Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994 01-12 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 JANUARY 12, 1994 CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chair Pro Tern Holmes at 7:37 p.m. ROLL CALL - 1993 PLANNING COMMISSION Chair Pro Tem. Mark Holmes, Commissioners Debra Hilstrom, Robert Mickelson, Dianne Reem, and Tim Willson. Also present were the Secretary to the Planning Commission Planning and Zoning Specialist Ronald Warren, Director of Community Development Brad Hoffman, and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Kathy Stratton. Chairperson Ella Sander and Commissioner Bertil Johnson had called to indicate they could not attend this evening's meeting and were, therefore, excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 9 1993 There was a motion by Commissioner Willson and seconded by Commissioner Mickelson to approve the minutes of the December 9, 1993, Planning Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURN 1993 PLANNING COMMISSION There was a motion by Commissioner Willson and seconded by Commissioner Mickelson to adjourn the 1993 Planning Commission. The motion passed unanimously. ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE The Secretary administered the oath office to newly appointed Commission member Donald Booth. Commissioner Booth was then welcomed by the Planning Commission. CALL TO ORDER - 1994 PLANNING COMMISSION There was a motion by Commissioner Hilstrom and seconded by Commissioner Reem to call the 1994 Planning Commission to order at 7:41 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. ROLL CALL Commissioners Donald Booth, Debra Hilstrom, Mark Holmes, Robert Mickelson, Dianne Reem, and Tim Willson. Also present were the Secretary to the Planning Commission Planning and Zoning Specialist Ronald Warren, Director of Community Development Brad Hoffman, and Planning Commission Recording Secretary Kathy Stratton. Commissioner 1-12-94 1 Ella Sander had called to indicate she could not attend this evening's meeting and was, therefore, excused. ELECTION OF 1994 CHAIR The Secretary explained appointments that had been made by the City Council as follows: Donald Booth was appointed to replace Commissioner Bertil Johnson,Commissioner Sander was re-appointed, and the position of Commissioner Holmes was not acted upon. He said that Commissioner Holmes would continue in his position as Commissioner until replaced or re-appointed. The Secretary said Commissioner Holmes could continue to act as Chair Pro Tem until a new Chairperson and Chair Pro Tem are elected. There was a motion by Chair Pro Tem Holmes and seconded by Commissioner Mickelson to open nominations for 1994 Chair. The motion passed unanimously. There was a motion by Chair Pro Tem Holmes and seconded by Commissioner Nickelson to nominate Commissioner Willson for 1994 Chair. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Pro Tem Holmes called three times for additional nominations and none were received. Commissioner Willson was unanimously elected Chair for 1994. The Planning Commission congratulated Commissioner Willson on his election to the position of 1994 Chairperson of the Planning Commission. ELECTION OF 1994 CHAIR PRO TEM There was a motion by Commissioner Hilstrom and seconded by Commissioner Mickelson to open nominations for Chair Pro Tem. The motion passed unanimously. There was a motion by Commissioner Hilstrom and seconded by Commissioner Holmes to nominate Commissioner Mickelson as 1994 Chair Pro Tem. Chairperson Willson called three times for additional nominations and none were received. Commissioner Mickelson was unanimously elected Chair Pro Tem for 1994. The Planning Commission congratulated Commissioner Mickelson on his election to the position of 1994 Chair Pro Tem of the Planning Commission. Commissioner Mickelson requested clarification on the length of term to be served by the newest Commissioner Donald Booth. The Secretary explained his term is to be two years and to expire on December 31, 1995. He noted that the list of Commission members would be corrected to reflect this. i 1-12-94 2 There was a motion by Commissioner Holmes and seconded by Commissioner Mickelson to recommend to the City Council that Commissioner Bertil Johnson be commended for his years of service to the City as a member of the Planning Commission. Commissioner Booth abstained from voting, and the motion passed unanimously. CHAIRPERSON'S EXPLANATION Chairperson Willson explained the Planning Commission is 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 ITEMS The Secretary introduced Mr. Arijs Pakalns from B.R.W., the consulting firm retained by the City of Brooklyn Center, to make a presentation on the Brooklyn Boulevard Streetscape Amenities Study. He explained members of the Brooklyn Boulevard Task Force had been invited to attend this presentation. Commissioner Hilstrom asked if any of the Planning Commission members were also serving on the Task Force and the Secretary said Commissioners Holmes, Reem, and Mickelson were a part of that group. Mr. Pakalns explained his firm's research on Brooklyn Boulevard and handed out a memorandum detailing the findings. He reviewed the memorandum in detail and answered questions as they came up. Mr. Pakalns reviewed goals for the Brooklyn Boulevard Corridor, which were listed as; 1.) creating a favorable business environment; 2.) providing for well defined and screened residential neighborhoods; 3.) creating a comprehensive area access and circulation system; 4.) accommodating regional traffic; and 5.) projecting a positive image for the Corridor and the City. He also gave design guidelines which included a Corridor Concept Plan. He gave points in a Corridor Concept Plan which included; 1.) Single-family housing should not abut Brooklyn Boulevard. 2.) The entire length of the Corridor should not be devoted to commercial activity. 3.) The intensity of land use should be generally increased along the Corridor for both commercial and residential activity. 4.) Development around the 63rd Avenue intersection should be intensified with mixed business and high-density housing, including a "Town Center" focal feature. 5.) A comprehensive theme should be expressed for the Corridor through a combination of public landscaping, lighting and monument improvements as well as private development design requirements and guidelines. The recommendations of B.R.W. included street tree plantings in boulevards and medians of the road rights-of way, decorative street lighting, City entrance monuments or signs, corridor monuments, a Corridor focal feature, and intersection treatments. Mr. Pakalns used maps and drawings to illustrate these points when necessary. He also gave guidelines for private development and methods to implement these guidelines. Mr. Pakalns explained 1-12-94 3 B.R.W. is three-quarters of the way through with the process of studying the area and making its recommendations as he continues to work with the City and the Task Force. He explained this study identifies the priority areas for change and will include zoning recommendations necessary to facilitate these changes. There was discussion regarding the application for procurement of ISTEA funding and The Director of Community Development explained he thought the Brooklyn Center's chances to be very good. After discussion about using the Earle Brown Farm motif in design elements, Commissioner Hilstrom commented there was a chance the City could sell the farm at some time in the future. Mr. Pakalns said even if the City did sell it, the history is still there and provides a good reason for its use in a coherent design theme. Commissioner Mickelson asked if companies like KFC are willing to bend their proposals to fit City design guidelines, and Mr. Pakalns commented they can be quite flexible. After a question by Commissioner Holmes, Mr. Pakalns explained bus stops would be designed to fit the overall theme. Mr. Pakalns said there is the argument that imposing guidelines upon developers can seem too restrictive, but it also conveys the impression the City is looking for quality developers that are willing to cooperate with an overall plan that is best for the City. An audience member asked if relocation of certain businesses to allow for widening of the Boulevard is part of the package and, if so, when would it take place. Mr. Pakalns said yes, relocation is part of the plan depending upon what the City can do, and added acquisition and relocation plans should begin within the year. Another audience member asked if there would be improvement in the problem area where Brooklyn Boulevard and I-694 meet. Mr.Pakalns responded that is part of the improvement plan. Another member of the audience commented she is glad some of the single-family homes will be acquired for redevelopment because they have gotten to be eye-sores. The Secretary explained the current zoning ordinance requires lots for commercial service/office development to be a minimum of 150 feet of frontage and 1 acre in size. He said that has led to some problems in consolidating some of the parcels with single-family homes but does serve to eliminate the need for many access points on Brooklyn Boulevard. Chairperson Willson thanked Mr.Pakalns for his presentation,and Commissioner Mickelson asked for the Planning Commission to be notified of the date and time of the upcoming Task Force meeting. 1-12-94 4 There was brief discussion among the Planning Commissioners and the Secretary regarding the progress of several building projects in the City. The Secretary recommended cancellation of the Planning Commission meeting for January 27, 1994 and said the next meeting would be Wednesday, February 16, 1994. The Commissioners agreed with that recommendation. Chairperson Willson asked if there had been any information regarding litigation by Holiday Stationstores, Inc. and the Secretary explained the City is putting together information and has responded to the original complaint. Commissioner Mickelson commented he is glad to see some redevelopment projects completed even after he had been on the Commission such a short time. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Hilstrom and seconded by Commissioner Mickelson to adjourn the meeting of the Planning Commission. The motion passed unanimously. The Planning Commission adjourned at 9:27 p.m. Chairperson Recorded and transcribed by: Kathy Stratton Timesaver Off Site Secretarial 1-12-94 5 1 1