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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 02-14 PCM Work SessionPC Work Session 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 Work Session was called to order by Chair Christensen at 7:36 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. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVIEW – JENNIFER HASKAMP City Planner and Zoning Administrator Ginny McIntosh introduced Jennifer Haskamp of Swanson Haskamp Consulting (SHC). She invited Ms. Haskamp to address the Planning Commission. Ms. Haskamp presented the new updated draft of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. She added an adjacent jurisdictional review was commenced in October 2018. A preliminary review letter has been received from the Metropolitan Council, and all chapters have been updated to reflect their comments thus far. The most significant feedback was related to Housing, Housing Affordability Policies, and Commitments. Ms. Haskamp stated the Plan is complete with the exception of the Implementation section. City Staff is working with a consultant to determine the implementation schedule and key dates to be inserted into the Comprehensive Plan. The Metropolitan Council has requested a copy of the City’s current zoning map and zoning descriptions. Ms. Haskamp stated a letter was received from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) regarding the Transportation chapter. She added that is probably the most changed from the last time the Comprehensive Plan was reviewed by the Planning Commission. Ms. Haskamp stated comments were received from a few residents, as well as feedback from the Director of African Career, Education & Resource (ACER) in Brooklyn Park. Ms. Haskamp stated City Staff and consultants are currently involved in the adoption and implementation phase, seeking Planning Commission recommendation and City Council review PC Work Session Minutes 02-14-19 -2- and authorization for the adjacent 6-month jurisdictional review, which closes in April 2019; as well as subsequent public hearing and Plan adoption. Ms. Haskamp stated comments have not been received from Hennepin County to date. Chair Christensen stated Chapter 1 still refers to Walmart. Ms. Haskamp agreed to ensure that is removed. Ms. Haskamp stated additional analysis is being requested for updates to Chapter 3 - Land Use and Development, which includes historic sites and aggregate resources. Ms. Haskamp stated the Metropolitan Council is requesting that tables related to affordable housing units be added to Chapter 4 – Housing. The tables were previously included in the background report. Chair Christensen stated he understands there is increased density and the need for affordable housing, which is tied to Area Median Income (AMI). He added market rate housing developments should be included in the mix. He asked why the AMI has not changed, and whether that can be changed to aim for something higher. Ms. Beekman stated AMI percentages, which are regional-based, only pertain to the 238 affordable housing units that are being required by 2040. She added that does not mean the AMI must be used for 100% of all new housing developments. She noted the AMI is not specific to Brooklyn Center, and the Metropolitan Council’s goal is stable, affordable housing. Ms. Haskamp stated the Metropolitan Council’s focus is not only development of 238 affordable units, but also protection of naturally occurring affordable housing. She added the City is required to demonstrate through density that there is land available to address affordable housing allocations, at the density prescribed for by 2030. Ms. Beekman stated a 10-page memo was received earlier that day from the Director of ACER, regarding the Housing chapter. She added staff had not had an opportunity to fully digest the comments, but that in general, they suggested that ACER wants the Housing chapter to function more as an action plan that identifies specific policies and funding sources, and less as a list of potential tools and resources. She noted, as it is currently written, the Housing Chapter, identifies policies and implementation strategies that are possible, but generally would require more study before determining which ones or how to implement them. Ms. Beekman stated ACER has been active advocates for affordable housing and have partnered with other cities on implementing affordable housing strategies. She added the Comprehensive Plan process is one way ACER can express their dissatisfaction with regional housing policy, and that it is likely that their comments will be included in several community’s comprehensive plan reviews as a way to address these types of issues. PC Work Session Minutes 02-14-19 -3- Ms. Beekman stated City Staff toured the Ironwood development that afternoon. She added the last market rate residential project to be developed in Brooklyn Center was completed in 1971. She stressed the importance in the Opportunity Site of leveraging investment and new residents to provide benefit to local businesses, entrepreneurs and existing residents, to ensure that the benefit is shared throughout the community. Chair Christensen stated he would like to see potential development in Brooklyn Center of market-rate apartments with amenities, and high-end restaurants. He added current residents who want to stay in the community should have that opportunity too. Ms. Haskamp stated many chapters of the Comprehensive Plan address inclusion of a diverse economic portfolio of housing. Chair Christensen thanked Ms. Haskamp and City Staff for their hard work and dedication to this process. Ms. Haskamp stated the full chapter on Transportation, Chapter 7, is now available. Chapter 7 reviews current transit systems and potential changes. The Transportation chapter also incorporates 2040 traffic model projections, and the Metropolitan Council’s Regional Bike Transportation Network (RBTN) plan. Ms. Haskamp stated Chapter 8 - Infrastructure - includes an update of the sanitary sewer plan, developed in consultation with engineering and sanitary consulting firms. This chapter references potential uses for solar energy. Ms. Haskamp stated an update is currently in progress of Chapter 9 – Implementation. Ms. Haskamp stated the Metropolitan Council has requested a map of utility lines, which has been requested from Xcel Energy, but it has not been provided yet. She added that would be included under Appendix A – Mississippi River Corridor (MRCCA) districts. Ms. Haskamp reviewed the Comprehensive Plan next steps, including the 6-month adjacent jurisdictional review which will close at the end of March 2019. A City Council workshop will be held March 11, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. prior to the City Council meeting, and Planning Commissioners are welcome to attend. She added this could be a joint meeting with the City Council, although it is a public meeting, and anyone can attend. Chair Christensen stated the Planning Commission is not listed on the “Acknowledgements” page. Ms. McIntosh stated the Planning Commission should be listed, as well as former involved parties, including former Mayor Willson. Ms. Beekman stated a special Planning Commission meeting, including public hearing, is planned for Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Final adoption and submittal of the PC Work Session Minutes 02-14-19 -4- Comprehensive Plan will be made to the Metropolitan Council after the close of the jurisdictional review. Ms. Haskamp encouraged the Commission to submit photos they would like to be considered for inclusion in the Comprehensive Plan. 4. ADJOURNMENT Chair Christensen adjourned the Work Session at 9:00 p.m. _______________________________ _______________________________ Ginny McIntosh, Secretary Randall Christensen, Chair