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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 11-13 PCMMINUTES 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 November 13, 2008 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Rahn at 7:04 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Sean Rahn, Commissioners Kara Kuykendall, Rachel Lund, Michael Parks, Tim Roche and Della Young were present. Also present were Dave Hagen, Loucks Associates, Secretary to the Planning Commission/Planning and Zoning Specialist Ronald Warren, and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Rebecca Crass. Commissioner Stan Leino was absent and excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 30, 2008 There was a motion by Commissioner Roche, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to approve the minutes of the October 30, 2008 meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Lund abstained as she was not 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. DISCUSSION ITEM Review Comprehensive Plan Land Use Plan (Dave Hagen - Loucks Associates) Mr. Ron Warren introduced Dave Hagen from Loucks Associates and explained that he is meeting with the Planning Commission to review the work being done on the mandatory upgrading of the City's Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Dave Hagen explained that the Comprehensive Plan definition is as a set of statements, standards and maps for guiding economic development and redevelopment of land area in the city. He added that the City of Brooklyn Center is required to update their Comprehensive Plan within three years of the Metropolitan Council issuing their updated System Statements for each city, which was completed in 2005. Mr. Hagen further explained that the Comprehensive Plan looks at issues within the community such as physical conditions and social areas to look for blight, contaminated properties and run down areas which need redevelopment. Page 1 11-13-08 High priority issues identified in the city include the following: • Brooklyn Boulevard - traffic, land use, pedestrian safety • Opportunity Site • Northbrook Site • Brookdale • Humboldt Square and Humboldt Avenue from 69th to Freeway Boulevard • Trail Connection from Brookdale to the Mississippi River and under high voltage lines parallel to 57`h Avenue • Riverdale Park to Evergreen train connection (bridge) • Multi and Single Family Housing Stock (redevelop and rejuvenate) • Senior Housing Options • School Districts • Preservation of Elementary Schools • Parks • Civic Center - rejuvenate and relocate • Post transportation • Low income and poor Commissioner Parks asked Mr. Hagen about the available numbers on the senior population in Brooklyn Center. Mr. Hagen responded that there have been studies done, but he did not have that information available. There was a discussion by the Commission on the forecasted population of seniors and the potential options for senior housing. The Commission discussed whether or not there is a need to build more housing for seniors in order to keep seniors in the area, based on numbers that show the population and forecasted population. It was suggested that one option for future redevelopment would be to add different kinds of senior housing to attract seniors such as single level homes. Commissioner Parks asked if mid to high density senior residential housing can be built along Brooklyn Boulevard in the future along with a retail mix. Mr. Warren explained the city's plan along Brooklyn Boulevard as described in the 2000 Comprehensive Plan but warned that any of these development ideas would only be done if it's profitable for a developer. He further explained that housing along Brooklyn Boulevard is not conducive to family living with the high number of cars traveling along the roadway. Mr. Warren added that it would be very expensive to remove single family housing along Brooklyn Boulevard to do any redevelopment and that often a city must have incentive programs to be attractive to a developer. There was a brief discussion by the Commission Members regarding the future of Brookdale and possible redevelopment and expansion of the shopping center, the need to improve the housing stock to attract younger families and improve schools, clean up of Brooklyn Boulevard and the need to put a focus and emphasis on trails in the City. Mr. Hagen continued with an overview of the Land Use Plan and explained each designation as defined on the Land Use Map. Commissioner Roche voiced his disagreement with the plan at the southeast corner of 63rd Avenue and Brooklyn Boulevard where it indicates a designated land Page 2 11-13-08 use of office/service business and retail business. Commissioner Roche stated he feels the land use designation should remain at R-1 single family. Mr. Warren and Mr. Hagen both responded that the land use designation in that area was identified as such in the 2000 Comprehensive Plan and it has not changed. Mr. Hagen stated that the Comprehensive Plan will address inconsistencies in the plan related to vacancies and residential uses. Commissioner Kuykendall asked what the Commission's next role in the process would be and wondered if the Planning Commission would review the Comprehensive Plan again. Mr. Hagen replied that there is no other meeting planned with the Planning Commission to review the Comprehensive Plan since there are no significant issues or changes to the plan and in light of the fact that Brooklyn Center is fully development with infrastructure, roads, etc. all in place. Commissioner Roche stated that he wished to have the land designation of the area east of Evergreen Park changed from Public-Semi-Public to Parks. Mr. Warren explained that the property bring referred to had been acquired by the City over 20 years ago for the purpose of a future location for a possible water treatment plant on the property and that is the reason it has not been dedicated as a park. Commissioner Roche again stated that he feels strongly that the land use should be dedicated as Parks. Commissioner Parks inquired about the possibility of reviewing the plan again to show traffic changes. Mr. Hagen responded that the he could meet again with the Planning Commission to review the Comprehensive Plan after minor changes to the plan have been made. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Warren stated that the following Commission members term's expire on December 31, 2008: Commissioners Leino and Young. It is recommended that they notify Mr. Warren of their intent to continue to serve on the Planning Commission for another two years. Commissioner Young expressed her interest in continuing to serve on the Planning Commission. Mr. Warren reminded the Planning Commission that a special meeting of the Planning Commission was scheduled for November 20, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. to readdress the school district's Special Use Permit Amendment which had been tabled at the October 30, 2008 meeting. There was no other business. 1 Page 3 11-13-08 ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Roche, seconded by Commissioner Lund, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:23 p.m. ~v Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Rebecca Crass 1 Page 4 11-13-08