03-26-12 PC Minutes Regular Meeting of the
Golden Valley Planning Commission
March 26, 2012
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held at the Golden Valley City Hall,
Council Chambers, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota, an Monday,
March 26, 2012. Chair Waldhauser called the meeting to order at 7 pm.
Those present were Planning Gommissioners, Cera, Kisch, Kluchka, McCarty,
Schmidgall, Segelbaum and Waldhauser. Also present was Assistant HRA Director
Jeanne Andre, City Planner, Joe Hogeboom, Planning Intern Bryanna Vidden and
Administrative Assistant Lisa Wittman.
1. Consideration of Resolution No. 12-01 Finding that the Redevelopment Plan for
the I-394 Corridor Redevelopment Project Area (formerly known as the Golden
Hills Redevelopment Project) Conforms to the City's Comprehensive Plan
Andre gave a history of the existing Golden Hills Redevelopment Area plan which was
created in 1984. She explained that the plan was amended in the late 1990s to add the
Xenia Ave. extension and the current proposal, as a result of the I-394 Gorridor Study, is
ta expand the redevelopment plan and rename it. She stated that the proposed plan was
adopted by the City's HRA in March but cannot been officially adopted by the City Couneil
until the Planning Commission determines that it is in accord with the Comprehensive
Plan. She showed the Planning Commission maps of several of the areas in the
redevelopment plan and stated that the main goal of this redevelopment plan is to guide
the HRA as they work with developers on projects in this area.
Cera referred to the plan and asked why some sub-areas have development proposals
listed and some don't. He referred specifically to the East Area section. Andre explained
that there will be a proposal for that area coming forward to the HRA, but the proposal
hasn't been formally adopted so it wouldn't be appropriate at this time to discuss
proposals in that area.
Cera referred to the Central Area and noted that it refers to the buildings being removed
from the site even though they have already been removed. Andre said she would make
that correction and explained that the redevelopment plan is really just a snapshot in time
of the area and it is never going to be completely up to date.
Segelbaum asked what is meant by "more intense land uses would be preferred along the
southerly section of the area adjacent to Wayzata Blvd" as is mentioned in several
locations in the plan. Andre stated that the I-394 Corridor Study and the Mixed Use
Zoning District allow taller buildings to be located adjacent to I-394 and then the height
steps down as it gets closer to housing to the north. Schmidgall explained that when the
Mixed Use Zoning District was developed the idea was to put the more intense
commercial development along the freeway ta act as a screen for the less intense and
residential uses to the north.
Kluchka agreed that he doesn't know what the term "intense" means. He suggested using
the words more density or taller heights instead.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
March 26, 2012
Page 2
McCarty asked who uses this document and why the HRA needs to have redevelopment
plans. Andre explained that it is a statutory requirement to have a redevelopment plan
when there is a redevelopment area. A redevelopment plan is also required in order to
create tax increment finance (TIF) districts. She added that it also used by the Planning
Commission, the HRA and City Council to all come together and agree on the intent far
the redevelopment area so the development community understands the City's intent.
Waldhauser stated that a redevelopment plan is a successor document to, or another
piece af, the Comprehensive Plan. Andre stated that a redevelopment plan is more of a
visionary guide needed to do redevelopment, whereas the Comprehensive Plan and
Zoning Code are land use controls that require a higher level of specificity.
Hogeboom stated that the Golden Hills Redevelopment Plan already exists it just needs
to be updated with this amended plan. He reiterated that the Zoning Code states what
type of use can be developed in this area. Kluchka stated that a redevelopment plan is
really a marketing tool. Hogeboom said yes and stated that these types of plans are used
to illustrate what the City wants to see in a redevelopment area.
Andre suggested that the Planning Cammissian forward any comments to Hogeboam.
MOVED by Cera, seconded by Schmidgall and motion carried unanimously to approve
Resolution No. 12-01 finding that the Redevelopment Plan for the I-394 Corridor
Redevelopment Project Area (formerly known as the Golden Hills Redevelopment
Project) conforms to the City's Comprehensive Plan
2. Continued Informal Public Hearing — Zoning Gode Text Amendment— Amending
Section 11.70 "Qff-Street Parking and Loading Regulations" —ZO00-89
Applicant: City of Golden Valley
Purpose: To consider amending the amount of parking required for certain uses.
Vidden reminded the Commission that this item was tabled at their January meeting in
order to compare Golden Valley's parking ordinance with other cities, to observe various
parking lots within Golden Valley and to discuss parking conditions at various parks
throughout the City with the Director of Parks and Recreation.
She explained that as a result of further study staff is recommending that parking
requirements at parks remain the same because the existing parking areas are adequate
for everyday use.
She discussed the parking conditions at retail locations, gas stations, fast food
restaurants and banks and stated that staff is recommending a reduction of parking to 1
space per 300 square feet of gross floor area for banks, but the parking requirements for
other locations appeared to be adequate.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
March 26, 2012
Page 3
She stated that staff is also recommending that the parking requirements for community
centers be changed to 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area, multiple family
properties be reduced to 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit without requiring enclosed parking
spaces, clubs/lodges be reduced to 1 space per 3.5 seats and trade and training schools
be reduced to 1 space per 5 students.
Waldhauser referred to the parking comparison chart and noted that compared to other
cities Golden Valley is being aggressive about getting rid of unnecessary parking.
Cera referred to gas station parking and asked Vidden if she researched the requirements
regarding service stalls. Vidden explained that parking spots at the pumps are not
considered service stalls so the recommendation is to keep the requirement at gas
stations requiring 8 spaces plus 4 per service stall.
Kisch said he likes that the parking ordinance establishes a lawer minimum number of
parking spaces.
MOVED by Kisch, seconded by Kluchka and motion carried unanimausly to recommend
approval of the amended off-street parking requirements as presented.
--Short Recess--
3. Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City
Council, Board of Zoning Appeals and other Meetings
No reports were given.
4. Other Business
No other business was discussed.
5. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.
a �
David A. Cera, Secretary