm reading that correctly, you can confirm on that one. >> Chair, commissioner, they are allowed to ask for the vacation of the portion on their site, which is what they are proposing and asking for. Um, if they wanted to also do the northern portion, which is not on their property, they'd have to get that property owner's approval. >> Oh, okay. So, city staff could approve vacation of half of a of of this and they could still maintain half of an ordinance >> or half, sorry, half of the easement. >> Mhm. Okay. Well, that's interesting. Thanks. Anybody else questions for the applicant? All right, I think that's it. We for now. If we have any uh questions after the public hearing, I'll call you back. Um before I open public hearing, is there anybody here who wants to speak? All right, I will open the public hearing. and I will close the public hearing without reading all the details. Okay. Um, any other questions, comments? We're we're up to comments now on this item at the commission. Commissioner Waterman, >> I guess I'll go. I think this makes a lot of sense. It's existing two lots. It's guided for low density. doesn't seem like it'll have a a big negative impact on the rest of the neighborhood. If anything, it'll be uh an improvement with the the drainage. Looking at it on the screen, and you can't help but notice when you drive up Plymouth Road, there's there's a lot of a lot of uh drainage in that pond there already. Um so, it's nice to see that this will be developed, and I know Swanson does a a really really high quality product. So, I'm looking forward to supporting this Who's next? Commissioner Henry. >> Thank you. It's telling by there's lack of people that wrote in to either approve it or or be in a position to it and there's there's no neighbors here. So, usually no news is good news from the neighbors perspective. So, I think that's an indication that you put together a thoughtful proposal and you answered all of our questions. So, I think it it does blend pretty well with the first edition. To Commissioner Hansen's point, it it there is some discontinuity between first and second, but I'm not sure if that can be helped. So, Emerald Trail, people get some new neighbors, and that's good. And then, like you said, if you want to go and talk across the fence in the backyards, that would be good, too. And there's always a sidewalk. So, generally, I'm I like the design. I think it's thoughtfully designed, and I'm looking forward to supporting this one, too. Thanks, Commissioner Henry. Anybody else? >> Uh, Commissioner Hansen. >> Yeah, thank you, Chair. Um, I I like the the addition. I think you're adding, you know, two more quality homes um into Minnetonka. So, I think that's great. I you know like I I'm kind of with Commissioner Henry like I feel like this property or this part of Minnetonka typically is we hear a lot from the neighbors here so I was almost convinced this wasn't the same they they couldn't be connected because there wasn't there wasn't comments to go through. Um so for that reason like I'm excited to support this. So, I'd say maybe one curious point just to noodle on um as a commission, but like I don't remember a time when we've had like a one edition and then a second edition and then they change ownership before the project's complete. So, so maybe that's something for like um staff and the commission to work together on is like, hey, this event happened kind of mid-flight. it it can't change your approval of project one but it just so you know but you know it's probably not something you have to mandate but I think that's cur that that's curious for me so but yeah look forward to supporting this um as a last harrah >> commissioner Brink >> yeah thank you chair [clears throat] yeah I I support the plan here it's a good plan and it's um being we're replacing two houses with two others in the same spot. So, it's not marketkedly marketkedly different. Um, and um, you know, it's reassuring to me that both the second edition and the first edition have the same owners, the same engineer. So, um, there's confidence with how the storm drainage system is going to work. And I guess if the ownership does change in the future, I would assume in the maintenance agreements, it'll um, address that. So, um, I'm fully supportive of the plan here. Thank you. Anybody else? Commissioner Minion, >> I always get concerned when I see uh changing of watersheds and drainage and things like that. And I'd like to say thank you for the city and for the applicants for working together and uh running this by both the city engineers, the county engineers, and the Minhaha watershed district. It's uh makes it a lot easier to say yes, and I'm excited to see the project go. Thank you for doing it. Commissioner Banks. >> Sure. Um I'm in full agreement with this as well. Um looking forward to see um all of the homes uh come to fruition. It'll probably take you up on that offer to to do a tour of the home when it's available. Um I would just say be mindful of the construction and the traffic with these two homes since you're coming through an existing neighborhood. um and just [clears throat] be good stewards of uh or be good neighbors um in terms of you know um watching for you know um you know I know there's a lot of children in that area and and things of that nature but um other than that yeah good luck with this project. So >> um I agree I support this one. Uh as Commissioner Brink said replacing two homes with two more homes. It's kind of hard to uh disagree with that. Um, the access move onto Emerald Trail from Plymouth, uh, I think is a good one. And considering we didn't hear any comments from the neighbors on Emerald Trail, uh, I'm okay with that as well. Um, that that Woodbridge Trail access is where my kids bus stop is. So, these poor kids who live here are going have to walk all the way around. That's the only comment, which is not grounds to approve or disapprove a project. So, overall, I think this is a good um a good project. I um I'm looking forward to supporting this one. Um it looks like we're ready for a motion. Who would like to Should we have H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H Henry and Hansen make their final motions here. Anybody who wants to make a motion to make a motion. >> Oh my gosh, I want to I would love to make that motion. Chair, >> a motion to Hansen. >> And I'll second it. >> Uh second Henry, yes. Staff, please pull the commission. Hansen, >> yes. >> Henry, >> yes. >> Brink, >> yes. >> Minion, >> yes. >> Waterman, >> yes. >> Banks, >> yes. Chair Maxwell. >> Yes. Uh the motion uh passes. That is a recommendation uh to the city council which will be heard at their February 2nd meeting. Good luck with your project. All right. Next item on our agenda is other business. Starting with item 9A is the planning commission bylaws and policies. Do you have a um presentation to make on this on this? >> I just have a very brief statement to make. Uh and that being those of you that were on the commission last year will recall that we actually did a a pretty big um overhaul of the bylaws and policies last year um based on conversation that the commission had had over the last um few years. So, we're not recommending any changes um this year. If uh you do have things that you would like us to look into, the direction here this evening would be just to give us direction um to that effect and we'll come back with something in the future. >> All right. Thank you. Anybody have questions, comments on bylaws? Uh Commissioner Henry. >> Yeah, thanks Chair. not a bylaw, but something for future generations of commissioners to consider, too. Sometimes we talk about if a applicant likes to have maybe 10 ft of fill, there's currently no fill maximum or minimum that somebody can alter their property. And in some cases, it seems like it's rather extreme. So just floating it out there that if if the commissioner and city planning thinks that it may be beneficial for the development of the city to cap either a maximum or a minimum amount of fill. It could be looking worth looking into >> and and chair and commissioner Henry, uh we've made note of that. That sounds like something that would be a good uh conversation for our zoning uh ordinance workg group because those types of things are embedded in in the zoning ordinance really not in in policy. So, >> thanks for taking note of it. >> Any other comments, questions? >> All right, I think we're we're done with that one then, Miss Thomas. we don't even need to take an action. So, let's move on to uh item uh 9B, which is uh elections. And for this item, uh Chair Maxwell, when we uh read the bylaws last year, uh we took out the requirement that you had to hold an election on there was a certain date uh that was in there. We just said in the bylaws, now you have to hold an election at least once a year for your officers. Um when that election happens is really up to you as a body. You can hold more than one election if it it's needed in any given year. We just have sto have historically uh done our elections near the beginning of the year. So we thought um we would keep in practice of what we did last year which was the um the second meeting in January. Um there are two uh officers for the planning commission. A chair uh which obviously presides over the meetings. The vice chair performs the duties of the chair if they're not able and then the sustainability commission liaison is something that also is appointed by this body uh to the sustainability commission. That commission unlike you who meet twice a month typically they meet every other month. So, um, uh, much less of a a meeting schedule. And with that, this is really, uh, your conversation and and your decisions as to how you would like to proceed and and, um, the elections themselves. >> All right. Thanks. Um, I think I'd like to start with the starting work our way from the bottom up there. Um, for the sustain start with sustainability discussion. I know MMA that's been yours for so long. feel like nobody will be able to fill your shoes. Um, but is is there anybody here who would like that role or would anybody like to nominate uh somebody else uh for that role? >> I'll put my name in the hat, but if somebody else wants it, that's fine, too. Somebody has more experience or whatever, but otherwise I'd be more than happy to step in. And hopefully Mr. Henry leaves his phone number so we can call for questions. >> Thanks, Commissioner Minion. Anybody else have chair >> comments on that? Um, I do want to remind you the council will choose two more replacement or two replacements. Um, when is the next sustainability commission meeting? >> March. >> March. So, we actually don't need an appointee till March. So, I didn't think of that when Susan and I were talking about the meeting. So, if you want to wait so that you have the new members to, I don't know who will end up being I don't know if they'll be interested or not. So if you want to make it more holistic in terms of who's considering >> uh if you wish just offer that as information. >> Yeah, that is a good point that we'll have new people coming in if some of them really are are gung-ho for that. Um Dana, is that okay with you if we move that and we wait until after >> um after uh new members start? I think that's a good point just to make sure that the of the new commission um that we have everybody included. I do think um staff if you disagree with me um let me know. I do think it makes sense to elect vice chair and chair from the body that's here so we have people who are experienced in uh the running of the commissioner scene rather than having um uh freshman members uh in those uh roles. Um is there anybody who would like to um nominate anyone or give comments on either of those roles? Uh, Commissioner Henry, [clears throat] >> before we get into that, I wonder if I could put a plug in for Commissioner Minion to be on the sustainability commission. My opinion is that somebody who has experience as a planning commissioner, they step into the sustainability commission and it's a lot more seamless of a process versus somebody who's brand new to the planning commission and then they brand new to the sustainability commission, too. So, I was really grateful to see that you threw your hat in the ring and that you'd you'd be willing to serve on the on the sustainability commission. That would be, in my opinion, a much greater benefit than somebody who would step in brand new. So, take it for what you will. I'm soon to be no longer part of the planning commission, but I I really would see the value in having Commissioner Minion be part of the sustainability commission. So, take it for what you will. >> All right. Uh, thank you, Commissioner Henry. I think that's a good point. >> Oh, and I can uh I can speak candidly, I suppose. I usually do, but >> just to make sure that people know on the on the planning commission that the our current chair has done a wonderful job, but after a lot of the the meeting, she always laments that she can't speak first or second, she always has to speak last. So I just implore other people in the planning commission to assume the duties of the chair and let chair Maxwell do some of the other things where she really liked doing that in the past if if that's what >> Thank you. I am willing to step down if there is anybody here who would like to serve as chair. I'm also happy to serve. If you guys would prefer to have me serve, that's fine, too. All right, Commissioner Brink. No, >> I will just say I'm I'm fine with uh you continuing in the chair position. >> All right, thank you. >> I agree with that as well. [laughter] >> Better than fine. >> Yeah. >> Well, not to put any on the spot then. I I think Commissioner Waterman would be a very good chair and then take some of the the burden off of the our current chair. So, I' I'd like to put a plug in for for David. >> Thanks, Commissioner Hansen. It's very nice. Um I know we can have these like now that we're not beholden to a single election. Um, I think it makes sense to kind of stick with what with the steady hand that Commissioner Maxwell has put and we can kind of re-evaluate maybe uh midyear. Um, so I I I would not be interested in uh the chair position. I'd be interested, but I cannot commit to that unfortunately. So I think with that I'll nominate uh Chair Maxwell for chair again. I'll second that. All right. Uh nomination waterman. Uh second minion. I have to poll this one. Right. Right. Staff, will you >> I just uh for the record call for the nominations two more times just so that the record is clear. Sorry. It's just rules of order. >> Okay. Um any more nominations? >> Any more nominations? >> And then last time >> and then any other nominations. >> Perfect. Thank you. Oh, sorry. Go ahead. >> This is just for the chair. >> This is nominations for chair. >> All right. No other nominations for chair. >> Thank you. And then now we can take >> And now please pull the commission. >> Thank you, Hansen. >> Yes. >> Henry, >> even though she'd rather not, I'm grateful that she's [laughter] doing it. So, yes, I'm supportive. >> And then, uh, Brink. >> Yes. Minion, >> yes. >> Waterman, >> yes. >> Banks, >> yes. >> And chair Maxwell, >> yes. >> Okay, >> a motion carries. [laughter] All right. Um, next up is vice chair. [snorts] >> Uh, Commissioner Waterman, you're the current vice chair. >> That's true. And it's a wonderful thing. I'd like to nominate uh Commissioner Banks if he's interested in the role. >> [laughter] >> Commissioner Banks, >> I'm happy to do it. Um, I think you two make a great great team. If you want to continue and as you mentioned earlier, we could reevaluate mid-season. Um, but totally totally up to you. Happy to accept it if >> continuity with the chair. I'm also in support of continuity with the vice chair. So, I think that Commissioner Waterman would be a fine uh co-chair in this next term, however long it would be. All right. So, it sounds like potentially a nomination for Waterman for vice chair. Anybody want to make that motion? >> I'll make that motion. >> Motion, Henry. >> I'll second. >> Second. Thanks. Are there any other uh nominations for vice chair? Any other nominations for vice chair? >> All right, I don't see any other nominations. Uh staff, will you please pull the commission? Thank you. Hansen, >> yes. >> Henry, >> yes. >> Brink, >> yes. >> Minion, >> yes. >> Waterman, >> yes. >> Banks, >> yes. >> Chair Maxwell, >> yes. Uh motion carries. >> All right. Um and I think we will still hold off on the sustainability commission. I hear your um comments um Commissioner Henry about having the experience there. That comment will still be valid and I'll make sure that it gets carried forward uh when we talk about this when our new members join us. Thank you for that feedback and thank you uh Commissioner Minion for being willing to step into that role. All right. Um, and that brings us to our final item of the night, which is adjournment. Would anybody like to make a motion to adjurnn? [laughter] >> I'll make the motion to adjurnn. >> Second, >> Henry. Uh, second. Thanks. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Motion carries and we are adjourned. Mr. >> [music] [music]