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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 04-07 CPTFMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TASK FORCE OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA APRIL 7, 1997 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Myrna Kragness called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. in the City council chambers. ROLI, CALL Members of the task force present included: Mayor Kragness, Councilmembers Kathleen Carmody, Debra Hillstrom, Kay Lasman, and Robert Peppe; Planning Commissioners Graydon Boeck, Mark Holmes, Rex Newman, Brian Walker, and Tim Willson; appointed public members: Jerry Blarney, Maurice Britts, Dale Greenwald, Toni Johns, Tom Kouri, and Ron Thomas; City Manager Michael J. McCauley; Diane Spector; Brad Hoffman; Secretary to the Planning Commission/Planning and Zoning Specialist Ronald Warren; Planning Consultants Bill Weber, Tony Heppelman and Suzanne Rhees, BRW, Inc.; and Recording Secretary Lorri Kopischke. Appointed public members excused were Jim Cole, Tom Donaldson, Lisa Hunter, Tony Kuefler, Frank Slawson, and Caroll Vomhof. . Refer to Comnrehensive Plan Undate Task Force Anointed: 1-13-97 for complete listing of names and affiliations of the 24-member task force. REVIEW COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING PROCESS Mr. Weber explained discussion tonight would relate to the four interrelated issues of Land Use, Redevelopment and Community Image Plan, Draft Community Profile, and the Draft Transportation Plan. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF THE DRAFT LAND USE. REDEVELOPMENT AND PHYSICAL IMAGE PLAN Mr. Weber explained he had divided the city into the following neighborhoods: Central Neighborhood, Northeast Neighborhood, Northwest Neighborhood, Southeast Neighborhood, Southwest Neighborhood, and West Central Neighborhood. He then explained the proposed changes he recommended to occur in each neighborhood over the next two decades. In the Northwest Neighborhood, Mr. Weber suggested the single-family homes along Brooklyn Boulevard be removed and be replaced with medium or high density residential or commercial. He noted this recommendation was consistent with the recommendation of the 1994 BRW Brooklyn Boulevard Study. The rationale for this recommendation is that the existing homes are declining, the increased traffic on Brooklyn Boulevard is not desirable for single-family owner-occupied housing, and the number of driveways created by single family homes is inappropriate for the function of Brooklyn Boulevard. Other rationale included that some areas were significantly deteriorated and there were areas of opportunity to use the land more intensely. 4-7-97 1 Members of the Task force expressed extreme concern with additional high-density housing in the City. Mr. Weber suggested medium density may be more appropriate. He noted the development would occur over time, be located on scattered sites, and would include City involvement for control. Ms. Rhees noted the proposed high density residential would be of a much higher quality and character than the high density residential that exists in Brooklyn Center currently. She indicated the City could retain control of the developments by use of the conditional use process. Members of the Task force suggested a need for a corresponding reduction in other areas of high density residential so the overall number of high density would remain constant. Other members felt it was necessary to provide this type of high-quality high density residential housing to attract technically trained and upscale younger professional families to the area to keep the community viable. The Task force requested Mr. Weber to present examples of the proposed high density residential units by use of slides at the next meeting. Mr. Heppelman stated the transportation issues for this neighborhood include the necessity of additional lanes for traffic on Brooklyn Boulevard north of Highway 694 and the consolidation and elimination of some accesses on Brooklyn Boulevard south of Highway 694. Ms. Rhees noted the necessity of improving the community image with the use of street scaping, bike paths, lighting and road loops. Mr. Weber suggested other changes in this neighborhood would include the opportunity at 69th Avenue for commercial development; the opportunity at 63rd Avenue for private redevelopment; changes made to the site including the liquor store, fire station, and deteriorating single family homes; and possible redevelopment at 70th and 71 st Avenues. In the Gateway Area east of Highway 252 at 66th Avenue, Mr. Weber suggested townhouses and/or low-rise professional offices would be suitable types of development if designed compatibly with the high-value single-family riverfront housing nearby. The west side of Highway 252 is an opportunity area given its good access and visibility. This area would be suitable for office or office retail mixed use. The City should also consider how to maintain the single-family housing along the freeway as this area contains sound housing which is in good condition. Mr. Heppelman stated the transportation issues in this area are relevant to traffic flow and what can be done to accommodate traffic generated by additional office/commercial use. In the Southeast Neighborhood, Mr. Weber noted the Northbrook Shopping Center Area was a prime area for redevelopment. Task force members suggested a grocery store could be developed in this area. Mr. Weber noted the City had initiated in 1996 a project to create a green buffer and pedestrian path along 53rd Avenue including possible new single-family housing. If this concept is successful, it could possibly be extended further west to Humboldt Avenue. Mr. Heppelman stated the County is looking at turning back 57th Avenue and Humboldt Avenue This would result in a possible change of jurisdiction and functional class of these roadways. 4-7-97 2 In the Southwest Neighborhood, Mr. Weber noted that due to the previous soil problems and resulting clean up in the Joslyn Site, that area would be best suitable for continued industrial use. The lakefront portion of the site should be converted to parkland or open space. The area to the south contains older four-plexes which should be redeveloped to new duplexes or single-family units. The apartment buildings on the south side of 47th Avenue are existing fairly well and should remain, although the buildings could use some improvement. Mr. Heppelman noted the transportation issues in this area would include improvements to Highway 100. Mr. Weber explained the road corridor enhancements would include a Commercial - Civic Loop, Neighborhood Loop and Southwest Neighborhood Parks Loop. These loops would provide a boost to the neighborhood and general image of the City. Physical elements of the loops may include coordinated, attractive streetlighting, boulevard trees, seasonal flower plots, continuous sidewalks, bike lanes, corner curb "bump-outs", directional signs, and neighborhood entry signs. Ms. Rhees noted the linking of neighborhoods by use of the bridge concept over Highway 694 was being investigated. Mr. Weber indicated there were many difficulties surrounding the bridge matter and that the issues must be handled sensitively. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF THE DRAFT TRANSPORTATION PLAN Ms. Rhees asked the Task force to identify their specific transportation questions and problem areas. The following issues were identified: The timing of the signal lights at Highway 252 and 66th Avenue and the difficulty it poses for school district transportation; the difficulty of getting around the City without a car, ie. no bus transportation, biking and walking difficult; location of mass transit hubs; the timing of lights on Shingle Creek Parkway and the user-friendliness of these intersections; the maintenance and visual impact of the green area on County Road 10 and Brooklyn Boulevard; the collector status of France Avenue; and the pedestrian problem on Humboldt from 65th to 69th Avenue. SET DATE FOR NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the task force will be at 7 p.m., Monday, May 5, in the City council chambers. ADJOURNMENT The meeting concluded at 9:37 p.m. Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Lorri Kopischke TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial 4-7-97