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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986 04-24 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 APRIL 24, 1986 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission met in study session and was called to order by Chairman George Lucht at 7:40 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairman George Lucht, Commissioners Molly Malecki, Lowell Ainas and Wallace Bernards. Also present were Director of Planning and Inspection Ronald Warren and Planner Gary Shallcross. Chairman Lucht noted that Commissioners Sandstrom, Nelson and Wallerstedt were excused. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - April 10, 1986 Motion by Commissioner Ainas seconded by Commissioner Malecki to approve the minutes of the April 10, 1986 Planning Commission meeting as submitted. Voting in favor: Chairman Lucht, Commissioners Malecki, Ainas, and Bernards. Voting against: none. The motion passed. Chairman Lucht dispensed with the explanation because there was no public business. DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Landscape Requirements The Commission then took up the subject of a point system for evaluating landscape plans. They discussed a number of questions. One was the possibility of applying the point system to residential developments as well as commercial and industrial developments. The Planner noted that the present requirement of 6" diameter trees based on the number of units tended to result in denser landscaping in denser zoning districts whereas the point system applying to the other zoning districts is based on land area, not building area or number of units. Commissioner Bernards asked whether the minimums proposed in the point system would be adequate. The Planner responded that the point system would basically codify the existing level of landscaping on fairly good sites in the community and would insure that sites would not fall below a decent standard. Commissioner Ainas stated that architects have told him that this kind of point system is good because it allows them to estimate their costs ahead of time. There followed a discussion of how to treat existing trees. It was acknowledged that existing trees, being much larger than new plantings, are worth more immediately. It was also pointed out, however, that an existing tree would always be a single tree and that the points might be better used in the long run by providing additional new trees. The Commission also discussed putting in a requirement for sod. The Planner also suggested that it be clearly stated that screening and buffer requirements are not obviated by simply meeting the point requirements, but that those screening requirements would have to be met apart from the landscape point requirements. 4-24-86 -1- 1 1 Throughout the discussion of landscape requirements, the Planning Commission considered the question of whether the point system should be put into the zoning ordinance or whether it should be adopted by a resolution and used as a policy. There was some question as to whether a policy, not in ordinance form, would have the necessary legal status to require developers to submit plans that met the point system. It was concluded after considerable discussion that the Planning Commission has adequate leverage in approving and disapproving landscape plans to bring about compliance with the point system and other landscape requirements and that a resolution would allow for experimentation. By consensus of those present, the staff was directed to prepare a resolution which would put into effect the point system for landscaping and other landscape requirements to be adopted as a Planning Commission policy for the review of landscape plans. b. Retail Parking Formula The Planner stated that he had nothing new to offer on the question of the retail parking formula, but that the matter had been held over for two weeks to give the City Manager and anyone else on the City staff or the Planning Commission time to raise any objections to the proposed change. The Secretary stated that he had held some discussions with the City Manager and that he felt action could be taken at this time. ACTION RECOMMENDING ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT ALTERING THE RETAIL PARKING FORMULA Motion by Commissioner Bernards seconded by Commissioner Malecki to recommend adoption of an ordinance amendment reducing the retail parking formula from the present formula to approximately five spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area up to 500,000 sq. ft. and 5.5 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. thereafter. Voting in favor: Chairman Lucht, Commissioners Malecki, Ainas and Bernards. Voting against: none. The motion passed. c. Central Neighborhood Advisory Group Meeting The Secretary then advised the Planning Commission that a meeting of the Central Neighborhood Advisory Group would be held on May 1, 1986 at Brookdale Christian Center Assembly of God Church. The Secretary also discussed with the Commission the status of the Neighborhood Advisory Groups which have not been used heavily in the past. He stated that many people have either moved away or are no longer interested in serving and that the groups should be reconstituted over the coming year or so. He stated that the staff would develop a form letter to send out to people in the Neighborhood Groups to keep track of who is still interested in serving. The Planner suggested the possibility of notifying members of Neighborhood Advisory Groups of special use permits and major development plans within their neighborhoods so that they are aware of planning applications that might affect their neighborhoods. He clarifed that he was not suggesting that all of these matters be referred to Neighborhood Groups for review and comment. The Secretary and members of the Commission generally agreed with this idea so that members of these advisory groups would be aware of what is going on in their neighborhoods. The Secretary also informed the Commission that the American Planning Association Minnesota Chapter would present the City with an award on Saturday for the Year 2000 Report. He stated that Councilman Gene Lhotka would represent the City. 4-24-86 -2- 1 1 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Bernards seconded by Commissioner Ainas to adjourn the meeting of the Planning Commission. The motion passed unanimously. The Planning Commission adjourned at 9:01 p.m. Chairman 1 4-24-86 -3- 1 1