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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 02-03 HCM MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION FEBRUARY 3, 1993 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairman Nicholas Eoloff at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Nicholas Eoloff, Commissioners Ernie Erickson, Pamela Frantum, John Kalligher, Jon Perkins and Neal Nelson. Also present were Council Liaison Barbara Kalligher, Zoning Administrator Ron Warren and Assistant EDA Coordinator Tom Bublitz. Commissioner Torres was absent and excused from the meeting. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Perkins and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to approve the February 3, 1993 agenda. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MAY 19. 1992 AND JUNE 23. 1992 There was a motion by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Commissioner Perkins to approve the May 19, 1992 and June 23, 1992 minutes, as submitted. The motion passed. ELECTION OF COMMISSION CHAIR Chairman Eoloff pointed out that council resolution requires the advisory commission chairs to be elected by a majority vote of the membership at the first regular meeting of each calendar year. Commissioner Nelson made a motion to nominate Chairman Nicholas Eoloff to continue as chair of the commission. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Erickson. Chairman Eoloff then inquired if there were any additional nominations. There being none, there was a motion by Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Nelson to elect Nick Eoloff as chair of the Housing Commission for calendar year 1993. The motion passed. UPDATE ON BROOKLYN BOULEVARD STUDY AND DISCUSSION OF BUFFERING STRIP OPTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES TO BE INCLUDED IN THE STUDY Chairman Eoloff requested Ron Warren to review the status of the Brooklyn Boulevard Study with the commission and to explain the specifics of the buffering strip options. Mr. Warren explained the Brooklyn Boulevard task force was commissioned by the City Council in May of 1992 to consider 2 -03 -93 1 questions on the development and redevelopment of Brooklyn Boulevard. He explained Brooklyn Boulevard is a major traffic artery through the City and carries between forty and fifty thousand (40,000- 50,000) cars per day. Mr. Warren further explained that much of the single family residential development along Brooklyn Boulevard is an inappropriate land use and the primary question is how to redevelop Brooklyn Boulevard and convert the residential to another use. In the mid- 1960's, the City adopted some zoning changes along Brooklyn Boulevard which resulted in the creation of nonconforming uses among the single- family homes. By rezoning the homes it was hoped that the houses would be bought out and the area redeveloped. Councilmember Barbara Kalligher and Housing Commission member John Kalligher arrived at 7:30 p.m. The rezoning of Brooklyn Boulevard did not result in the substantial combination and assembling of any residential parcels into areas for commercial development. Mr. Warren pointed out that the Marquette Bank satellite office was built along Brooklyn Boulevard and is an example of one situation where residential parcels were assembled into a larger commercial development. Mr. Warren also pointed out that many of the single- family properties along Brooklyn Boulevard are rental properties. In review of the Comprehensive Plan, Mr. Warren pointed out that the Plan recommends the "rounding out" of commercial uses at various intersections along Brooklyn Boulevard, including 69th and Brooklyn Boulevard to Lee and June Avenues. This "rounding out" would essentially extend the commercial area around the intersection on either side of Brooklyn Boulevard. According to the Comprehensive Plan, this would be the most advantageous development scheme for Brooklyn Boulevard. Concern as to why this type of development is not happening resulted in the Brooklyn Boulevard Study, which was an effort to reexamine the development and redevelopment along Brooklyn Boulevard. It also attempted to review all the past planning issues and ordinance requirements in place, such as lot size requirements, building setbacks and physical improvements along Brooklyn Boulevard. Mr. Warren explained the Brooklyn Boulevard task force met in July of 1992, and began with a visioning meeting in August of 1992. The Task Force has prepared a rough draft of the study and is preparing to meet in a work session with the City Council. The specific issues the Council has requested the Housing Commission to consider with regard to the study are related to appropriate buffering requirements along Brooklyn Boulevard. Mr. Warren outlined several issues for the Housing Commission to consider, including how to allow the expansion of the commercial 2 -03 -93 2 zones along Brooklyn Boulevard and how to buffer the single family properties. The past practice with regard to buffering has been to use multiple family residential to buffer commercial development from single family residential development. A second issue revolves around current zoning ordinance provisions which provides that uses such as gas stations, saunas, restaurants, car washes and convenience stores, among other similar uses, are prohibited from abutting single- family residential areas. He pointed out that prohibiting these types of uses from abutting single family residential areas is the most legally defensible manner of buffering but this ordinance provision may prohibit uses that, in fact, may be quite compatible with single family residential. If certain uses are permitted to abut single- family residential, then other options would have to be used, such as screening, distance, walls, etc. Chairman Eoloff inquired why a larger residential area was not rezoned initially. Mr. Warren explained that the City did not want to make a larger single family area nonconforming uses, which would prevent expansion of single family homes. He pointed out some C -1 commercial uses can abut single- family residential, such as offices and shopping centers. Mr. Warren pointed out the Maxfield Commercial Industrial Study suggested that much of the area along Brooklyn Boulevard is suited to auto related uses. The Brooklyn Boulevard task force considered this option but did not want strip development along Brooklyn Boulevard, but rather development nodes were preferred. Presently, the City's PUD ordinance requirements can accomplish this node development, but it is still necessary to assemble larger parcels to accomplish the redevelopment. Mr. Warren explained that what is coming out of the final recommendations of the Brooklyn Boulevard task force is that certain C -2 uses will be allowed with certain restrictions, such as eight foot (8 ft.) masonry walls and landscaping with trees twenty feet (20 ft.) on center as screening. He concluded by stating the issues for the Housing Commission to consider are current ordinance requirements and the need for screening between residential and commercial areas. Commissioner Kalligher pointed out that generally, commercial property is not developed at the same rate as housing and he did not want to lose a great deal of single family housing to commercial development. He pointed out the need to protect the homes on either side of Brooklyn Boulevard. Commissioner Frantum stated that housing needs to be protected, but the City also needs to protect its commercial base. Chairman Eoloff suggested that the redevelopment of Brooklyn 2 -03 -93 3 4, Boulevard really needs to look at the physical attributes of each block and that each one should be handled individually. He emphasized residential property but be hasized the need to it may P P P P Y Y protected better by zoning an entire block C -2. Commissioner Frantum stated that she is concerned that certain commercial uses not be allowed along Brooklyn Boulevard. Commissioner Perkins left the meeting at 8:10 p.m. The commission continued to discuss the screening aspects of the redevelopment of Brooklyn Boulevard and there was a general consensus among commission members that C -2 uses abutting residential areas with adequate screening protection and restriction of certain uses is acceptable in the redevelopment of Brooklyn Boulevard. Commissioner Kalligher recommended that some effort be made to communicate the results of the study to residents affected in the area along Brooklyn Boulevard. Chairman Eoloff requested the Assistant EDA Coordinator to prepare a resolution for the Housing Commission at the next meeting regarding a final recommendation on the buffering options for the Brooklyn Boulevard redevelopment. Chairman Eoloff explained he would be meeting with the EDA Coordinator to plan the commission's agenda for the year and requested any ideas from individual members with regard to items they would like to see addressed in the coming year. Chairman Eoloff also requested staff to prepare information on the status of Shingle Creek Towers and whether there is a possibility of this building being converted to a market rate rental building. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Commissioner Erickson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Chairperson 2 -03 -93 4 i