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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 12071982 Meeting Sheet IIIIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIIIIIIIII 102061 BOX: TZ Folder: PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1982 Document: PL MINUTES 12071982 r- CITY OF ST. ANTHONY • PLANNING C014MISSION MINUTES December 7 , 1982 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jones at 7 :40 P.M. Present for roll call: Zawislak , Bowerman, Makowske, Jones , Bjorklund, and Peterson. Absent: Sopcinski. Also present: Dave Childs , City Manager and Ron Berg, Administrative Assistant. Mrs . Makowske noted the revisions recommended by the Commission for the proposed Sign Ordinance had not been recorded in the Commission 's November 16th minutes but Mr. Berg indicated he had not thought that was necessary since all Commission changes as well as a majority of those made by the City Attorney had been incorporated in the ordinance he had distributed for their consideration that evening. Motion by Mr. Peterson and . seconded by Mr. Zawislak to approve as submitted the minutes of the Planning Commission meeting held Nov- ember 16 , 1982 . • Motion carried unanimously . Mr. Bjorklund agreed to represent the Commission' at the Council meeting December 14th. He also distributed.. copies of his report on the Land Use Planning Workshop he attended November 30th, giving the highlights of the seminars and indicating he found the discussions on accessory apartments especially informative. Some of the literature Mr. Bjork- lund had brought back from the .workshop would be duplicated by staff for the other Commission members . Mrs . Makowske reported. her attendance at the hazardous waste site discussions November 22nd where the City Council had made a strong statement of concern related to siting the facilities near St. Anthony, saying she had learned during the hearing that not only was a site in Roseville being considered, but -there were also several locations in Minneapolis which would almost abut the' City property , including sites south of Columbia Park and near the Dayton' s Warehouse in the Industrial Park. She asked that the Commission be kept informed about any further developments since it had not been clarified during the hearing just what materials would be involved. At 8: 00 P.M. , the Chairman opened the public hearing on the proposed ordinance which would amend the Planned Unit Development section of the Zoning Ordinance with respect to the Kenzie Terrace Redevelopment Project. • Richard Krier of Westwood Planning and Engineering Co. , who is the — planning consultant for the project, indicated the language changes i" (r -2- in the existing Zoning Ordinance had. been designed to permit densities • and building heights for -the proposed projects which would make the redevelopment economically feasible. He added that the amendment was written to apply only to redevelopment projects so as not to affect the existing community characteristics . Mr. Bjorklund indicated he perceived there had been a "creep in densities" since the first land use plan was adopted when between 400 and 500 units had been proposed to be developed on. approximately 13 . 7 acres and now the current plan is for up to 500 units for zbout - 10 .9 acres , with 2 . 71 acres . deleted from the project now. Mr. Krier agreed early 1982 the density. had been increased -from 37 to about 50 units per acre with the deletion of the triangular site south of Wilson from the Tax Increment -.District, but said it had become apparent that with the costs of purchasing the eleven homes and one business in that tract and well over $100 ,000 to relocate .the..residents , the entire project would become economically unattractive for a developer with the prevailing interest rates . He. added that these properties could ,possibly be developed later when the interest rates drop . Mr. Krier told Mr. Bjorklund all the changes had been accepted with the resolution of approval of the Tax .Increment District passed unanimously by the Commission in June. Mr. Bowerman read the reso- lution and Mr. Bjorklund was shown pages past 42 which he waid were not in his possession which detailed the project as proposed at that time . • When Mrs . Makowske asked Mr.. Bjorklund whether he sees the proposed densities as a detriment to the project, the Commission member replied that- he is very anxious - to see the project succeed, but was concerned that .residents might blame him for permitting greater densities in the southern part of the City than have ever been accepted by the community before.. He said he would. be uncomfortable with the role of advocate for the project. Mr. Childs told him the role of advocate should rest with the staff and H.R.A. members and that the public had been fully notified of the number of units and densities involved in the. project through the City Newsletter and numerous articles carried in the Bulletin, the Star and Tribune , the Northeaster, not to. mention the public. hearings which had been .publicized like. the one -that evening where no residents .had come forth. to express any concerns . Mr. Zawislak reported he and Mrs . Makowske had attended almost all the meetings of -the Kenzie Terrace Task Force including the last one where Mr. Kuross had asked whether there was an understanding that both densities and building heights would have - to be increased to attract a developer and all those present indicated they could accept the project as proposed. The Planning Commission member said he and Mrs . Makowske had.. gone .door to door in the area around the Kenzie Terrace site getting the reaction of the neighbors including those who had expressed concerns about the senior project planned for the northern • site which is now considered as Phase 1 of the project. f' rf -3- Mr. Bowerman noted the conspicuous absence of residents that evening and said he perceives the Commission had fully discharged its responsi- bility for informing the public and sufficient public notice of what the project entailed had been given. Mr. Peterson commented that he had always understood that one of the risks of serving on the Com- mission had been that occasionally there would be somecriticism of decisions which were taken. Mr. Krier added that the rezoning for any of the projects would have to come before the Planning Commission for their approval with all .property owners within 350 feet of the site having to be notified and the notice of the -.hearing published as well. With publication of H.R.A. meetings , it appeared to the planner that all steps taken- would be open to public scrutiny . When asked what would happen if the outcry should be so .great that the proposal became economically unfeasible , Mr. Krier said he would expect no developer would take on the project without at least a 20 percent return on his investment. Mr. Jones wondered if the H.R.A. might not be. limiting itself with setting $70 ,000 for a minimum price for each unit and Mr. Krier told him that is only the minimum average cost per unit and the price would probably be higher and for some units with more amenities or which are larger. Fie told Mrs. Makowske because the buildings would be designed for seniors , some provisions under code requirements would be made for the handicapped. Mr. Bjorklund wanted his displeasure with the density creep to be recorded, but said he would vote for a recommendation of approval because he is confident the project- has a good consultant who would see that only a dependable developer is given the job. Mr. Krier gave a report on the H. R.A. 's efforts to find developers saying he . anticipates at least three major builders would submit proposals by January 14th and how he thinks those proposals would come in. He is sure all would be interested . in the northern site which is the "cream of the projects" , but said the H. R.A. is using Phase 1 as an inducement to undertake the rest of the project. The public hearing was closed at 9 :05 P.M. Motion by Mr. Peterson and seconded by Mr. Bowerman to recommend passage of .the ordinance which would amend the Planned Unit Development within redevelopment areas section for the Kenzie Terrace Redevelopment projects as submitted by the City Attorney, October 19 , 1982 finding that: (1) The proposed amendments would conform to the City' s Comprehensive Plan and the Kenzie Terrace Redevelopment Plan. (2). The proposed amendments would conform to the Increment Tax Plan. (3) There was no opposition to the amendments from the public demon- strated during the Commission hearing. • (4) The public would be given another opportunity to discuss any concerns about th.e, project when the required zoning changes are considered at a public . ,hearing before the Commission which would be published and notification made as required by ordinance . • -e -4- Motion carried unanimously. • Mrs . Mak-owske .requested the .Commission be kept informed about H.R.A. meetings so a representative could, attend. Mr. Childs reported the H.R.A. would be meeting following the Council meeting December 14th and Mr. Bjorklund could stay for that meeting as well. The same would be true for all H.R.A. meetings held the same evening the Commission minutes are reported .in the future and staff would notify the Commission 'of other H.R.A. meetings when they are scheduled. He then answered questions about the failure of the proposed senior housing to get HUD 202 funding, saying Martin Sabo.' s office had indicated other projects were considered by HUD to have more "efficient" design factors" , which the Manager read to mean without some of the amenities developed for the project in an attempt to blend the City 's development character. The meeting was recessed at 9 : 20 .P .M.. and reconvened at 9 : 30 P .M. for a motion of commendation of -Mr. Berg's services to the .Commission after which he was presented with .a farewell card and going away gift from the Commission members . Motion by Mr. Bjorklund and seconded by Mr'. Bowerman to express the Planning Commission's appreciation of Ron Berg' s help, good humor and perseverance in serving the Planning Commission the past years and their best wishes for future endeavors . • Motion carried unanimously. At 9 : 35 P.M. , the Chairman -opened the public hearing on the revised Sign Ordinance. The November 30th letter from the City Attorney , in which Mr. Soth suggested. several changes in organization of the document and clarifi- cation of certain definitions had been included- in the agenda packet and Mr. Berg indicated he perceives. none of the changes would contradict any of the revisions made by .the Commission. The Manager commented that he had participated in rewriting the sign ordinances for seven cities which involved reading ordinances from about 50 other municipalities and he believes this ordinance to be one of the most reasonable and one of which Mr. Berg., the City Attorney and the Commission can justifiably be proud. Mr. Bjorklund indicated he perceives the ordinance would meet the criteria set in -one of the seminars he attended for providing good, - solid reason's for establishing ordinance requirements . He also liked the strong state- ment which indicates the City is serious about enforcement of those requirements . The notice. of the hearing had been published, but there was no one present to provide further input and the hearing was closed at 9 : 45 P.M. • It was agreed the Commission should be given an opportunity to study the final draft of the ordinance .which had just been provided them. _5_ Motion by Mr. Bjorklund and seconded .by Mr. Bowerman to table action • on the revised Sign Ordinance until the next Commission meeting , January 18th. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Childs reported the Police have issued two citations to Craig Morris for illegally lighting of the signage on- his shop . at 3909 Silver Lake Road. The Chairman noted that the signage is temporary and asked staff to find out when the builder intends to erect the signage for the Anthony Court townhomes which would require the temporary. signage to be removed. The Manager also told the Commission members - that Chick 's has not yet filed an injunction against the City but continues to -conform to the ordinance regulations related to closing time. He indicated he .has .not received official notice from three Commission members as to whether or. not they intend to continue their service on the Commission,, but the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. Sopcinski would be publicized in the -Bulletin that week and persons who have indicated an interest in serving in the past are being contacted as well. The Commission adopted a .motion wishing each other and staff a Merry Christmas . Motion by Mr. Bowerman and seconded by Mr. Bjorklund to adjourn the meeting at 9 : 50 P.M. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Helen Crowe, Secretary •