HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970 12-22 PCM Minutes of the Proceedings of the
Planning Commission of the City of
Brooklyn Center in the County of
Hennepin and State of Minnesota
December 22, 1970
The Planning Commission met in study session and was called
to order by Chairman Robert Jensen at 8:05 P.M.
Roll Call: Chairman Robert Jensen, Commissioners Henry
Bogucki, Karl Schuller, Robert Grosshans and Paul Ditter. staff
members present: Tom Loucks and Jim Merila.
Motion was made by Commissioner Ditter and seconded by
Commissioner Bogucki to approve the minutes of the November 12th,
November 24th and December 3rd, 1970, as submitted. The motion
carried unanimously.
Following the Chairman's explanation, the first item of
business was a study of the Midwest Planning Report in regard to
a proposed land use redevelopment of the southwest neighborhood.
Chairman Jensen stated that the Commission, over the past 30 days,
had been reviewing the report and have had discussion meetings with
the Southwest Neighborhood Committee, but had not contacted the
major property owners in the southwest neighborhood (Soo Line
Railroad and Joslyn Manufacturing) and made them aware of the
proposal. He suggested that they be contacted to determine if
they have any long or short range plans for their particular
properties. He further indicated that perhaps the staff should
contact these businesses and act as the liason between the
Commission and the affected property owners to explain the report
and determine what their position is.
Commissioner Schuller agreed with the Chairman of the Planning
Commission, and in addition, stated that he did not particularly
agree with all portions of the report as submitted by Midwest
Planning. He further indicated that he was concerned with the
proposal to change the I2 industrial use along the Sob Line
tracks to a multiple use and felt that this is one of the major
deficiencies in the plan.
Commissioner Bogucki agreed with Commissioner Schuller in
regard to development along the Soo Line tracks and indicated that
he has personally rejected the report with the exception being
the acquisition of additional open space.
Chairman Jensen then indicated that the Commission should
refer to Page 6 of the report which indicated that major develop-
ment features recommended by Midwest Planning for the southwest
neighborhood.
Point #1 indicated the continuance and stablization of
presently developed single family property north of 51st Avenue
North should be continued. It was the consensus of the Commission
that they would be in agreement with the concept.
Point #2 indicated that there should be an encouraged upgrading
of single family residential areas primarily between Lakeside
Avenue and Lakebreeze Avenue in the Twin Lake triangle. Commissioner
Grosshans commented that in view of the attached plan map, it was
rather unclear as to specific boundaries referred to and suggested
that it should be re-defined to single family residential areas
primarily between Lakeside Avenue, Lakebreeze Avenue and west of
Azelia Avenue in the Twin Lake triangle.
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Point #3 indicated that there should be land use conversion
of properties presently zoned 12 (General Industry) to higher
density multiple and residential development with strict appli-
cation of planned unit development procedures to assure uniform
over-all design. Commissioner Bogucki commented that perhaps
this is the crux of the whole study and indicated that he is not
pleased with the conversion of 12 industrial properties to multi-
ple family because it appeared unreasonable to assume that multi-
family development should be required or so disposed as to be
located next to a main line railroad track. Commissioner Schuller
agreed with Commissioner Bogucki, stating that it appeared unrea-
sonable to dissolve the industrial zoning in an area that is
located next to a main line railroad track.
Chairman Jensen then stated that the Commission should, in
its review, attempt to resolve some of these problems. After
further discussion on various aspects of the study, it was the
consensus of the Commission to further table the study until
the Planning Commission meeting of January 21, 1971.
The next item of business was review of the Brooklyn Park
Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Loucks introduced the item and indicated
that the City of Brooklyn Park had reached a point in the develop-
ment of their Comprehensive Plan where a public hearing for its
adoption will probably be held within 60 days. He indicated that
the plan had been submitted to the Metropolitan Council for its
review and comments, and that the City of Brooklyn Park had
sent copies to other governmental units that might be concerned
with planning in Brooklyn Park. He then stated that the staff had
reviewed the plan and it appeared that the only major problem
in regard to plan development in Brooklyn Park as it relates to
Brooklyn Center would be the extension of Xerxes Avenue south
through the Palmer Lake Basin. The Commission then discussed
various aspects of the Brooklyn Park plan as it related to the
City of Brooklyn Center and it was then the consensus of the
Commission to review the plan in a more comprehensive fashion and
bring forth a recommendation to the Brooklyn Center City Council
in the near future.
The next item of business was discussion of a priority
schedule for impending and future Planning Commission business.
After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission
to set priorities in the following order:
1. Complete the updating of the Comprehensive Plan.
2. Review the ramifications of a zero sideyard setback
as directed by the City Council in its minutes of
September 14, 1970.
3. Review of R3 districts as directed by the City Council
in its minutes of May 25, 1970.
4. Review of the Sign Ordinance and specifically determine
any need for modifications relative to the freeway areas.
5. Schedule a joint meeting with the City Council in
regard to commercial uses in multiple developments.
6. Initiate a study regarding transportation facilities
within the City.
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7. Initiate a study in regard to low income housing
for the elderly.
8. Review the concept of the Planning Commission
determining the final action in variances and related
matters with the City Council acting as a Board
of Appeals on related matters.
9. Study of the Southeast Neighborhood.
The next item of business was review of the Brooklyn Center
Comprehensive Plan which was deferred until the Planning Commission
meeting of January 21, 1971.
The next item of business was discussion among the Commission
members in regard to a field trip to be conducted on January 9, 1971,
It was the consensus of the Commission to conduct a field trip
to the 50th and France industrial area on that date.
Motion was made by Commissioner Bogucki and seconded by
Commissioner Ditter to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 12;05 A.M.
Chaim
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