MINUTES of the April 15, 2008 Joint Workshop Meeting
City of Albert Lea & Freeborn County Planning Commissions
The joint workshop meeting of the City and County Planning Commissions was called to order on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the County Engineering Conference Room, by Bob Graham, Community Development Director.
MEMBERS PRESENT
City - Doug Friend, Tony Trow, Grace Haukoos, Mark Rofshus, John Sorlie, Robert Hoffman
County - Dave Clausen, Frank Gjersvik, Jerry Epland, Art Smith
OTHERS PRESENT
Bob Graham, Community Development Director; Wayne Sorensen, County Planner; Steven Jahnke, Director of Public Works; Victoria Simonsen, City Manager; Deb Sorenson, Mn/DOT Office of Aeronautics; and Mn/DOT pilot
PURPOSE OF THE JOINT MEETING
The City and County Zoning Ordinances currently have a section on Airport Zoning that was adopted April 13, 1982. These ordinance sections need to be amended due to the scheduled change in the airport north/south runway 16/34. The scheduled changes are to extend the runway to 5,000 ft. in place of the existing 4,500 ft., to move the runway about 300 feet to the west to provide for the length and taxi-ways, and to change the classification to precision approach. These changes require widening safety zones A and B, changing the approach zone to a 50:1 slope, and extending the length of the safety and approach zones.
Therefore, both Planning Commissions are being called together to review the changes jointly and prepare the ordinance amendments even though each commission and governing board will need to amend their ordinance independently.
REVIEW OF ZONING REQUIREMENTS
Deb Sorenson reviewed the changes required for the Albert Lea Airport zoning. A power point work sheet was distributed explaining the process and requirements. A model ordinance was also distributed.
During discussion there was clarification of the impact of the safety zones on the Fair Grounds. The new safety zone will cover a greater area of the Fair Grounds than previously and therefore a redevelopment of the site for residential would not be practical because of the very low density requirements in Safety Zone B. In general, the building height limitation for buildings within the city is 1,400 ft. MSL and is interpreted as being about 150 feet above the ground level at the intersection of Clark St. and Broadway Ave. The top of the steeple at First Lutheran Church is approximately 1,400 ft. MSL. Building height in the approach zones is measured based on the 50:1 slope from the elevation of the airport at about 1,240 ft. The slope may not be penetrated with buildings, trees, light standards, signs, or other structures. The airport zones must also be free of radio transmission interference and direct lighting that could affect a pilot’s vision. All zones are to be included on the Comprehensive Plan, which gives the governments the guidance for zoning.
PROCEDURE
Bob Graham will lead the process for the ordinance amendments. The City Engineering Dept. will prepare maps that will show the new zones over existing aerial photos and lots and blocks. Each parcel within the zones and within 300 feet of the zones will be identified. Bob Graham and Wayne Sorensen will prepare the proposed amendments and submit them to Mn/DOT for review. Following their review, a joint commission meeting will be called to review the proposed ordinance. Following the review of the proposed ordinance, the commissions will hold two public hearings with full explanations of the amendments. Following the public hearings the commissions may recommend the amendments to the respective governmental bodies for public hearing and adoption of the Zoning Ordinance amendments. The goal is to complete the work by Nov/Dec 2008.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert A Graham
Community Development Director
Approved:
__/s/___________________________
John Sorlie
Planning Commission Secretary