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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 02151983 a Meeting Sheet , :i 102004 .T e s Box: .21 Folder: PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1983 Document: PL MINUTES 02151983 i • a -�� CI'T'Y OF ST. ANTHONY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES February 15 , 1983 The meeting was called to order by -Chair Makowske at 7: 43 P.M. Present for roll call : Bowerman, Jones , Makowske, Bjorklund, and the newly appointed members, Rosemary Franzese, 3308 - 36th Avenue N.E. , and George Wagner, 3317 Edgemere Avenue N.E. Absent: Zawislak. Also present : David Childs, City Manager. The following changes were madeto the January 18th Commission minutes : Page 1, para. 6: -Substitute "Chair" for "Chairmanship" in line #2-. Page 1, para. 8 : Substitute "Chair" for "Chairmanship Page 2 , para. 1: Substitute "Chair" for "Chairman" in line #l . Page 4 , para. 2 : Amend the . poll of membership to indicate Mr. Bjorklund would serve along with the new Commission members for three years; Mr. Bowerman and Mr. Zawislak accepted _ two year appointments , and Mrs . Makowske and Mr. Jones would serve one year terms . Page 4 , para. 3: Delete "Road" in line #3. Page 5 , para. 3: Substitute "Chair" for "Chairman" .in line #1. Page 5, para. 4 : Substitute "Chair" for "Chairman" in line #1. Motion by Mr. Bowerman and seconded by Mr. Jones to approve as amended the minutes for the Planning Commission meeting held January 18 , 1983 . Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Mr. Bowerman and seconded .by Mr. Bjorklund to- request that all future references to the spokesperson or head of the Planning Commission be as "Chair" and to identify the Pro Tem as Chair Pro Tem. Motion carried unanimously . It was the Chair' s recommendation that the new Commissioners should attend the next Council meeting to familiarize themselves with the pro- cedure which is followed by the Commission representative who reports the Commission' s actions and recommendations to the Council . Mr. ` = '• Bjorklund said he has always been concerned that such reporting should -2- be completely unbiased and should reflect .only the official recom- mendations of the Commission -as a whole, leaving .the differing opinions to be reported in the minutes . These minutes are read in advance by the Council and often trigger specific questions about those differences . The minutes of the meeting that evening would be reported by Mr. Jones . Mr. Childs distributed .copies of the response from Metropolitan Council indicating they would be willing to -assist the City in developing a housing plan at no charge. He credited Mr. Krier :s -.timely advice that such assistance would be available and noted that the City would probably be the first, ,and possibly the only, recipient of such free service, since the Metro Council had since .had .second thoughts about undertaking such an expensive program at no -cost to the recipients . He regrets the program would. probably not be available before the school district' s Growth and Development study is completed, he told Mr. Jones. Only minor cosmetic changes in wording have been made .in the proposed sign ordinance whichwould be given .its . second reading by the Council February 22nd, according to Mr. Childs . However, - the Chair drew the Commission members '. attention to- the Council 's January 25th minutes which reported her agreement to present for Commission reaction Council- man Mark' s recommendation that the definition of Sign Surface Area be tightened up. Motion by Mr. Bjorklund and seconded by Mr. Jones to request staff re- write the definition of Sign- Surface Area. in Subdivision 25 , Section •? � 430 : 00 of Ordinance 1983-001 , to assure both sides of a sign would -be included in the total surface area. Motion carried unanimously . The Manager said the definition of gas stations on Page 11 of the ordinance is also being rewritten by the City Attorney so service stations which do not sell gasoline would not .be permitted the same signage as those facilities which .do. For the benefit of the new members, .Mr. Childs gave the historical background of the problems the City has had with the temporary signage permitted Craig & Company under the Hedlund PUD and reported a new violation of the agreement Mr. Morris had entered into with the City when the signage was permitted. Motion by Mr. Bjorklund and seconded by Mr. Jones to .nominate Bill Zawislak to serve as Chair Pro Tem for .the Planning Commission during 1983, pending his acceptance .of that position. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Childs reported the Housing and Redevelopment Authority had met twice since the February 8th interviews for the Kenzie Terrace Re- development Project to evaluate the proposals from the Knutson Company and Arkell Development. He told Mr. Jones the final selection of one of the two firms to develop the project, February 22nd, would not necessarily be based on the design proposed by either firm, but, r � -3- rather, the H.R.A. :would primarily be concerned with the developers ' track records for the type of project proposed for St. Anthony as well as their financial capability .for completing the project as proposed. Both firms had indicated they could be flexible within reason when it came to meeting the design guidelines proposed for the project. When Mr. Bjorklund inquired . just .what. the. Commission' s involvement in the final decision might be, Mr. Childs told him he perceives the Council believes the Commission' sofficial role would be to review the site design and traffic flows for the project and to recommend any zoning changes which might be .necessary so-.the developer could be certain that adequate zoning was. assured before the Redeveloper 's Contract is signed. He added that he perceives it would take at least 60 days to complete the Planned Unit Developmentprocess which. would include the Commission' s consideration of the Plat.. Concept Plan as well .as the setting of setback and design requirements necessary under the P.U.D. The Manager. noted that the City has moreflexibility under- a P.U.D. . to negotiate the changes which might be necessary to meet the needs of a project like this one. Mrs . Franzese recalled that during the interviews the Planning Consultant had indicated that, considering that 500 units had been proposed for a project site the size of this one, there could not be too many choices left but to go up. with the buildings , Mr. Childs added, however, that he is certain the developers .are fully cognizant of the City ' s concerns about the height of the buildings to be erected on the north site, but suggested the Commission members. discuss any design concerns so they can. be included. in the negotiations by the Planning Consultant.. He also believed 'it would be to the Commission members advantage to look at the Lakeshore Drive project in Richfield. There was some concern with the .proposal .to have parking ramps rather than underground ..parking, considering the .age . of the' residents and Minnesota' s. climate. Mr. Bowerman was concerned thatthere might be a snow storage problem with one of the proposals and Mr. Jones said he liked .Knutson' s 'placement of accesses directly across from each other on Kenzie Terrace. Considering the concerns of. neighbors about the senior housing project previously approved for the north site, the Commission. members were unsure whether it would be best- to place the building or the parking and garbage access to the rear of that property. Mrs. Franzese said she was impressed .with Knutson' s. willingness to set up a twenty-four hour security, and management .corporation for the buildings rather - than just leaving it to the homeowners ' association. Mr. Jones liked the.-ponding element of one proposal and has seen these successfully developed in both Columbia Heights and New Brighton. Mr. Childs said'.he understood the other. firm would be willing to provide similar amenities, including roof top recreational and gardening facilities if that is what the City wants, - but had -just not spent as much money on their first presentation. He added, however , that the age of the resident might govern what type of _recreational facility would be needed. Mr. Bowerman speculated that the pond might become "an attractive nuisance" for children and might restrict the options for other amenities such as pathways, etc , Mr. Bjorklund responded that a walkway. could be provided around the pond. t -4- Mr. Jones indicated he agreed with staff that.. a free standing swimming pool facility would probably .not be realistic in this climate and guessed that the St. Anthony Bowling Alley might eventually become a recreational club for the residents of this project. However, he and Mr. Bowerman could not agree on whether. .the green areas should be centrally located or related separately -to each building. The latter was concerned that the amount of surface parking proposed by Knutson might overwhelm the amenities of the living areas and perceives under- ground parking would .not . only provide security but also housing for the building mechanical , .where- they .would not bother- the residents . Chair Makowske indicated she perceives the Commission members seem to prefer the Knutson configuration with. the exception of the amount of black top for -parking and the lack of .certain amenities which had been proposed by Arkell, but which the Manager believes. Knutson would be willing to provide as well. Mrs . Franzese indicated she had concluded from the interviews that both firms would be flexible in this regard. Mr. Jones indicated he would like to see an easy access from the project to public transportation and believes there might be more security provided with a common recreational area. He would also like to see plans which would provide enough buffering to discourage through traffic by outsiders, but at the same time which would provide easy access for the residents to the shopping center . Mr. Childs. then requested whether there would be any interest in attend- ance _at either of two planning seminars reported in the Commission • agenda. No one indicated an interest in the Seattle conference, but Mrs . Franzese reported she was waiting to hear from the sponsors of the St-. *Cloud seminar regarding arrangements to attend that meeting. The Manager anticipates the Commission may be able to start looking at the capital improvement plan in a couple of months . At present he is working on the City zoning map which had not been kept up to date . Mr. Bjorklund suggested when that task is completed, the map could be published and duplication costs would be nominal. Motion by Mr. Bjorklund and seconded by Mr. Jones to adjourn the meeting at 9 : 36 P.M. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Helen Crowe, Secretary i