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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 02-26 PCM1 1 MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA STUDY SESSION FEBRUARY 26, 2009 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Rahn at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Sean Rahn, Commissioners Kara Kuykendall, Michael Parks and Delia Young were present. Also present were Secretary to the Planning Commission/Planning and Zoning Specialist Ronald Warren, Jared Andrews and Dave Hagen from Loucks Associates, Councilmember Mark Yelich, Gary Eitel, Director Business and Development and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Rebecca Crass. Commissioner Stan Leino was absent and excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FEBRUARY 12. 2009 There was a motion by Commissioner Parks, seconded by Commissioner Kuykendall, to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2009 meeting as submitted. The motion passed. Chair Rahn and Commissioner Young abstained as they were not present at the meeting. CHAIR'S EXPLANATION Chair Rahn explained the Planning Commission's role as an advisory body. One of the Commission's functions is to hold public hearings. In the matters concerned in these hearings, the Commission makes recommendations to the City Council. The City Council makes all final decisions in these matters. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE PUBLIC HEARING Mr. Warren stated that the notice of the public hearing had been published in the Sun Post for tonight's meeting. He added the Mr. Dave Hagen and Mr. Jared Andrews from Loucks Associates were present to make a presentation to the Commission followed by the public hearing. Following the presentation and public hearing, the Planning Commission should discuss the Comprehensive Plan Update and consider making a recommendation to the City Council. Mr. Dave Hagen, consultant from Loucks Associates, explained the process and described where the city is at with the adoption of the comprehensive plan update. He also reviewed the timeline being followed for the review process. He stated that the city has received some comments from neighboring communities, the Watershed Commissions, and MnDOT. The City of Brooklyn Park commented that they had no concerns and Metropolitan Council responded with a check list that needs to be addressed in order for the Comprehensive Plan Update to be complete. Page 1 2 -26 -09 Mr. Hagen further explained that the deadline for comments from other agencies is the end of May, which is the last time the plan can be modified. The Comprehensive Plan Update should be submitted to the City Council in June for approval and submittal to the Metropolitan Council. Mr. Hagen pointed out that the Plan shows that Brooklyn Center is fully developed and changes in land use are generally of a smaller scale and due to redevelopment and data contained in the Plan is based on the 2000 census, which is the most currently available. He added population and employment in the city is not expected to change much with a fully developed city since Brooklyn Center may not see much activity in housing developments. Mr. Hagen highlighted Planning Issues discussed by community and neighborhood groups. The areas addressed were Brookdale, Opportunity Site, 57 and Logan Avenues, Humboldt Square Shopping Center, Brooklyn Boulevard, 57 Avenue from Northbrook to the River and then along I -94 at the border with the Mississippi River and various trail connections in the city. Commissioner Kuykendall stated that the Commission keeps hearing that they need to discuss the future of Brooklyn Boulevard but questions how they begin to study Brooklyn Boulevard. Mr. Hagen responded that contact should be made with Hennepin County to start discussions regarding the future of Brooklyn Boulevard. Mr. Warren pointed out that there are two studies that look at Brooklyn Boulevard which are mentioned in the Comprehensive Plan. He added that the current issues along Brooklyn Boulevard deal with zoning and non conforming uses and the biggest reason that change has not occurred is economic as it would be very expensive for the city or county to acquire non- conforming properties along Brooklyn Boulevard to pursue other development and remove the non conforming uses. This would involve consolidation, removal and redevelopment of parcels to create larger parcels for commercial redevelopment along Brooklyn Boulevard. Commissioner Young asked if there could be a visioning process to be included with the plan or would an amendment have to be added at a later date after the plan is approved. Mr. Hagen responded that language could be included that states that something is a minor amendment, however, Metropolitan Council determines what a minor amendment is based on their criteria and guidelines. Mr. Warren added that is it unlikely that land use changes along Brooklyn Boulevard would warrant a major change to the Comprehensive Plan being submitted to Metropolitan Council. He pointed out that a new visioning for Brooklyn Boulevard might be necessary but we do have the two previously mentioned studies that can serve as guidelines for Brooklyn Boulevard redevelopment. Commissioner Parks stated that there was a radical idea that was brought up by the Housing Commission that involved a way to relieve congestion on Brooklyn Boulevard by adding a ramp going from north bound Hwy 100 to west bound 694. Page 2 2 -26 -09 1 1 1 1 1 1 Mr. Hagen responded that northbound Hwy 100 to West 694 /94movement is very cumbersome currently. If that area were improved with an added ramp for west bound traffic, it would relieve some congestion on Brooklyn Boulevard. Commissioner Parks stated that while not currently in the plan, he suggested that a note be added to the traffic plan that might trigger Hennepin County and MnDOT to look at the area and consider some changes to Brooklyn Boulevard and Highway 100. He added that he feels it is appropriate for the Planning Commission to make a recommendation to the City Council as far as future possibilities regarding Brooklyn Boulevard and Highway 100. PUBLIC HEARING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE There was a motion by Commissioner Parks, seconded by Commissioner Kuykendall, to open the public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan Update, at 7:48 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Rahn called for comments from the public. Ms. Judy Thorbus, Housing Commission Member, 6265 Brooklyn Drive, stated that the Housing Commission did not receive the written comments made by the Planning Commission. She added that one of the areas that the Housing Commission would like to see addressed in the Comprehensive Plan is the Humboldt Avenue corridor where overall diversity could be reduced by replacing the concentration of apartments with three and four bedroom townhomes and the City could use TIF money or other government funds to make it happen. Ms. Thorbus also commented that the city could use more quality senior housing. Ms. Thorbus continued with comments about the future of Brookdale and stated that it sits in the Robbinsdale School District. She feels that the Brookdale property is a major source of funding through tax dollars to the Robbinsdale School District and the city needs to make sure there is a viable use of the property. She added that all three school districts in the city have a large number of low income to poverty level families. Ms. Thorbus also stated that the Housing Commission and Planning Commission are considered to be advisory boards and both members ideas and plans should be considered. Commissioner Kuykendall stated that she reviewed Judy's comments and wants to assure her that the Housing Commission's comments and input will be considered by the Planning Commission when making a recommendation to the City Council regarding adoption of the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Young asked Mr. Warren about the Humboldt area being converted to townhomes relating to Ms. Thorbus' comments and how the city makes a project like that happen. Mr. Warren responded that the Comprehensive Plan is not project based. He further stated that if there were development to take place in a specific area, rezoning may or may not have to take place to allow for a lesser density. This could be an area in the Plan where the Commission Page 3 2 -26 -09 might want to recommend a less dense multi family use. He pointed out that the Commission should not confuse the comprehensive plan with specific projects. The Comprehensive Plan is a general guideline when it comes to land use recommendations, not a specific planning document with many details. The "market place" will probably dictate what can be done in these areas. Mr. Brett Hildreth, 8616 Riverwood Lane, Brooklyn Park, stated that he had been a long time resident of Brooklyn Center and a 17 year business owner. He handed out printed material to the Commission regarding the area along Lynda le Avenue between 53 and 57 Avenues. Mr. Hildreth referred to the Land Use Plan from the 2020 plan and pointed out that this area is one of interest and possible redevelopment. He further pointed out that the area is recognized in the 2020 plan as a highly desirable area for redevelopment particularly since it is along the river. Mr. Hildreth suggested that similar language be added to the 2030 plan regarding this area. He added that Minneapolis has taken on a huge undertaking developing an area along the river and he would like to see something similar take place in Brooklyn Center. Mr. Hagen responded that Minneapolis has the luxury of more land between the interstate and the river than what's available in Brooklyn Center and that allows for more development to take place. Mr. Warren clarified that it's his understanding that Mr. Hildreth would like to see similar comments regarding this area in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Hagen stated that it is possible to change the Land Use Designation for that area on the plan. No other persons appeared before the Commission during the public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan Update. Chair Rahn asked if it was necessary to hold a second public hearing after the changes discussed were made the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Warren stated that the Planning Commission is only required to hold one public hearing but could direct additional public hearings if it believed they were necessary. Chair Rahn suggested that the Planning Commission meet again jointly with the Housing Commission to further discuss their comments and then meet again on their own to finalize their recommendation for staff to work on before submittal to City Council CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING There was a motion by Commissioner Young, seconded by Commissioner Kuykendall, to close the public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan Update, at 8:21 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. The Chair called for further discussion or questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Parks stated that after reviewing the Housing Commission's comments, he would like to further review their comments to determine what portion of their comments should be included in the Comprehensive Plan. He added that he would like to meet with the Housing Page 4 2 -26 -09 1 1 1 1 1 Commission again. Mr. Warren stated that the Housing Commission had been asked to more clearly define their comments to determine what they would like to be considered as part of the Comprehensive Plan. He further stated that the Planning Commission could continue their discussion of the Comprehensive Plan at the next meeting and have all comments included so a recommendation could be made to the City Council. Commissioner Kuykendall suggested that the Planning Commission give the Housing Commission an opportunity to meet again and then have a joint meeting of both Commissions as well as holding a second public hearing after changes are made. Chair Rahn cautioned against getting into a discussion unless specific language had been developed prior to meeting. The Commissioners concerned that another joint meeting with the Housing Commission be conducted and set March 26 as a possible date. They also want to hold another public hearing at the end of April. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Kuykendall, seconded by Commissioner Young, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Recorded and transcribed by: Rebecca Crass Page 5 2 -26 -09 Chair