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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 10-14 PCM MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION OCTOBER 14, 2010 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Commissioner Kuykendall at 7:21 p.m. ROLL CALL Commissioner Kara Kuykendall and Carlos Morgan were present. Also present were Mayor Tim Willson, Councilmember Kay Lasman and Mark Yelich, Assistant City Manager/Director of Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, Secretary to the Planning Commission/Director of Business & Development Gary Eitel and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Rebecca Crass. Chair Sean Rahn and Stan Leino were absent and excused. Commissioners JoAnn Campbell- Sudduth and Michael Parks were absent and unexcused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 — THERE WAS NO QUORM — NO VOTE TAKEN CHAIR'S EXPLANATION Commissioner Kuykendall 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 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OF THE BROOKDALE MALL Mr. Gary Eitel introduced the discussion item related to the redevelopment of the Brookdale Mall. He outlined the history that has taken place going back to 1999 when a major redevelopment of Brookdale Mall took place under a PUD application. Mr. Frank Gaitlin, III, CEO of Gaitlin Development Company, introduced himself to the Commission, and stated that he is very excited to begin the process of revitalizing the Brookdale Mall. He added that last week he was chosen as the winner of the bidding process based on the fact that he was the most likely to achieve a high level of performance with the Mall. He will be closing December 9, 2010 on the purchase of the Macy's property and after the first of the year on the rest of the property. Mr. Gaitlin added that they expect to move the project on the fast track and begin construction in the Spring of 2011. He added that he does have the authority to be here with this information and make applications to begin the approval process based on a signed and executed Letter of Intent with a purchase agreement pending. He added that he can and will make the development happen. Page 1 10 -14 -10 cutting that ribbon Mr. Gaitlin went on to explain g is p nd planned in the 2 quarter 2012 and would coincide with the Mall's 50 year. He added that they propose to name the portion of the mall /center as the Shops at Shingle Creek Crossing and it may lead the way for other malls of a similar type. His plans will be the resurrection of Brookdale with the unique situation of a mall and open air shopping center with separate entrances that will allow for pedestrian traffic from shop to shop while still maintaining a substantial amount of inside shopping and dining. Mr. Gaitlin added that he feels that the concept being planned will be a great success. It will include separate entrances, eliminate the food court and create new retail spaces. The plan will require the demolition of part of the Mall and leave the former Barnes and Noble location standing since it is only about six years old. One of the bigger retail anchors in the development is proposed to be Wal -Mart. Mr. Gaitlin also described that they will add a few restaurants that do not exist in the area around the perimeter of the Mall. He also added that he is very impressed with the new streetscaping along County Road 10 and promised to continue with that look on the Mall site as well. Mr. Gaitlin also stated that this development will create 1000 new jobs for the area and added that Wal -Mart tries to pull 60 percent of their employment from inside the city. He added that they hope to plan a kickoff with a charitable event in cooperation with Wal -Mart. The entire project will cost about $100 million, will create I000's of construction jobs and will bring the Mall back to life with this new approach to the Mall. Kathy Anderson, President of Architectural Consortium, stated that she is excited to be part of this development and the plan is to keep the mix of indoor and outdoor shopping on the site. The layout allows for easy pedestrian walking from building to building and added that they will make the most out of Shingle Creek and continue that theme into the Mall area. Mike Simms, President of Mid - America Real Estate, exclusive broker for Wal -Mart stated they are excited to be a part of the first major retail development in the metro area for over three years. Having Wal -Mart as a major tenant and anchor will allow for desirable development on the site of other major retail tenants. Following a question from Commissioner Morgan, Mr. Gaitlin stated that the plans for a 24 hour store will be determined by the market and has not been determined at this point. Mr. Gaitlin stated that he is certain that this development will move forward and he appreciates the kindness extended by city staff through the planning process and the opportunity that city staff has allowed him to make this project move forward. He looks forward to making a formal application and presentation to the Planning Commission in the future. Mr. Eitel explained the next scheduled Planning Commission meeting is October 28, 2010 where the process to prepare for approval of the various Planning Commission applications related to this development will be introduced. He added that if the applicant submits an application and complete set of plans by November 4, 2010, then review of this proposed development will take place at the December 2, 2010 public hearing held by the Planning Commission. Page 2 10 -14 -10 OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m. Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Rebecca Crass Page 3 10 -14 -10