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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 12-10 CCM Joint Meeting with Planning Commission MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA Special Session December 10, 1979 City Hall CALL TO ORDER The City Council and the Planning Commission met in joint session and were called to order by Mayor Dean Nyquist at 7:32 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Dean Nyquist, Councilmembers Tony Kuefler, Gene Lhotka and Celia Scott and Planning Commission members Richard Theis, Nancy Manson, George Lucht, and Dan Erickson. Also present was City Manager Gerald Splinter, Director of Planning and Inspection Ron Warren, Superintendent of Engineering James Noska, Director of Public Works Sy Knapp, City Assessor Peter Koole, and Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz and Planning Assistant Gary Shallcross. REVIEW OF 1980 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Mayor Nyquist announced that the purpose of the special joint meeting between the Council and the Planning Commission was for the purpose for reviewing the proposed 1980 Comprehensive Plan. He turned the meeting over to the City Manager for further background on the Comprehensive Plan review process. The City Manager explained that the Comprehensive Plan had been prepared by Mr. Bill Weber of Bather, Ringrose, Wolsfeld, Jarvis and Gardner, and that the Planning Commission had held a number of hearings throughout the year on various parts of the Plan and on the most recent draft of the entire document. He explained that City staff had met with the Planning Consultant to review the text thoroughly and make a number of corrections and changes both major and minor. At that point, the Director of Planning and Inspection distributed to the Council and the Planning Commission copies of a memorandum which recorded changes requested by staff in the Plan document. Councilmember Bill Fignar arrived at 7:34 p.m. Commissioner Molly Malecki arrived at 7:35 p.m. The City Manager reviewed with the Council and the Planning Commission a number of changes in the text and maps for the Comprehensive Plan as contained in the memorandum from Bill weber and John MacNamara of BRW. In answer to Council - member Lhotka, the City Manager explained that the City has adopted the MN /DOT designation of Highway 252 (formerly 169) as an intermediate arterial. The Director of Planning and Inspection pointed out that the Planning Commission had discussed at its October 25, 1979 meeting the possibility of a pedestrian bridge over the Mississippi at the location of the Interstate Highway. He explained that Great River Road funding is not available for ..this project, that the automobile route of the Great River Road moves to the east side of the river at this point, but that the bicycle and pedestrian way stays on the west side., The City Manager explained that even though funding is not available at this time for such a pedestrian bridge, it would be useful to state the desire for such a bridge in the Plan as a policy preference which can be noted by the Metro Council and neighboring municipalities. The City Manager added that pedestrian bridges over Brooklyn Boulevard do not seem to be realistic 12 -10 -79 -1- s w o cross oss the Boulevard. He a on as there is an alternative a t as � y g that people only tend to use pedestrian bridges if the they are the sole means of getting across a major traffic artery. Cour.-:ilmember Kuefler asked whether Great River Road funding was available for the pedestrian way along 69th Avenue North. The Director of Planning and Inspection answered that that was still a viable possibility. The City Manager explained that it would depend on the final route chosen for the Great River Road. The Director of Planning and Inspection reviewed the list of planning issued on pages 73 and 74 of the proposed Plan. He noted on issue number three concerning the use of the R -2 zoning classification to consolidate substandard lots in the southeast neighborhood, that the R -2 zoning had not been very successful in eliminating substandard lots. He noted that a 1976 Zoning Ordinance amendment which made all lots of record prior to 1976 standard lots worked in the opposite direction of the goal of consolidating substandard lots. Councilmember Kuefler observed that with the energy shortage perhaps the duplex might become popular again. The Secretary acknowledged this and explained that the R -2 zoning classification has not been abandoned, but that it allows the construction of single family homes as well. Councilmember Fignar stated that the adoption of a zero lot line provision might be an incentive to build more two family dwellings since they could then be condominiumized. POLICY PLAN The City Manager then reviewed some proposed changes for the policy plan . section of the Comprehensive Plan. He suggested striking the words "more intensive" from community goal number three on page 77, stating that it would not be appropriate for the City to make such a one -way commitment. The City Manager and the Director of Planning and Inspection encouraged the Council and Planning Commission to give special consideration to the Policy Plan since it represents the heart of the document and is the most important section from a local standpoint. Councilmember Lhotka asked whether a statement on the speed limits on local streets should be included in the plan. The City Manager answered that local street speeds are generally determined by the State Legislature and they are not an issue for the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Weber read aloud a statement proposed by the City Manager to be added to goal number three on page number 88 concerning municipal costs. The s tatement cited i the fact that local government officials are subjected to a fiscal squeeze by the control over City budgets imposed by the levy limit aspect of the local government aid program. In answer to a question from Councilmember Kuefler, the City Manager noted that the Governor's office has assigned the State Planning Agency to study the fiscal impact of State mandated programs and procedures. He explained that the purpose of the study was to help legislators in assessing the impact of legislation before passing it. The Director of Planning and Inspection pointed out that the Comprehensive Plan should also be corrected to clarify the responsibility for maintaining private roadways. He stated that City responsibility for street maintenance does not apply to private roadways even though properties served by private roadways are taxed to pay for the maintenance of public streets. He explained that there are definite economic advantages to developing with the use of private streets, including smaller setbacks and less restrictive street design standards. 12 -10 -79 -2- Councilmember Kuefler observed that people being served by private roadways will probably be successful in transferring the responsibility for maintenance to the City and that, therefore, that the City should ensure in its approval of 'plats for private roadways that such roadways will meet City standards. The Director of Planning and Inspection noted the problem with The Ponds development and ,suggested that if a townhouse complex is built along the Lines of a duplex development, perhaps R -2 requirements should be met in the platting of individual lots. Councilmember Kuefler concluded that the City's policy should state that it cannot and will not pick up the maintenance of substandard streets. PHYSICAL PLAN The Council and the Planning Commission then reviewed the table of land use revisions included in the memorandum of changes submitted by Bill Weber of MI. There were no additional changes suggested. The City Manager suggested that townhouses should be eliminated as a redevelop- ment option in the southeast neighborhood as indicated on neighborhood develop- went issue, number five on page 100. He noted that most redevelopment_ would take place on smaller parcels of land which do not lend themselves to townhouse development. The Director of Planning and Inspection explained that townhouses are not permitted in the R -2 zone because of lot requirements. Councilmember Kuefler asked that townhouses be left in as an option for redevelopment in the southeast neighborhood and in light of the recent rezoning of the Madsen Floral property. In reviewing the section on the housing Plan and program development the Director of Planning and Inspection stated that the City would leave the administration of most housing programs to the Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority until it has developed its own battery of programs. Planning Commission Chairman Hal Pierce arrived at 9:22 p.m. in reviewing the water system plan, the City Manager cited the possible need for a water treatment plan with the capacity of 20 million gallons per day to be located in the northeast neighborhood adjacent to the water tower. He urged the City Council to preserve the land in question for such a use rather than allow it to be developed and later have to condemn property. Under the park and recreation system plan, the City Manager pointed out a staff 'proposed revision to include acquisition of land adjacent to Lions Park for the purpose of creating a nine hole golf course. Councilmember Kuefler asked whether some of the land in question is going tax delinquent. The City Assessor answered that the property is tax delinquent, but not subject to forfeit for another two or three years. The City Council reviewed the transportation system plan briefly. Council- member Kuefler suggested that the City should perhaps encourage upgrading of any kind along 69th Avenue North, not necessarily to four 'lanes, in the hope of accomplishing some improvement to that roadway. Councilmember Fignar questioned the need to recommend any widening of 63rd Avenue North, noting that it is already wide enough to suggest that there are four lanes instead of two. The Superintendent of Engineering pointed out that 63rd Avenue from Brooklyn Boulevard to Xerxes Avenue North needs to be upgraded though not necessarily widened. Councilmember Fignar requested that references to upgrading 63rd Avenue be stricken altogether. Returning to the policy plan, the Director of Planning and Inspection pointed out that the industrial land use policies section should be revised to include a statement that the manufacture of fertilizer at the Bowe Fertilizer site 12 -10 -79 -3- at 4821 Xerxes Avenue North is a nonconforming use and will be phased out as a nuisance by 1982. RECESS The City Council and the Planning'Commission recessed at 9 :34 p.m. and reconvened at 9:50 p.m. Planning Commissioner George Lucht left during the recess. BROOKLYN BOULEVARD STUDY The City Manager resumed the meeting with a discussion of the Brooklyn Boulevard study. He noted that it is the portion of the plan which has evoked the greatest public comment. He clarified for Mary Jane Gustafson, editor of the Brooklyn Center Post, the misconception that land proposed for a different use along the Boulevard corridor would be rezoned upon adoption of the Comprehensive Plan. He explained that land would not be rezoned unless specific development proposals were put forward to the Planning Commission and City Council. He summarized the recommendation of the plan as trying to avoid strip development and creating distinct nodes of commercial or residential development along the Boulevard. The Director of Planning and Inspection stated that the Brooklyn Boulevard study attempts to deal with various planning issues such as: whether the o levard is a viable location o family residential development; B u v abl locat o for sin 1 a 1 g Y the pressure for commercial use along the Boulevard; and the improvement of traffic movement along the Boulevard. He briefly reviewed the recommended conceptual alternative for Brooklyn Boulevard which provides for a transition to service office uses in a small strip immediately opposite Brookdale from Northport Clinic to the new Brooklyn Law Center and 58th Avenue to 62nd Avenue North and advocates expansion of the retail nodes at 63rd and 69th Avenue and long -term redevelopment of the areas just south of the freeway and north of the 70th Avenue North to mid- density residential uses. Councilmember Fignar asked how different from the area proposed for office are those areas being preserved for residential. The Director of Planning and Inspection answered that frontage road opposite Brookdale was the best means of protecting and preserving residential use. The area from 58th to 62nd Avenue North, on the other hand, has no frontage road. Councilmembers Fignar and Kuefler briefly discussed the vacant lots along Brooklyn Boulevard south of Northport Medical Clinic and suggested that these might be developed for commercial use. The Director of Planning and Inspection stated that some easements existed across those properties which made development difficult and that it would be best to leave those lots residential in order to stabilize the surrounding residential area. Councilmember Kuefler observed that a frontage road is good for minimizing the impact of commercial development adjacent to resi- dential. The City Manager stated that it was important to draw the line Y g p somewhere creating commercial and residential uses. The City Council next discussed the expansion of the retail node at 63rd Avenue North. the Director of Planning and Inspection showed a conceptual development plan for office or townhouse use in the transition zone and noted that Vern Ausen, a former Planning Commission and City Council member, stated at the October 25 Planning Commission meeting that he did not consider the expansion of the retail node at 63rd Avenue necessary or prudent. Councilmember Fignar noted that the expansion of that node would involve the elimination of some high quality housing. The Secretary commented that the land along Brooklyn Boulevard from 62nd to 63rd does not seem to be a good 12 -10 -79 -4- residential area. He also stated that there is a misconception abroad that land in this area might be condemned as a way of implementing the plan proposal. He explained that the condemnation option is not being considered for this location or any other location at this time. IMPLEMENTATION SECTION The :Director of Planning and Inspection and the City Manager briefly reviewed . the implementation section of the Comprehensive Plan including proposed Zoning Ordinance revisions such as the definition of a convenience food restaurant. The City Manager briefly discussed the Comprehensive Plan review process. He stated that the .Metropolitan Council would pay greatest attention to how the City fits into the metropolitan systems such as sewers, transportation, airports, and open space. Commissioner Erickson noted the Metropolitan Council would not likely scrutinize local policies. ADJOURNMENT By consensus, the joint meeting of the City Council and the Planning Commission adjourned at 10:35 p.m. el r Clerk Mayor 12 -10 -79 -5-