HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 01-28 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 MEETING
JANUARY 28, 1999
CALL TO ORDER
The Planning Commission met in a regular meeting called to order by Chair Willson at 7:35 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chair Tim Willson, Commissioners Graydon Boeck, Stephen Erdmann, Sean Rahn, and Dianne
Reem were present. Also present were Secretary to the Planning Commission/Planning and Zoning
Specialist Ronald Warren, Community Development Director Brad Hoffman, Community
Development Specialist Tom Bublitz, Councilmember Ed Nelson, Real Estate Recycling
Representative Paul Hyde and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Heidi Wirth. Absent was
Commissioner Rex Newman with prior notice.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 3. 1998
There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Erdmann, to approve the
minutes of the December 3, 1998 meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 17 1998 (JOINT SESSION WITH CITY COUNCIL
There was a motion by Commissioner Reem, seconded by Commissioner Boeck, to approve the
minutes of the December 17, 1998 Joint Session meeting as submitted. The motion passed
unanimously.
ADJOURN 1998 PLANNING COMMISSION
There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Rahn, to adjourn the 1998
Planning Commission at 7:38 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
OATHS OF OFFICE
Mr. Warren administered oaths of office to Tim Willson, Graydon Boeck, Sean Rahn and Dianne
Reem, each reappointed to the Planning Commission for a two -year term expiring on December 31,
2000.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Commissioner Willson called to order the 1999 Planning Commission at 7:40 p.m. with
Commissioners Boeck, Erdmann, Rahn, Reem, and Willson present.
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ELECTION OF 1999 CHAIR AND 1999 CHAIR PRO TEM
There was a motion by Commissioner Erdmann, seconded by Commissioner Reem, to nominate
Commissioner Willson to the position of 1999 Chair of the Planning Commission. No further
nominations were made. There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner
Rahn, to close nominations for 1999 Chair. The motion passed unanimously. The motion
nominating Commissioner Willson to the position of Chair of the 1999 Planning Commission passed
unanimously. Commission Willson stated he accepts the position.
There was a motion by Commissioner Reem, seconded by Commissioner Erdmann, to nominate
Commissioner Boeck to the position of 1999 Chair Pro Tem of the Planning Commission. No
further nominations were made. There was a motion by Commissioner Reem, seconded by
Commissioner Erdmann, to close nominations for 1999 Chair Pro Tem. The motion passed
unanimously. The motion nominating Commissioner Boeck to the position of 1999 Chair Pro Tem
passed unanimously. Commissioner Boeck stated he accepts the position.
CHAIR'S EXPLANATION
Chair Willson 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.
TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN FOR TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO.1
A. Resolution Regarding Confirmation that the Tax Increment Financing Plan for Tax
Increment Financing (Soils Condition) District No. 1 Conforms to the Development Plan of
the City
Mr. Warren reviewed this item with the Commission and displayed a map of the proposed TIF area.
He stated that the City Council will consider establishing the Tax Increment District and there will
be a public hearing on February 8, 1999. Mr. Warren explained that the Planning Commission is
to consider this item and its consistency between the development plan and the Comprehensive Plan
for the City. He noted that the proposed use for this land is industrial /light industrial which is in line
with the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Warren stated that he feels the proposed TIF District poses no
problems with the Comprehensive Plan as proposed in the development plan and asked for questions
from the Commission.
Mr. Bublitz informed the Commission of the chemical soil problems with the land and spoke of the
past uses on this site. He stated that the proposed TIF District has been declared a superfund site.
He noted that the City is in the process of working with Real Estate Recycling to develop this site.
The clean-up of this site and accompanying industrial development would be beneficial for the City
in creating jobs and tan capacity. He noted that there are sources for grants from the Met Council,
in addition to TIF monies. He stated that at this time the City is working for a clean-up program that
would be acceptable to TIF and that a soils condition district would be eligible for this site.
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Mr. Bublitz explained that the City could sell bonds to finance the clean-up project and then have
them paid off after the work was completed. He stated that the City will use a pay -as- you -go style
of financing for this project. A cap of $4 million dollars has been set for TIF money or a cap of
$2.00 /square foot for fair market value without the contamination. The time period for TIF money
is 20 years and the City hopes to have this project paid off in 10 -12 years. Mr. Bublitz reviewed the
estimated public costs and noted the eligible reimbursements from TIF. He stated that the current
value of the land is $2 million, and after the clean-up the City is predicting $18- $20 million.
Commissioner Boeck asked if the City has designated TIF funds for development of this site in their
development plans. Mr. Warren stated that this site is to be used for industrial and light industrial,
and the use of TIF funds is not an issue addressed in the Comprehensive Plan. In addition, the
Comprehensive Plan does not establish standards on the financing of the development.
Commissioner Boeck asked if TIF conforms with the development plan. Chair Willson stated that
it does conform with the Comprehensive Plan because the development is industrial /light industrial
as previously designated. Chair Willson explained that the financing of this development is not an
issue.
Commissioner Boeck asked how many acres were on the proposed TIF site. Mr. Hoffman stated that
there is roughly 40 acres and the fair market value of this land is $2.00 per square foot based on the
expenses to clean up the site, or $8.6 million.
Chair Willson asked what the value of the land would be after the $8.6 million clean up. Mr.
Hoffman stated that the value would be between $18 -$25 million. Chair Willson asked what the
potential zoning of this site would be. Mr. Warren stated that the zoning would be I -2.
Commissioner Boeck asked where the additional $4 million in funding would come from, after the
$4 million in TIF is supplied. Mr. Hoffman stated that the TIF funds represent the gap between the
grants and existing funding for this site.
Commissioner Boeck asked about the potential tax funding from this site in the future. Mr. Hoffman
stated that the net tax capacity is estimated at $600,000. He noted that this is a conservative estimate
and inflation was not taken into consideration. Mr. Hoffman stated that if the clean-up work was
not done the current tax implications leave the City at $100,000 in tax capacity.
Commissioner Reem asked if the 10 to 20 year limit for financing is similar with other TIF districts
in the City. Mr. Hoffman stated that this is the Minnesota Statutes for the Soil District but the City
would like to keep the term between 10 to 12 years.
Commissioner Reem asked if the proposed expenses came from private bids. Mr. Hoffman stated
that it came from the developer and the City will obtain a bid from a specialist to make sure these
numbers are in line.
Chair Willson asked if any other TIF Soils Districts are possible in the City. Mr. Hoffman stated that
Howe Fertilizer area could be a possibility in the future.
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Commissioner Erdmann asked what the definition of this project area is or who established it within
the City. Mr. Hoffinan stated that this will be the third TIF District in the City. He noted that TIF
funds can only be used for a certain project area and must meet specific recommendations within the
statutes on qualified costs. Mr. Hoffman explained that 75% of the TIF funds must be used on the
proposed site.
Commissioner Rahn asked if it is conceivable to have all phases of the proposed development begun
within five years of the development's start, or if this could be extended. Mr. Hoffman stated that
there would be a penalty to the developer in the loss in taxing capacity and funding from potential
purchasers.
Commissioner Boeck asked if Joslyn had an agreement with the EPA to not clean up the site. Mr.
Hoffman stated that they have an agreement to continuously pump the site but the current standards
are not acceptable for the sale of the land.
Commissioner Boeck asked if the developer's plan states conditions to deal with non - compliance.
Mr. Hoffman explained that the City will only pay the developer for performance in conformance
with the agreement.
There was a motion by Commissioner Erdmann, seconded by Commissioner Rahn, to adopt
Planning Commission Resolution No. 1, regarding confirmation that the Tax Increment Financing
(Soils Condition) District No. 1 conforms to the development plan of the City.
Voting in favor: Chair Willson, Commissioners Boeck, Erdmann, Rahn and Reem. The motion
passed unanimously.
Mr. Warren explained that this will be considered by the Council on February 8, 1999 and
encouraged the Planning Commission members to attend.
OTHER BUSINESS
Chair Willson asked when the Comprehensive Plan would be returned from the Met Council. Mr.
Warren stated that it should be back in several weeks for final review. He explained that once the
plan is accepted by the Met Council, the City will hold a public hearing to gain input from the public.
Commissioner Rahn asked if light rail should be considered in the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Warren
explained it is not proposed to run through Brooklyn Center.
Commissioner Reem asked when CUB would be coming before the City. Mr. Warren stated that
it would be some time in March.
Mr. Warren explained to the Commission that they are currently one member short at this time and
the Mayor is asking for applications at this time. He stated that the Commission should expect
someone appointed to the seat in mid to late February.
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ADJOURNMENT
There was a motion by Commissioner Boeck, seconded by Commissioner Rahn, to adjourn the
Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:08
p.m.
d
Chair
Recorded and transcribed by:
Heidi Wirth
Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
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