Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000 01-27 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 STUDY SESSION JANUARY 27, 2000 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Pro Tem Boeck at 7:33 p.m. ROLL CALL 1999 PLANNING COMMISSION Chair Pro Tern Graydon Boeck, Commissioners Stephen Erdmann, Rex Newman, Dianne Reem, and John Whitehead were present. Absent and excused were Chair Tim Willson and Commissioner Sean Rahn. Also present were Secretary to the Planning Commission/Planning and Zoning Specialist Ronald Warren, and Planning Commission Recording Secretaries Sara Beck and Carla Wirth. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 13. 2000 There was a motion by Commissioner Reem, seconded by Commissioner Whitehead, to approve the minutes of the January 13, 2000 meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. CHAIR'S EXPLANATION Chair Pro Tern Boeck 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. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE - PRESENTATION AND PUBLIC HEARING Chair Pro Tern Boeck introduced the Comprehensive Plan Update, noting that a public hearing would be held following staff s presentation. Mr. Warren advised that legal notice was published two weeks ago to advertise the public hearing being held tonight on the Comprehensive Plan Update, as required by the City's ordinances. He explained this has been an on -going matter of consideration since 1997. Mr. Warren drew the Commission's attention to the letter received from Ted Mondale, Chair of the Metropolitan Council containing comments on the Brooklyn Center Comprehensive Plan and indicating they find the Plan update is in conformity with the metropolitan system plans for aviation, recreation/open space, transportation and water resources management, and consistent with the Regional Growth Strategy and Regional Blueprint. It also indicates the City can put its Comprehensive Plan update into effect with no Plan modifications, with the exception of elements identified in the review record. Mr. Warren reviewed that the City of Brooklyn Center was required to update its Comprehensive Plan to meet the Metropolitan Land Planning Act requirement for 1998 plan updates. He presented 01 -27 -00 1 the history of the City's Comprehensive Plans and updates since the original Plan which was adopted in 1966. Mr. Warren explained the document being considered tonight is a revision from the Plan adopted in 1979. He presented the Metropolitan Council findings and conclusions as follows: 1. The Brooklyn Center Comprehensive Plan meets all of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act requirements for 1998 plan updates. 2. The plan is in conformity with the Regional Blueprint and the Regional Growth Strategy designations for Brooklyn Center. 3. The plan is in conformity with the policy plans for Aviation, Recreation/Open Space and Transportation. 4. The plan is consistent with the Council's housing policy and other chapters of the Metropolitan Development Guide. 5. The plan is compatible with the plans of adjacent governmental units and school districts. 6. The City will adopt an appropriate erosion control ordinance as part of its Surface Water Management Plan within 120 days of Metropolitan Council action on the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Warren advised that the City Council just adopted an erosion control ordinance and it will be in effect within 30 days. He advised that this meets the requirements of Finding #6 above as identified by the Metropolitan Council. 7. The plan is generally consistent with the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area designation when corrected as indicated above. 8. The City will need to submit information regarding the number of connections Brooklyn Center has with north Minneapolis and Crystal interceptor areas and the potential for additional connections will need to be submitted as Tier II information. Mr. Warren presented the recommendations of the Metropolitan Council indicating they have adopted the Executive Summary and Review Record with the following recommendations: 1. That the plan meets all of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act requirements for 1998 plan updates. 2. That the City will: a. Adopt an appropriate erosion control ordinance as part of its Surface Water Management Plan within 120 days of Metropolitan Council action on the Comprehensive Plan; and b. Add language to the Implementation Program on Page 7 -1 to state that the City will continue to use the Interim Development Regulations to ensure that all developments are consistent with Critical Area guidelines until the City adopts and implements a compliant Critical Area regulations for all public and private development within the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area. C. Work to complete its Critical Area plan update and work with DNR on implementing regulations so they can be submitted for Council review and DNR approval. d. Correct descriptions of state Critical Area requirements and the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and include them in the final submittal in order to be 01 -27 -00 2 accurate with state and federal law, as noted by staff in a letter to the City dated September 15, 1999, and adopted into this report by reference. e. Submit Tier II information regarding the number of connections Brooklyn Center has with north Minneapolis and Crystal interceptor areas and the potential for additional connections. Mr. Warren noted that the City has met all of these recommendations. He stated that all but Planning Commissioner Whitehead were members of the Comprehensive Plan Task Force which also encompassed the Council, representatives of the School District, business community, and interested community members. That Task Force extensively reviewed the Comprehensive Plan and made recommendations to the Metropolitan Council. Mr. Warren presented the memorandum he drafted in August of 1999 to update the Community Development Director regarding the status of the Comprehensive Plan. He explained the Task Force work was accomplished in the summer of 1997, and the Plan was then submitted to the Metropolitan Council for their reviewal in the fall of 1997. They began their review, requested the City provide additional information and to make several minor modifications through the summer of 1998. The City then submitted the revised Comprehensive Plan in September of 1998 which included the changes requested by the Metropolitan Council. Some final revisions were requested November 20, 1998 that were submitted along with the Council resolution of adoption and indicating the City would respond to Metropolitan Council concerns. From that point, the City did not hear from the Metropolitan Council on their review so contact was made in June of 1999 inquiring about the status. In July of 1999, the Metropolitan Council indicated the City's plan had been lost but everything was complete so they adopted the Plan and findings were issued in October of 1999. At this time, the Comprehensive Plan is being presented to finalize and adopt. Mr. Warren noted that the City had responded in a timely manner to all Metropolitan Council requests. Mr. Warren reviewed the components contained within the Comprehensive Plan and offered to answer questions. Commissioner Reem asked if the upkeep and maintenance of holding ponds being alluded to is being accepted by all communities. Mr. Warren explained the aesthetics of holding ponds is not a Metropolitan Council issue but, rather, something the City will have to address individually. Commissioner Reem asked if the Council has concluded their discussion on the transit hub. Mr. Warren stated the transit hub on Xerxes Avenue is temporary and while the City acknowledges the area around Brookdale is appropriate for a regional transit hub, the City has not taken a position that it has to be on Brookdale property, which is private property. He explained that decision would have to be negotiated between the MTCO and Brookdale Shopping Center owners which, to -date, has not occurred. Mr. Warren further explained that the City has encouraged the MTCO to find an appropriate location for the regional transit hub and indicated support but the City does not think it should be a burden on a private land owner to support that use, particularly if it is not in their best interest. 01 -27 -00 3 Commissioner Reem commented that it is a hassle for the City to handle holding pond maintenance. Chair Pro Tern Boeck stated the development agreement usually requires the developer to handle maintenance and if they don't do so, the City has the right to enter the property, perform the work, and place the cost on the property taxes. Mr. Warren explained that the City is required to have these types of retainage and holding ponds and he feels they can be created to provide an amenity. However, holding ponds do require constant maintenance and upgrading. Chair Pro Tern Boeck explained the ponds are needed to increase water quality to a certain standard and also provide detention. Approval of those ponds are with the Watershed Commission so another agency provides the regulations. Mr. Warren agreed you can see the difference between ponds in various locations depending on how they are perceived, used, and level of maintenance. He agreed this is an ongoing issue that the City and Watershed Commission will need to deal with. Commissioner Newman inquired regarding the population projections of the Metropolitan Council. Mr. Warren stated staff anticipates the population figures projected will stabilize around 30,000 with 60% being single - family residential and 40% being multiple - family residential. Commissioner Newman noted the population projections contained in the Comprehensive Plan have been scaled back, to which he agrees. Chair Pro Tern Boeck stated he was concerned about statements contained in some portions of the Plan, such as on Page 4 -26, indicating the Upper Twin Lake area is not being used to its full potential. He asked what would be a higher potential than the current high percentage usage of the shoreline. Chair Pro Tern Boeck noted they also indicate "restoring the shore as common open space or parkland, bordered by medium- density housing (such as small -lot singles or twinhomes) oriented toward the open space would upgrade the housing stock in this area while providing a valuable amenity." He stated this implies to him that they intend to purchase single - family houses to restore the shoreline. Chair Pro Tern Boeck stated he has found it uncommon for the walkways to be crowded in the southwest area and does not support the use of City funds to expand the trails. Chair Pro Tern Boeck asked about the second paragraph on Page 6 -6 which indicated the "lack of storm sewer and flat grades, result in large quantities of storm water left standing for extended periods and eventually infiltrate into the ground and into the sanitary sewer conveyance system." He stated he thinks that statement is "bunk" and asked staff to address that comment with Metropolitan Council staff. Chair Pro Tern Boeck noted the second bullet point on Page 7 -1 addressing the need to "adopt and incorporate a Shoreland District" and that "very few parcels of land would be affected by this District since nearly all the lake and river edges in Brooklyn Center are already developed." He pointed out that this statement seems to conflict with a previous statement. 01 -27 -00 4 Mr. Warren stated the Plan is consistent with the recommendations of the Task Force, noting that the policy has been loosened regarding what would be allowed for redevelopment along Brooklyn Boulevard. PUBLIC HEARING - COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE There was a motion by Commissioner Erdmann, seconded by Commissioner Newman, to open the public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan Update at 8:15 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Pro Tern Boeck called for comments from the public. No persons from the public appeared before the Commission during the public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan Update. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING There was a motion by Commissioner Whitehead, seconded by Commissioner Erdmann, to close the public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan Update at 8:16 p.m. The motion passed unanimously The Chair called for further discussion or questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Newman asked if the recommendations of the Metropolitan Council have been incorporated. Mr. Warren advised they have been incorporated into the text of the Plan and others will be part of the Critical Area Plan, as noted in Section 8 of the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Newman asked if it is expected that the Council will adopt this Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Warren advised that a formal resolution of adoption will be considered by the Council. That information will be forwarded to the Metropolitan Council and the Plan implemented by the City. The Commissioners interposed no objections to approval of the Comprehensive Plan. ACTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE There was a motion by Commissioner Newman, seconded by Commissioner Reem, to recommend to the Council that it approve the Comprehensive Plan Update, subject to the recommendations identified by the Metropolitan Council. Voting in favor: Chair Pro Tern Boeck, Commissioners Erdmann, Newman, Reem, and Whitehead. The motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Warren advised that the next meeting will be February 17, 2000, noting that Commissioner Reem has indicated she will not be able to attend that meeting because of a conflict and requested to be excused. There was no other business. 01 -27 -00 5 ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Newman, seconded by Commissioner Whitehead, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m. Chair Recorded and transcribed by: Carla Wirth TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 01 -27 -00 6