Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 02161999 Meeting Sheet IIIIII VIII VIII VIII VIII VIII IIII IIII iomai Box: 19 Folder: PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1999 Document: PL MINUTES 02161999 1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 1999 4 I. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. 5 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Chair 6 Bergstrom. 7 8 II. ROLL CALL. 9 Commissioners present: Chair Bergstrom; Commissioners Hanson, Gondorchin, 10 Makowske, Stille and Horst. 11 Commissioners absent: Kaczor. 12 Also present: Kim Moore-Sykes, Management Assistant. 13 14 III. APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 16, 1999 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 15 AGENDA. 16 Motion by Gondorchin, second by Makowske to approve the February 16, 1999 Planning 17 Commission Meeting Agenda as presented. 18 19 Motion carried unanimously. 20 21 IV. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 19, 1999 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. 22 Motion by Makowske, second by Bergstrom to approve the January 19, 1999 Planning 23 Commission Meeting Minutes with the following changes: q Page 2, line 10, chane "Gondorchin" to "Bergstrom" g g g 26 Page 4, line 18, after "sites" insert "if it does not meet the objectives." 27 Page 5, line 19, replace "expressed his interest in promoting" with "supported Gondorchin's 28 notion of 29 Page 9, line 35, replace "will" with "may" 30 31 Motion carried unanimously. 32 33 V. DESIGNATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE TO THE 34 FEBRUARY 23, 1999 CITY COUNCIL. 35 It was agreed that no representative would be designated to attend the February 23, 1999 City 36 Council meeting as there were no public hearings or concept reviews at tonight's meeting, and 37 there would be nothing to report. 38 39 VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS-None. 40 41 VII. CONCEPT REVIEW-None. 42 43 VIII. OTHER BUSINESS. 44 1. Report from the Parks Commission. Bergstrom welcomed George Wagner from the Parks Commission and invited him to address the Planning Commission. Mr. Wagner reviewed the Parks Commission's February 8, 1999 meeting 47 at which a procedure for designating representatives from the Parks Commission to the Planning Planning Commission Meeting Minutes • February 16, 1999 Page 2 1 Commission and City Council was discussed. He added that a schedule of designees would be 2 utilized and Commissioners would be responsible for finding their own replacement if unable to 3 attend. 4 5 Mr. Wagner stated the Commission discussed the proposed Water Tower Park play area, 6 including its location which was decided upon by the Parks Task Force due to its proximity to 7 the tennis courts, Community Center and Nativity day care; visibility; and unique, shaded, 8 multi-level location. 9 10 Mr. Wagner stated the playground sub-committee has been making decisions on suitable 11 equipment for both the Water Tower play area and Silver Point Park to be ordered at the same 12 time and therefore get a better price. He added it might be necessary for the City to store the 13 equipment for Silver Point Park until that area is ready for installation. 14 15 Mr. Wagner stated there had been some discussion with regard to a 12-foot slide for the Water 16 Tower park area, its suitability for a multi-age area and possible liability issues. He added Bob 17 Kost, BRW, Inc., had indicated that a resilient surface would be installed beneath the equipment which is covered by a handicapped accessible wood fiber composite which would require some 40 replacement each year. 20 21 Mr. Wagner stated the revised site plan reviewed by the Commission was a proposed 9,000 22 square feet which is almost double the size originally proposed to the Commission by Mr. Kost. 23 24 Mr. Wagner stated a shelter had been discussed but would not be included in the Water Tower 25 area plan due to cost and space restraints, adding the area is well shaded with lots of trees. 26 27 Mr. Wagner stated the bidding process was discussed, adding that equipment would be included 28 in the bid as "or equal". He added Jan Jensen, Representative from Sports Boosters, had stressed 29 the importance of meeting the community's expectations of a first class area. 30 31 Mr. Wagner stated the Parks Commission hopes to present final plans to the City Council at their 32 March 23, 1999 meeting, and the current estimated cost of the play area is $200,000. He added 33 this figure may go up with the addition of a restroom and half basketball court but this will be 34 offset by the removal of one piece of playground equipment. 35 36 Mr. Wagner stated the Parks Commission is dedicated to making the play area attractive and 37 pleasing to residents, adding that only 2 trees will potentially be lost from the entire area. He 38 added retaining walls, landscaping and decorative fencing along the street will complete the area. 39 0 Mr. Wagner stated there was some discussion with regard to the possible sale of the Salvation 41 Army camp, expressing the Parks Commission's desire to see the area converted to parkland. He Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 16, 1999 Page 3 1 added they had discussed the possibility of a regional park. He reiterated his interest in seeing 2 the area utilized as a corporate site and park area. 3 4 Mr. Wagner stated the Sports Boosters has indicated they are in need of ballfields with Silver 5 Point Park out of commission, and will be requesting that the Parks Commission consider the 6 acquisition of land at Apache Plaza to offset this loss. He added the possibility of renting the 7 land might be considered. He stated the Sports Boosters is looking into the possibility of 8 utilizing the ballfields behind Unisys. 9 10 Mr. Wagner stated the Commission had discussed the desirability of a City Councilmember 11 attending their meetings regularly, adding this would promote better communication between all 12 the groups and keep everyone up to date. 13 14 Mr. Wagner stated the Parks Commission currently has a vacancy and is looking into the 15 possibility of a temporary replacement who might wish to become permanent at the end of the 16 term. 17 Bergstrom asked what was planned for the north end of Central Park. Wagner stated the existing 40 play area will be expanded and improved as decided by the Parks Task Force. He added it will 20 be designated for smaller children and will incorporate a wooded nature area linked by the 21 circuitous trail to the rest of the park. 22 23 2. Discussion of Goals for 1999. 24 Management Assistant Kim Moore-Sykes stated she had prepared a spreadsheet outlining the 25 goals previously discussed by the Planning Commission. Bergstrom reviewed the list, adding he 26 believes the Commission should not focus on outside forces, that this was an opportunity to 27 discuss things the Commissioners would like worked on or changed. 28 29 Bergstrom stated the City Council has expressed opposition to the re-zoning of the Salvation 30 Army camp property, which comprises 100 acres in St. Anthony and is for sale. He added the 31 Commission might consider what action, if any, is necessary. 32 33 Bergstrom stated Apache Plaza is in the process of redevelopment which seems to have stalled in 34 the last year. 35 36 Bergstrom stated that the St. Anthony Shopping Center redevelopment effort is important to the 37 City, adding the consensus seems to be that it should stay a shopping center. He added the 38 Commission might consider ways in which the City could be involved in promoting its 39 redevelopment. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 16, 1999 - Page 4 1 Bergstrom stated commercial and industrial sites scattered throughout the City, including the 2 Industrial Park, will require some focus by the Commission. 3 4 Makowske stated current amenities must be assessed to ensure the City is providing the proper 5 infrastructure for homes and businesses. 6 7 Makowske stated smaller businesses, which generate jobs and income for the City, must be 8 supported and encouraged. He added the proper amenities for them to be competitive must be in 9 place. 10 11 Makowske stated the City's ordinance prohibits home businesses except for day care operators, 12 adding he has met several residents running home businesses. He expressed concern that the 13 specification between a home office and a home business must be made, and the City must 14 provide justification if indeed home businesses must be prohibited. 15 16 Bergstrom stated a City identity relates to uniform signage, lighting, entryways and other 17 amenities. Gondorchin stated the concept of City identity should include promoting development within the City as well as encouraging homeowners to live in the City. 20 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the issue of future development relates to developing ideas for the future 21 instead of the past. Gondorchin stated it is important for the City to determine where it is going 22 and create a future for the community. 23 24 Bergstrom stated the issue of a unique identity for Apache Plaza and St. Anthony Shopping 25 Center relates to redevelopment efforts at those two areas. Gondorchin stated the City must 26 attempt to establish and define specific identities for its retail and/or business areas. He 27 suggested the City consider seeding the industrial park to Roseville in exchange for property 28 along Highway 88. 29 30 Bergstrom stated that the City's housing code enforcement, which is carried out by the Fire 31 Department, must be maintained at an appropriate level. Gondorchin suggested the issues of 32 natural habitat, trailers and RV's, and City beautification could be addressed as a single issue. 33 34 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the City's water issues include the task force formed to review the 35 quality of water in Silver Lake as well as storm water problems. 36 37 Bergstrom stated parks development is being undertaken by the Parks Commission which 38 considers parks redevelopment and potential new sites. 39 0 Gondorchin stated the 37th Avenue corridor is one area of the City which needs cosmetic 41 improvements. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes • February 16, 1999 Page 5 1 2 Gondorchin stated guidelines should be developed with regard to natural habitat areas on private 3 property. 4 5 Bergstrom stated the City should explore preventive efforts with regard to RV's and trailers on 6 private property. 7 8 Bergstrom stated the City holds a monopoly on on-sale/off--sale liquor which prevents the 9 development of upscale restaurant sites in the City. He added that under Minnesota laws the City 10 can change this, and the Planning Commission is confident that the lack of available liquor 11 licenses prevents restaurants from considering the City as a viable location. 12 13 Bergstrom stated housing stock improvements should be maintained and a process implemented 14 for housing stock inspections and home improvement loans. 15 16 Gondorchin stated the possibility of utilizing the City's web site for development promotion and 17 marketing should be considered. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated potential developers could access the City's web site because it is listed with several search sites. 20 Bergstrom stated he supports the addition of an economic development specialist to City staff to 21 focus on development issues. 22 23 Bergstrom requested that each Commissioner identify 5 priority issues in order of importance. 24 25 Horst stated his priorities are St. Anthony Shopping Center; split liquor; housing stock 26 improvement; City identity; and Apache Plaza. 27 28 Bergstrom stated he had spoken with Commissioner Kaczor and his priorities are the Salvation 29 Army camp; St. Anthony Shopping Center; and Apache Plaza. 30 31 Stille stated his priorities are Apache Plaza; St. Anthony Shopping Center; City identity; housing 32 stock improvement; and small businesses. 33 34 Makowske stated his priorities are City identity; Apache Plaza; St. Anthony Shopping Center; 35 hiring of an economic development specialist; and housing stock improvement. 36 37 Gondorchin stated his priorities are Apache Plaza; St. Anthony Shopping Center; hiring of an 38 economic development specialist; commercial/industrial sites; and City identity. 39 Hanson stated his priorities are Apache Plaza; St. Anthony Shopping Center; City identity; water 41 issues; and parks development. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 16, 1999 Page 6 1 2 Bergstrom stated his priorities are hiring of an economic development specialist; housing stock 3 improvement; St. Anthony Shopping Center; Apache Plaza; and City identity. 4 5 Bergstrom stated that based on the Commissioner's responses, the Commission's top 5 priorities 6 for 1999 are Apache Plaza; St. Anthony Shopping Center; City identity; housing stock 7 improvement; and the hiring of an economic development specialist. 8 9 Bergstrom suggested the Commission put together a presentation to the City Council prior to the 10 joint meeting on March 9, 1999, to include the Commission's priorities and proposed actions. 11 Bergstrom stated he would complete a cover memo from the Commission to the Council and 12 give it to Ms. Moore-Sykes by March 1 for inclusion in the Council's meeting packets. He 13 added that the Commissioners could contact Ms. Moore-Sykes after that time if interested in 14 seeing the memo. 15 16 3. Joint Planning Commission& Council Meeting, March 9. 1999 at 6:00 P.M. 17 Ms. Moore-Sykes reminded the Commissioners of their joint meeting with the City Council on 40 March 9, 1999 at 6:00 P.M. 20 IX. COMMENTS. 21 Bergstrom asked whether any audience members wished to comment. Russ Carpola asked 22 whether the City has any liability with regard to truth in housing inspections. Bergstrom stated 23 the City must regulate the inspection of properties which might be sold with structural defects 24 undetected, adding the Planning Commission's job is to preserve property value for residents and 25 businesses. He added inspection licensing and liability controls have not been discussed yet. 26 27 Gondorchin asked whether any new information was available with regard to the theater complex 28 at Apache Plaza. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated a developer has contacted the City and the City will 29 become involved if a variance or funding are required. 30 31 Makowske asked whether a digital map of the City had been obtained from BRW for computer 32 use. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the map that was to be provided by the consultants as part of the 33 Comprehensive Plan is not compatible with City staff's computers. 34 35 Makowske stated that a concert by the civic orchestra will be held on March 21, 1999 at 4:00 36 P.M. in the community center, and an orchestra fund-raiser will be held on May 8, 1999 at 7:00 37 P.M. 38 39 Horst stated the Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a chili cook-off on March 6, 1999 to benefit VillageFest and SANBE. He added tickets are available at his store or at City Hall. 41 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 16, 1999 Page 7 t Horst stated he will not be in attendance at the joint worksession on March 9, 1999. 2 3 Horst stated the St. Anthony Shopping Center has apparently just been sold and the prospective 4 new owner is to address the City Council sometime this month. 5 6 Hanson stated the remainder of priorities identified by the Commission could be consolidated 7 into categories under the 5 priorities chosen. 8 9 Tony Jordan stated he is a property owner within the City and had a letter to present to the City 10 Council. He asked whether Ms. Moore-Sykes could deliver it. Ms. Moore-Sykes agreed to 11 deliver his letter. 12 13 IX. ADJOURNMENT. 14 Motion by Horst, second by Makowske to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 P.M. 15 16 Motion carried unanimously. 17 Respectfully submitted, 40 Mary Mullen 20 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.