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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 08181992 Meeting Sheet IIIIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIIIIIIIII 101333 Box: 19 Folder: PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1992 Document: PL MINUTES 08181992 q I 1 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY • PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 4 5 AUGUST 18 , 1992 6 7 8 1 . CALL .TO ORDER 9 10 The Planning Commission Meeting was called to order by 11 Chairperson Faust who led the Pledge of Allegiance. 12 13 2 . ROLL CALL 14 15 Commissioners Present : Thompson, Gondorchin, Murphy, Madden 16 and Faust 17 18 Commissioners Absent : Franzese and Werenicz 19 20 Staff Present : City Manager Burt and Management 21 Assistant Urbia 22 23 24 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JULY 21 , 1992 PLANNING COMMISSION 25 MEETING 26 Motion by Gondorchin, second by Murphy to approve the minutes of the July 21 , 1992 Planning Commission Meeting with the following corrections : 30 31 page 5, lines 48/49: This sentence should read as follows, 32 "Commissioner Thompson commended the City. Manager for all of 33 his efforts on behalf of the redevelopment of this area. " 34 35 page 10 , lines 8 through 10 : Commissioner Madden requested. 36 these lines be deleted from the minutes . Commissioner Madden 37 noted he had made additional comments which were not relayed 38 to the Planning Commission and he desired that all of this 39 paragraph be omitted from the text . 40 41 Motion carried unanimously 42 43 4 . PUBLIC HEARING 44 45 The public hearing was opened by Chairperson Faust at 7 : 37 46 p.m. 47 48 The purpose of the public hearing is to discuss an amendment 49 to the City of St . Anthony Comprehensive Land Use Plan in the 50 area north of the proposed new intersection at Kenzie Terrace 1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 18 , 1992 46 PAGE 2 4 5 6 from commercial to single family residential (currently the 7 2905 Kenzie Terrace area., 2700 Coolidge Street , and a portion 8 of 2715 Coolidge Street ) . 9 10 Chairperson Faust stated that the notice of public hearing it appeared in the August 5, 1992 edition of the Bulletin. 12 13 Copies of a faxed memo from the legal counsel representing the 14 property owner of 2715 Coolidge Street were distributed to 15 members of the Planning Commission. The City Manager advised 16 this memo was received today after the City Hall had closed. 17 18 The City Manager noted that the information in the memo 19 incorrectly assumed that the purpose of the public hearing was 20 to rezone the property at 2715 Coolidge Street . All pertinent 21 information concerning rezoning was requested by the legal 22 counsel . The City Manager will contact the owner' s attorney 23 and advised him that this was not the purpose of the public 24 hearing. 25 26 With the use of an overhead graph, the City Manager reviewed 27 the current land use of the property under consideration. He also presented a colored graph which depicted the proposed amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. This graph showed the 30 area proposed to be rezoned to residential from commercial . 31 This graph also showed the proposed change to the road right- 32 of-way. 33 34 The proposed amendment is described as follows : 35 36 1 . Acquire residential properties west of Kenzie Terrace; 37 2700 Coolidge Street and 2906 Kenzie Terrace. 38 39 2 . Reconfigure 27th Avenue and Coolidge Street which would 40 create a new intersection at Kenzie Terrace 41 42 3. Develop parcel north of the new intersection at Kenzie 43 Terrace as two single family lots . 44 45 4 . Amend the City of St . Anthony Comprehensive Land Use Plan 46 in the area north of the new intersection from commercial 47 to single family residential , including a portion of 271.5 48 Coolidge Street to reflect the current use. 49 50 1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 18 , 1992 46 PAGE 3 4 5 6 The City Manager advised that the City has the authority to 7 change the Comprehensive Plan. He noted that typically a 8 better transition results when zoning from commercial to 9 residential . 10 11 The City is presently in the process of purchasing Rosie' s 12 Cafe and the Good Luck Cafe. The appraisal on Rosie' s Cafe has 13 been completed and received by staff . The appraisal of the 14 Good Luck Cafe is expected next week. To obtain these two 15 parcels condemnation could be a consideration. 16 17 The Comprehensive Land Use Plan amendment has been submitted 18 to the Metropolitan Council . They had ten days to review it 19 and to make comments . A flow chart that reflects the process 20 of review by the Metropolitan Council was included in the 21 agenda packet . 22 23 The City Manager was advised today that the Metropolitan 24 Council has given tenative approval to the proposed amendment 25 as it appears to have met all of the guidelines required by 26 that body. 27 In review, the City 'Manager noted that Lot 2 is already zoned residential , lots 3 and 4 , which are currently zoned . 30 commercial , are being recommended for a residential zoning, 31 and lot 5, which is currently zoned medium family, is being 32 recommended for a residential zoning. 33 34 Commissioner Madden inquired when the roadway change comes 35 into the process. The City Manager responded this will happen 36 when the two properties , Rosie' s Cafe and the Good Luck Cafe, 37 are acquired. 38 39 Commissioner Madden also inquired as to any impact resolution 40 for the area. The City Manager stated this will be resolved 41 when the roadway plans are actually designed. He noted that a 42 design engineer has not yet been hired and will not be until 43 the two properties are owned by the City. 44 45 The City Attorney has advised the City - Manager that it is 46 within the City ' s power to complete this land change. He also 47 noted that there will be no payment from the City for the 48 property at 2715 Coolidge Street . 49 50 • 1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 2 AUGUST 18 , 1992 PAGE 4 5 6 7 It will be known if there will be a need to purchase a small 8 portion of land owned by a resident for the roadway when the 9 roadway design is done. 10 11 Commissioner Gondorchin inquired if there is an easement next 12 to the road. 13 14 The City Manager stated that the City typically has a fifteen 15 foot right-of-way on either side of a road. There is a berm 16 planned for the area in question. 17 18 Commissioner Gondorchin wondered if there is a possiblity to 19 buy the parcel at 2715 Coolidge Street . The City Manager 20 responded that this could be a possiblity if there are plans 21 to enlarge the project . He noted that if the project were to 22 be enlarged the entire process would have to be gone through 23 again. Presently, the plan is to leave it as it is presently 24 zoned. 25 26 The resident at 2817 St . Anthony Boulevard inquired if there 27 are any plans for the triangular shaped land adjacent to the service station. The City Manager said the City will be negotiating with the owner of the service station on this 0 parcel as it .will be available. 31 32 The Public Hearing was closed at 7 : 52 p.m. 33 34 Motion by Gondorchin, second by Madden to recommend to the 35 City Council to amend the City of St . Anthony Comprehensive 36 Land Use Plan on Lots 3, 4 , and 5. 37 38 Motion carried unanimously 39 40 5. MISCELLANEOUS 41 42 A. Apache Plaza Redevelopment Plan 43 44 Using an overhead, the City Manager reviewed the Apache Plaza 45 Redevelopment Plan . On the site plan, he noted the location of 46 the present stores and buildings, theproposed demolition 47 area, the location of a proposed super market and the proposed 48 expansion of the development . 49 50 • 1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 2 AUGUST 18', 1992 40 PAGE 5 5 6 There are two separate issues under consideration; one being 7 the demolition of a certain building on the property and the 8 other establishment of a Tax Increment District . 9 10 it. is anticipated there will be -one and one half million 11 dollars of demolition.. The City Manager stated that the 12 district will be established for twenty-five years but it is 13 the hope of the Council to call in the bonds within twelve 14 years . He explained the procedures involved with tax increment 15 financing and how the property taxes are collected and used. 16 17 Currently Apache Plaza is generating taxes at $1 . 50 per square 18 foot and they are decreasing steadily. Super markets usually 19 are taxed between $3 . 00 and $6. 00 per square foot . The 20 calculations for this proposed super market were set at $2 . 25 21 per square foot for paying off the bonds . 22 23 The project included 67 , 600 square feet for the super market. 24 and 100 ,.000 square feet for demolition. 25 26 The City Manager reviewed what stores will remain in their 27 present location and which stores will be moved or relocated in the Apache Plaza project . He noted that the City will 40 locate its liquor store very close to the super market . Some 30 of the funding will a.lso be used for structural repairs to the ' 31 shopping center and perhaps a new roof . 32 33 It was felt this project will realize quite a sum of taxes and 34 will generate an increase in taxes from surrounding commercial 35 properties . 36 37 An example of tax increment financing is as follows : the 38 property owner pays $15, 000 in taxes . $10 , 000 of those taxes 39 are kept but $5 , 000 is given back to the property owner to pay 40 toward his debt service. The City Manager cited Autumn. Woods 41 as another excellent example of successful tax increment 42 financing. He noted that the surplus taxes does not go to the 43 City to use as revenue but rather can be used for public 44 improvements . 45 46 A short period of time is preferable for tax increment so a 47 project will be paying higher taxes in less time. 48 49 Commissioner Murphy inquired if any discussion had taken place 50 regarding the razing of Apache Plaza. The City Manager responded • 1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 2 AUGUST 18 , 1992 0 PAGE 6 5 6 that this had been a consideration of the developer but was 7 abandoned as being too costly. 8 9 Commissioner Murphy questioned if this proposed development 10 had been the only idea focused on rather than looking for 11 other proposals . He was concerned that there may have been 12 other considerations which may have been a higher and better 13 use of the land. 14 15 Noting that the City was actually serving as a business 16 partner in this project , Commissioner Murphy inquired if staff 17 had been advised of any of the marketing strategies of the 18 developer. 19 20 The City Manager noted that the legal counsel has been advised 21 of the marketing strategies. He has not been advised in that 22 if he were then the information would have become public and 23 this would not serve the interests of the developer at this 24 point in time. 25 26 Chairperson Faust was interested to know if staff anticipated 27 any traffic problems if this super market located at Apache 0 Plaza. 30 The City Manager stated that the front of the super market 31 will face. east directly toward Silver Lake Road. There are 32 three access points on Silver Lake Road and the road had been 33 designed to handle the anticipated traffic. Seven hundred and 34 fifty parking stalls will be added to the parking lot . 35 36 Commissioner Gondorchin inquired if the stop light on 37th 37 Avenue and Stinson Boulevard has been approved. The City 38 Manager advised it has been approved and Hennepin County 39 intends to have it installed this year. A pedestrian crossing 40 will also be installed to accommodate pedestrian traffic at 41 39th Avenue and Stinson Boulevard. 42 43 Chairperson Faust expressed a concern for the environmental 44 impact this development will have on the water quality of 45 Silver Lake. He feels this is a good opportunity for the City 46 to monitor the water which runs off of the Apache Plaza site 47 into the Lake and put in some controls to alleviate the 48 pollution emitting from there. 49 50 1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 18 , 1992 PAGE 7 4 5 6 The City Manager stated that this project will do three 7 things ; vitalize the shopping center, expand the tax base and 8 afford the City an opportunity to address the issue of 9 cleaning up the water quality 10 11 The City Manager received a letter from the owner of Apache 12 Plaza, C.G. Rein Company, which stated the firm will do 13 whatever is expected by the Rice Creek Watershed District . He 14 felt this would afford the City an opportunity to control 15 water flow from the shopping center . A holding pond is being 16 included in the plans of the project . 17 18 Chairperson Faust cautioned that long term considerations 19 should be looked at for Silver Lake and its water quality. 20 21 Commissioner Murphy again stated his concern if the City is 22 placing the highest and best use on this land or just doing 23 what is expedient . 24 25 Dennis Cavanaugh, a St . Anthony resident , felt the City should 26 seek other opinions regarding the use of this property and the : land. He suggested that some consideration should have been given to developing it as residential . 29 30 Chairperson Faust felt the taxes realized from a residential 31 development would be considerably less than those which would 32 be received from a commercial development . 33 34 The City Manager noted that a developer would have to pay 35 twelve million dollars for the land alone. The highest and 36 best use would be industrial but this is unlikely to be 37 viable. 38 39 The City Manager feels the potential for success of this 40 shopping center is very good with a super market as its 41 anchor. It would attract other interested businesses . He also 42 felt that the number of patrons shopping at the super market 43 will positively affect the other stores in the shopping 44 center. He noted that grocery stores have undergone a dramatic 45 change, going from very small neighborhood stores to 46 warehouse-type stores . 47 48 A resident inquired if the placement of the City' s liquor 49 store has been determined yet . The City Manager stated it will 50 be located where the City Council wants it . 1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 18 , 1992 0 PAGE 8 4 5 6 Motion by Madden, second by Thompson that the Planning 7 Commission go on record as being in favor of the improvements , 8 demolition and reconstruction as proposed on the Apache Plaza 9 Redevelopment Plan, recognizing many processes must be 10 followed before the project comes to fruition, specifically 11 concerning water, signage, movement of traffic and 12 architecture. 13 14 Commissioner Murphy was also concerned that the finished 15 project not have a patchwork appearance. 16 17 Motion carried unanimously 18 19 20 B. Parking Ordinance 21 22 Earlier in the summer the City Attorney drafted an ordinance 23 which addressed matters of parking. The ordinance focused on 24 parking of recreational vehicles and commercial vehicles on 25 private property. This ordinance was requested by members of 26 the City Council in response to complaints received from residents . 9 The City Manager noted that the issue had received . 30 considerable coverage in the local press and had generated 31 much discussion at Council meetings . The City Council 32 established an Ad Hoc Committee whose makeup included three 33 residents supportive of the ordinance and three residents 34 opposed. 35 36 The Ad Hoc Committee met two times and the City Manager felt 37 these meetings were productive. 'A representive of the Office 38 of Dispute Resolution was brought in to facilitate the 39 consensus building process . There was a clear consensus of the 40- Committee members that they are pleased and proud of their 41 community and would like to preserve it . The Committee also 42 agreed that they would like to see their neighborhoods clean 43 and a standard developed defining a minimum level . 44 45 Four draft suggestions were received from the Committee and 46 submitted to the Council for .its review. The suggestions were 47 based on possible ways to accomplish the issue of good 48 condition ( image) and neighborhood aesthetics versus the 49 proposed parking ordinance. 50 • 1 PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 18 , 1992 PAGE 9 - 5 6 The suggestions are as follows : 7 8 1 . Property Maintenance Code: The City is working on a Housing 9 Maintenance Code that establishes a minimum standard for 10 housing and yard maintenance. Members of the Committee felt 11 this could be expanded to include all property maintenance. 12 13 2 . Reauire Permits : A requirement added which would require 14 all properties with commercial , recreational vehicles , 15 recreational and utility trailers or watercraft get a permit 16 from the City. The Committee suggested that the permit be at 17 no cost or a minimal charge to cover the cost of 18 administration of the permit . 19 20 Vehicles used as a condition of employment would be exempt 21 from the permit process. 22 23 3 . Beautification Committee: This would be a committee 24 appointed by the City Council to handle complaints between 25 neighbors and resident complaints on the appearance of 26 another ' s property. Members of this committee would meet with 27 the property owners to discuss ways to resolve the issue. If the committee could not reach some form of agreement , then the services of a professional mediator would be used. 30 31 4 . City Mediation: The Committee suggested a variation of the 32 Beautification Committee by having the City staff make initial 33 contact in neighbor complaints. Staff would meet with 34 neighbors to discuss issues identified and try to resolve the 35 conflict . If unable to do so,' or if it is a legal matter, the 36 services of Dispute Resolution would be used. 37 38 The Ad Hoc Committee agreed to forward all four suggestions to 39 the City Council with the idea that any one or a combination 40 could be used. 41 42 The City Council reviewed the four suggestions and referred 43 the matter back to the Planning Commission for its review and 44 input . 45 46 Commissioner Gondorchin liked all four suggestions and felt 47 the original. version of the ordinance was too severe. He has 48 taken°some photos of situations in the City which should also 49 be addressed. He prefers to study this issues before making. 50 any recommendations . 1 PLANNING COMMISSION 2 AUGUST 18 , 1992 • 3 PAGE 10 4 5 6 Commissioner Murphy observed that everyone wants to protect 7 the City from further degradation. He also needs more time to 8 study the proposals of the Ad Hoc Committee. 9 10 Commissioner Madden cited some regulations regarding parking 11 in his townhouse development . He indicated a need for further 12 study of the issues. 13 14 Commissioner Thompson agreed that further study is needed. 15 16 Chairperson Faust observed that, there were residents in 17 attendance to hear this issue discussed. He encouraged their 18 comments . None were made. 19 20 The City Manager advised he has requested ordinances from 21 other communities which address these issues. He will send 22 copies of these ordinances to members of the Planning 23 Commission as soon as they are received. He observed that all _ 24 members of the Ad Hoc Committee reflected pride in their 25 community. 26 27 Noting that the City is a very diverse community, the City 0-28 Manager felt that a level, of tolerance and understanding are 9 both needed with dealing with these issues. 30 31 Chairperson Faust inquired if there are any other communities 32 who have beautification ordinances . The City Manager responded 33 he is not aware of any. He suggested it is difficult to have 34 a group of property owners decide levels of standards. 35 36 The parking ordinance was tabled for further study. 37 38 6. STAFF UPDATE 39 40 a. Representative to September 8th Council Meetina 41 42 Staff requested a member of the Planning Commission be 43 delegated as its representative at the September 8th Council 44 Meeting. 45 46 Chairperson Faust indicated he .wilI be attending the September 47 8th Council Meeting representing the Planning Commission. 48 49 50 1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 18 , 1992 44 PAGE 11 5 6 b. September Plannino Commission Meeting 7 8 The City Manager and the Management Assistant will be 9 attending the ICMA Annual Conference at the time of the 10 regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission in 11 September. At the present time there are no agenda items for 12 the September meeting. 13 14 It was decided that the Planning Commission will not hold a 15 meeting in September. 16 17 c. Sian Ordinance Issues 18 19 In July the Planning Commission discussed the proposed sign 20 ordinance. There were many questions regarding the sign 21 ordinance. These questions were forwarded to the City Attorney 22 for his reply. 23 24 Responses to these questions were distributed to members of 25 the Planning Commission, 26 27 It was noted that the St . Anthony ordinance regarding political signs was stricter than that of the State of 40 Minnesota. It was concluded that the proposed ordinance, which 30 was aimed at restricting the size of such signs to 16 square - 31 feet , and the time of display to four weeks prior to the 32 election and three days after, would be unenforceable. 33 34 Commissioner Gondorchin inquired if "activist" type signs 35 could be addressed in the ordinance. 36 37 The City Manager responded that these are protected by the 38 First Amendment in that they express a personal view. 39 40 The response from the City Attorney regarding amortization was 41 quite lengthy and detailed. Chairperson Faust felt the issue 42 of amortization was quite significant and should be discussed 43 at the October meeting of the Planning Commission. 44 45 The City Manager advised that the. matter of the sign ordinance 46 is scheduled to be discussed at the September 1st Council work 47 session. He suggested a designee from the Planning Commission 48 should attend if so desired. 49 50 1 PLANNING COMMISSION AUGUST 18 , 1992 PAGE 12 4 5 6 d. Status of Plannina Commission By-Laws 7 8 Commissioner Madden inquired as to the status of the Planning 9 Commission by-laws . 10 11 The Management Assistant advised that Draft #2 was presented 12 to the City Council at the recent joint meeting of the Council 13 and Planning Commission . The Council gave direction to the 14 City Manager regarding the final draft of the by-laws. 15 16 The City Manager noted that the City Council has requested the 17 City Attorney to review the draft and include all of the 18 recommended changes made by the Planning Commission. This 19 matter will be reviewed again at the October meeting of the 20 Planning Commission. 21 22 7 . COMMISSIONER' S COMMENTS 23 24 Commissioner Murphy inquired why the sidewalk behind the_ 25 football field in Central Park was not extended further. 26 27 The City Manager had no answer for this and sees no problem with making this a project . He would suggest the funding come. from money realized from pull tab profits of the Athletic - 30 Boosters . He noted that the Boosters have funded some other ' 31 projects which included the soccer field, re-doing of ball 32 fields and new kiddie equipment . 33. 34 35 8 . ADJOURNMENT 36 37 Motion by Madden, second by Gondorchin to adjourn the meeting 38 at 9:.02 p.m. 39 40 Motion carried unanimously 41 42 43 Respectfully submitted, 44 45 46 Jo-Anne Student , Planning Commission Secretary 47 48 49 50 •