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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 05-28 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 MAY 28, 2009 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Rahn at 7:06 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Sean Rahn, Commissioners Joann Campbell- Sudduth, Kara Kuykendall, Stan Leino, Carlos Morgan, Michael Parks and Della Young were present. Also present were Secretary to the Planning Commission/Planning and Zoning Specialist Ronald Warren, and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Rebecca Crass. ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE Mr. Warren administered the Oath of Office to Joann Campbell- Sudduth. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MAY 14.2009 There was a motion by Commissioner Kuykendall, seconded by Commissioner Parks, to approve the minutes of the May 14, 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. APPLICATION NO. 2009 -002 BKV GROUP Chair Rahn introduced Application No. 2009 -002, a request for Site and Building plan approval for a new community building/clubhouse and the renovation/redevelopment of the Ewing Square Townhouses located at 6130 through 6242 France Avenue North. The redevelopment plan includes the addition of a new 26 ft. by 26 ft. community building as well as interior and exterior renovations of the entire townhouse project. Mr. Warren presented the staff report describing the location of the property and the proposal. (See Planning Commission Information Sheet dated 5- 28 -09, attached.) Commissioner Leino asked if the residents would have to leave in order for the work to take place. The applicant responded that the residents would not be displaced and they would work around the residents as much as possible. The logistics will be different but hopefully will not be impossible to deal with. 5 -28 -09 Page 1 Commissioner Young asked for clarification on the requirements for screening around the trash containers. Mr. Warren responded that trash containers would be contained within the trash enclosure areas and would be required to be properly screened from the public. He pointed out that they would be located in the east ends of the garages serving the townhouses. The owner Mr. Harold Teasdale, 4725 Excelsior Boulevard, St. Louis Park, Minnesota Attainable Housing Corporation and the applicant Mr. Gary Vogal, BKV Architects, 222 N 2nd Street, Minneapolis introduced themselves to the Commission. Mr. Warren asked the applicant to explain to the Commission how they have acquired their financing for this project. Mr. Teasdale explained that there are several players involved with putting together financing for this renovation to take place including the County and low income housing tax credits are involved with obtaining grants to finance the work that will take place. Mr. Warren added that this has always been an affordable, subsidized housing complex and that will continue. Chair Rahn asked if other mechanical and plumbing work would also be updated. Mr. Vogal explained that literally everything top to bottom would be replaced and be brand new for each building and residence. Chair Rahn stated that it might be less costly to tear down the buildings and start over. Mr. Warren suggested that the applicant put together a list of other projects they have worked on in a similar manner that the Commission could view to see how the end product looks. Commissioner Morgan asked how long it would take to complete the improvements. Mr. Vogal responded that it is anticipated to take about six months to complete. Commissioner Kuykendall asked for clarification on the intended use for the clubhouse. Mr. Vogal responded that it is for interactions with the residents and use by the residents with a specific use and set hours and when not in use, the building will be locked. Commissioner Campbell- Sudduth asked what the success rate of buildings being maintained following a renovation like this one are. Mr. Teasdale responded that if the property is managed properly, it should be well maintained for many years. Commissioner Parks asked if the playground structure on the site would be replaced. Mr. Vogal responded that there was nothing drawn on the plan other than a concrete area by the clubhouse. He added that the existing playground area would be gone and replaced with something else, which has not been drawn on the plan yet. Commissioner Parks asked the applicant to explain the orientation of the clubhouse on the site. Mr. Vogal responded that there is a front door from the clubhouse with a sidewalk leading to the 5 -28 -09 Page 2 north parking lot. The rest of the building contains a great room with a lot of windows facing the play area. He added that sidewalks around the site will be located to allow for greater convenience in moving around the site to the various buildings. Commissioner parks suggested that they relook at the orientation of the new building to see if another orientation would be more pedestrian and energy friendly. Commissioner Leino stated that this is an excellent opportunity to make everything look better on this site and he would like to see this proceed forward. There was no further discussion regarding the application. ACTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF APPLICATION NO. 2009-002. BKV GROUP There was a motion by Commissioner Young, seconded by Commissioner Leino, to recommend to the City Council that it approve Application No. 2009 -002, submitted by BKV Group, for Site and Building plan approval for a new community building/clubhouse and the renovation/redevelopment of the Ewing Square Townhouses located at 6130 through 6242 France Avenue North, subject to the following considerations: 5 -28 -09 Page 3 1. The building plans are subject to review and approval by the Building Official with respect to applicable codes prior to the issuance of permits. 2. Grading, drainage, utility and erosion control plans are subject review and approval by the City Engineer prior to the issuance of building permits. 3. A site performance agreement and supporting financial guarantee in an amount to be determined based on cost estimates shall be submitted prior to the issuance of building permits to assure completion of all site improvements. 4. All outside trash disposal facilities and roof top or on- ground mechanical equipment shall be appropriately screened from view. 5. Plan approval is exclusive of all signery which is subject to Chapter 34 of the city ordinances. 6. B -612 curb and gutter shall be provided around all parking and driving areas as approved by the City Engineer. 7. The applicant shall submit an as built survey of the property, improvements and utility service lines prior to release of the performance guarantee. 8. The applicant shall provide appropriate erosion and sediment control devices on the site during construction as approved by the City Engineering Department. 9. All work performed and materials used for construction of utilities shall conform to the City of Brooklyn Center's current Standard Specifications and Details. 10. All site lighting shall be consistent with Section 35 -712 of the City Ordinances Voting in favor: Chair Rahn, Commissioners Campbell- Sudduth, Kuykendall, Leino, Morgan, Parks and Young. The motion passed unanimously. The Council will consider the application at its June 8, 2009 meeting. The applicant must be present. Major changes to the application as reviewed by the Planning Commission will require that the application be returned to the Commission for reconsideration. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Warren stressed to the Planning Commission the importance of attendance by all members in order to have a quorum at meetings and if the start time of 7:00 p.m. is difficult to meet, there could be a discussion by the Commission to change the start time. Commissioner Morgan stated that he felt that the residents in the Ewing Square complex should have been notified regarding the proposed plans for development. Mr. Warren explained that while all Planning Commission meetings are open to the public, city ordinances do not require a public hearing for site and building plan approval such as the one discussed tonight. He pointed out that the owner of the property has lease and Statutory requirements regarding notifying tenants of moving and relocation activities. Commissioner Young stated that the Planning Commission's responsibility is to follow the city ordinances and the Commission members should understand what type of applications do require a public hearing. Commissioner Leino added that he felt the tenants of the Ewing Square complex should be notified by the management/owner that development is going to take place, but it is not the city's responsibility. Commissioner Parks stated that he feels that the more we get the public involved the better, but it doesn't necessarily mean that decisions are made based on comments from the public. Commissioner Young added that she feels that is important to revitalize neighborhood groups to encourage input and participation from the public in ways that it can't be accomplished through the formal setting of the Planning Commission, Commissioner Parks added that he feels that the Commission should be a forum for the public to express their opinions. Mr. Warren explained that the Planning Commission is an advisory body to the City Council on the Planning and Zoning issues in the community and that is the responsibility of the Commission, not necessarily a sounding board for all residents. 5 -28 -09 Page 4 Chair Rahn stated that he feels that the Commission has to be careful with probing for information from the public that decisions cannot be based on. Commissioner Kuykendall stated that even with comments and input from the public regarding applications being reviewed, the Commission still has to make decisions based on what is defined and allowed under the city ordinances. Commissioner Parks stated that he attended the Garden City neighborhood meeting and the Planning Commission was asked to consider being involved in the Earle Brown Days Parade. There was further discussion among the Commission regarding meeting times, particularly meeting early when there is an agenda item that may require lengthy discussion. There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Leino, seconded by Commissioner Morgan, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Recorded and transcribed by: Rebecca Crass 5 -28 -09 Page 5 Chair