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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 08-12 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 AUGUST 12, 2019 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 Mike Elliott at 9:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor/President Mike Elliott and Councilmembers/Commissioners April Graves, Kris Lawrence -Anderson, and Dan Ryan. Councilmember/Commissioner Marquita Butler was absent and excused. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Deputy City Manager Reggie Edwards, Community Development Director Meg Beekman, Planner and Zoning Administrator Ginny McIntosh, Business and Workforce Development Coordinator Brett Angell, and City Attorney Troy Gilchrist. PLACES OF WORSHIP — ZONING AMENDMENT DISCUSSION Community Development Director Meg Beekman reviewed a request to amend the I-2 Zoning District to allow Places of Worship as an authorized use. A worship group wants to relocate its religious use and community center to a property within the I-2 Zoning District as their current facility on Brooklyn Boulevard is no longer available. They hope to stay within the community as many of their members are residents of Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park. Ms. Beekman stated the applicant has identified a site within the I-2 Zone, 4900 Brooklyn Boulevard, and is seeking to purchase the site worship space, events and classroom space and week, evenings, and weekends. to create a community center, gathering and office. The community gathers several times a Ms. Beekman stated the I-2 District is a heavier industrial use area. Religious uses are currently permitted in the C-2 Zoning District as well as Residential Districts. Ms. Beekman stated there is some concern regarding parking, which is limited on the site with only 18 striped stalls. The City Planner measured the parking area and determined there is room for a total of 25 stalls. City Staff has concerns regarding Fire Code compliance, egress issues, and assembly use standards, and the building would require a change of use and compliance with fire standards. 08/12/19 -1- Ms. Beekman stated there is a compliment in the hours of use, as the industrial area is used predominantly during workday hours, and the worship would be evenings and weekends. She added the property had been challenged due to its unique layout and location, so some synergy would be created between how the site can meet their needs and what they would bring to the facility. Ms. Beekman stated City Staff had reviewed this issue with the City Attorney and the most legally defensible way forward is to enact a Zoning Code text amendment to allow places of worship as a specially permitted use within the I-2 District with conditions including building use, ADA requirements, adequate parking and access, and fire suppression. These amendments would apply to all properties within the I-2 Zoning District as spot zoning is prohibited in State statute and only takes place absent of policy and Comprehensive Plan guidance. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves asked whether there are other uses within this neighborhood, in the I-2 Zoning District. Ms. Beekman stated there is a utility substation across the street from the building and a railroad track to the south with no fencing. City Attorney Troy Gilchrist stated the proposed Ordinance amendment can be set up so that a use may be permitted on a particular property in the I-2 Zoning District, but not allowed on every property in the Zoning District unless criteria are met. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan expressed his concern regarding changing a Zoning District to allow a place of worship on industrial property that could potentially be valuable in terms of tax capacity and commercial use. He added there are not many I-2 properties, and this Ordinance amendment would set a precedent for other similar uses. He added the Special Use Permit criteria would need to be very specific regarding types of uses Mr. Gilchrist stated the amendment would determine that the use is generally appropriate, but the City Council/EDA can apply criteria. He added a Special Use Permit would run with the property, and a future owner would have the right to resume the operation within the criteria of the permit. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan asked whether the applicant is aware of the additional costs of compliance with fire suppression and ADA regulations. Ms. Beekman stated the applicant has met with the building office and reviewed these issues as well as parking requirements. She added specific information regarding capacity had not been provided. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated he would be willing to support this request if the Special Use Permit would have solid criteria, and assuming the use would be tax-exempt, protect the financial interests of the City. Mayor/President Elliot agreed, adding City Staff could provide a draft amendment with criteria for the City Council/ERA's review. Ms. Beekman stated the proposed amendment would be reviewed by the Planning Commission before review by the City Council/EDA. 08/12/19 -2- A representative of the applicant thanked the City Council/EDA for reviewing their request. She added they want to stay in the community to be close to the homes and workplaces of their members. She noted the community wants to educate its members and create a legacy of enthusiasm and faith. A female youth, also a member of the worship community, urged the City Council/EDA to consider the establishment of the religious community to provide a place for their members to learn about their religion and culture. ZONING CODE TASK FORCE DISCUSSION Ms. Beekman reviewed a proposal for the creation of a temporary ad hoc task force to provide input on the zoning code update. City Staff is planning to continue pop up meetings and topic - specific focus groups to create additional community engagement to assist the Planning Commission as they make recommendations to the City Council on the ordinance amendments. Ms. Beekman stated it is recommended that 14 members be appointed to the task force, including 2 Planning Commissioners, 2 Housing Commissioners, and a minimum of 2 local business owners. She added ballots had been provided for the City Council to vote from 21 applicants. Once the Council makes its selections, staff will takky the votes and schedule the first taskforce meeting. OPPORTUNITY SITE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DISCUSSION Ms. Beekman requested City Council/EDA discussion regarding next steps for Opportunity Site community engagement. She stated City Staff received a letter on July 19, 2019, signed by ACER, CAPI, and others, regarding the engagement process and requesting a Community Benefits Agreement. It has been agreed that a broader number of stakeholders and organizations are needed to provide input on the Master Plan and Master Development Agreement. She requested input from the Councilmember/Commissioners regarding a framework for the formation of a committee of stakeholders to provide input on the master plan and assist with community engagement efforts. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan requested clarification regarding a statement on page 3 of the document that participants may be compensated for their participation. He added there are several volunteer commissions that are not compensated, and it would not be appropriate to do so with this proposed group. Ms. Beekman stated non-profit organizations could assist with engaging residents of Brooklyn Center who would not otherwise be easily accessible. The non -profits would be asked to provide services and implement them through a consulting contract. Further, the committee would be a working committee tasked with actively engaging Brooklyn Center residents. 08/12/19 -3- Ms. Beekman stressed the importance of keeping in mind that community organizations offer unique access to the community that is invaluable, and there could be a great benefit in building a coalition that exists beyond the drafting of the Master Plan. Mayor/President Elliott stated people are concerned about what the development will mean for them, and how they fit into the plans, which will shape the future of Brooklyn Center. He stressed the importance of community members seeing themselves within the context of the bigger picture of the Opportunity Zone. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated the City's community engagement efforts have increased and expanded since 2014. She added there had been many positive changes, including the addition of dedicated staff, neighborhood liaisons, community meetings. She stressed the importance of celebrating the small successes along the way, as well as encouraging the inclusion of under -represented community members. Ms. Beekman stated potential members of the ad-hoc steering committee that have been identified by City Staff are a combination of representatives from community organizations who represent or have access to Brooklyn Center residents. She added the list is not comprehensive. She noted committee members would be expected to attend meetings, go out into the community, participate in events, do surveys, and other important engagement work. Ms. Beekman stated Brooklyn Bridge Alliance compensates all of their participants, for conducting and taking surveys, and it is an effective model. She added she understands Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan's point that other Commissions are not compensated. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated it would be important that residents are informed that the working committee is temporary and will receive compensation for their work. Ms. Beekman agreed. Ms. Beekman stated the City Council would ultimately vote on the Master Plan and Agreement, and the committee can help provide input from the community to guide that decision. She added it is hoped that the committee will provide the following measurable outcomes: co -creating a Community Engagement Plan; assist with implementation, the community engagement plan and identify community benefits that should be incorporated into a future development agreement. She noted she had provided examples of other community benefits or the City Council's review. Mr. Boganey, the community engagement process ensures a meaningful outcome and a more informed and equitable decision from the City Council. He added, at the master plan stage, the topics to be addressed are broad and focus on priorities, values, and guiding principles. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated the Master Plan already includes a focus on equity. She stressed the importance of implementation of a community engagement plan to ensure that there are tangible benefits for the community. 08/12/19 -4- Councilmember/Connnissioner Ryan stated he appreciates the comments of Councilmember/Commissioner Graves. He added the entire community would be affected by the potential success or failure of the development. Ms. Beekman stated there had been a good turnout at community events so far this summer, and an Open House is planned in September. City Staff would like to have the Task Force go out and do community engagement in the fall, and a second Open House is planned inNovember. Mayor/President Elliott asked whether information is available about opportunity zones, in terns of timelines, investment schedule and benefits, and what will happen if the developer does not make the end of the year deadline. Ms. Beekman stated the developer is seeking to move forward quickly because of the opportunity zone opportunity, and there is added benefit to have funds invested by the end of the year. She added that it is not a hard deadline for the City. There are funds set up by investors who have community benefit as a driving factor and are willing to take a lower return. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she supports continuing community engagement, which will yield specific benefits and improve the overall engagement process. Ms. Beelanan stated the Master Plan would be a vision document used for large scale infrastructure and community planning. She added the July 21, 2019 document was a draft Master Plan, but the final version may be somewhat more detailed. Ms. Beekman stated the developer would need to apply for a Planned Unit Development for Phase 1. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated he supports moving forward with the framework for a task force or steering committee, as it is a good way to proceed. EXTEND THE RULES Councilmember/Commissioner Graves moved, and Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan seconded to extend the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session past 11:00 p.m. if necessary. Motion passed unanimously. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL - 5355 EMERSON AVENUE Business and Workforce Development Coordinator Brett Angell reviewed a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an owner -occupied single-family home at 5355 Emerson Avenue N. City Staff received four proposals, three of which met the RFP requirements: Torborg Builders, Novak -Fleck, Inc., and Lenny Chisholm. Mr. Chisholm's proposal was for a home built from shipping containers, and the building official confirmed that this type of construction falls within the City's construction guidelines. 08/12/19 -5- Mr. Angell stated the fourth proposal was received by Homes for Heroes, an organization that builds homes for temporary housing for veterans and their families. He added that the City is reviewing the potential of a future project with this organization, although the property in question is not suitable for that type of use. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated Torborg Homes is experienced and offers a broad range of housing choices. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves agreed. The majority consensus of the City Council/EDA was to move forward with a proposal from Torborg Homes for a new single-family home at 5355 Emerson Avenue N. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan moved, and Councilmember/Commissioner Graves seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 10:36 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. 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: 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 August 12, 2019. 2. That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at Brooklyn Center City Hall. That the City Council adopted said minutes at its August 26, 2019, Work Session. uaV4;�/ Barbara Suciu, City Clerk aM�4e Elliott, Mayor 08/12/19 -6-