Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000 10-17 HCM AMENDED MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION OCTOBER 17, 2000 CONFERENCE ROOM B CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order at 7 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Ernie Erickson, Commissioners 5hawn Taylor, Dennis Snook, Lloyd Deuel, Michael VonDeLinde, Mark Yelich, and Elizabeth Davis. Also present was Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz. Commissioners Martin Frawley and Kathleen Carmody were absent and excused from the meeting. Council Liaison Bob Peppe was out of town this evening and was absent from the rneeting. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Deuel and seconded by Commissioner Taylor to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES September 19, 2000 There was a motion by Commissioner Davis and seconded by Commissioner Yelich to approve the minutes of the September 19, 2000 Housing Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Chairperson Erickson explained that, due to a flight delay, he was stranded in Seattle at the time of the last Housing Commission meeting and was unable to make the meeting. Chairperson Erickson then welcomed the new commission members. STAFF REPORT AND COMMISSION DISCUSSION REGARDING REVIEW OF CITY ORDINANCES The Community Development Specialist distributed a handout to commission members summarizing the various ordinance provisions of the various cities surveyed regarding those areas the commission was reviewing. For the benefit of new commission members Chairperson Erickson reviewed and summarized a meeting of the Housing Commission at which the City Prosecutor reviewed the code enforcement process through initial compliance order through final 10-17-00 -1- court proceedings. He noted the City Attorney had brought up the issue of collector cars to the. commission based on an issue m the Crty where one mdividual has approxunately 23 collector cars stored in his backyard. He noted that the City Attorney, at the meeting, explained that this is permitted under the cunent city code. Commissioner Snook axrived at 8:10 p.m. Chairperson Erickson pointed out that technically, the individual keeping the 23 collector cars is in compliance with the ordinance but the condition of the vehicles and the fact they are in his back yard is an issue that the City Prosecutor recommended the Housing Commission consider. Comxnissioner Deuel commented on the photographs prepared by Commissioner Carmody and presented at the last meeting Housing Commission meeting, noting that even the appearance of many areas that are in compliance with the ordinance detract from the neighborhood. Chairperson Erickson passed Commissioner Carmody's photos around to commission mernbers and thanked Commissian�r �armody for preparing the photographs for the commission. Commissioner Yelich noted that there appears to be a number of communities requiring hard surface driveways. He commented that the City's current street improvement program adds to the neighborhoods of the City and he believes an ordinance requiring hard surface driveways would also add to the neighborhoods in a positive way. He added he would like to see the City move towards requiring hard surface driveways. Chairperson Erickson commented that, before we recommend a hard surface driveway policy we should sound out the Council with regard to how they would view this. The Community Development Specialist noted that a study was done sometime in the 80's with regard to an investigation into whether or not it would be advisable to require hard surface driveways. He noted he recalled that a survey had been done of the number of hard surface versus non-surfaced driveways in the City. He pointed out he would try to pull that data together for the next Housing Commission meeting. Commissioner Davis inquired as to the approximate cost of paved driveways. Chairperson Erickson commented that an asphalt driveway, which should last for approximately 20 years would cost between $2,000 to $2,500 for the average home. He noted that a concrete driveway which should last 30 years would be approximately 75 more in cost than asphalt. Commissioner Deuel commented that he thinks there is enough basis to follow up on this issue related to driveways. Chairperson Erickson addressed the next issue which was parking on the side of the house and garage and the issue of requiring improved surfaces in this area. 10-17-00 -2- Commission Yelich stated he would like to see all licensed vehicles parked on hard surfaced driveways. He referred to Commissioner Carmody's photos as support for this policy. Chairperson Erickson noted this item may cause the most reaction from residents and advised the Commission that they need to be aware of this if this is a recommendation. Commissioner Davis agreed and stated there is a fine line between the public good and an intrusion on individual rights. Commissioner VonDeLinde noted Fridley's ordinance requires compliance by the year 2002. Commissioner Yelich stated he would support this type of approach or even a longer term of between 10 15 years, carried out in conjunction with the City's street improvement projects. Chairperson Erickson stated it would be interesting to determine how many rental properties are listed in the photos assembled by Commissioner Carmody. Commissioner Snook replied he believes the number of single family rental properties would be declining since in his opinion, after one year it is difficult to make money on renting of single family homes and duplexes. Chairperson Erickson inquired whether there were any additional comments on the issue of parking on the side of the house and garage. Hearing none, he continued with the next item which was limiting the number of collector cars. Commissioner Yelich stated he believes it would be difficult to put a limit on the number of collector cars and he believed this is more intrusive than if the City requires parking on paved surfaces. He stated he believes the approach to limiting the number of collector cars should be approached from a paved surface requirement. Chairperson Erickson stated he agreed with Commissioner Yelich and noted that there does not appear to be much of a model to follow from other cities regarding this issue. Chairperson Erickson moved on to the next item which was the parking of commercial vehicles. Chairperson Erickson noted that the issue of parking of commercial vehicles has also brought out.opposition from residents in the past with regard to ordinance changes. The commissioners reviewed the survey on this section and Commissioner Yelich commented that he thinks the current ordinance seems adequate and that he does not have enough information on the level of enforcement. The Community Development Specialist noted that this particular ordinance is enforced by the City. Chairperson Erickson next reviewed the fence maintenance item. He stated he thinks the Commission can improve this area of the ordinance particularly with regard to materials. Commissioner Deuel agreed. 10-17-00 -3- Commissioner VonDeLinde referred to the City of Blaine's ordinance and noted this ordinance seems the most detailed of all the cities surveyed. Chairperson Erickson next addressed the issue of yard cover. Commissioner Yelich thought this area would be difficult to deal with particularly with regard to the new variety of plantings that some people could use in their yards. Commissioner Davis agreed and stated that it would be best to see a pleasant front yard but it would be difficult to be too specific in terms of the type of the plant materials used. Commissioner Yelich stated he is concerned more with trash and garbage accumulating in yards rather than yard cover. There was a commission consensus to review the yard cover issue. Chairperson Erickson next addressed the issue of the 50%guideline regarding coverage by driveways. Chairperson Erickson commented that there seems to be a concern regarding whether or not the 50 coverage with a driveway is too great. Commissioner Yelich commented that the only areas he saw where this is a problem was on Brooklyn Boulevard. Commissioner Yelich inquired whether the 50 guideline is interpreted on a lineal or square footage basis. The Community Development Specialist noted he would report on the interpretation of the 50 guideline for driveway coverage at the next meeting. In review of the Commissions discussion of ordinance provisions, the following is a summary of commission consensus. Ordinance Provision Further Commission Review Requiring improved surfaces on driveways Yes Parking on side of house/garage, improved surface Yes requirements on side of house and areas visible from street and issue of parking vehicles in rear yards Limit on nuinber of collector cars as defined by state No but link to requiring ordinance parking on hard surface driveway Parking of commercial vehicles No Fence maintenance Yes Yard cover Yes 50 guideline regarding coverage by driveway Pending further information from staff 10-17-00 -4- OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Yelich inquired whether or not staff is going to arrange for a speaker on senior housing. The Community Development Specialist replied that he would recommend devoting an entire meeting to a speaker and to wait until the ordinance discussion is completed. Commissioner members also requested staff information on the status of the 69th and Brooklyn Boulevard project. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Deuel and seconded by Commissioner Snook to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Chairman 10-17-00 -5-