Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 02-14 PCMPC Minutes 02-14-19 -1- MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA FEBRUARY 14, 2019 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 Stephen Schonning, Rochelle Sweeney, and Susan Tade were present. Commissioners Alexander Koenig and Jack MacMillan were absent and excused. City Planner and Zoning Administrator Ginny McIntosh, Community Development Director Meg Beekman, and Mary Mullen of TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. were also present. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – FEBRUARY 14, 2019 There was a motion by Commissioner Tade, seconded by Commissioner Sweeney, to approve the agenda for the February 14, 2019 meeting as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 17, 2019 There was a motion by Commissioner Schonning, seconded by Commissioner Sweeney, to approve the minutes of the January 17, 2019 meeting as presented. 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) CITY COUNCIL MEETING UPDATE PC Minutes 02-14-19 -2- Ms. McIntosh provided an update on the City Council’s January 28, 2019 meeting. A replat and vacation of easements for the Topgolf property was approved unanimously, as well as a request for a PUD amendment that addressed parking issues and additional showroom and outdoor storage space. The application from Jane Sharkey for an autism center was withdrawn after it was recommended for approval to the City Council by the Planning Commission. Ms. Sharkey ran into complications related to government funding as well as maintenance issues identified for the building located at 2800 Freeway Boulevard, however another location within Brooklyn Center is now being considered. The property is located at 5637 Brooklyn Boulevard, and a new application will be reviewed at the Planning Commission’s March 2019 meeting. Ms. Beekman noted that the City Council approved the use of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, which is distributed through Hennepin County, to support household maintenance and renovation projects for low-income residents. The CDBG funds will be used to reimburse the General Fund for code enforcement activities and to fund the Housing Rehab Program, which has 23 residents on a waitlist. CDBG program funding will also be used to fund the City’s new home buyer assistance program, details of which have not yet been finalized. The City Council is reviewing the 2020 budget to find an alternative funding source for Code enforcement activities, as CDBG funds are narrowly defined in terms of what they can be used for. A new beekeeping Ordinance was adopted, which includes a registration process for residents who want to keep bees on their property. This process will be rolled out by the City Clerk’s office within the next 40 days. Residents who want to register will be required to take a certification class and have an equipment inspection. The City Council received an update on the Brooklynk Program from Program Director Luis Saldo-Herrera. The Brooklynk Program, a joint partnership with Brooklyn Park, provides networking and job training opportunities for local youth, and pairs them with local businesses for paid summer internships. The Brooklynk Program has active alumni participation, and a scholarship program through North Hennepin Technical College is in its fourth year. City Staff provided a review of the Summer 2018 First Saturday Pop-up Market series. Possible changes for Summer 2019 were discussed, including the need to relocate due to potential development at the Jerry’s Food site, and moving the date to the 2nd Saturday of each month, as the first weekends tend to be holiday weekends. The marketing plan is being reviewed by City Staff, to include collaboration with community partners. The City Council expressed their support of continuing the market series. PC Minutes 02-14-19 -3- A project concept review was presented by City Staff on behalf of Real Estate Equities Development LLC for the former Jerry’s Food Site, located at 5801 Xerxes Avenue North. The proposed residential development would combine affordable senior living and workforce housing in two separate buildings on the property. This project would require Tax Increment Financing (TIF), for which a request would be made by the developer. The City Council expressed support for the project and approved the use of conduit debt financing. A formal application from Real Estate Equities is expected within the next few weeks. A rezoning of the property would be required, as well as an overlay district amendment. The City Council terminated a preliminary agreement with Thor Living related to development on three EDA-owned properties off Brooklyn Boulevard, and approved a Resolution transferring the agreement to Coalition Development, which comprises of the same individuals who worked for Thor Living (now disbanded). There were no changes to the preliminary agreement. The City Council reviewed potential development concepts at two EDA-owned properties: 6500 Camden Avenue North and 1601 James Circle North. Both properties are in the Opportunity Zone. The City Council directed City Staff to hire a broker for the Camden Avenue North property to seek a potential restaurant or brewpub use due to its proximity to Topgolf. The property at 1601 James has a few interested parties, including a tech incubator, in which the City Council expressed interest. Commissioner Sweeney asked whether the Casey’s project is still in planning stages. Ms. McIntosh stated the project is still planned, but groundbreaking has been pushed out to Spring 2019. Ms. Beekman stated the Special Use Permit for the proposed event center located off James Circle North will expire at the end of March 2019. The deadline for an extension of the existing permit has passed, but the property owner can apply for a new permit. A recent water main break within the structure has resulted in damage to the building. The City Council voted to submit a letter of intent to purchase property in Shingle Creek Crossing to build a new liquor store and relocate Municipal Liquor Store #1. Ms. Beekman stated she toured the new Ironwood residential development in New Hope with City Staff and Mayor Mike Elliott. She added a visit can be arranged for those Planning Commissioners who were unable to attend the last tour. Ms. Beekman stated Alatus LLC has partnered with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), a non-profit community development organization, to provide a series of four design initiative workshops in Brooklyn Center related to redevelopment on the Opportunity Site. The first workshop is scheduled for Wednesday March 20, 2019, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Brookdale Library. She encouraged the Planning Commissioners to attend each workshop. PC Minutes 02-14-19 -4- Commissioner Sweeney asked how information on the workshops will be made available to the community. Ms. Beekman stated flyers are being prepared, and the information will be posted on the City website and social media sites. Invitations will be sent to community groups and residential communities, and a notice will be posted in the Sun Post newspaper. Ms. McIntosh stated the City’s Community Engagement Coordinators will be involved in this effort. She invited the Planning Commission to invite anyone who is interested in the workshops. Chair Christensen stated the City of Brooklyn Center is concerned with increasing accessibility for its residents. He expressed concern that the Park & Ride facility near Topgolf will be affected by potential development on that site. Ms. Beekman agreed that potential development will have an impact on the transit facility, which will be also be affected by reconstruction of Highway 252. Commissioner Sweeney requested an update on the problematic Metro Transit bus hub. Ms. Beekman stated City Staff met with Metro Transit earlier that day. Staffing levels have been increased and a new Police Chief was hired, with 16 new Police Officers dedicated to the “C” Line. Plans are underway for a new substation. 8. OTHER BUSINESS None. 9. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Sweeney, seconded by Commissioner Schonning, to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. _______________________________ _______________________________ Ginny McIntosh, Secretary Randall Christensen, Chair