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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 06151999 Meeting Sheet IIIIII VIII VIII VIII VIII VIII IIII IIII 100788 Box: 19 Folder: PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1999 Document: PL MINUTES 06151999 1 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY 2 • PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 4 JUNE 15, 1999 5 6 I. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. 7 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Chair 8 Bergstrom. 9 10 II. ROLL CALL. 11 Commissioners present: Chair.Bergstrom; Commissioners Horst, Hanson, Stille, Melsha, 12 and Hatch. 13 Commissioners absent: Commissioner Tillman. 14 Also present: Kim Moore-Sykes, ManagementAssistant. 15 16 III. APPROVAL OF JUNE 15, 1999 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA. 17 Motion by Commissioner Stille, second by Chair Bergstrom to approve the June 15, 1999 18 Planning Commission Meeting Agenda with the following addition: 19 20 VIII. Other Business, Item 2. Combination of Gibbs Properties and Declaration of Restrictions. 21 22 Motion carried unanimously. 23 IV. APPROVAL OF MAY 18, 1999 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. Motion by Commissioner Horst, second by Commissioner Hanson to approve the May 18, 1999 26 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes as presented. 27 28 Motion carried unanimously. 29 30 V. DESIGNATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE TO THE CITY 31 COUNCIL. 32 Bergstrom agreed to attend the June 22, 1999 City Council meeting. 33 34 VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS -None. 35 36 VII. CONCEPT REVIEW -None. 37 38 VII. OTHER BUSINESS. 39 1. Dick Krier Report and Discussion on St. Anthony Shopping Center. 40 Bergstrom welcomed Mr. Dick Krier and invited him to address the Commission. Mr. Krier 41 stated that the redevelopment of the shopping center has been under discussion by the City since 42 last fall, adding that since that time he has met with shopping center merchants as well as the 43 Planning Commission to discuss the City's vision for the area. He added that, after these 44 discussions, he drafted a land use plan and solicited resident input at a neighborhood meeting. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes • June 15, 1999 Page 2 1 Mr. Krier invited the Commission's discussion of the land use plan and possible conclusions, 2 adding that the plan will be redrafted to reflect the Commission's input in preparation for a 3 public hearing. He noted the Commission should set a date for the public hearing. 4 5 Bergstrom asked for clarification with regard to the project scope and deliverables for which Mr. 6 Krier is under contract by the City. Mr. Krier stated he was retained by the City Council to 7 decide upon a vision for the shopping center area as well as draft a land use plan. 8 9 Mr. Krier stated that his recent work had revealed that the shopping center could remain a viable 10 retail area in this location given the fact that the trade area is changing. He added the issue will I 1 be to enhance the shopping center and create a vision for the area. 12 13 Mr. Krier presented 2 concept maps for the area, showing the creation of high intensity housing 14 and office developments tied together with modernization in terms of appearance, better access 15 and village green space. He noted that Concept 1 expands on retail uses, while Concept 2 16 maintains the retail elements as they exist. 17 Hanson stated the sale of the shopping center should be finalized in approximately 3 weeks, and a purchase agreement was signed recently for the Town& Country property. He noted Mr. 20 Krier's concept plans do not reflect these developments. 21 22 Horst questioned implementation methods, and whether that would be a problem. Mr. Krier 23 stated the City must be willing to provide funds to improve access, lighting, landscaping and 24 green areas to create a sense of City identity. Horst stressed the importance of acting 25 immediately to bring these plans to the shopping center's new owners. 26 27 Mr. Krier stated he has met with the shopping center's new owners,who have indicated they 28 want the center to be unique and not just another strip mall. He added that government must be 29 involved if rents are not to be raised and the community nature is to be maintained. Horst 30 reiterated the concept plans should be presented to the new owners for their review. 31 32 Horst stated the shopping center's owners have been in discussions with City Manager Mike 33 Mornson, adding it might be counter-productive for the Commission to decide on a concept plan 34 without more open communication with the City and the new owners. Bergstrom stated in his 35 opinion the concept plan will be the consensus from which Mr. Krier can begin such discussions. 36 37 Horst stated the center's new owners, who recently spent$3.1 million on the purchase, will have 38 their own vision for the shopping center, adding they have indicated they have drawn up 39 conceptual drawings. He added the Commission seems to be planning on the backside, and it would be valuable for the Commission to present its views immediately. 1 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 15, 1999 • Page 3 1 Bergstom asked what assumptions are inherent in either concept plan with regard to demolition 2 of existing structures. Mr. Krier stated that, within the concept plans presented, the primary 3 retail areas would be retained as they exist with some possible expansion. He added that the 4 southernmost buildings would be eliminated in Concept 1, and the liquor store would be 5 eliminated in Concept 2. 6 7 Mr. Krier stated the basic concept is to attempt to create a retail core around a central node which 8 _ would draw residents and customers. He added there are a variety of options to achieve this, and 9 add more value than currently exists in the area. 10 11 Bergstrom asked where the fire station would be located. Mr. Krier stated it could stay where it 12 is or be moved, as well as the liquor store which should be part of the retail fabric of the area 13 rather than isolated. 14 15 Bergstrom stated he would support a village green area as large as possible, noting that green 16 space is limited within the City. He added this would generate recognition by residents that the 17 area is unique and special. iHorst stated he would favor a plan which would incorporate the Town& Country properly and 20 green space. He questioned whether the area will need so many parking spaces. Mr. Krier stated 21 the standard ratio is 4.5-5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of retail. Horst expressed concern that 22 green space will be sacrificed for parking. Mr. Krier stressed the importance of ensuring that 23 obstacles to success are not created. 24 25 Horst stated the center is currently used as a park& ride by many residents, and this issue should 26 be reviewed. He added the new owners of the Town& Country will be spending a lot of money 27 on renovation and remodeling. He asked whether they had requested City funding. Ms. Moore- 28 Sykes stated there had been some discussion with regard to funding for landscaping. 29 30 Hanson questioned whether the City could support extensive new office space. Mr. Krier stated 31 that communities with office space and residences with quick easy access to downtown areas are 32 desirable to commuters. Mr. Krier stated that townhomes create additional value in the area in 33 terms of strategy. 34 35 Bergstrom asked for clarification with regard to new developments of which the Commission 36 was unaware. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated she was using Northgate as an example, and that if the 37 site were demolished as part of the City's redevelopment plan for the shopping center, alternative 38 office space should ideally be made available. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated, however, that if 39 Northgate were demolished or redeveloped in the future, its tenants would need new space. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 15, 1999 Page 4 1 Bergstrom stated he did not have any concerns about Mr. Krier or a representative of the City 2 presenting the concept plans to the shopping center's developers. He added that it could be 3 indicated that the Commission envisions the highest and best use of this property, which 4 presumes that it will be completely modified. 5 6 Horst stated that the Town& Country creates a physical barrier between retail areas and the 7 Northgate property. Hanson stated the Town& Country might be amenable to altering their 8 entrance to the new facility to improve flow for the entire area. 9 10 Stille stated the Northgate property seems to be segregated from the rest of the community. He 11 added he would support the installation of a decorative fence along Kenzie Terrace to create a 12 visually aesthetic entrance to the community. He noted the area should be made more pedestrian 13 accessible. 14 15 Bergstrom reviewed a list of ideas for the shopping center from Tillman who was unable to 16 attend the meeting, including the creation of a designated area in the parking lot for a farmer's 17 market. Horst noted that such vendors are illegal in the City. 40 Bergstrom stated the Commission was at a consensus that the shopping center should be 20 maintained and expanded as a retail area with a central green space and connector trails, and 21 office space in the southernmost corner of the property. 22 23 Mr. Krier agreed to revise the concept plan accordingly for presentation at a public hearing to be 24 held at the Commission's July 20, 1999 meeting. Bergstrom noted he would be absent from that 25 meeting and Horst would act as chair. 26 27 Bergstrom asked for clarification with regard to Mr. Krier's reference to a change in Tax 28 Increment Financing(TIF). Mr. Krier stated the state legislature had recently made changes that 29 will affect the accumulation of tax increments for use in future redevelopment projects which 30 has reduced the City's TIF-gathering ability. 31 32 Bergstrom asked whether financing will be available for the shopping center's redevelopment 33 project. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the legislation has reduced the City's ability to use TIF money, 34 but funds generated previously are still available. She added she was unsure of the exact funds 35 available. 36 37 Hatch asked if the concept plans allowed for incorporation of interior public space. Mr. Krier 38 confirmed an atrium area would be included in plans for the retail center. Bergstrom stated the �39 Comprehensive Plan had noted the City's lack of green space and community gathering places. 41 2. Combination of Gibbs Properties and Declaration of Restrictions. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 15, 1999 • Page 5 1 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated she was approached by Mark Gibbs, 2621 Lowry Avenue, with regard 2 to the combination of 2 lots for construction of a garage. She added both lots are non- 3 conforming lots. 4 5 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated she reviewed the issue with City Attorney William Soth who indicated 6 the request is not a subdivision and therefore a public hearing need not be held, and the 7 Commission's approval was requested. 8 9 Ms. Moore-Sykes reviewed Mr. Soth's letter of June 10, 1999,which clarifies that the owner's 10 purchase agreement restricts the lots from ever being split again due to their non-conforming I 1 size, and requests the mortgage company's compliance. She noted that Mr. Gibbs is anxious to 12 move forward with this request and secure a low interest rate on his mortgage. 13 14 Bergstrom asked whether the lots could be replatted as 1 lot. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated that would 15 be an unnecessary process as the restrictions will be attached to the property title. 16 17 Bergstrom stated as the City Attorney is comfortable with this arrangement, and as he drafted the Declaration of Restrictions, the Commission would support the request. 20 3. Review Proposed Park Dedication Ordinance. 21 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the City has recently felt the need for continued funds for parks 22 redevelopment and a Park Dedication-fee would increase the City's ability to acquire additional 23 land and collect fees. She noted that previous Councils had been opposed to taking private 24 property for public use as a requirement for coming into the City. 25 26 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the recent Salvation Army Camp sale situation prompted the City to 27 consider this ordinance, and requested the Commission's consideration of this issue. 28 29 Bergstrom asked whether the ordinance applies to all zoning districts. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated 30 that applying the ordinance to commercial zoning was up for discussion. She noted that New 31 Brighton and Arden Hills both apply a 10%fee. She stated the ordinance is allowable by State 32 statute and is used frequently by communities. She added the ordinance would not be applied 33 retroactively. 34 35 Bergstrom stated the triggering event is 1 acre or more of property which is being subdivided. 36 Melsha stated subdividing property indicates the addition of more people and thus the need for 37 more parks space. He asked why the ordinance would apply to commercial space as subdivision 38 would not mean more residents. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the ordinance is a means of collecting 39 fees and acquiring potential green space and should be viewed as a source of revenue for maintenance of parks. 1 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 15, 1999 Page 6 t Bergstrom stated the ordinance would not be as effective a revenue source if only applied to 2 residential property. 3 4 Horst left the meeting at 8:35 PM. 5 6 Bergstrom stated the ordinance as written would only be triggered if a large residential property 7 is subdivided. Melsha stated in his opinion the ordinance is not worth the effort. Bergstrom 8 stated the ordinance would put 2 large parcels, Apache Plaza and the Salvation Army Camp, on 9 notice. 10 11 Stille stated he would not wish to add another level of financial burden to commercial 12 development. Bergstrom recommended the Ordinance be adopted as written without applying to 13 commercial properties so as not to erect stumbling blocks to commercial redevelopment. 14 15 4. Salvation Army Camp Update and Discussion. 16 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the Council, at its last worksession, discussed this issue and expressed a 17 willingness to negotiate over cooperative use of the land for recreational purposes. She added j8 the potential new owner of the property, Heart of the Earth School, wishes this to be a mutual benefit situation. 20 21 Bergstrom stated the overwhelming consensus at the recent brainstorming session was that the 22 land should be used for parks and open space regardless of the buyer. He added the 23 Commission's consensus has been that the property should not be developed in its entirety for 24 residential or other purposes. 25 26 5. 1999 Goals Discussion.. 27 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated this issue has been at the forefront of the Commission's agenda recently. 28 Bergstrom stated the Comprehensive Plan included the opportunistic redoing of the City's visible 29 infrastructure, to include lighting and sidewalks, as streets are reconstructed. He added a process 30 could be initiated whereby the Public Works Department would communicate its upcoming 31 projects to the Commission for advance planning. 32 33 Bergstrom stated this could be discussed in connection with the City's upcoming budget process. 34 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the budget's first draft is due in August or September. Bergstrom 35 requested this issue be raised again in August dependent upon public hearings before the 36 Commission. 37 38 Hatch stated the issue of grant availability for lighting and street improvements could be 39 discussed. Bergstrom stated there are many grants available. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated most grants are income sensitive, and are very specific and competitive in eligibility requirements. 1 I Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 15, 1999 • Page 7 1 Bergstrom stated grant money is available for a wide variety of projects, and the application 2 process is time consuming and requires creativity. He added the City could do more in the area 3 of economic redevelopment, but not with its current Staff. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the City's 4 budget must also be able to support matching funds requirements. 5 6 Bergstrom stated there may be opportunities for the Commission to work on grant research. 7 Hatch stated there are various web sites with such information. Stille stated he is interested in 8 finding out about grant opportunities for street improvements. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated Public 9 Works Director Jay Hartman might have more information. Bergstrom requested that Ms. 10 Moore-Sykes determine whether Mr. Hartman could attend the Commission's August meeting to 11 discuss this issue. 12 13 IX. COMMENTS. 14 Hanson stated he agrees with Horst's comments with regard to the urgency of communicating 15 with the shopping center's new owners. 16 17 Melsha also expressed agreement with acting quickly on the shopping center, adding the City must be more aggressive than in the past. He added the fear is that a cohesive plan for the entire area will not be realized. 20 21 Hatch expressed concern over the appearance of the sporting goods store in the Town& Country 22 property. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the new owners will be required to present plans to the 23 Commission. 24 25 Stille stated he would like to see some planning concepts for Apache with a different planner 26 who could provide insight with regard to that particular area. Bergstrom asked Ms. Moore-Sykes 27 to determine a contact person at USBank or elsewhere who can provide information. 28 29 Bergstrom noted he will be absent from the Commission's July 20, 1999 meeting. 30 31 X. ADJOURNMENT. 32 Motion by Commissioner Stille, second by Commissioner Bergstrom to adjourn the meeting at 33 9:15 P.M. 34 Motion carried unanimously. 35 36 Respectfully submitted, 37 38 39 Mary Mullen, TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.