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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 12-14 PCMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA DECEMBER 14, 2017 1. CALL TO ORDER The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Christensen at 7:00 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Chair Randall Christensen, Commissioners Alexander Koenig, Jack MacMillan, Stephen Schonning, Rochelle Sweeney, and Abraham Rizvi were present. Commissioner Susan Tade was absent and excused. Director of Business & Development Gary Eitel, Planner and Zoning Administrator Ginny McIntosh, Interim Community Development Director Michael Ericson, and Carla Wirth, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA — DECEMBER 14, 2017 There was a motion by Commissioner Sweeney, seconded by Commissioner MacMillan to approve the agenda for the December 14, 2017, meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — NOVEMBER 30, 2017 There was a motion by Commissioner MacMillan, seconded by Commissioner Rizvi, to approve the minutes of the November 30, 2017, meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. 5. CHAIR'S EXPLANATION Chair Christensen explained the Planning Commission's role as an advisory body. One of the Commission's functions is to hold public hearings. In the matters concerned in these hearings, the Commission makes recommendations to the City Council. The City Council makes all final decisions in these matters. 6. PLANNING APPLICATION ITEMS None. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS 7a) 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROCESS OVERVIEW WITH JENNIFER HASKAMP OF SWANSON HASKAMP CONSULTING (SHC) PC Minutes 12-14-17 -1- Planner and Zoning Administrator Ginny McIntosh introduced Jennifer Haskamp, the City's Comprehensive Plan consultant. Jennifer Haskamp, Swanton Haskamp Consulting (SHC), stated she has been working behind the scenes with the City of Brooklyn Center, but wanted to introduce the Planning Commission to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan process, requirements, deadlines, and the Planning Commission's role in this process. Ms. Haskamp began her presentation (refer to Attachment) by encouraging the Commissioners to stop her during the presentation should they have questions. Ms. Haskamp stated that SHC is a small firm and, as she knows former Brooklyn Center Planner Tim Benetti, he has provided good insight into the City. She stated she will be providing an overview of the process, introduce the Comprehensive Plan, roles and responsibilities of the Planning Commission and staff, schedule, key themes, and provide detail on the Background Report. Ms. Haskamp explained the data they are collecting will better identify the City's residents to find key themes that then reveal guiding ideas. Ms. Haskamp explained that the Comprehensive Plan serves as a long-range plan for the City and provides a unified vision, goals and strategies that help with current and future planning by outlining the City's demographics, housing, business and economic competitiveness, land use, growth, and infrastructure. She stated in the Twin Cities, the Metropolitan Council is the regional government and requires a new Comprehensive Plan every 10 years. In 2015, the Metropolitan Council issues a System Statement outlining what Brooklyn Center needs to do in the Plan update to comply with the Regional Systems that the Metropolitan Council has governance over. Those systems are: transit, sewers, airports, and parks. The new topic areas are: resiliency, economic competitiveness, and Regional Bicycle Transportation Priorities (RBTN). Ms. Haskamp displayed the Metropolitan Council's checklist of minimum requirements for Brooklyn Center, noting it is 13 pages long, and when the City's 2040 Comprehensive Plan is submitted for Metropolitan Council review, it needs to meet each of the items listed. Commissioner Rizvi asked if the checklist is available on line. Ms. Haskamp stated it is and advised of the web address to find the City's community profile and the checklist. Ms. McIntosh stated she will send the Commissioners the link. Ms. Haskamp introduced key terms that are included in the Comprehensive Plan and gave an explanation of each including Land Use (Existing, Future, Plan), Zoning, Met Council, System Statement, and 2040 Plan versus 2030 Plan. She pointed out the Plan is due every 10 years but it actually looks forward 20 years. Ms. Haskamp then reviewed the Planning Commission's role and responsibility to serve as a working group. As part of this process, participation and the providing feedback are key. When it comes to Plan Development, providing comments and input that are specific and action oriented is crucial. She noted it is easier to do this with the Planning Commission, as they typically have more experience than a new group who has never reviewed a Site Plan. PC Minutes 12-14-17 -2- Commissioner MacMillan asked if the Housing Commission will be used to address the housing component. Ms. Haskamp explained Commissions that play a role in specific topics will be asked for their opinion on that topic; however, the Planning Commission will serve as the working group. Ms. Haskamp described the roles and responsibilities of staff to assist with questions, compile feedback, review documents, collect data, and provide insight. She stated that while the City's process is truncated, the City wants and needs feedback from those who are not traditionally involved. As part of the public engagement process, the consultant and City Staff participated in the Holly Sunday event about two weeks ago and talked with a lot of families and children about their favorite thing in the community, whether it is a specific location or a place where they like to go. People were also asked what is missing from Brooklyn Center. Ms. Haskamp universally heard the desire for more places for families to eat and gather. Ms. Haskamp stated the City Council will receive and review the document and is responsible for final approval to put it in place. Ms. Haskamp displayed a schedule and work program with dates to indicate how the process will move forward. She stated this is a fast timeline so she may be before the Planning Commission on a monthly basis or staff will provide updates on the Comprehensive Plan process at the meeting. Ms. Haskamp pointed out the three themes that were found while collecting background data: Increase in Households -Land Use/Redevelopment Impacts; Trending Socio- economic Conditions: Impact on Jobs, Population, Households (age, race, education, etc.); and, Land Use Relationship and Transit, Bikeways, and Alternative Transportation. She noted the draft document will be prepared mid -2018 and forwarded for review by the Metropolitan Council. Assuming all goes well, the 2040 Comprehensive Plan is anticipated for adoption by December 2018 or January 2019. Ms. Haskamp stated the Planning Commission will receive a copy of the Background Report at some point in the near future. She read a quote by Professor David Shultz stating: "It is the reality of where you are that helps define the possibilities for the fitture. " She stated this is important to realize at the start of the planning process so you are aware of all of today's pieces to create a plan that is aspirational, visionary, and rooted in what is happening today (realistic). This is why the market, people, jobs, and employment centers are looked at to create a vision that can be successfully implemented. The Plan needs to be realistic, which is why a Background Report is needed. Ms. Haskamp stated it serves as an important function as it collects important information, preserves that data, and is included in the appendix so the Plan will speak for itself. Ms. Haskamp reviewed a list of the topics that are included in the Background Report and displayed demographic/population charts depicting population growth rates from 1970 to 2040 and a distribution of 2015 population by age group. She noted Brooklyn Center has a fairly young community when compared to Hennepin County or the seven county metro area. The 2016 racial composition shows the City's population is becoming more diverse. She also displayed charts depicting household and family types, housing tenure by age of householder showing a steep decline in homeownership rates, map showing age of homes, and rental/multi- family structures. PC Minutes 12-14-17 -3- Commissioner Rizvi asked if this information is available in a chart. Ms. Haskamp answered in the affirmative and stated it is in the Background Report. Ms. Haskamp continued with the presentation, displaying a chart of median home sales price for Brooklyn Center and neighboring cities. Chair Christensen asked why the chart starts at $238,500 or less. Ms. Haskamp explained that number is used because that is what the Metropolitan Council identifies as the affordable threshold and the checklist requires identifying properties/areas with single family owner occupied homes at $238,500 or lower. She noted Brooklyn Center is already very affordable and that will be addressed in the Housing Plan. Ms. Haskamp stated another data point relates to an economic overview, including types of jobs held, hours, and field of employment. She reviewed median incomes and poverty for median household income from 2000 to 2015, noting between 2015 and 2010, there is a median income drop in Brooklyn Center as opposed to Hennepin County and the seven county metro area, which reflects an increase in income. She stated more questions will have to be asked about this trend to determine how that can be addressed in the future. Ms. Haskamp explained that land use and growth are often hot topics in the Comprehensive Plan and Brooklyn Center is mostly developed, they will look at redevelopment pockets. The last Comprehensive Plan identified the Opportunity Site and other development areas, so the 2040 Plan will need to adjust areas where needed, determine if new areas can be added, and identify the number of households that could be added as compared to the estimated population. Ms. Haskamp displayed the 2030 Plan Land Use Plan and stated it has served the City well so it will likely only need tweaking in the new Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Haskamp stated next steps will be to address Theme 1 (Land Use Analysis and Projects), which will probably occur in,January. She inquired as to whether there were any questions. Chair Christensen stated this gives more food for thought and asked about opportunities for engagement. Ms. Haskamp referenced the schedule and timing for public engagement. She stated that plan has not yet been refined but other options for engagement include using electronics, possibly by leaving a tablet at a kiosk for people, a home webpage for the project, and on-line surveys. Ms. Haskamp stated the goal is to get input from as many people as possible but it will have to be efficient, tailored, and specific as the timeframe is short. Chair Christensen stated the City has a lot of opportunity sites. He suggested posting pictures of those sites with the question, "What would you like to see here?" and to put that out in the community. He noted that would be a good way to get helpful data. Ms. Haskamp stated she has found that asking people what they think in an easy, general manner, results in receiving best answers. Commissioner Rizvi asked when the appendix report will be available. Ms. Haskamp stated it is basically done but needs a few modifications and updates, so it may be available by the next Planning Commission meeting. PC Minutes 12-14-17 -4- Commissioner Rizvi stated he is excited to see the entire report and asked if the draft is available. Ms. Haskamp stated once the report is released, it will be available to the public. Before that happens, the consultant will need to properly vet and assure all of the information is accurate and clear. Chair Christensen suggested Commissioners review of the 2030 Plan to have a better context of what will be contained in the 2040 Plan. Ms. McIntosh stated she will provide links to the 2030 Plan. The Commission thanked Ms. Haskamp and asked staff to provide a copy of the PowerPoint presentation. There were no other Discussion Items. 8. OTHER BUSINESS 8a) RELOCATION OF MARANATHA SIGN (5401 69TH AVENUE NORTH) Ms. McIntosh introduced the item, displayed the new rendering of the Maranatha sign, and noted there are attachments in the meeting packet provided to the Commissioners. Director of Business & Development Gary Eitel reported that Maranatha submitted drawings that reflected a reduced foundation and overhangs that will meet the Sign Ordinance. Therefore, a variance will not be needed. He stated the Site Plan approval for Maranatha indicated the sign permit would be submitted under a separate application and processed administratively. Mr. Eitel also explained that approval of a revised Encroachment Agreement will be required. Informational; no action required. 8b) ADDRESSING OF QUESTIONS REGARDING GAS LINE MARKERS ALONG 69TH AVENUE NORTH AND AVAILABILITY OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY REPORTING UPDATES FROM BROOKLYN CENTER POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM MEETING OF NOVEMBER 30, 2017 Ms. McIntosh stated Chair Christensen had inquired at the last meeting about the gas line markers located along 69th Avenue North. Assistant City Engineer Andrew Hogg contacted CenterPoint Energy and received a response from them stating the gas lines are designed, constructed, and maintained by the requirements of Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Parts 186 to 199 (Transportation), which means they are installed and maintained at or above mains and transitions pipelines, and must remain. With regard to receiving criminal activity reports from the Brooklyn Center Police Department, Ms. McIntosh displayed the City's LexisNexis community crime map (http://communitecrimemap.com/?address=brooklyncenter,mn) and demonstrated some of the map's features. She stated she will forward the link to the City crimes statistics and incident map. PC Minutes 12-14-17 -5- Commissioner Sweeney noted that the upper right hand corner of the map provides a link to sign up for crime alerts. Informational; no action required. 8c) 2018 PLANNNING COMMISSION SCHEDULE Ms. McIntosh stated the City Council approved their 2018 schedule at the City Council meeting on Monday, December 11. In light of this, Ms. McIntosh provided the Commissioners with a copy for the 2018 Planning Commission (refer to Attachment). 8d) LOCATION FOR A DOG PARK- Chair ARK Chair Christensen reported the Parks Commission is considering where a dog park could be located and asked the Commissioners to provide suggestions to staff or the Park Commission. He stated he would like to see one in Brooklyn Center. Commissioner Schonning noted Central Park may be a location. Commissioner MacMillan stated he and a Park Commissioner have toured the City for a location and he has already provided those suggestions to the Park Commission. 8e) RETIREMENT PARTY FOR GARY EITEL Interim Community Development Director Michael Ericson invited all to the December 20, 2017, retirement party for Mr. Eitel. There were no Other Business items. 9. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Koenig, seconded by Commissioner MacMillan, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm. r Chair PC Minutes 12-14-17 -6-