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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-20-2008 MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING AGENDA February 20, 2008 -- 7:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Special Order of Business A. Elect Chair & Vice-Chair 4. Approval of Minutes: A. December 19, 2007 5. Citizens Requests and Comments Relating to Planning and Zoning Issues Not Already Present on the Agenda. (Before speaking, please give your full name and address for the minutes.) 6. Planning Cases A. None 7. Other Planning Activity A. Review Planning Commission Bylaws B. Discuss Conditional Use Permit requirements pertaining to flammable liquid tanks C. Comp Plan 2008 Update 8. Next Planning Commission Meetings: A. March 5, 2008 B. March 19, 2008 9. Adjourn to Agenda Session Agenda Session 1. Review Minutes: a. January 9, 2008 2. Staff Reports a. Upcoming Planning Cases 3. Chairperson and Planning Commissioners’ Reports 4. Meeting Conclusion Item No: 7A Meeting Date: February 20, 2008 Type of Business: Commission Business City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Mounds View Planning Commission From: Heidi Heller, Planning Associate Item Title/Subject: Review the Planning and Zoning Commission Bylaws The Planning Commission’s Bylaws state that they [the Bylaws] shall be reviewed on an annual basis, at the first regular meeting in February. Due to cancelling the first February Planning Commission meeting, we are reviewing the Bylaws at the second meeting in February. Discussion: The Bylaws were reviewed and amended slightly in January of 2007 with one change regarding the number of absences a commissioner may have in a given year. No other changes were made to the Bylaws. Recommendation: Review the attached Bylaws. If the Bylaws do not require any amendments or modifications, simply readopt by motion the existing Bylaws. Heidi Heller Planning Associate Attachments: 1. Planning and Zoning Commission Bylaws CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION BYLAWS (Revised January 24, 2007) I. AUTHORITY: The Bylaws of the Mounds View Planning and Zoning Commission (Bylaws) are established in accordance with the Mounds View Municipal Code Section 401.06. Subd. 7 “The Commission shall adopt bylaws for its governance and for the transaction of its business.” Where there is a conflict between the provisions of the Bylaws and the provisions of the City Charter and the Municipal Code, the provisions of the City Charter and the Municipal Code shall govern. (For purposes of simplicity, the Planning and Zoning Commission may hereinafter be referred to as the Planning Commission or the Commission.) II. ADOPTION OF BYLAWS; REVIEW AND AMENDMENT: A. ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT: The Bylaws shall be adopted by Resolution by an affirmative vote of the majority of members of the Planning and Zoning Commission appointed as voting members, and shall be placed on file with the City Clerk-Administrator and the Community Development Department. A copy of the bylaws shall be forwarded to the City Council for its information. Any amendments to the Bylaws shall be adopted by Resolution in the same manner as the original Bylaws. B. ANNUAL REVIEW: The Bylaws shall be reviewed on an annual basis at the first regular meeting of the Commission in February. III. MEMBERSHIP AND VACANCIES. Vacancies on the Planning Commission shall be filled in accordance with the Municipal Code, Sections 401.02 and 401.03. IV. OFFICERS A. OFFICERS NAMED: The officers of the Planning Commission shall consist of a chairperson and vice-chairperson. The Commission may create and fill such other offices from its members, as it may determine, to transact Commission business. In addition, the Director of Community Development, or his or her designee, shall act as the recording secretary for the Commission for purpose of preparing meeting minutes. EXHIBIT A City of Mounds View Planning and Zoning Commission - Bylaws Page 2 City of Mounds View Planning and Zoning Commission - Bylaws Page 3 B. ELECTIONS; TERMS 1. Chairperson: At the first meeting in January, the Commission shall conduct an election in order to make its recommendation for the chairperson, following the procedure in Section IV.B.3. The name of the person recommended for chairperson shall be forwarded to the City Council for action at its next meeting in January. Based upon the recommendation of the Planning Commission, the Mayor, with the approval of the City Council, shall appoint the chairperson of the Commission each year. 2. Vice-Chairperson: The Planning Commission shall elect a vice-chairperson each year at its first meeting in January, following the procedure in Section IV.B.3. 3. Election Procedure: For each office, the chairperson shall invite nominations from Planning Commission members. After nominations have been received, the chairperson shall entertain a motion to close nominations. If such motion is made and passed, and more than one nomination has been made, the chairperson shall distribute ballots to the Commission members and each member shall write his or her selection on the ballot. The recording secretary shall tally the ballots and announce the nominee receiving the most votes. In the event of a tie, the recording secretary shall announce the nominees tied in the voting and balloting shall be repeated until an election occurs. If only one nomination has been received, the chairperson may conduct the voting by voice vote. If a majority of the members present vote in the affirmative for the nominee, the nominee shall be elected. 4. Assumption of Duties: The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall assume office at the first meeting in February of each year. 5. Term of Office: The chairperson and vice chairperson shall serve one year terms, and may be re-elected to additional terms in accordance with this Section IV.B. C. DUTIES OF OFFICERS: The chairperson shall preside over the meetings of the Planning Commission, and shall have the authority to add or cancel regular meetings and to call special meetings as provided in Section VI. The Chair shall have the authority to redirect public comment unrelated to the Commission’s business to the most appropriate City commission or to the City Council. The vice chairperson shall assume the duties of the chairperson, in the absence of the chairperson. In the event of the absence of both the chairperson and vice- chairperson, those members present shall elect a temporary chairperson to preside over the meeting. City of Mounds View Planning and Zoning Commission - Bylaws Page 4 V. COUNCIL LIAISON: The City Council may appoint from among its members a Liaison to the Commission on an annual basis. It is expected that the Council Liaison will attend the Commission meetings on a regular basis. In the event of the absence of the Council Liaison at a Commission meeting, a Commission member may be appointed by the chairperson to represent the Planning Commission at the next regular City Council meeting or at the meeting where the City Council will be considering the planning cases acted upon by the Planning Commission in the absence of the Council Liaison. VI. MEETINGS A. TYPES OF MEETINGS; SCHEDULE: The annual meeting schedule of the Commission shall be adopted by Resolution at the first regular meeting in December for the following year. 1. Regular Meetings: Subject to the adopted meeting schedule, the Commission’s regular meetings will occur on the first and third Wednesdays of each month for the purpose of convening public hearings, making recommendations to the City Council, conducting business which requires a vote of the Commission, convening as the Board of Adjustment and Appeals, conducting long-range planning functions and other official business. 2. Agenda Sessions: An Agenda Session is an informal session of the Planning Commission, typically held immediately following adjournment of a Regular or Special meeting, at which time the Planning Commission may review minutes, informally review proposed or pending planning cases or ordinance amendments, discuss previous actions of the City Council or other Commissions, and to perform other matters not requiring a vote of the Commission. 3. Special Meetings: From time to time, special meetings may be called in order to process significant caseloads, to review works in progress such as comprehensive plan updates or municipal code revisions, or to undertake a retreat or strategic planning session, either amongst itself or in the company of the City Council or other commissions. Special meetings can be proposed by any Commission member or at the request of the Director of Community Development, yet must be approved by a majority vote of the Commission. 4. Emergency Special Meetings. Emergency special meetings can be called via written notice to the Director of Community Development by the Chairperson or two Commission members, or by the Director of Community Development. (Emergency special meetings are those in which the subject matter is of such an immediate concern that it cannot be delayed until the next regular meeting of the Planning Commission.) The Director of Community Development shall post and mail a notice of any special meeting in accordance with State Statutes. Planning Commission members shall be City of Mounds View Planning and Zoning Commission - Bylaws Page 5 notified by telephone and in writing, if possible, at least seven days prior to a special meeting. 5. Cancellation of Meetings: Regular or special meetings may be canceled by the chairperson or Community Development Director in the event that there are no items of business requiring the attention of the Commission, or for lack of a quorum, or in response to inclement weather or for any other good and sufficient reason. Members of the Commission shall be notified by telephone of any meeting cancellation. A notice of the meeting cancellation shall be posted as required by State Statutes. B. QUORUM: A majority of the number of voting members appointed to the Commission shall constitute a quorum. C. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS; ADJOURNMENT 1. Meeting Chairperson: If neither the chairperson nor the vice chairperson is present to conduct a meeting of the Planning Commission, the Planning Commission may elect a meeting chair from among those members present prior to the commencement of business. The election shall follow the procedures set forth in Section IV.B.3, except that the Community Development Director, or his or her designee, shall conduct the election. 2. Open Meeting Law: Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the State of Minnesota Open Meeting Law (Minn. Statutes 471.705). 3. Adjournment: Meetings shall adjourn at or before 11:00 p.m. unless a two- thirds majority of the members present agree to extend the time of adjournment. If there is no objection, the Chairperson may declare the meeting adjourned without the necessity of a motion or vote by the Commission. D. MINUTES: Minutes shall be recorded for regular meetings and each commission member shall receive a copy of the unapproved minutes for review and approval at a succeeding meeting. Minutes shall be approved by motion. Approved minutes shall be the official record of the business conducted and actions taken by the Planning Commission. Commission members may request copies of approved minutes after they have been corrected, if necessary, and signed as approved. Copies of the approved minutes shall be filed with the Community Development Department. Unapproved minutes shall be clearly marked “DRAFT”; approved minutes shall be marked “APPROVED”. A policy statement regarding the content and format of the minutes shall be on file with the Director of Community Development which may be reviewed from time to time as needed. VII. INFORMATIONAL PACKETS: Each Commissioner shall receive a staff report, plans City of Mounds View Planning and Zoning Commission - Bylaws Page 6 and additional information, as appropriate, for each item placed on the agenda for any regular or special meeting. The Commission packet should be delivered at least four days prior to the meeting. Each Commissioner is responsible for reviewing the material within the packet prior to the meeting. VIII. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS: Advice from, consultation with, and/or requests for review by the City Attorney, City Engineer, City Planning Agency, or other paid consultants shall be in accordance with the Municipal Code, Section 401.07. IX. SUPPLEMENTARY PUBLICATIONS: All Commission members shall receive a copy of the Mounds View Municipal Code and a copy of the Municipal Comprehensive Plan as well as other materials provided by the City Council or City Staff. These materials shall be retained by each commission member and returned to the Community Development Director upon the member’s resignation or termination of appointment. X. CONDUCT OF MEMBERS A. ATTENDANCE: Commission members shall advise the designated Staff member or the Commission chairperson of an anticipated absence from any regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting. Any member absent from three consecutive regularly scheduled meetings or more than six regularly scheduled meetings per year without the consent of the Commission shall be deemed to have vacated the office, and such vacancy shall be filled by the City Council pursuant to Section 401.03, Subd. 1. A leave of absence may be granted by the consent of the Commission. B. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: 1. General Standard: No Commissioner shall be appointed with private or personal interests likely to conflict with the general public interest. If any person appointed to the Commission shall find that their private or personal interests are involved in any matter coming before the Commission, they shall disqualify themselves from taking part in any discussion or action on the matter; alternatively, they may be disqualified by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Commissioners in attendance. 2. Conflict Due to Economic Interests: A Commissioner has a conflict of interest if, in his or her discharge of official duties, would be required to take an action or make a decision that would substantially affect the Commissioner’s financial interests or those of an associated business, unless the effect on the Commissioner is no greater than on other members of the Commissioner’s business classification, profession, or occupation. In the event a conflict of interest exists with respect to a particular matter before the Commission, the Commissioner shall disqualify himself or herself from taking part in any discussion or action on the matter. C. EX PARTE CONTACTS: Ex parte contacts are contacts between individuals seeking to influence the decisions of the Planning Commission and individual Commission members outside the meeting forum. Such contacts include meetings with project proponents, residents, property owners, and citizens separate from Commission meetings, communication between Commission members outside the meeting forum, telephone calls or letters which attempt to influence a Commissioner’s opinion on a matter which will be subject to the Commissioner’s vote. When the Planning Commission is involved in a matter which is to be heard and decided by the Commission (e.g. variances), Planning Commissioners shall indicate to the person contacting them that such contact is inappropriate and all testimony needs to be offered at the hearing to ensure a fair hearing for all parties. In all other cases, Planning Commissioners should discourage such contacts and should avoid expressing any opinion as to the merits of the case. When ex parte contacts occur, the Planning Commissioner is responsible for notifying the Community Development Director, and for conveying the substance of the communication at the next commission meeting at which the matter discussed is under consideration. _______________________________________ Gary Stevenson, Chairperson ATTEST: _______________________________________ James Ericson, Community Development Director Revision History: January 24, 2007 September 1, 2004 February 21, 2001 February 2, 2000 March 5, 1997 February 3, 1993 October 1990 Item No: 7B Meeting Date: February 20, 2008 Type of Business: Discussion City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Mounds View Planning Commission From: Heidi Heller, Planning Associate Item Title/Subject: Discussion of Conditional Use Permits in Regards to the Storage of Flammable Liquids A business in the industrial park on Mustang Drive contacted the city to ask about installing a fixed above-ground propane tank on their property. This business uses propane in each of their trucks to run equipment and currently fills them at Ferrellgas in New Brighton. Since Ferrellgas is moving and there are no other propane companies nearby, this business wants to install a 500 - 1,000 gallon propane tank on their property. This brought up a discussion among staff since the city code does not state a minimum threshold amount for when a conditional use permit would be needed for storing flammable liquids above ground. The 90,000 plus gallons that was proposed by Ferrellgas seemed obvious in that a CUP would be necessary, but is a CUP necessary for every tank, no matter what size? The city code permits underground storage, but requires a CUP for above ground storage. Pertaining to flammable liquids, the city code states in Chapter 1116, Industrial District: Chapter 1116.02. Permitted uses – Flammable liquids, underground bulk storage only, not to exceed 25,000 gallons if located not less than 50 feet from a residential district. Chapter 1116.04 subd 20. Conditional Uses – Storage of flammable liquids. The fire code regulates the storage of all flammable gas and liquids except for single family properties. Any business or multi-family dwelling that installs a tank with flammable liquid, must get a fire permit and follow fire code requirements, no matter what size the tank is. These rules get stronger with more safety precautions as the tank size increases. Discussion point - • Should there be a minimum tank size allowed before requiring a CUP? Sincerely, _________________________ Heidi Heller Planning Associate Attachment: 1. City Code Chapter 1116 – Industrial District Item No: 7C Meeting Date: February 20, 2008 Type of Business: Discussion City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Mounds View Planning Commission From: Heidi Heller, Planning Associate Item Title/Subject: Comp Plan 2008 Update We will be discussing Chapter 7, Economic Development. The Comp Plan Task Force will be discussing this chapter along with Heidi Steinmetz, Economic Development Specialist on March 12th. I have included a worksheet that Heidi S. made for the EDC to show the economic development goals that were in the 2000 Comp Plan, and the 2007 priorities for the EDC and City Council. Sincerely, Heidi Heller Planning Associate Side-by-Side Comparison: City Council/EDC Goals & Priorities (for purposes of the EDC’s review of the Economic Development component of the 2001 Comprehensive Plan) CITY COUNCIL’S ECONOMIC DEVLEOPMENT RELATED STRATEGIC GOALS LAST UPDATED 8/1/07 Strategic Goal 2: Finalize and implement the redevelopment and revitalization plan for County Highway 10 (Staff Leader: Greg Lee, Public Works Director) ACTION STEPS PERSON RESPONSIBLE Solicit additional grants and funding opportunities Greg Lee Revisit gateway signage and consider alternative designs Greg Lee Jim Ericson Identify targeted areas of redevelopment Jim Ericson EDC EDA/City Council Prepare and distribute area specific marketing material Jim Ericson Incorporate Walkable Communities and Active Living principles into project designs Greg Lee Jim Ericson Heidi Heller Strategic Goal 5: Develop an economic development philosophy for the City and to develop alternatives to TIF to stimulate economic development (Staff Leader: Jim Ericson, Community Development Director) ACTION STEPS PERSON RESPONSIBLE Continue to review current economic development policies (e.g., TIF, business subsidy, tax abatement) and finalize policy changes. Jim Ericson EDC & EDA/Council Review and discuss the use of alternative incentive programs other than Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Jim Ericson EDC & EDA/Council Review and consider expanded use of incentive grants and loan programs. Jim Ericson EDC & EDA/Council Develop partnerships with Mn/DEED and other regional and state agencies Jim Ericson EDC & EDA/Council Review feasibility of selective TIF parcel decertification. Jim Ericson EDC & EDA/Council ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION EARLY 2007 PRIORITIES In January and February the members of the Mounds View EDC discussed the results of economic development activities during 2006 and considered economic development priorities for Mounds View in 2007. Potential projects were discussed and ranked by consensus in the following manner: 1. Premium Stop Redevelopment Area (Inc. adjacent parcels on H2, County Hwy 10 and Woodale areas) 2. Silver View Plaza Promotion/Renewal (High vacancy; invite KA Management to EDA Mtg.) 3. Development/Redevelopment along County Hwy 10 Corridor (Inc. trails and other amenities) 4. Skyline Motel Property Redevelopment for Manufacturing or Commercial Use 5. PAK Building Redevelopment (Possibly inc. adjacent parcels) 6. Saturn Redevelopment / MultiTech Vacant Parcel Development (Former only If there is a change regarding Saturn of St. Paul dealership property) 7. Knollwood Place (Moving ahead with townhouse project by Integra Homes). 8. Bauer Welding & Metal Fabricators Expansion 9. Laport Meadows Housing Development (Possibly inc. adjacent parcels) 10. Exploration of potential Sherwood / Greenwood Housing Development 11. Consider need for greater promotion of customer attendance at Carmike / Wynnsong 15 Theater 12. Johnson Property Development PRIORITIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DECISIONS (PAGE 91 OF 2001 COMP. PLAN) In order to expand the City’s tax base and thereby provide property tax relief for homeowners, the City of Mounds View’s economic development priorities and objectives are, in general, as follows: • Retain existing businesses that make positive contributions to the local economy. • Provide a reasonable and prudent level of assistance (financial or otherwise) to enable existing businesses to expand their operations and/or facilities in Mounds View. • Attract new commercial and industrial development. • Encourage the development of new office space, warehouse space and retail operations that will enable Mounds View to offer services, facilities and goods that are not presently available in the community, or that are unavailable in sufficient quantity or quality. • Pursue the redevelopment of parcels and sites that are aesthetically displeasing, contaminated, blighted, abandoned, or otherwise underdeveloped. • Facilitate communications between and among the City, Ramsey County, local businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, local educational institutions, and any other parties or entities having a direct or indirect interest in the continued economic prosperity of Mounds View. • The City will continually develop and review more specific priorities in order to provide guidance to City staff, business owners, developers, and residents with respect to intended areas of concentration (geographic and otherwise). City of Mounds View Comprehensive Plan ________________________________________________________________________ 89 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT City of Mounds View Comprehensive Plan ________________________________________________________________________ 90 COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOALS Mounds View’s future economic development will be governed and directed by a set of basic goals, principles and assumptions. The most important of these are set forth below. The redevelopment or expansion of an existing business, new commercial or industrial development, or residential housing will be considered even if it involves the possible acquisition, demolition or relocation of an existing business or residential homes. The redevelopment or expansion of an existing business, or new commercial or industrial development, or residential housing will be considered if a reasonable opportunity for public input has been provided, particularly by those business owners and homeowners who could potentially be affected. Whether or not such parties support (or, at a minimum, do not oppose) any proposed redevelopment, expansion, new development or new project will be one of the more important factors in determining the City’s position with respect to any such proposal. In the final analysis, the City’s goal will be to determine whether the actual or potential benefits to the City (from any such proposal) outweigh the actual or potential negative impacts on individuals, businesses or the community as a whole. The City will actively market itself to selected target audiences as a prime location for specific types of businesses and industries. In order to continuously refine and review its objectives as economic conditions and realities change, the City (through the EDC and/or the EDA) will annually update its list of targeted businesses and industries. Although the City will respond in a timely and businesslike manner to all requests for information about the City’s suitability as a business location, City staff members will focus their attention on those requests that come from businesses of the type that appear on the City’s target list. In light of the increasing mobility of businesses in general, the City’s future economic development efforts will focus on retaining existing businesses and industries in the community, in some cases by helping to create circumstances under which they can expand to meet their customers needs and/or their own desire to grow and prosper financially. Given the fact that the City is almost fully developed, and in order to improve the City’s tax base and improve the City’s visual aesthetics, the City also intends to devote significant attention to redeveloping aging, obsolete, blighted or otherwise underdeveloped structures. Additionally, the City will explore the opportunities that are presented by the few remaining parcels of undeveloped property. In some cases this may involve assisting the owners of such parcels with the marketing of their properties to prospective developers. The City recognizes that the maintenance of an adequate workforce will be one of the most serious challenges that will face business and industry for much of the foreseeable future, and that the private sector and/or educational institutions will be primarily responsible for addressing and resolving workforce issues. However, the City is prepared to assist with such efforts by working collaboratively with others who are concerned about such issues. The nature of the City’s assistance may include having City representatives serve on local and regional committees, commissions and agencies devoted to this important topic. City of Mounds View Comprehensive Plan ________________________________________________________________________ 91 PRIORITIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DECISIONS In order to expand the City’s tax base and thereby provide property tax relief for homeowners, the City of Mounds View’s economic development priorities and objectives are, in general, as follows: • Retain existing businesses that make positive contributions to the local economy. • Provide a reasonable and prudent level of assistance (financial or otherwise) to enable existing businesses to expand their operations and/or facilities in Mounds View. • Attract new commercial and industrial development. • Encourage the development of new office space, warehouse space and retail operations that will enable Mounds View to offer services, facilities and goods that are not presently available in the community, or that are unavailable in sufficient quantity or quality. • Pursue the redevelopment of parcels and sites that are aesthetically displeasing, contaminated, blighted, abandoned, or otherwise underdeveloped. • Facilitate communications between and among the City, Ramsey County, local businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, local educational institutions, and any other parties or entities having a direct or indirect interest in the continued economic prosperity of Mounds View. • The City will continually develop and review more specific priorities in order to provide guidance to City staff, business owners, developers, and residents with respect to intended areas of concentration (geographic and otherwise). City of Mounds View Comprehensive Plan ________________________________________________________________________ 92 RESOURCES TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Resources to support economic development can be defined as any facts, programs or circumstances that enhance Mounds View’s ability to attract new businesses, retain and expand existing businesses, or assist in the preservation of a vibrant, diverse local economy. Such resources currently include the following: • Close proximity to Interstate 35-W, allowing relatively quick and easy access to the downtown areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and to other portions of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. • Good internal traffic circulation. • Successful, attractive business parks. • Visible evidence of new commercial activity, storefront improvements, remodeling, and other indications of local economic health. • Ongoing efforts to enhance the appearance of, and to better coordinate planning for the further development of, the County Highway 10 corridor and the community at large. • Local business owners who are interested in expanding their operations and improving the appearance of their properties. • The potential availability of City assistance for appropriate development or redevelopment projects. o Tax increment financing is a type of assistance that has been provided by the City in the past, and City-assisted funding for cosmetic and operational improvements has been provided through the Business Improvement Partnership Loan program. o These types of City assistance have been, and will continue to be, provided in a manner consistent with the City’s written policies regarding such assistance, and will generally be limited to situations in which their use will enable the City to attract a new business, retain or expand an existing business, provide new employment opportunities, enhance the City’s tax base, or otherwise improve the appearance or vitality of the local business economy. o The City will continually monitor and periodically evaluate its programs and policies regarding development and redevelopment assistance in order to make certain that they are helping the City meet its economic development goals, priorities and objectives. City of Mounds View Comprehensive Plan ________________________________________________________________________ 93 • Parcels of land that are suitable for development or redevelopment. • An active local Chamber of Commerce. • A coordinated approach to local planning and development issues, as evidenced by the ongoing work of the I-35W Corridor Coalition. • A plentiful supply of life-cycle housing to accommodate a wide range of incomes. • Easy access to mass transit for workers who need or prefer to use such methods of transportation. • The proximity of the Anoka County Airport in Blaine. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES The effectiveness of local economic development can be enhanced by continuously assessing, and attempting to address, any circumstances that might negatively impact the local business climate. Such circumstances may include those that might: a. make a developer or business owner less inclined to establish a new business in Mounds View; or b. make a developer or business owner less inclined to relocate an existing business to Mounds View; or c. make an existing Mounds View business less inclined to expand its operation in Mounds View; or d. make an existing Mounds View business consider moving its operation to another community; or e. adversely affect, in some other way, the ability of an existing Mounds View business to achieve economic success. The preceding circumstances are, to varying degrees, mitigated by the presence of financial and other incentives that encourage or allow economic development. Successful economic development will continue to require the careful monitoring of these existing and developing challenges so that realistic and timely efforts can be made to emphasize Mounds View’s many positive attributes in order to effectively minimize or counteract negative perceptions or circumstances. Examples of such future efforts may include the following: • In order to address the relative scarcity of raw land suitable for new construction, and in light of the small size of the few remaining parcels of undeveloped land, City of Mounds View Comprehensive Plan ________________________________________________________________________ 94 • Prepare and periodically update an inventory of undeveloped land, • List undeveloped parcels on the City web site with the knowledge and consent of their owners/agent, • Acquire and/or clear underdeveloped sites suitable for new construction, • Focus development efforts on businesses suitable for smaller lots, and investigate the possibility of combining adjoining lots to accommodate larger businesses. • In situations involving unrealistic price expectations on the part of those who own undeveloped parcels of land (i.e., asking prices well in excess of actual market value), • Wait for the market to catch up with currently excessive asking prices and • Investigate options that might reduce those prices (offering relocation assistance, etc.). • In cases involving actual or perceived neighborhood opposition to commercial development of certain types in certain areas, • Survey nearby residents to determine their preferences and/or • Arrange neighborhood meetings or public hearings in connection with proposed commercial development(s). • In situations where owners of underdeveloped parcels (especially residential homeowners and owners of old or obsolete commercial structures) are unwilling to sell, thereby delaying or preventing the development of those properties to their highest and best use, • Arrange meetings with the owners, • Provide current information to them regarding the potential market value of their properties, • Develop or refine City relocation policies, or • Consider the use of eminent domain only as a last resort. • In order to strengthen Mounds View’s identity, • Continue work on the development and improvement of County Highway 10, • Maintain a high profile within the local and regional business communities, • Attempt to develop a greater sense of community, and • Handle business climate inquiries promptly and professionally. • Given the scarcity of attractive office space and rental warehouse/office space, encourage new construction to meet these needs. City of Mounds View Comprehensive Plan ________________________________________________________________________ 95 • Due to the potentially high cost of some of the available methods of aggressively recruiting the most attractive new business prospects and/or marketing Mounds View as a business location, investigate and use the more cost-effective and/or more carefully targeted recruitment/marketing techniques. • Inasmuch as limited funds are available for the funding of business incubator programs, enterprise facilitation projects or other initiatives designed to help new businesses get started locally, • Pursue grants to fund such programs, • Establish collaborations with other governmental entities and non-profit organizations, and • Serve as a clearinghouse for information about assistance (financial and otherwise) that may be available from sources other than the City. • In light of the limited selection of tools that are available to the City to finance or promote economic development, monitor developments affecting economic development and (where appropriate) make recommendations regarding alternative, new or improved methods of providing advice, assistance or encouragement. • Due to the high cost of redeveloping property vs. developing property, participate in seeking creative solutions to the financing challenges inherent in potential redevelopment projects. PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA Regular Meeting January 9, 2008 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. January 9, 2008. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Roll Call Members Present: Chair Stevenson; Commissioners, Gunn, Lang, and Miller Absent and Excused: Commissioners Cramblit, Meehlhause, and Walsh-Kaczmarek Also Present: Community Development Director Ericson and Planning Associate Heller _____________________________________________________________________________ Index to Minutes Page Special Order of Business 1 Comp Plan 2008 Update – Chapter 6, Transportation 2 ______________________________________________________________________________ 3. Special Order of Business A. Oath of Office for Re-appointed Planning Commissioner Planning Associate Heller read the Oath of Office to Commissioner Sherry Gunn. B. Election of Officers – Chair and Vice-Chair Director Ericson suggested deferring action on this item until all members are in attendance. The Commissioners agreed. _____________________________________________________________________________ 4. Approve Minutes A. December 5, 2007 Mounds View Planning Commission January 9, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 2 ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTION/SECOND: Commissioner Gunn /Commissioner Miller to approve the minutes of the December 5, 2007 regular Planning Commission meeting as presented. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. _____________________________________________________________________________ 4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda None _____________________________________________________________________________ 5. Planning Cases None _____________________________________________________________________________ 6. Other Planning Activity A. Comprehensive Plan 2008 Update Planning Associate Heller led the Commission through a discussion on the remainder of Chapter 6, Transportation. Commissioner Miller questioned who establishes the standard relative to Goal 4, Policy G, Signage for Trail Use. Planning Associate Heller replied it could be the City or the County. Director Ericson reported the topic of trail signs has been discussed at a Parks and Recreation Committee meeting. Commissioner Miller questioned whether meetings are planned with adjoining cities or counties relative to Goal 5 and trails crossing boundaries. Planning Associate Heller replied that when working on trails that cross city boundaries, coordination and communication takes place between all of the cities involved and the county. Planning Associate Heller reviewed the changes, deletions, and additions to the Comp Plan with the Commissioners as discussed with the Comp Plan Task Force. Discussion ensued on the current and potential trail ways plan. Planning Associate Heller directed a discussion on transit. Commissioner Gunn questioned whether bus shelters were considered in Mounds View. Mounds View Planning Commission January 9, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 3 ______________________________________________________________________________ Director Ericson replied Metro Transit is pulling away from providing building shelters. He stated that unfortunately without shelters, ridership decreases. He commented there are also maintenance issues to deal with for shelters. Planning Associate Heller directed a discussion on the Anoka airport. Commissioner Gunn reported the airport has received approval to build a corporate jet facility. _____________________________________________________________________ 7. Next Planning Commission Meetings: A. January 23, 2008 B. February 6, 2008 ______________________________________________________________________________ 8. Adjournment to Agenda Session There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________ (The meeting immediately adjourned to the Agenda Session) Respectfully submitted, Jim Ericson Community Development Director Transcribed by: Dianna Wise TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.