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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-16-2004 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting June 16, 2004 Mounds View City Hall 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Stevenson at 7:00 p.m., June 16, 2004. Chair Stevenson indicated that the first meeting of the month was not held due to the death of Greg Johnson. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Commissioners Miller, Stevenson, Scotch, Hegland, Zwirn and Song Members Absent: Hegland (excused) Also Present: Planner Prososki, Community Development Director Ericson and Economic Development Coordinator Backman ________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page Review Modification of the Mounds View Economic Development 2 Project _____________________________________________________________________________ 3. Approve Minutes a. May 5, 2004 MOTION/SECOND: Scotch/Zwirn. To Approve the Planning Commission Minutes for May 5, 2004 as Presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. ______________________________________________________________________________ Mounds View Planning Commission June 16, 2004 Regular Meeting Page 2 _______________________________________________________________________ 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None. ______________________________________________________________________________ 5. Review Modification of the Mounds View Economic Development Project Economic Development Coordinator Backman indicated that the City’s TIF Plans are a collection of several documents separated by district and the development plan. He then indicated that Mounds View has three active TIF districts and explained where they are located. Coordinator Backman indicated that in 1994 the EDA consolidated the three development programs and plans into one master plan. The consolidation resulted in one development district (the whole City) with one development project known as the Project Plan. In 2000, budgets for TIF Districts 1, 2, and 3 were modified and statutes require that the Planning Commission review program modifications to determine if they are in compliance with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Coordinator Backman indicated that Staff has identified 211 parcels in the City that could be acquired with the City’s TIF funds. He then reviewed the map with the Commission and asked for questions or comments. Commissioner Miller asked how these parcels had been chosen, especially the individual residential parcels. Coordinator Backman indicated that Staff went out and traveled the areas on residential and commercial. He then said that he has worked with Jeremiah Anderson for properties with compliance issues as well as looking at the exterior of the properties. Chair Stevenson asked why Staff did not consider the property south of Johnson’s all the way to Spring Lake Road for a commercial site for that two block area west of Groveland. Coordinator Backman explained that the list may not include all potential parcels but it is what has been noticed to the other governmental entities and it would not be possible to add to it at this time but it could be considered for future updates to the plan. Chair Stevenson indicated he was okay with leaving off Colonial Village Mobile Home Park since that was the one determined most likely not to be redeveloped. Chair Stevenson thanked Staff for the efforts on this program. Commissioner Zwirn asked what kind of criteria was used for residential lots to be included. Community Development Director Ericson indicated that Staff looked at the Housing Replacement Guidelines and there are four criteria to identify a blighted home and that was used Mounds View Planning Commission June 16, 2004 Regular Meeting Page 3 _______________________________________________________________________ as a guideline. He then said that the homes on the list may not qualify for that program but, from a windshield perspective, these are the properties that Staff felt should be added. Commissioner Zwirn asked if the standards were taken from other communities or if they were arbitrary. Director Ericson indicated the courts have not determined standards and the courts give huge deference to the City when determining blighted property however the City would need something legitimate to base it upon. He then pointed out that if property owners approach the City it gives them the opportunity to sell to the City and clear it for development at market value. He further explained that this is a voluntary program and that is the difference with other cities with targeted acquisition programs. Commissioner Zwirn said he understood the volunteerism of the plan but that for certain houses on larger lots not utilizing the lots he is concerned that a developer could come in with a plan and could potentially force people to sell and develop, even if they do not want to develop. Director Ericson agreed and said he does not think that the City would want to utilize the program in that fashion. Commissioner Miller asked if Staff is expecting feedback from the public on this project. Coordinator Backman indicated the public hearing would be held on June 28, 2004. He then said that the designation does not provide any restrictions or encumbrances to selling the property. Commissioner Zwirn asked for clarification of the repeated addresses and the addresses with 0 in them. Planner Prososki explained that the County has not assigned an address to those properties because it is a vacant lot and that there are a number of them. Commissioner Zwirn asked if this action is being taken as a result of discussions a few weeks ago regarding acquisition of property on Long Lake Road and Highway 10. Coordinator Backman indicated that the process was started well over a year ago and thanked the other Staff for help. He then said that this process began with the settlement reached with the Office of State Auditor, as that office determined that the City needs to identify parcels before purchasing them with TIF dollars. Director Ericson indicated the purchase of 2525 Highway 10 was to come out of special project funds and not TIF funds. He then said that Council had discussed that once this was adopted, if a developer had not come forward the EDA could then acquire the parcel from the City to reimburse the City or the City could have sold it without utilizing TIF dollars. Mounds View Planning Commission June 16, 2004 Regular Meeting Page 4 _______________________________________________________________________ Commissioner Zwirn commented that the presentation at the last meeting indicated TIF dollars would be used. Coordinator Backman indicated that TIF funds would be used long term because there are limited dollars in the special project fund and it was estimated that the fund could support the expenditure for 6 to 12 months but eventually the City would need to sell it or utilize TIF funds. He then said that he has had a good amount of interest from developers on the property. Commissioner Song asked what would happen if other property owners approach the City. Coordinator Backman indicated that there would be activity beyond these parcels and this does not say that economic development would only occur in these parcels. Director Ericson indicated that the Housing Replacement Program offers a second component and that is if a property is underutilized or blighted and they want to stay in the community there is a component where they would enter into an agreement with the owner and the City contributes the amount to demolish the property with the understanding that a bigger and larger home is constructed on the property. MOTION/SECOND: Stevenson/Miller. To Approve Resolution 762-04, a Resolution Recommending Approval of the Modification to the Project Plan for the Mounds View Economic Development Project. Ayes – 4 Nays – 1(Zwirn) Motion carried. Commissioner Zwirn indicated that he understands the state auditor requiring this process be taken care of but he has some issues with TIF financing and the “shell game” that goes on with it so he does not feel comfortable endorsing it. ______________________________________________________________________________ 6. Next Planning Commission Meeting: July 7, 2004 ______________________________________________________________________________ 7. Adjournment to Agenda Session There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 7:33 p.m. (The meeting immediately adjourned to the Agenda Session) Mounds View Planning Commission June 16, 2004 Regular Meeting Page 5 _______________________________________________________________________ Respectfully submitted, Jim Ericson Community Development Director Transcribed by: Joan Lenzmeier TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.