Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/03/2004 Council Minutes• • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 3, 2004 APPROVED 1 2 3 CITY OF LINO LAKES 4 MINUTES 5 6 7 8 DATE : March 3, 2004 9 TIME STARTED : 5:35 p.m. 10 TIME ENDED : 9:48 p.m. 11 MEMBERS PRESENT : Councilmember Carlson, Dahl (5:40) 12 Reinert, Stoltz and Mayor Bergeson 13 MEMBERS ABSENT : None 14 15 Staff members present: City Administrator, Gordon Heitke; Administration Director, Dan 16 Tesch (part); Community Development Director, Michael Grochala; City Engineer, Jim 17 Studenski; Chief of Police, Dave Pecchia; City Planner, Jeff Smyser (part); Public 18 Services Director, Rick DeGardner (part); Economic Development Assistant, Mary Alice 19 Divine (part); and City Clerk, Ann Blair (part) 20 21 DISCUSS PROPOSED 2004 PARK BOARD GOALS, DR. GEORGE LINDY 22 23 Public Services Director DeGardner advised the Park Board discussed the 2004 Goals at 24 length during the January and February Park Board meetings. The goals were approved 25 unanimously at the March 1, 2004 Park Board meeting. 26 27 Mr. George Lindy, Chair of the Park Board, reviewed the following 2004 Park Board 28 Goals: 29 30 1. Connect Existing Trail Along North Side of Birch Street — Black Duck 31 Drive to Pheasant Hills Drive 32 $237,000 33 34 2. Designate Raven's Hollow Park Dedication for Future Birchwood Acres 35 Park Development $ 85,240 36 37 3. Construct Trails at Birch Street/Hodgson Road Intersection $ 50,000 38 39 4. Holly Drive Pole Relocation for New Trail $ 10,000 40 41 5. Pave Birch Park Trail -Boardwalk to Parking Lot $ 5,000 42 43 6. Extend Glenview Trail to Sunrise Park Parking Lot $ 3,000 44 45 7. Survey Arena Acres Residents Regarding Existing Tennis 46 Courts 47 • • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 3, 2004 APPROVED 1 Chair Lindy advised to complete the connection of the existing trail along north side of 2 Birch Street from Black Duck Drive to Pheasant Hills Drive the City would have to get 3 approval from the County. The estimated costs of the project do not adhere to the 4 County's new standard of a 22' buffer zone from a rural roadway to an off-road trail. 5 Further discussions with Anoka County would need to occur to determine whether this 6 project is viable. 7 8 Councilmember Dahl stated she has heard from many residents that they love the trail in 9 Trapper's Crossing. Some of the residents, however, have complained that there is no 10 place to lock up bicycles. 11 12 Public Services Director stated a bicycle rack was discussed last year. The problem is 13 that there is not enough room there to install a rack without blocking access to the fire 14 hydrant or trail. 15 16 Councilmember Carlson referred to the new 22' standard from the County and asked 17 what the previous standard was. Public Services Director DeGardner stated the County 18 previously did not have specific requirements. The new standards call for a 22' buffer on 19 a rural section of a highway and a 10' buffer on urban roadways. There are several areas 20 within the City that it would be impossible to construct a trail and adhere to those 21 standards. City staff is hoping the County will be reasonable in those areas. 22 23 Councilmember Carlson suggested the City Council write a letter to the County 24 Commissioner regarding that issue. Council directed staff to draft a letter for the City 25 Council to sign and forward to the County Commissioner. 26 27 Councilmember Reinert stated that when the City held a referendum for the athletic 28 complex trail development was included in the costs. He asked if any of the proposed 29 trail projects were included in that plan. 30 31 Public Services Director DeGardner advised all of the proposed trail projects were 32 included in the referendum for the athletic complex. He noted all the dollars that will be 33 used for the projects come from dedicated park funds. 34 35 Councilmember Reinert asked if there has been any discussion about acquiring the land 36 that was meant for the athletic complex. 37 38 Chair Lindy stated there has been no discussion regarding that issue at the Park Board 39 level. It would be very difficult to find the funding to purchase the land. 40 41 Councilmember Stoltz inquired about the process of obtaining dollars for parks. Public 42 Services Director DeGardner explained the process in relation to development and park 43 dedication fees. He noted year 2003 was atypical for park dedication fees due to an 44 increase in development. He stated staff would be reviewing the park dedication 45 ordinance again at some point in the future. He noted the City does not use general fund 46 dollars for the cities parks. 47 48 This item will appear on the regular Council agenda Monday, March 22, 2004, 6:30 p.m. • • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 3, 2004 APPROVED 1 2 DISCUSS PROPOSED AUGUST, 2004 EVENT AT MILLER'S ON MAIN, AND 3 POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY EVENTS, CHAD WAGNER, ANN 4 BLAIR 5 6 City Clerk Blair distributed and a reviewed a copy of a resolution that was passed by the 7 Council last year in regard to a Miller's on Main special event. The event was a success 8 although there were a few complaints. A meeting was held after the event to see how it 9 could be improved. Mr. Chad Wagner, Miller's on Main, is present this evening to ask 10 for a similar approval for an August 2004 event similar to last year's event. A group of 11 individuals have organized a committee to get local businesses involved in this year's 12 event that may include a parade. 13 14 Mr. Wagner advised many local businesses are involved this year and County 15 Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah has indicated she is very supportive of including a 16 parade in this year's event. He stated the committee is meeting and discussing several 17 ideas for the event including a pageant, car show and 5K run. 18 19 Mayor Bergeson suggested Mr. Wagner coordinate a calendar with City Clerk Blair in 20 terms of Council action and necessary approvals. A list of issues from the City's 21 perspective should also be included. 22 23 City Clerk Blair stated she has attended the committee's meeting but would like Council 24 direction on whether or not to continue attending those meetings. 25 26 Mayor Bergeson stated Lino Lakes has not had a City sponsored event. The Council 27 should discuss that issue at some point in time. He suggested Mr. Wagner coordinate 28 with staff in regard to coming back to the City Council with the details of the event. 29 30 31 32 Chief Pecchia stated there were some resident complaints about the event last year. If the 33 City is involved with the event, the City will have to look at staffing from the public 34 safety aspect and the cost of that staffing. The last time there was a parade in the City 35 streets had to be closed, police had to direct traffic and line up the parade, which was very 36 costly. Eventually, the sponsors did pay for those costs. The budget has been cut and if 37 City staff is utilized for the event a funding source will have to be determined to pay 38 those costs. 39 40 Councilmember Reinert requested a breakdown of the costs associated with the last 41 parade that was in the City. 42 43 Mr. Wagner stated they are going to try to have the 5K race in the parks as opposed to the 44 street. There will be costs associated with a City event but believes those issues can be 45 resolved. He noted he is not asking the City to be a sponsor of the event. 46 47 A representative from Target added that their parking lot could be used for certain events 48 such as a car show or starting place for the parade. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 3, 2004 APPROVED 1 • 2 The request for a Special Event Permit and Cabaret License will appear on a future 3 Council agenda. The issue of allowing a parade and other activities will be discussed at a 4 future work session. 5 6 7 DISCUSS PROPOSED LIQUOR CODE CHANGE, SECTION 700, ANN BLAIR 8 9 City Clerk Blair advised Section 700 of the City Code relating to Liquor and Beer 10 Licensing was last updated in 2002. She indicated she is reviewing legislative changes 11 and anticipates bring forward recommendations for a few updates in that area. Currently, 12 one change is being recommended for the Council to consider. 13 14 At the regular Council meeting on February 9, 2004, the Council approved a wine and 15 3.2% beer license for Mansetti's Pizza. Minn. Stat. 340A.404, subd. 5 provides that a 16 City may allow the sale of strong beer at an on -sale establishment that already has a wine 17 and 3.2% beer license. 18 19 City Clerk Blair advised the wine/beer license at Mansetti's is the only one of its type in 20 the City at this time. However, it is anticipated that in the future, there may be similar 21 establishments that wish to sell only wine and both types of beer. The only way for an 22 establishment to do so at present is to have an on -sale license, which allows sales of all 23 types of liquor. 24 25 City Clerk Blair referred to the wording of the Statute that states a city "may by 26 ordinance" allow this. The City Attorney gave his opinion that the ordinance, as written, 27 does not allow for this. He also stated that the language provided here would be 28 sufficient to make this change, should the Council wish to do so. 29 30 Councilmember Carlson asked if there is any concern from a pubic safety aspect. Chief 31 Pecchia advised state does allow it and does not cause any concerns. The establishment 32 will be subject to compliance checks along with the other establishments within the City. 33 34 This item will appear on the regular Council agenda, Monday, March 8, 2004, 6:30 p.m. 35 36 VOLUNTEERS IN POLICING GRANT, DAVE PECCHIA 37 38 Chief Pecchia advised the department is in the process of applying for a grant from 39 Homeland Security Grants. The grant will help fund the establishment of more 40 volunteerism within the police department. The grant would also pay for a part-time 41 volunteer coordinator to help establish the program. The department would look at 42 permanent funding from the City for that position in 2006. 43 44 Mayor Bergeson advised the Council has always been supportive of departments 45 applying for grants. The Council will review the grant if it is awarded. 46 47 LAKE DRIVE SPEED STUDY, MICHAEL GROCHALA 48 • • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 3, 2004 APPROVED 1 Community Development Director Grochala advised the County Commissioner received 2 a request for a speed study on Lake Drive. City staff has also received requests for speed 3 studies along Lake Drive. The County has indicated they are willing to conduct a speed 4 study if the City is agreeable. Staff feels comfortable with a speed study being done on 5 Lake Drive. 6 7 Chief Pecchia stated he would like the study to go from the northern border south on 8 Lake Drive. Residents are having a difficult time getting on to Lake Drive in that area. 9 10 Council directed staff to draft a letter to the County indicated support for a speed study to 11 be conducted on Lake Drive. 12 13 DISCUSSION OF NON -CONFORMING RESIDENTIAL USE, MR. RICHARD 14 DICK, 8061 LAKE DRIVE, MICHAEL GROCHALA 15 16 Community Development Director Grochala the issue of a non -conforming residential 17 use at 8061 Lake Drive was discussed at the last Council work session. The options for 18 the City include changing the text of the ordinance or changing the zoning, which would 19 require a Comprehensive Plan Amendment. Staff is not comfortable with either of those 20 options. The City Attorney has concurred with the recommendation from staff. 21 22 Mr. Richard Dick, 8061 Lake Drive, stated he visited four additional banks. All four of 23 the banks indicated they would not allow a first mortgage because of the non -conforming 24 use. One of the banks that was approached indicated there is a possibility to obtain a 25 commercial loan but it would be more expensive. The first bank that was approached 26 stated a loan may be approved if the City would write a letter indicating he could rebuild 27 up to the current value of the home. 28 29 Community Development Director Grochala stated the City legally could not write that 30 letter without changing the ordinance. 31 32 Councilmember Stoltz confirmed Mr. Dick had obtained a loan approximately a year and 33 a half ago. 34 35 Mr. Dick stated he did receive a loan about a year and a half ago. He stated the bank 36 indicated the problem was caused by some change in state law. 37 38 Community Development Director Grochala stated there are other properties within the 39 City that has the same issue. The Comprehensive Plan did not create the problem. In this 40 case, the property has been a non -conforming use for many years. 41 42 Mr. Dick stated he currently has a fifteen -year mortgage and would like to change it to a 43 thirty-year mortgage. He asked the City to consider his request or give him direction in 44 regard to other options. 45 46 Community Development Director Grochala stated the only option for Mr. Dick is to 47 apply for a text amendment or rezone. That application would go through the City 48 process. The staff recommendation would be to deny the request. • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 3, 2004 APPROVED 2 Mayor Bergeson stated he wished the City could solve the problem for Mr. Dick. 3 However, the City can't solve this problem and stay within the City's guidelines. 4 5 LEGACY AT WOODS EDGE — REZONING, DEVELOPMENT STAGE PLAN 6 APPROVAL, TRAFFIC SIMULATION, MICHAEL GROCHALA, MARY ALICE 7 DIVINE 8 9 Community Development Director Grochala advised the traffic simulation would be 10 presented this evening. The Hartford Group is also here to go over their plan and address 11 any Council concerns. 12 13 Mr. Glen Van Wormer came forward and advised a lot of reports were used as well as the 14 project itself to come up with the data for the traffic simulation. Traffic operations were 15 evaluated at three intersections along CSAH 23 (Lake Drive) in the City of Lino Lakes. 16 The evaluation was conducted to learn the operational impacts of the Legacy at Woods 17 Edge development and the proposed roadway improvements. The three intersections 18 reviewed include Lake Drive and southbound northbound I -35W ramps and Lake Drive 19 and Town Center Parkway. 20 21 Mr. Wormer advised the intersections were modeled using traffic simulation software to 22 determine traffic operations under the existing and proposed geometries and intersection 23 control. The proposed improvements used for the analysis are shown on the preliminary 24 plat that was submitted to the City in December 2003. These improvements are 25 considered to be interim until the Lake Drive bridge over I -35W can be replaced. PM 26 peak hour traffic volumes were used in the analysis because this hour experiences the 27 highest traffic volumes in the existing and forecast years. As part of the approval process 28 on this project, MnDOT required four sets of analysis: Existing 2003, 2005 No -Build, 29 2005 Build and 2010 Build. 30 31 Mr. Wormer stated the 2005 forecast traffic volumes were determined by applying a 1.5 32 percent per year growth rate to the existing traffic at the ramp intersections and adding the 33 full build -out development traffic to those volumes. The 2010 forecast traffic volumes 34 were determined by applying the 1.5- percent per year growth rate to all volumes 35 including the development volumes. The traffic volumes used in the analysis are 36 consistent with those discussed in the October 23, 2003 memo. The existing and forecast 37 turning movement volumes used in the analysis are attached to the report. 38 39 Mr. Bob Moberg, Short Elliot Hendrickson Inc. (SEH), advised MnDOT would be 40 presented the four traffic simulations. He noted the simulations are all based on 41 afternoon peak traffic. 42 43 Mr. John Hagen, Traffic Engineer SEH, presented the traffic simulation models in detail. 44 Based on the traffic analysis, a concept transportation improvement plan was developed 45 for the Town Center Parkway and Lake Drive intersection. On Town Center Parkway, 46 the plan includes three outbound lanes to separate left turn, through, and right turning 47 traffic and also includes two inbound lanes. Signalization of this intersection would also 48 be necessary to maintain acceptable levels of service. • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 3, 2004 APPROVED 1 2 Mr. Hagen advised that according to the 2020 Traffic Volume Forecast in the Lino Lakes 3 Transportation Plan, traffic volumes on Lake Drive are anticipated to increase to over 4 17,000 trips per day. Regardless of the proposed development, improvements to Lake 5 Drive are expected in the future. However, to accommodate the full development of the 6 Legacy at Woods Edge Development, several additional improvements to Lake Drive 7 would need to be made in the short term. The concept transportation plan has proposed 8 the construction of two southbound left turn lanes between the intersection of Town 9 Center Parkway and the I -35W bridge. Furthermore, traffic signals at Town Center 10 Parkway and both ramps to I -35W are anticipated. To signalize the south ramp 11 intersection, the existing off ramp and on ramp intersections, which are now separated, 12 need to be aligned to a singe intersection, which would require the reconstruction of 13 approximately 400 feet of the on ramp. 14 15 Mr. Hagen indicated a meeting was held on January 29, 2004 with the MnDOT Area 16 Engineer and MnDOT traffic and freeway modeling staff to review the analysis. MnDOT 17 indicated that no further analysis was required. However, the Federal Highway 18 Administration (FHWA) has requested documentation that demonstrates traffic will not 19 back up onto mainline I -35W. 20 21 Mr. Hagen advised the I-35W/Lake Drive interchange area will perform at acceptable 22 levels of service (LOS D or higher) through 2010 with the proposed improvements, as 23 detailed in the traffic operations analysis. The analysis also demonstrates that queue 24 lengths (the distance of vehicle stacking at intersections) will not back onto the I -35W 25 mainline. The City will need to present the traffic simulation models to Anoka County 26 and the Metropolitan Council. 27 28 Community Development Director Grochala advised staff is coming forward with a 29 request for approvals for the Hartford Group, Inc., that include a Rezoning to Planned 30 Unit Development and Development Stage Plan/Preliminary Plat approval. The intent of 31 the rezoning to Planned Unit Development and the approval of the Development Stage 32 Plan is to establish the overall regulatory framework, unique to the development, while 33 allowing flexibility for individual site design. It is anticipated that modifications to 34 building size, number and placement will happen as the project develops. However, such 35 modifications will be subject to the requirements set forth in the Design Standards. 36 37 Community Development Director Grochala reviewed a flow chart relating to the 38 development approval process. There are several steps in the process that will commence 39 following approval of the rezoning and Development Stage Plan. These include, but are 40 not limited to, preparation and evaluation of the public improvement feasibility study, 41 financial analysis, operation and maintenance agreement and the development agreement. 42 These items will need to be completed and approved in conjunction with the final plan 43 approval. He noted the YMCA project is moving forward and the City has to be 44 cognizant of that project also. 45 46 Community Development Director Grochala advised that in general, the proposed 47 development is consistent with the original Calthorpe Master Plan and Design Standards. 48 The Hartford Group has been very receptive to design modifications to insure a high CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 3, 2004 APPROVED 1 quality development. There are some further changes and clarifications that need to be 2 incorporated into the final plan as suggested in this report. Additionally, design items 3 such as the streetscaping element will go through further modification and review as part 4 of the Public Improvement Design process. 5 6 Mr. Bill Griffith, Hartford Group, stated this has been a City and City staff driven 7 process. A lot of work has been done on the project including the Environmental 8 Assessment Worksheet and Transportation Study. Hartford, as a developer, needs 9 flexibility and certainty. Hartford has been working on getting partners to make the 10 project a reality. He noted the build out on the project would be three to five years. 11 12 Ms. Elizabeth Coetes, Hartford Group, thanked the City Council for involving Hartford in 13 making the City's vision a reality. She asked the Council if they had any questions. 14 15 Mayor Bergeson inquired about other Hartford projects in the area that the Council may 16 visit. 17 18 Ms. Coetes stated Hartford has projects in St. Louis Park, Burnsville and Apple Valley. 19 She indicated a market study was done that looked at both residential and commercial 20 use. The natural resources within the City are an asset but do limit the number of 21 rooftops. Therefore, the plan includes higher density areas to make the project 22 economically feasible. Hartford needs the approvals to move forward in obtaining 23 equitable partners for the project. 24 •25 Ms. Coetes reviewed the first phase of the plan noting the first phase will include senior 26 housing and assisted living. She stated Hartford does have interest from a hotel and 27 Hartford hopes the City will flexibility for that option. 28 29 Community Development Director Grochala stated there is a site plan but the plan may 30 be shifted. The maximum densities and square footage capabilities have been set. There 31 are certain areas within the plan that are set up for either strictly commercial uses or 32 residential uses. The plan has flexibility to allow for the different types of development 33 that may occur. 34 35 Economic Development Assistant Divine distributed and reviewed the 2004 Housing 36 Affordability Thresholds issued by the Metropolitan Council. She indicated the plan 37 includes affordable housing along with housing on the upper end of the scale. 38 39 Ms. Coetes stated the project will include some rental units including senior housing, 40 work force housing, condominiums and assisted living. She noted the townhome area 41 will be owner occupied market rate. 42 43 Councilmember Reinert inquired about the density in regard to the mixed use areas. 44 Community Development Director Grochala advised in the residential district 190 units 45 would be the maximum number of units allowed. In mixed use areas, the maximum 46 density does not apply because the buildings may be three or four stories high. However, 47 the maximum number of total units has been capped at 450 units. In certain blocks • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 3, 2004 APPROVED 1 within the project, the density may be higher but the overall density within the project 2 does not increase past 450 units. 3 4 Councilmember Reinert expressed concern that the City could end up with a lot of rental 5 units within the mixed use areas. He suggested a limit be put on the number of rent units. 6 7 Mr. Griffith stated the key to the plan is having the mix of uses balanced. City staff could 8 talk to the City Attorney about putting a maximum number of the amount of rental units 9 that would be allowed. The mix will depend on the findings in the market study. He 10 noted the City does have control over what would be developed within the project. 11 12 Ms. Coetes stated the City has housing goals from the Metropolitan Council that were 13 tied to the grant money. When the City meets those goals, the City can say no to any 14 more housing units. Any changes within the Planned Unit Development (PUD) has to be 15 approved by the City Council. She stated Hartford wants to work as a partner with the 16 City of Lino Lakes on this project. 17 18 This item will appear on the regular Council agenda Monday, March 8, 2004, 6:30 p.m. 19 20 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR ADVISORY BOARD INTERVIEWS, DAN 21 STOLTZ 22 23 Councilmember Stoltz indicated he put this item on the agenda. He asked that City 24 Administrator Heitke and Administration Director Tesch e-mail the Council the current 25 questions and suggested questions for advisory board interviews. 26 27 Councilmember Carlson stated Councilmember Dahl did bring suggested questions 28 during the last interviews but it was too late in the process. She indicated she would like 29 to revisit those suggested questions. 30 31 Councilmember Dahl advised she has the questions that the City of Blaine uses for their 32 interviews. She indicated she would e-mail them to City Administrator Heitke so he can 33 forward them to the Council. 34 35 PURPOSE OF COUNCIL WORK SESSIONS, DAN STOLTZ 36 37 Councilmember Stoltz stated he also put this item on the agenda. He stated this issue will 38 be discussed at the goal setting session at the end of the month. 39 40 REGULAR AGENDA, MARCH 8, 2004 41 42 Item 7C, Consideration of Resolution No. 04 — 02, Approving Allocation of MUSA 43 Reserve and Preliminary Plat, Justin's Preserve, Jeff Smyser — Councilmember Carlson 44 requested the Planning and Zoning Board minutes relating to this item. 45 46 There were no other changes to the regular agenda. 47 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 3, 2004 APPROVED 1 Community Development Director Grochala stated staff is requesting a special Council • 2 work session with a developer who has expressed interest in developing Rehbine property 3 on the east side of the City. 4 5 Council directed staff to schedule a special Council work session Monday, March 22, 6 2004, 5:30 p.m., prior to the regular Council meeting 7 8 City Administrator Heitke advised the tentative schedule for the goal setting session is as 9 follows: 10 11 Thursday, March 25, 2004 6:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m. 12 Friday, March 26, 2004 1:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m. 13 Saturday, March 27, 2004 9:00 a.m. — until done 14 15 City Administrator Heitke the location is yet to be determined. He requested the Council 16 return their surveys as soon as possible. 17 18 Mayor Bergeson advised the funeral for Glen Rehbine is Thursday, March 4, 2004, 11:00 19 a.m. at North Heights Lutheran. 20 21 The meeting was adjourned at 9:47 p.m. 22 23 These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on 24 March 22, 2004. 40 25 26 27 28 29 Ann Blai>, ity Clerk 30 31 32 33 Transcribed by: 34 Kim Points 35 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 36 37 10