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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 01191999 Meeting Sheet IIIIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIIIIIIIII 100779 Box: 19 Folder: PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1999 Document: PL MINUTES 01191999 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 3 JANUARY 19, 1999 4 5 I. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. 6 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Chair 7 Bergstrom. 8 9 II. ROLL CALL. 10 Commissioners present: Chair Bergstrom; Commissioners Hanson, Gondorchin, 11 Makowske, Stille and Horst. 12 Commissioners absent: Kaczor. 13 Also present: Kim Moore-Sykes,-Management Assistant. 14 15 III. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF CHAIR. 16 Bergstrom expressed his appreciation of the support he has received from the Commissioners 17 during his term as Chair, adding the Commission would be made stronger by having more people 18 willing to chair the meetings. He opened the floor for nominations. 19 20 Gondorchin recommended the nomination of Bergstrom for Chair of the Planning Commission, 21 which was seconded by Makowske. 22 Bergstrom recommended the nomination of Makowske for Chair of the Planning Commission, 4P which was seconded by Horst. Makowske thanked them and withdrew from consideration, 25 adding he would wish to see the Commission continue under the leadership of Bergstrom. 26 27 Motion by.Gondorchin, second by Makowske to re-elect Bergstrom as Chair of the Planning 28 Commission. 29 30 Voting on the motion: Hanson, Gondorchin, Kaczor, Makowske, Stille and Horst voted aye. Bergstrom 31 abstained. 32 33 Motion carried. 34 35 IV. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR. 36 Gondorchin recommended the nomination of Makowske for Vice-Chair of the Planning 37 Commission, which was seconded by Bergstrom. 38 39 Motion by Gondorchin, second by Bergstrom to re-elect Makowske as Vice-Chair of the 40 Planning Commission. 41 42 Voting on the motion: Bergstrom, Hanson, Gondorchin, Kaczor, Stille and Horst voted aye. Makowske 43 abstained. 0 Motion carried. 46 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes • January 19, 1999 Page 2 1 V. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 19, 1999 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA. 2 Motion by Bergstrom, second by Gondorchin to approve the January 19, 1999 Planning 3 Commission Meeting Agenda with the following change: 4 5 New Item VI: Welcome and brief introduction of new commissioners, 6 7 Motion carried unanimously. _8 - 9 VI. WELCOME TO NEW COMMISSIONERS 10 Gondorchin welcomed the 2 new members to the Planning Commission, and asked them to 11 introduce themselves to the Commission. 12 13 Todd Hanson, a 4-year resident of the City, stated he owns an optometry practice in St. Anthony 14 Shopping Center, and resides in the Caravelle apartment complex. He added he is currently a 15 member of the Kiwanis organization, and has become aware of the social challenges faced by the 16 community. He expressed his interest in community involvement and business and development 17 issues within the community. Bergstrom thanked Hanson for his recent participation in discussions with regard to the Shopping 20 Center, and welcomed him to the Commission. 21 22 Randy Stille, a 9-year resident of the City, stated he is employed as a commercial lender for a 23 bank in Woodbury, and resides at 3117 Rankin Road. He added he specializes in construction 24 lending and has contacts in land development throughout the Twin Cities area. He expressed an 25 interest in providing value to the community, and becoming involved in the city planning 26 process. 27 28 Bergstrom thanked Stille for his participation, and asked Ms. Moore-Sykes to provide 29 information with regard to training. Ms. Moore-Sykes reviewed a 2-part training session 30 available for new Planning Commissioners, adding she will advise them when registration 31 materials are available. Bergstrom stated the training provides a better appreciation of the work 32 of the Planning Commission, and encouraged the new members to attend at least one part this 33 year. .34 35 VII. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 15, 1998 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 36 MINUTES. 37 Motion by Bergstrom, second by Makowske to approve the December 15, 1998 Planning 38 Commission Meeting Minutes with the following changes: 39 • Planning Commission Meeting Minutes • January 19, 1999 Page 3 1 Page 4, line 26, after "recently acquired.", add "Gondorchin stated an assessment is needed to 2 determine opportunities for the industrial park, and the City should consider seeding the property 3 in Roseville in exchange for property along Highway 88." 4 Page 5, line 25, change "Kaczor" to "Gondorchin" 5 6 Motion carried unanimously. 7 8 VIII. DESIGNATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE_ TO THE CITY 9 COUNCIL. 10 It was agreed that no representative would be designated to attend the January 26, 1999 City 11 Council as there were no public hearings and no concept reviews at tonight's meeting, and there 12 would be nothing to report. 13 14 IX. PUBLIC HEARING - None. 15 16 X. CONCEPT REVIEW-None. 17 XI. OTHER BUSINESS. 20 1. Report from the Parks Commission 21 Bergstrom welcomed Parks Commissioner Roadfeldt and invited her to address the Planning 22 Commission. Roadfeldt presented a survey plan of the Water Tower Park area prepared by Bob 23 Kost, BRW, Inc., which the Parks Commission had reviewed at their January 11, 1999 meeting. 24 She stated there had been much discussion with regard to the size of the proposed plan, adding 25 the Parks Commission had hoped for a much larger site. She expressed the Commission's 26 frustration with Mr. Kost's plan, adding the Commission plans to meet with him for 3 hours on 27 February 3, 1999 and hopefully lay out a new plan. 28 29 Roadfeldt stated the Parks Commission is concerned that these changes will make the July 1, 30 1999 park opening difficult. She added the date was specified by the City Council, apparently 31 since Silver Point Park will be unusable this summer. 32 33 Roadfeldt stated she and others on the Parks Commission are concerned that the Commission is 34 being rushed to meet the deadline, and would prefer to take time for planning. She added that if 35 the plans were altered, there would be sufficient space for a full basketball court instead of the 36 half court specified by Mr. Kost's plans. She requested comments and feedback from the 37 Planning Commission. 38 39 Gondorchin stated he had represented the Planning Commission on the Parks Task Force, and there had been some discussion with regard to the north end of Central Park where the basketball Planning Commission Meeting Minutes January 19, 1999 • Page 4 1 court and wading pool are already situated as being far more suitable for this play area, as it is 2 larger, sheltered, safer from traffic, and already has utilities and parking. 3 4 Roadfeldt stated the Water Tower area is the only green space with lots of trees in the park and it 5 seems imprudent to fill it up with equipment and amenities. 6 7 Gondorchin asked where the Fire Department would be relocated in the event that the south end 8 of the City is redeveloped. Ms. Moore-Sykes discussed possible alternative locations, adding the 9 issue is still under discussion and no plans have been finalized. 10 11 Bergstrom advised Roadfeldt to direct the hired consultant in the manner in which the Parks 12 Commission wishes, and not allow itself to be influenced by the opinions of the consultant. 13 Roadfeldt stated she is new to the Parks Commission and is concerned about asking questions 14 which have already been discussed. Bergstrom encouraged Roadfeldt to revisit issues which 15 have been previously discussed by the Parks Commission. 16 17 Makowske stated the Parks Commission should determine whether the site meets its objectives and possibly consider other sites. Gondorchin stated it would be fairly inexpensive to locate the play area in the north part of the park, which provides a greater opportunity due to its location 20 and amenities. 21 22 Ms: Moore-Sykes stated the Water Tower area had been selected in part due to its proximity to 23 the Nativity Lutheran Church daycare center, and funds might have been available through that 24 organization for park development. Gondorchin expressed his concern at the church's attempt to 25 buy space on City property. 26 27 Bergstrom agreed with Gondorchin's comments, stating the Water Tower is a small area and 28 putting too many amenities in it would be a bad idea. He added the planning is insufficient if the 29 Parks Commission envisioned a full basketball court, and a half court is planned by the 30 consultant. 31 32 Gondorchin asked for an update with regard to Silver Point Park. Roadfeldt stated the Parks 33 Commissioners were informed that playground equipment for that park must be chosen 34 immediately and ordered for installation by Summer 1999. She added she is a member of the 35 Parks Commission's playground equipment sub-committee, and the variety of choices makes it 36 an overwhelming task. 37 38 Bergstrom asked whether the Parks Commission had considered parking concerns for the Water 39 Tower play area. Roadfeldt stated there is no parking available, and families will have to park at the Community Center and follow the park's trail to the play area. Gondorchin stated there were 41 some neighborhood concerns with regard to parking on the street. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes • January 19, 1999 Page 5 1 2 Bergstrom thanked Roadfeldt for her report. Roadfeldt thanked the Commissioners for their 3 comments, adding she will introduce the Planning Commission's concerns to the Parks 4 Commission. 5 6 2. Discussion of Goals for 1999. 7 Bergstrom stated he had been absent from the Commission's December 15, 1998 meeting at 8 which goals for--1999 had been discussed, and requested a.review of the discussion. Makowske 9 stated the discussion was begun, but had been delayed due to Bergstrom's absence and until the 10 new Commissioners could participate. He reviewed the discussion, and asked the 11 Commissioners to review their contributions. 12 13 Makowske stated former Commissioner Wagner recommended the Commission's attention to 14 the possible Salvation Army camp sale, the further development of Apache Plaza, and the 15 redevelopment of the Shopping Center: 16 17 Makowske reviewed his priorities for 1999, to include aggressive planning for large commercial/industrial sites, current amenities and utilities, and small businesses and home 40 businesses. Makowske expressed his interest in promoting a unified City identity. 20 21 Horst stated the development of the shopping center and Apache Plaza are important and will be 22 enough to keep the Commission busy in 1999. He added the Commission's hands are tied with 23 regard to the Salvation Army camp until further information is available.regarding its sale. 24 25 Bergstrom asked whether the City has obtained any information with regard to the Salvation 26 Army camp. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated there is no new information. 27 28 Gondorchin reviewed his goals for 1999 as outlined in the minutes of the December 15, 1999 29 meeting, stressing that development must be tailored to the future and not designed to 30 accommodate the past. He stated his list of goals include creation of a unique identity for 31 Apache Plaza; continued enforcement of housing codes; resolution of water issues; parks 32 redevelopment; cosmetic improvement on 37th Avenue; creation of guidelines for natural habitat 33 on personal property; tougher regulations of rv's and trailers parked on personal property; and 34 revisitation of the issue of split liquor. 35 36 Hanson expressed his agreement of Wagner's priorities, adding there will be plenty to do in 37 1999. 38 39 Stille expressed his agreement with Horst's comments, stating that the Commission must focus on priorities with so many issues to confront. He added he is interested in the issue of Planning Commission Meeting Minutes • January 19, 1999 Page 6 1 improvement of housing stock and the involvement of local banks to invest in the community in 2 the form of home improvement loans. 3 4 Bergstrom stated the Commission had discussed combining aggressive housing code 5 enforcement with home improvement loans available through the City. Bergstrom stated the 6 Commission should work with the City Council on the City's 1999 budget to include funds for a 7 Planning Commission budget. He added the Planning Commission must have its own funds to 8 take an active role in planning,to include hiring consultants and_implementing the hiring of an 9 economic development specialist. 10 11 Gondorchin stated a web site would be ideal for the dissemination of information with regard to 12 the Commission. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the City's web site is functional and ready to be 13 visited at www.ci.saint-anthony.mn.us, adding she has already received positive feedback via 14 letter and e-mail with regard to its content. 15 16 Bergstrom stated the Commission had no process for prioritization since this is a new exercise. 17 Makowske stated sub-committees might be useful in determining which issues are priorities for the Commission. Bergstrom agreed, stating each Commissioner could champion an issue and 40 form a sub-committee for preliminary discussion and presentation to the Commission. 20 21 Hanson asked whether the Planning Commission had any real power or authority to implement 22 change. Bergstrom stated the City Council has final say, and the Planning and Parks 23 Commissions play advisory roles. Bergstrom asked whether the Water Quality Task Force has 24 been initiated. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the task force seems to have succumbed to lack of 25 interest. 26 27 Hanson asked whether a sub-committee focusing on the redevelopment of the Shopping Center 28 could make the decision to hire a new consultant. Bergstrom stated as the Planning Commission 29 has no money of its own, such a decision could not be made without approval by the Council. 30 Hanson asked whether the Council has historically been receptive to the recommendations of the 31 Planning Commission. Bergstrom confirmed that the Council takes the Commission's 32 recommendations very seriously. 33 34 Gondorchin stated sub-committees could be formed based on specific criteria: current and future 35 goals, with emphasis on projects which can realistically be completed in 1999. Makowske asked 36 whether Ms. Moore-Sykes had retrieved the minutes of the Commission's recent worksession at 37 which 1999 goals were discussed.. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated she had not, and agreed to find the 38 worksession notes. Bergstrom agreed it would be a useful exercise to review the list of goals 39 outlined at that meeting. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes • January 19, 1999 Page 7 1 Gondorchin stated a matrix could be developed in which the Commission's goals for 1999 could 2 be broken down by short/medium/long term, level of effort, and necessary resources. Hanson 3 stated a list of the issues presented at tonight's meeting could be compiled, reviewed and the 4 issues prioritized at the Commission's next meeting. 5 6 Bergstrom requested that Ms. Moore-Sykes provide a list of issues in her meeting minutes 7 divided into columns based on short/medium/long term, level of effort, and personnel/financial 8 resources required.. 9 10 3. Council Liaison to Planning Commission Staff Report. 11 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated Councilmember Faust had recommended a Council liaison to the 12 Planning Commission, and the idea was well-received at the Council's last meeting. She added 13 Councilmember Cavanaugh expressed his wish to see some protocol or procedures in place if the 14 liaison is initiated, and asked that the Planning Commission discuss the issue and provide some 15 guidelines for the potential arrangement. 16 17 Ms. Moore-Sykes spoke with City staff in other cities within the metropolitan area with regard to their process for Council liaisons, and while these cities did not have a written policy, the is Councilmembers attend Commission meetings on an annual rotating basis. She added the 20 Council requested feedback and recommendations from the Planning Commission on this issue. 21 22 Makowske stated he was in attendance at the Council meeting at which this issue was discussed, 23 and Councilmember Faust suggested a format by which the attending Councilmember would 24 give a report on Council actions and meetings early in the Commission meeting, and leave the 25 meeting before votes and decisions took place. He added this arrangement would strengthen ties 26 between the Council and Planning Commission, and would emphasize the Commission's wish to 27 be actively involved in planning issues affecting the City. 28 29 Gondorchin agreed, stating it could be distracting to have a Councilmember stay for the entire 30 meeting. He added he would wish to receive feedback from the Council on previous Planning 31 Commission meetings. 32 33 Horst stated the agreement would be a positive step toward opening communication between the 34 Council and Commission, adding it is important for the Commission to stay on top of 35 discussions and decisions of the Council. 36 37 Bergstrom asked whether the Commission might gain more information from the liaison than it 38 already receives from Ms. Moore-Sykes. Ms. Moore-Sykes felt that a direct liaison from the 39 Council would provide an invaluable perspective. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes January 19, 1999 • Page 8 1 Bergstrom stated he feels joint worksessions are more productive toward obtaining information 2 and promoting better relationships, and would not wish the liaison to supersede the joint 3 worksessions. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the liaison would be an enhancement to the relationship, 4 and worksessions are also important to the City Council. 5 6 Hanson asked how often the joint worksessions are scheduled. Bergstrom stated the Planning 7 Commission has recommended 2 worksessions be held per year, but to date this has not been the 8 case. Hanson expressed his support of the Council liaison. 9 10 Gondorchin stated that in the event that a physical presence at the Commission meetings is not 11 possible, the Commission could request a written report of comments and discussion from the 12 Council's previous meeting. He added this report would be different from minutes in that it 13 would incorporate other issues that may not be added to the minutes. 14 15 Bergstrom stated the Council liaison could be early on each meeting's agenda. Makowske stated 16 the arrangement could be open to change and should be undertaken with the understanding that it 17 does not replace the joint worksessions. IN 4. Report from Dick Krier, RLK, Inc. 20 Bergstrom reviewed a report from Dick Krier with regard to the St. Anthony Shopping Center 21 redevelopment, and asked for comments from the Commissioners. 22 23 Horst expressed concern over the first point on page 6 of the report which states the center could 24 have an "ethnic" theme, adding this had never been recommended by the Shopping Center's 25 merchants. 26 27 Bergstrom asked whether the report has been given to potential developers of the Center. Ms. 28 Moore-Sykes stated it has not, as development discussions took place before Mr. Krier's report 29 was received. She added she believes City Manager Mike Morrison intended to contact the 30 potential developers with regard to the report. Bergstrom requested that any party interested in 31 the development of the Shopping Center receive a copy of Mr. Krier's report. 32 33 Horst reiterated that the sections alluding to the "ethnic" nature of the center must be changed, as 34 it was never discussed, especially if the report will be distributed to potential developers. 35 Gondorchin stated the report should be seen as a guideline or suggestion for developers and 36 nothing further. He added he does not consider Mr. Krier a visionary, nor his proposals 37 interesting. 38 39 Ms. Moore-Sykes agreed to include, in her meeting summary, a note that the sections referring to • the "ethnic" theme of the center be struck from the report and a draft returned to City staff. 41 Makowske expressed concern over editing the report, adding that the Commission had agreed on Planning Commission Meeting Minutes • January 19, 1999 Page 9 1 the draft report. Bergstrom stated he did not recall discussing the concept of ethnic ideas. 2 Gondorchin stated Mr. Krier had alluded to the idea. 3 4 Bergstrom stated the report is reasonably representative of the discussion which took place with 5 Mr. Krier. He added Mr. Krier stated pointedly he would provide a destination and not a path to 6 get there, and seems to have accomplished his task. Horst expressed his agreement. 7 8 5. Joint Planning Commission&.Council Meeting,_3/9/99, 6:00 P.M. 9 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the joint Planning Commission and Council meeting on March 9, 1999 10 will take place at 6:00 P.M. prior to the regular Council meeting that night. Bergstrom asked 11 how this date was chosen. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated she assumed the City Council picked the 12 date. 13 14 XII. COMMENTS. 15 Hanson stated he is looking forward to participating in the work of the Commission and with so 16 many tasks before it, he hopes its hard work will be appreciated by the City Council. 17 Gondorchin asked for an update on the David and Pauletta Sperry lot split issue. Ms. Moore- 40 Sykes stated the current owners of the property, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, filed for the lot split with 20 Ramsey County, and it was recorded. She added City Attorney Bill Soth is working on the issue. 21 Gondorchin recalled an issue with regard to water problems in that area and neighbors concerned 22 about building on that lot. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the issue is not resolved and will come up 23 again. 24 25 Gondorchin asked for an update with regard to the Apache Plaza theater. Ms. Moore-Sykes 26 stated Apache has been chosen by the developers as a viable site for the theater and intend to be 27 in operation by Christmas 1999. She added the developers will proceed regardless of the 28 situation at Herberger's. 29 30 Gondorchin welcomed the Commission's 2 new members. Makowske also welcomed the new 31 members. Stille stated he is looking forward to working with the Commissioners in the coming 32 year. 33 34 Horst welcomed the new Commissioners, and welcomed Bergstrom back as Chair of the 35 Commission. He added he will not be in attendance at the Commission's next meeting. 36 37 XIII. ADJOURNMENT. 38 Motion by Makowske, second by Horst to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 P.M. 16 Respectfully submitted, 41 Mary Mullen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.