Members present: Mayor Don Richards, Susan Reese, Todd Schultz, Erin Tomlinson, Ellen Smith, David Cronk, Sandy Bowen, Tom Heimerl, Reid Wronski.

There was a quorum present at all times.

Staff present: Buddy Lucero, Planning Director; Carl Gaulke, Utilities General Manager.

Also present: City Councilor Tom Caflisch

Carl Gaulke, Utilities General Manager, explained that under the revision of Chapter 17.104 B. 3. a., it is required that every proposed rezoning be noticed by publication and additionally, by providing all property owners written notice that have parcels within 300 feet of the boundary of such proposed change. A concern here is the proposed Wellhead Protection Ordinance would create a large number of notifications for an area that does not change the zone. Buddy Lucero, Planning Director, made reference to the existing amendment, 17.104.05 B. 3. a. and the language that was provided by the City Attorney in amending the ordinance that would require notification only in the event that the zone for the property was changed, for example, from a residential to commercial, this would require such notification. The Plan Commission discussed it and general consensus was to move forward with the language amendment for the upcoming Plan Commission meeting in November.

Discussion Regarding the Shoreland Regulations within the Downtown Area

Planning Director Lucero noted the history of the Shoreland Regulations and explained the regulation as it exists in the downtown district area. He noted that there has been past and present concerns regarding new and redeveloping properties within the shoreland boundary in the downtown area. The shoreland boundary overlaps on numerous properties, restricting the potential of any redevelopment in the downtown area. Maps were provided that showed examples of the variety of overlays that could occur from the high water line/100-year floodplain, from 25 feet, 75 feet, and the existing 175 feet. The Plan Commission discussed the proposed amendment, indicating that they supported the Shoreland Ordinance but understands the need for the redevelopment, and how development plans could address the concern and intent of the Shoreland Ordinance and still allow development to occur. There was general consensus that the 75-foot setback that is presently required by both St. Croix and Pierce Counties would be a reasonable setback to work with within the downtown district. They recommended forwarding the proposed amendment to the Environmental Task Force for their review and comments prior to any actions taking place by the Plan Commission and City Council.

Discussion and Direction on Implementation, Priorities, and Responsibilities

Mr. Lucero indicated that there were two items for discussion in regards to this issue. The first item is in reference to Section 2.56.070, Meetings, which requires the Plan Commission to hold two meetings per month and provides notice to the official newspaper one week prior. Mr. Lucero provided the history noting that prior to 2000, there was only one meeting scheduled per month. Also, that over the past years the Plan Commission had approved a policy in which the first Tuesday of the month would be for public meetings and current issues, and that the second meeting was generally for workshops. It was determined that in an effort to streamline the process while saving cost and time to the Planning Commission, staff and the general public, that a single meeting per month should be required. The Planning Commission agreed that the first Tuesday of each month shall be the official meeting. There was general consensus that this meeting could be a combination meeting of workshop and current planning issues. If required, additional meetings or workshops could be held. The Plan Commissions voiced a concern regarding the length of meetings and that they should not exceed three hours. Staff will bring this back to the Plan Commission for the first meeting in November for review and action.

The second issue on this agenda item was the discussion of the Plan Commission’s Scope of Work for the upcoming year of 2008. The intent of this discussion was for each of the Plan Commissioners to review the implementation program of the Comprehensive Plan and champion one of the issues for the upcoming year. Each of the Plan Commissioners is to select a theme, a guiding policy, an implementing policy, and then outline the implementing process to accomplish this. The information would be provided at the next Plan Commission meeting of November 6 for review and discussion. By accomplishing this, it would allow the Plan Commission to be more proactive than reactive, and develop a better understanding of the Municipal Code and Comprehensive Plan as it relates to planning issues and procedures. There was discussion regarding an earlier priority list that was developed in the past by the Plan Commissioners. This information will be forwarded to the Plan Commissioners for their review to assist them in filling out their Plan Commission Scope of Work. It was requested that this information be provided the week prior to the Plan Commission meeting so that it could be forwarded with the packet so each of the Plan Commissioners could review each other’s ideas for the upcoming year. This information will be reviewed and forwarded to the Council prior to being implemented.

The workshop adjourned at approximately 7:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Buddy Lucero, Planning Director