Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 02-28 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 STUDY SESSION FEBRUARY 28, 1980 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Panning Commission met in study session and was called to order by Chairman William Hawes at 7:36 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman Hawes, Commissioners Malecki , Theis, Manson, and Lucht. Also present- were Director of Planning and Inspections Ronald Warren and Planning Assistant Gary Shalicross. The Secretary reported that Commissioner Erickson indicated at the last Commission meeting that he would be absent that evening and was excused. He also reported that Commissioner Simmons was sick and had requested to be excused from this evening's meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 31 , 1980 Motion by Commissioner Theis seconded by Commissioner Manson to approve the minutes of the January 31 meeting as corrected. Voting in favor: Chairman Hawes , Commissioners Malecki , Theis, and Manson. Voting against: none. Not voting: Commissioner Lucht. The motion passed. Approval of the February 14, 1980 meeting was held over until the next Commission meeting. REVIEW OF NEIGHBORHOOD RECOMMENDATIONS Following the Chairman s' explanation, the Secretary reviewed for the Planning Commission some revisions to the language in certain Neighborhood Recommendations for the Comprehensive Plan. He stated that the Neighborhood Policies give a measure of local identity to each of the neighborhoods and carry over the neigh- borhood designation for the purpose of gathering neighborhood input on rezoning applications and Comprehensive Plan amendments. The Secretary read revised language for Policy No. 8 for the Northeast Neighborhood, encouraging the Anoka Hennepin and Brooklyn Center School Districts to work toward a revision of their common boundary or reach an agreement which would allow students living within a reasonable distance to attend Brooklyn Center Junior-Senior High School rather than be transported long distances to schools far from their neighborhood. The statement cited high transportation costs and a more efficient use of existing facilities as a more effective way of dealing with the present situation. The Secretary added that the Superintendent of the Brooklyn Center School District is not sure that the Brooklyn Center High School could accommodate all of the students from the Anoka District now living in Brooklyn Center. He explained that an open door policy does exist by policy of the Brooklyn Center School Board which allows Anoka District students to attend Brooklyn Center High School for an approximate net cost of $1 ,300.00 a year. 2-28-80 -1- The Secretary then reviewed three language changes for recommendations to the Southwest Neighborhood. These recommendations dealt with the status of the . chemical fertilizer plant located just off Brooklyn Boulevard just next to the Soo Line Railroad and the use of Twin Lake Island and the land at the extreme north end of Twin Lake for recreational use of a water based nature. A recomr mendation to extend Twin Lake Avenue North to connect with East Twin Lake Boulevard was recommended to be stricken from the Neighborhood Recommendations because it is not known whether an at-grade crossing at the Soo Line Railroad tracks is feasible at this time. He explained that striking this statement would have no effect on the possible construction of such a facility at a future date should it be considered desirable. The Secretary also briefly reviewed the Plan Recommendations for designating certain streets as collectors within each neighborhood. These collector designations, he explained, are based on a Hennepin County Transportation Study. Chairman Hawes stated that he felt it was important'to point out that the City does have an interest in the boundary line question, particularly if a school were to close because of declining enrollment. He noted that if such a situation were to occur the City would have to deal with the land use question of what that building could be used for. Chairman Hawes suggested that perhaps the recommendation on the School District boundary line for the Northeast Neighborhood should state what alternative use would be considered if the high school were to close. Commissioner Malecki commented that the recommendation that the Northeast Neighborhood be predominately single family residential should have a controlling influence on what to do with a vacant R1 property. Commissioner Lucht stated that the building will probably be at the site for many years and should be used for school which is its most appropriate use. Commissioner Theis stated that if the school closes, it will be difficult to make good use of the building` and, therefore, it behooves the City and the school districts to keep the school operating. Commissioner Manson generally agreed that it is improtant to keep the school operating and also favored the revised language which cites the problem, but does not advocate a specific solution. In answer to Chairman Hawes concern over the possible abandonment of the school building, the Secretary observed that the statement encourages continued use of the building as a school and went on to note that other uses would have to be in the interests of the City and the general public welfare to be allowed in the R1 zone. tie suggested that perhaps a private school could operate on the premises under the existing zoning restrictions. Chairman Hawes cited the example of Robbinsdale High School which is being used partially for a community center by the City of Robbinsdale. The Secretary responded that for the City to suggest that it would assume responsibility for the school if it were to close would be undesirable at this time, Chairman Hawes then opened the meeting for comments from persons of the general - public who were in attendance. Mr. Barry Wallerstedt supported the Planning Commission's position on the school district boundary line. He stated that there is obviously a problem in bussing young people 15 to 20 miles away to another school when there is an underutilized facility within walking distance. He also stated that he felt the Planning Commission had the right to comment on the situation and that such comments would shed more light on the issue. The Secretary added that it certainly behooves the school districts to solve the problem rather than have the State of Minnesota step in and dictate a solution which might be unacceptable to either side. 2-28-80 -2- Clifford Williams,of 5736 June Avenue North, stated that he felt the closing of schools should be left up to the school districts. He asked what would happen if the Brooklyn Center High School property were sold to a developer. The Secretary answered that the City would be able to control future uses through the zoning designation of the property which is R1 . He explained that under the Ri designation, commercial or multi-residential uses would not be permitted. To introduce another use on the site, he said, would require that the property be rezoned. He cited the challenge of converting abandoned gas stations to other uses as a smaller example of what the City would have to face in finding a new use for the high school premises. Mrs. Eleanor Sledz, of 6137 Beard Avenue North, stated that she opposed the rezoning of property to a commercial use from 62nd to 63rd Avenue North and between Brooklyn Boulevard and Chowen. A number of Commissioners assured Mrs. .Sledz that the property is not going to be rezoned upon adoption of the Com- prehensive Plan, but will remain residential until a developer presents a specific development plan for that area. The Secretary explained that the single family homes on Brooklyn Boulevard are not an appropriate use in that location and that a conversion of the property to commercial use would be most rational . He explained that using Chowen as a boundary line between commercial and residential uses was a way to provide enough area for a viable commercial development which would have to include area for parking and adequate buffers and screening From the residential area. He also commented on the idea of closing off 62nd Avenue North as a way of channelling traffic to major arteries rather than allowing cut-through traffic to disturb residential neighborhoods. Mrs. Sledz said she cared about the people living along Brooklyn Boulevard, but added that older people who would be affected by a change in use cannot start over again and are especially vulnerable to whatever change the City allows or flromotes. Chairman Hawes pointed to the First Brookdale Bank remote facility as an example of a type of developmentthat would be allowed to make use of the property, citing the attractive landscaping and buffers provided. Mrs. Sledz' c+�,+nri +he+ ek— nnv.r�v er c f.tke knni, Mr. George Munson argued that the corner of 63rd Avenue and Brooklyn Boulevard is already a traffic problem and that closing off 62nd would add to the congestion at that intersection. The Secretary pointed out, however, that part of the reason for the traffic congestion is the presence of many curb cuts, each serving • single family lots along Brooklyn Boulevard which allow for numerous traffic interuptions. Fewer curb breaks along Brooklyn Boulevard, he maintained, would allow for smoother traffic flow. A resident of the Central Neighborhood expressed concern about the difficulty of getting onto Xerxes Avenue North from the off ramp from Interstate 694. The Secretary answered that the ramps serving Xerxes Avenue will be closed when the Shingle Creek Parkway Interchange is completed. He added that the speed limit aon Xerxes Avenue is set by the State and the City really has no local prerogative to lower the speed limit. Mr. Louis Terzich, of 4825 - 71st Avenue North, stated that he had noted a big increase in traffic in the areas of 71st and Perry and along 69th. He agreed with the suggestion in the Neighborhood Recommendations for closing off Wingard Lane since it is often used as short cut, even by larger trucks. He suggested that the City put up some stop signs to slow down the;-.traffic in the area. The Secretary responded that the City's policy regarding stop signs is not to erect them unless the traffic at a given intersection meets the "warrants" established- by the State. He noted that traffic studies have been made in that area within the past three years and that it was his understanding that the traffic counts did not meet the levels required by the State warrants:.. Mr. Terzich cited the increased accidents and litter and other minor annoyances which result from the traffic cutting through that area. 2-28-80 -3- Commissioner Theis asked whether the present zoning designation for the property west of Brooklyn Boulevard adjacent to the Soo. Line tracks is light industrial- _ or heavy industrial . The Secretary explained that the designation is for heavy industrial use, but that the heavy industrial zone does not permit the manufacture of chemical fertilizer. He stated that the Planning Commission may wish to alter the status of the uses in the I-1 and the I-2 zones. He suggested that uses which are allowed only in the I-2 zone could perhaps be allowed only with a special use permit. He explained that the intent of the statement concerning the Howe Fertilizer property is to restrict the type of industrial use permitted there because of the surrounding residential area. Commissioner Theis wondered whether this statement would affect the City's position in the court cases presently under way against Howe Fertilizer. The Planning Assistant noted that if the term "rounding out" is interpreted as a downzoning to Rl , the proposed language is actually less restrictive since it-would represent less of. a down- zoning than the current Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Theis stated that he would also like to remove the term "rounding out" from the first recommendation for the Northwest Neighborhood. Chairman Hawes asked why Halifax Avenue North, south of France Place to Eckberg Drive, is designated as a collector since that portion of Halifax Avenue. is -not greatly traveled. The Secretary explained that the collector designations are based on Hennepin County traffic study and represent a functional classification and are not necessarily indicative of traffic levels. Mr. Clifford Williams of 5736 June Avenue North stated that he would like to see a bike path designated along Brooklyn Boulevard. He noted that bike paths are very common in Europe and stated that he felt bikes would be used more in the fdture and should be accommodated. The Secretary explained that the City has plans for a pedestrian and bikeway system throughout the City which does not, " , Iude grco!!Yn Boulovard. In response to a'question from Commissioner Malecki , the Secretary explained that . a statement on airports would be included in the Comprehensive Plan under a different section from the neighborhood recommendations. ACTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF NEIGHBORHOOD POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS Motion by Commissioner Malecki seconded by Commissioner Lucht to recommend approval of the Neighborhood Recommendations as revised for inclusion with the City's 1980 Comprehensive Plan. Voting in favor: Chairman Hawes, Commissioners Malecki , Theis, Manson, and Lucht. Voting against: none. The motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION ITEM The P arming Commission briefly discussed the denial by the City Council of the special use permit sought by Mr. William Norenberg of 5338 Emerson Avenue North for a home occupation to build cabinets in his garage. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Manson seconded by Commissioner Theis to adjourn the meeting of the Planning Commission. Voting in favor: Chairman Hawes, Commission- ers Malecki , Theis, Manson and Lucht. Voting against: none. The motion passed. The Planning Commission adjourned at 9:18 p.m. ' Chairman 2-28-80 -4-