HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974 04-18 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
CITY HALL
APRIL 18, 1974
Call to Order The Planning Commission met in study session and was
called to order by Chairman pro tem Robert Grosshans.
Roll Call Chairman pro tem Grosshans, Commissioners Engdahl,
Scott, Horan, and Pierce. Also present were Director
of Public Works James Merila and Director of Planning
and Inspection Blair Tremere.
Approve Minutes Motion by Commissioner Scott seconded by Commissioner
4-4-74 Pierce to approve the minutes of the April 4, 1974 meeting
as submitted. Voting in favor: Chairman pro tem
Grosshans, Commissioners Scott, Pierce and Horan.
Not voting: Commissioner Engdahl who explained he was
not present for the entire meeting. The motion passed.
Discussion of The first item of business was discussion of proposed
Proposed Amendments amendments to the site plans approved on February 25,
to Application No. 1974, for the Earle Brown Farm Office Tower (Application
74004 (B. C.I.P.) No. 74004) . The Secretary explained that the applicant
had proposed certain amendments to the configuration of
the property lines of the subject property, due to mort-
gaging concerns and unsettled questions as to how much
property might be taken for highway purposes. He
briefly reviewed certain modifications which would be
accomplished with respect to the boundaries of Phase
One and the amount of area available for parking.
The Director of Public Works extensively discussed the
rationale for the proposed amendments and noted that
the applicant had submitted a tentative letter of agree-
ment with the City explaining the options available for
accomplishing required parking for the office tower
complex, including future Phase Two. He stated that
the proposed agreement would leave all the City's
options open, assuring that adequate parking would be
provided for the complex yet, in the interim until the
entire complex was completed, affording the developer
certain flexibility in marketing the property.
The Director of Public Works recommended that a portion
of the Phase One parking area indicated on the approved
and the proposed plans could perhaps be deferred until
such time that it was deemed necessary.
An extensive discussion ensued with particular regard
to the easterly portion of the site and as to whether that
area, as well as the area designated as "deferred
parking" , would be landscaped until needed or until a
final decision was made by the Highway Department.
The Secretary responded that the plans did indicate that
minimal landscaping as approved by the Planning
Commission would be provided in those areas.
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Commissioner Engdahl stated that his main concern was
that adequate parking be provided for the actual needs,
with sufficient area or provisions available for providing
ordinance required parking in the future. Commissioner
Horan inquired what the provision for parking would be
if the developer should sell that area designated for
Phase Two and the Highway Department did in fact
acquire the approximately two acre area to the east.
The Director of Public Works responded that the tentative
agreement submitted by the applicant provided that means
such as an above-grade parking ramp would be provided
to accomplish the required parking.
Chairman pro tem Grosshans stated that he was concerned
about leaving the easterly area vacant, and inquired as to
what the landscaping would be in that area as well as in
the required green strip area at the edge of the parking
lot. Commissioner Scott stated that the same type of
landscaping as approved in the original plans should be
required, namely berming with rather dense shrubbery
at this time with larger trees to be planted later, once
the bounds of the sites had been finally determined.
Chairman pro tem Grosshans stated a legal instrument,
such as a covenant, should be drawn up by the applicant
setting forth the provisions of the tentative agreement
and said covenant should be placed on the subject parcels in-
volved so that the understanding would carry with the
property and not necessarily with the ownership.
Consensus Developed Following further discussion it was the consensus that
Regarding Proposed the staff should be directed to develop with the owner,
Site Amendments to a covenant setting forth the provisions of the tentative
Application No. 74004 agreement dated March 28, 1974, submitted by B.C a I.P. ,
Inc. , with the intent of the approved covenants being
placed on the subject properties; and further, that the
proposed site plan amendments be placed on a future
agenda for final disposition.
Recess The meeting recessed at 9:15 p.m. and resumed at
9:45 p.m.
Consideration of The next item of business was consideration of a
Possible Amendment possible ordinance amendment relative to ordinance
to Chapter 35 Relative setback requirements , and those standards relating to
to Setback�� interior side lot lines in situations involving expansion
of dwelling units to the rear of and contiguous to
attached garages, which create an encroachment by the
dwelling into the side yard. The Secretary briefly
reviewed a draft of possible approaches to amend the
ordinance, noting that there were a number of homes
in the City where an expansion area was available
behind an attached garage.
fe Particular concern was voiced as to the stipulation that
a minimum setback distance of thirteen (13) feet be
maintained between adjacent dwelling units. Chairman
pro tem Grosshans stated that any controls on density
in construction should relate to the property line set-
backs and not to the location or design of adjacent
dwellings . He stated that the proposed control would
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