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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 01-11 CCM Work SessionMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WORK SESSION JANUARY 11, 2016 CITY HALL -. COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council/Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in Work Session called to order by Mayor/President Tim Willson at 7:56 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor/President Tim Willson and Councilmembers/Commissioners April Graves, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Lin Myszkowski, and Dan Ryan. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Public Works Director/City Engineer Steve Lillehaug, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, Planning and Zoning Specialist Tim Benetti, Assistant City Manager/Director of Building and Community Standards Vickie Schleuning, and Denise Bosch, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. DIRECTION OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REGARDING DECKS AS AN ALLOWABLE ENCROACHMENT IN THE FRONT-YARD SETBACKS Planning and Zoning Specialist Tim Benetti presented background on the issue and asked if the City Council wants the Planning Commission to include decks as an allowable encroachment under the zoning ordinance amendment. Mayor Willson stated that the Planning Commission is asking if they should put decks into their recommendation they would make to the City Council regarding the ordinance. He stated he doesn't have a problem with decks but thinks the City Council should give direction back to the Planning Commission. Councilmember Myszkowski asked about adding to the value of the house with a deck versus a porch. Mr. Benetti stated that the owner/contractor has to represent a value added to the home when applying for a permit. The permits are sent on to the assessor to determine the increased value. Mayor Willson stated his concern that there be quality material, it be treated as any other extension and not used as permanent living quarters. It should be used as a porch or deck. He doesn't care whether it is one or the other as long as the ordinance covers the peculiarities. 01/11/16 -1- Councilmember Ryan confirmed that as long as the front setback exceeds 35 feet, the homeowner can construct a deck subject to restrictions. Mr. Benetti responded affirmatively. Councilmember Ryan stated that he thinks as a guide we are better off discussing or proposing use of porches because most of the single family homes in Brooklyn Center have concrete steps and Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson's idea was to allow a larger porch to allow people to sit in the front. He suggested following the Mayor's restrictions and adding a height restriction that conforms to the height of the existing porch. A masonry or concrete slab that could be topped with decorative color concrete or tile could be suggested. He thinks it is a good idea to stay away from decks because decks can be raised higher and when they are raised above ground level it doesn't look that good. Mayor Willson stated that that is allowable now and the discussion is whether to allow encroachment into the 35 foot front setback. If we are going to allow encroachment into the front yard setback, then there needs to be specific criteria to ensure keeping up the housing stock. Mr. Benetti stated that the Housing Commission wants to make sure any addition would match with exterior/architecture of the home. The Planning Commission discussed that it is probably easier to match the home with a porch and architectural compatible language could be built in. He stated that the Planning Commission's solution to the permanent living space issue in an enclosed porch was to allow for screens. Mayor Willson stated that there are examples in the City in which elderly people have built wheelchair accessible ramps. He stated that somehow we should address that type of use as being an acceptable encroachment. Mr. Benetti stated that typically a building official will work with the City to comply with ADA laws. The encroachment allowance gives residents extra room to build a front porch and is in keeping with the City's active living principles. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated that the November 17, 2015, Housing Commission minutes stated that the front porch should have a roof. She recalls that it could have a roof but it wasn't a mandate. If they do put a roof on it, it has to match the roof of the house. She stated she doesn't like the term deck but likes the idea of the porch. She doesn't want to be overly prohibitive if someone has the means to add curb appeal to their home but at the same time it has to match the house, quality materials should be used and it cannot be used as living space. Her concern is that the structure is aesthetically pleasing and fits with the home, but she thinks it is the direction we should move. Mayor Willson stated that there needs to be a distinction between deck and porch and that may be subjective to whoever is looking at it. He stated that there are cases where it is written into the ordinance that whenever the structure is off the ground it has to be appropriately screened from floor level to the ground. He is not sure that he will be able to distinguish a porch or deck and can't see in the ordinance where they would be able to do that. He thinks we are looking at some sort of a front yard extension that is a "dorch". 01/11/16 -2- Councilmember Ryan stated that the key is that the ordinance define what is allowed. In this case restrictions are being removed in terms of setbacks. If we are going to waive a restriction on the setback, we can impose architectural standards and place in the ordinance the definition of a porch. He suggested a height standard that relates to the original porch and suggest that concrete or masonry would be satisfactory. Mayor Willson stated his agreement with Councilmember Ryan and that he originally had the thought that they would look at matching with the first level floor, but if it is a split level that may not work well. He thinks it may work well to say "x" amount of feet at ground level or something on that order. He agrees that there should be criteria to move in that direction and to look at how far we allow people to encroach depending on what they already have. Councilmember Ryan stated that there is the issue of configuration of certain homes and he thinks that staff can come up with criteria based on the City Council's suggestions. Mayor Willson stated his concern that the City Council has provided enough direction for staff. Mr. Benetti asked if decks were okay for porches and if staff should still work with decks. Mayor Willson stated that he thinks what is being said is that a porch or a structure that is screened, is at some sort of level with the house and is not raised more than a foot or so. He asked if that is going to be enough to work with. Mr. Benetti replied that he thought so and that right now they are working to make sure it matches with the front elevation and making sure they still have the first level threshold. He stated that residents have asked to remove the typical concrete steps and replace it with a deck or portico and they have to make sure that that matches. He stated that it is easier to do that with a porch, but a deck can be more subjective because there are not a lot of architectural elements. Mayor Willson stated that elevation no higher than the front door is the elevation that he would be comfortable with. Councilmember Graves stated that when talking about aesthetics, she thinks about porches having pillars and she has good memories of the Victorian wrap-around porches in St. Paul. She stated that she likes the idea of porches and asked about replacement of cement steps. Mr. Benetti replied that there is an allowable encroachment for front stairs or a stoop and he has allowed a 4x8 deck landing that is ADA compliant. Councilmember Graves stated that she doesn't want to see ugly decks in front yards and likes the idea that adding a structure would be accessible for people from all economic backgrounds. She wants the 4x8 deck landing with steps to be an option as long as it is screened to the ground. Councilmember Ryan stated that not everyone will want to put in place such an enhancement but if they do, the City wants to have in place standards that encourage improving their property and neighborhood. Mayor Willson stated that matching the existing exterior treatment would be ideal. 01/11/16 -3- Mr. Benetti stated that there would not be a lot of demand for these structures but they have had to turn down residents based on the current setback rules. OPTION OF INCLUDING THE FORMER KOHL'S SITE WITHIN THE PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT TAX INCREMENT DISTRICT FOR THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE OPPORTUNITY SITE Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel presented background, showed the property, and asked if the City EDA supports including the former Kohl's site within the proposed redevelopment tax increment district for the southern portion of the opportunity site. President Willson asked if there were any implications for the building on the southern portion of the property. Mr. Eitel replied that it would enable redevelopment opportunities. President Willson stated that the City can tie it to the Opportunity Site and have a larger district and more options. Mr. Eitel stated that this provides the opportunity to do that. Staff recommendation is that the redevelopment activity on the Opportunity Site create those incentives on that site and the redevelopment activity that would happen on the Kohl's site would stay within the Kohl's site boundaries and he would like to believe that the Kohl's site could be more than it is now. Commissioner Graves stated that she thinks that this makes perfect sense and it seems really natural to make the change. President Willson stated that he thinks it is a good idea. The majority consensus of the EDA was to move forward. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember/Commissioner Graves moved and Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan seconded to adjourn the Work Session at 8:36 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 01/11/16 -4- STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerk of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: 1.That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of a Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on January 11, 2016. 2.That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at Brooklyn Center City Hall. 3. That the City Council adopted said minutes at its January 25, 2016, Regular Session. J^vw / Z12 City Clerk Mayor 01/11/16 -5-