HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 10171995 Meeting Sheet
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Box: 19
Folder:, PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1995
Document: PL MINUTES 10171995
�1 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
2 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
3 October 17, 1995
4 I. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
5 The meeting was called to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chair Bergstrom at
6 7:00 P.M.
7 II. ROLL CALL.
8 Commissioners present: Bergstrom, Makowske, Gondorchin, Horst, Faust, Thompson, and
9 Franzese.
10 Commissioners absent: None
11 Also present: Kim Moore-Sykes, Management Assistant.
12 III. APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 17, 1995 PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA.
13 Chair Bergstrom noted he would like to make the following changes to the agenda:
04 Under Miscellaneous:
15 A. Police Chief Engstrom's report/comments.
16 B. Fire Chief Johnson's report.
17 C. Update on Liveable Communities Act.
18 D. New Brighton Comprehensive Plan.
19 E. City's Response re: Pirino's Property.
20 F. City Council Meeting Minutes.
21 Motion by Makowske, second by Horst, to approve the Planning Commission Agenda for
22 October 17, 1995 as revised.
23 Motion carried unanimously.
24 IV. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 15, 1995 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES.
25 Motion by Franzese, second by Makowske,to approve the Planning Commission minutes of
26 August 15, 1995 as presented. -
27 Motion carried unanimously.
& V. PUBLIC HEARINGS.
29 A. No public hearings were scheduled.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
• October 17, 1995
Page 2
1 VI. MISCELLANEOUS.
2 A. Police Chief Engstrom's Report/Comments.
3 Chief Engstrom.indicated perhaps the Commission could ask questions in regard to his
4 department. In this way, he would be better able to provide informaiton more pertinent for the
5 updated Comprenehsive Plan.
6 Chief Engstrom indicated his main concern for St. Anthony in regard to the Comprehensive Plan,
7 is that the rental stock not increase any further. He noted apartment_complexes are perhaps the
8 hardest place to police.
9 Chair Bergstrom indicated the Commission has had an opportunity to review the Fire Chief s
10 report, it deals with the capacity of the Fire Department. He questioned Chief Engstrom in
11 regard to the capacity of the Police Department. Chief Engstrom indicated the department
12 receives between 6,000 and 7,000 calls annually. This amount is considerably lower than in the
13 1980's when the calls were ranging from 13,000 to 14,000 calls annually.
Chief Engstrom was confident that current resources would be available to handle a significant
1119 increase, although they would not want the calls to increase.
16 Chief Engstrom indicated the reduced number in calls is reflective of various conditions, such as:
17 general crime trends, crime prevention programs and a reduction in rental units in the city.
18 The Chief also indicated St. Anthony is a close community, and neighbors watch out for
19 neighbors. He noted the officers work very hard, but also have help from the cooperation of
20 residents and that tends to enhance and continue the "closeness" of the community.
21 Chief Engstrom indicated that workable housing codes would help officers to enforce codes and
22 ordinances to improve and maintain the housing stock.
23 Commissioner Faust inquired if the Police Chief had seen any change in regard to crime near
24 Apache Plaza. The Chief indicated the main problem that is occurring is the open building that
25 kids and vagrants get into, but there is not a serious problem.
26 Chief Engstrom indicated in reference to maintaining properties, usually rental properties are a
27 main concern. The department is finding if there is good management, the problems are fewer.
28 Commissioner Gondorchin indicated in regard to rentals,there are ordinances that will allow the
29 city to take sanctions against the landlords.
•
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
October 17, 1995
Page 3
1 Commissioner Makowske inquired if there is enough support for the landlord when taking
2 actions against undesirable tenants. Chief Engstrom indicated yes there is, in fact more and more
3 apartment managements are able to review in depth those moving into the complexes.
4 Commissioner Makowske inquired if the city is seeing results of the D.A.R.E. program. The
5 Chief indicated there has been a reduction of petty crimes and vandalism.
6 Commissioner Makowske indicated there is a perception that the crime facing Northeast
7 Minneapolis is moving towards St. Anthony, he questioned the Chief in regard to this. The
8 Chief indicated in some respects that may be true and unavoidable, but there are many aspects
9 where the community has opted to control its own destiny. The Chief indicated the officers in St.
10 Anthony are more proactive than.reactive and that shows them to be more aggressive.
11 Commissioner Horst inquired when Apache is redeveloped, will there be a traffic issue to be
12 concerned about. The Chief indicated the roads were built in the 1960's when traffic was at its
13 worst with stop signs, and he felt there should be no concerns now.
14 Commissioner Horst inquired as to how to keep the "feel of the community. The Chief
5 suggested continuing the public "Town Meetings". He felt these meetings show the community
that the Police Department is made up of people just like them and it shows the officers that the
17 community supports them.
18 Chief Engstrom indicated the past support of the community has encouraged the officers to do
19 their best, because they do not want to let the community down.
20 Commissioner Franzese inquired as to housing mix. The Chief indicated he would not like to see
21 any increase in rental properties.
22 Commissioner Franzese asked what advice the Chief might give the Commission in regard to
23 traffic on Silver Lake Road, should redevelopment of Apache occur. The Chief indicated it is
24 hard to plan for an unknown. The Police Department does not encourage a four lane connection
25 on Silver Lake Road.
26 Commissioner Faust expressed his gratitude for the officers delivering their Commission packets
27 each month. He noted it is nice to see the officers in the neighborhood on "non-business" calls.
28 B. Fire Chief Johnson's Report.
29 Chair Bergstrom indicated the information from Chief Johnson was received in the September
30 Packet and is for the Commission's information.
•
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
October 17, 1995
Page 4
1 C. Update on Livable Communities Act.
2 Management Assistant Moore-Sykes indicated St. Anthony meets or exceeds the benchmark set
3 forth by the Met Council for their region.
4 Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated the City Council approved a Resolution electing to support the
5 Livable Communities Act . The City will be setting its goals to maintain availability and
6 affordability of current housing stock.
7 D. New Brighton Comprehensive Plan update.
8 Chair Bergstrom indicated the New Brighton Comprehensive Plan was provided to
9 Commissioners to review and draw ideas from, for St. Anthony's Comprehensive Plan.
10 Commissioner Faust believed the plan to not be a readable document for the general public, he
11 felt there were too many "technical" extras.
12 Commissioner Franzese felt the document was a good technical document. She believed the
l3 Comprehensive Plan would not be written for the general public.
14 Commissioner Makowske indicated he was disappointed in the Implementation of the Plan
15 Section, he felt this to be the most important portion of the Comprehensive Plan. He pointed out
16 an Executive Summary of the document would be appropriate to have preceding the document
17 for the general public's review.
18 Chair Bergstrom indicated he would concur, an Executive Summary could contain the essence of
19 the document without detailing the technical aspects. He was surprised that the New Brighton
20 Plan did not contain one.
21 Chair Bergstrom indicated the more plans the Commission reviews,the better they would be at
22 preparing the Comprehensive Plan for St. Anthony.
23 Commissioner Gondorchin believed New Brighton was at one end of the scale and Columbia
24 Heights was at the other and a good blend of both would be appropriate.
25 F. City's Response re: Pirino's Property.
26 Commissioner Gondorchin noted a published letter by the former Mayor in regard to the issue.
27 Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated there was a City response also that will be published in the Focus,
Bulletin and Northeastern.
Planning Commission.Regular Meeting Minutes
• October 17, 1995
Page 5
1 Motion was made by Franzese to encourage the City to work towards resolving the issue of the
2 Pirino!s property.
3 Motion fails for lack of a second
4
5 Chair Bergstrom indicated the City Attorney instruction to the City is to make no.further
6 comments in regard to this issue due to outstanding litigation.
7 E. City Council Meeting Minutes.
8 There was brief discussion of the minutes.
9 VII. COMMENTS
10 Chair Bergstrom indicated he had attended the Minnesota Planning Association meeting held in
11 Alexandria. He indicated there were several sessions occuring simultaneously and those he
12 attended were very informative.
463 Chair Bergstrom noted the Metropolitan Council is going through reconstruction of its
4 organization, and many changes are occurring.
15 Commissioner Makowske inquired as to the next step in the Comprehensive Plan Update
16 process. Chair Bergstrom indicated, the update needs to be in the budget. Ms. Moore-Sykes
'17 indicated the budget will be discussed and approved by the Council on December 6th and/or
18 December 20th.
19 Chair Bergstrom also mentioned Mr. Doug Jones would like to address the Commission in
20 regard to water issues.
21 Commissioner Faust suggested hearing experts first in regard to the Water Management and then
22 render comments from the public. He noted it would be a matter of timing.
23 Commissioner Horst inquired if the fence ordinance-includes concrete/cement fences. He asked
24 staff to review.
25 Commissioner Franzese inquired if there would be plans regarding redevelopment of Apache at
26 the next meeting. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated there is no information, as of yet, presented to the
27 City.
28 Commissioner Faust encouraged the City to include the Planning Commission in the budget
process in June. He noted the budget has $5,000 set aside for the Comprehensive Plan Update
30 and commended staff for anticipating the need.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
October 17, 1995
Page 6
1 VIII. ADJOURNMENT.
2 Motion by Horst, second by Franzese,to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 P.M.
3 Motion carried unanimously.
4 Respectfully submitted,
5 Ruth McLaurin
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