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Home My WebLink About1973 11-15 PCM MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING CO-WI S S I ON OF THE CITY OF BROC T<Llt'P? CENTER IK TFI� COUNTY OF HENNEPIN A1\TD STATE. OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL SESSION CITY HALL NOVEMBER 15, 1973 Call to Order: The Planning Commission met in special session and was called to order by Chairman Robert Jensen at 8:00 P.M. Roll Call: Chairman Jensen, Commissioners Boqucki, Grc;s--hans, Foreman, Scott, Gross and Engo ahj . Also present was Director of Pl .nni.ng and Inspection Blair Tremere. Approve Minutes : Motion by Commissioner Scott seconded by 11-8-73 Commissioner Foreman to approve the minutes of the November 8, 1973 meeting as submitted. Voting in. favor were Chairman Jensen, Commissioners Bogucki, Foreman, Scott, Gross and Engdahl. Not voting: Commissioner Grosshans who ex- plained he was not present at that meeting. The motion passed. Discussion of Chairman Jensen stated that the meeting Multi -Residential had been called to consider the status Housing Study of the study ordered by the City Council on July 23, 1973, at which- time a 120- day moratorium on all multi-residential development not yet approved by the Council was declared. The Secretary stated that the Council had asked that a study be made of ordinance provisions regarding the following factors for the R-3 through R- 7 districts: recreation area; light, air, and view; open _green space; and parking and storage facilities. The Secretary further stated that these factors, taken together, represented what was often termed "density", and he stated the approach of the zoning Ordinance was the stipulation for a minimum land area requirement based on the number of units in a development. He commented further that the ordinance did not specifically stipulate the allocation of the area of a site to uses such as recreation area, open green space, and storage facilities. He stated that parking was provided through the re- quirement of a minimum number of spaces per unit, and that there were certain re- quirements for landscaping, setback, and buffer zones. The Secretary also stated that beyond the requirement that 250 additional square feet must be added to the minimum land -1- 11/15/73 area for each bedroom in excess of two, there was no ordinance provision govern- ing the size of apartment units or the density of the number of occupants. He stated that one of the basic concerns voiced by the Council and the Commission had been the need to assure provision for basic amenities in a given project specifically in relation to the number • and size of the dwelling units. The Secretary commented further that this relationship was a basic issue in the City's efforts to provide for quality housing. He explained that if the City were to provide for three or more bed- room apartments, primarily oriented to- wards family use, then it would seem desirable to incorporate more stringent density-related zoning ordinance require- ments. He added that there were serious ques- tions as to whether three or more bed- room units in the R-4 and R-5 types of multiple family dwellings were desirable at all. During an extensive discussion Commis- sioner Grosshans inquired as to ordinance requirements for minimum area of dwelling units. The Secretary responded that while the building code did make certain general minimum provisions as to room sizes and capacities of apartment units, there were not provisions relating the number or size of units to the site or degree of amenities for the occupants. Chairman Jensen stated that the basic question of density of multiple family dwellings in relation to the size of the site, and the amenities provided, demon- strated the need to adopt more restric- tive multi-residential housing require- ments. In further discussion, Commissioner Engdahl suggested the possibility of a formula whereby the ordinance would re- quire an average minimum size for units in a development, as well as a maximum average number of bedrooms in the de- velopment. Commissioner Foreman stated • that another approach might be through a planned unit development concept whereby site and building plans for the remain- ing R-3 through R-7 zoned land in the City would be considered on its own merits, and would possibly provide for various modes of living units. Chairman Jensen stated that three specific proposals which might be con- sidered were: 1. Requirement that there be at least on enclosed garage per unit, intended for storage pur- poses as well as for parking. 2. The minimum land area requirement for bedrooms in excess of two would be increased from that in the present ordinance; and furthermore, a specific require- ment be made as to the provision for minimum living area in the units. 3. That a "fixed coverage" concept for sites be adopted relating the maximum amount of land which could be devoted to buildings and parking purposes, thereby more precisely defining the density as well as providing for a definite minimum amount of land to be used for recreational and open space purposes. Recess: The meeting recessed at 9:30 P.M. and resumed at 9:55 P.M. Chairman Jensen asked the Secretary to review a zoning map noting the remaining undeveloped parcels throughout the City which were zoned R-3 through R-7. An extensive discussion ensued. Chairman Jensen stated that it was ap- parent from the discussion that the primary concern focused upon the R-4 and R-5 districts, and that the basic point of contention was the provision for family oriented units which had more than two bedrooms. Chairman Jensen then proceeded to poll the Commission as to the possible approach which might be taken either prohibiting or further restricting developments featuring more than two bedrooms. Com- missioner Bogucki stated that in his opinion, three or more bedroom units should only be allowed with separate restrictive standards. Commissioner Foreman stated that he could not see any legal way in which large multiple bed- room units could be prohibited, but that he would consider development of more restrictive requirements. Commissioner Gross stated that large family oriented units which involved more than two bed- rooms should be subject to more stringent requirements, and he noted the possibility of developing a special use permit concept. Commissioner Grosshans stated that he felt the requirements for developments featur- ing multiple bedroom units should be very restrictive. -3- 11/15/73 J P _ r Consensus to Continue Chairman Jensen determined that it was Study and to Direct the consensus of the Commission to con- Further Data tinue the discussion and study of ordinance density requirements relative to multi-resdential housing and that the Secretary- should be directed to develop further data based on require- ments of other communities. Action Requesting Motion by Commissioner Gross seconded by that Multi-Residential Commissioner Bogucki to recommend that Development Moratorium the City Cou!icil extend the moratorium Be Extended on multi-residential housing development for sixty (60) days. Chairman Jensen stated that the Commission should note the Council 's direction that there was a need to gain broad input, namely from the new Housing Commission and the Neigh- borhood Advisory Groups. He then called for a vote. The motion passed unanimously. Consensus Regarding In other business it was the consensus December Meeting of the Commission that the December 6, 1973 regular meeting should commence at 7:30 P.M. its consideration of the large number of agenda items. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Engdahl seconded by Commissioner Foreman to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Planning Commission meeting adjourn- ed at 11:25 P.M. Chairman -4- 11/15/73