08-28-95 PC Agenda
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AGENDA
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GOLDEN VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
Council Chambers
August 28, 1995
7:00 PM
I. Approval of Minutes - August 14, 1995
II. Informal Public Hearing - Planned Unit Development (No. 70)
Applicant: Golden Valley Commons, L.L.C.
Address: Northwest Quadrant of Olson Memorial Highway and
Winnetka Avenue (Area C)
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Purpose:
Review of the Preliminary Design Plan which proposes
construction of mixed retail and restaurant uses on 7.8 acres
on the site known as Area C
III. Discussion - Land Use for Area B
IV. Other Business
V. Adjournment
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PLANNING COMMISSION GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC INPUT
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The Planning Commission is an advisory body, created to advise the. City Council
on land use.. The Commission will recommend Council approval or denial of a
land use proposal based upon the Commission's determination of whether the pro-
posed use is permitted under the Zoning Code and the Comprehensive Plan, and
whether the proposed use will, or will not, adversely affect the surrounding
neighborhood.
The Commission holds informal public hearings on land use proposals to enable
you to learn, first-hand, what such proposals are, and to permit you to ask
questions and offer comments. Your questions and comments become part of the
record and will be used by the Council, along with the Commission's recommenda-
tion. in reaching its decision.
To aid in your understanding and to facilitate your comments and questions, the
Commission will utilize the following procedure:
1. The Commission Chair will introduce the proposal and the recommenda-
tion from staff. Commission members may ask questions of staff.
2. The proponent will describe the proposal and answer any questions
from the Commission.
3. The Chair will open the public hearing, asking first for those who
wish to speak to 50 indicate by rai!ing their hands. The Chair may
set a time limit for individual questions/comments if a large number
of persons have indicated a desire to speak. Spokespersons for
groups will have a longer peri.od of time for. questions/comments.
4. Please give your full name and address clearly when recognized by the
Chair. Remember, your questions/comments are for the record.
5. Direct your questions/comments to the Chair. The Chair will deter-
mine who will answer your questions.
6. No one will be given the opportunity to speak a second time until
everyone has had the opportunity to speak initially, Please limit
your second presentation to new information, not rebuttal.
7. At the close of the public hearing, the Commission will discuss the
proposal and take appropriate action.
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Minutes of the Golden Valley
Planning Commission
August 14, 1995
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held at the Golden Valley City Hall, Council
Chambers, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order
by Chair Prazak at 7:06 PM.
Those present were Commissioners Groger, Johnson, Kapsner, Lewis, McAleese, Pentel, and
Prazak. Also present were Elizabeth Knoblauch, City Planner and Mary Dold, Planning Secretary.
I. Approval of Minutes - July 24, 1995
MOVED by Johnson, seconded by Kapsner and motion carried unanimously to approve the July
24, 1995 minutes with the following change:
Page Six, Paragraph Five: "Commissioner Kapsner did review the ..." This was changed to read
"Commissioner Kapsner pointed out the ..,"
II. Continued Discussion - land Use for Area B
The Planning Commission and staff took a walking tour of Area B to get a better feel for the area.
They returned to the meeting room to talked about Area B keeping in mind the entire redevelop-
ment district.
Commissioner Pentel asked the Commissioners if they had reviewed the criteria for Area C. She
believes there are similar qualities between the two areas that warrant this review.
The Commission talked about the use of town homes at the northeast corner of Golden Valley
Road and Wisconsin Avenue. They believe this is the most appropriate area for townhomes. The
town homes should not be more than two-stories. It was agreed that a trail system should be
constructed along Bassett Creek and Commissioners asked staff if it would be possible for the trail
to end on the west side of Winnetka at street level. Ms. Knoblauch commented that she would
have to look into ADA compliance regarding the trail system. Staff would have to review the
elevation to see if a ramp could possibly be constructed.
Commissioner Kapsner talked about the possibility of a grocery store or multi-screen theater on
the site where the now vacated Jerry's grocery store is located.
Commissioner McAleese commented that the Golden Valley Shopping Center should not be
overlooked which he sees as the cornerstone of the development area. The Commission
questioned whether the Golden Valley Shopping Center needs to be remodelled or torn down in
order to compliment other development in Area B. They also talked about the possibility of having
the center remodelled so the store fronts would face Golden Valley Road as would any new
development across Golden Valley Road.
Chair Prazak agreed to encourage the HRA to look at the Golden Valley Shopping Center as it
relates to the rest of the area.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
August 14, 1995
Page Two
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The Commissioners then discussed the appearances of the two strip centers along Winnetka
Avenue. It was felt that the Bies/Maren Center should be torn down because of the deterioration of
the building; the Tower Square building looks more stable and could possibly remain.
Commissioner Groger was concerned about access to this building if Maren Lane was closed.
Commissioner Pentel expressed her concern for pedestrian walkways. Commissioner Kapsner
commented that a design where there are more separate buildings may cause a pedestrian
problem. He stated that retailers today are looking for stand alone buildings rather than being
located in a strip mall. Commissioner Pentel asked the Commission to keep in mind the
forthcoming auto mall site on Market Street regarding pedestrian walkways.
Staff will compile the Commissioners' ideas into a draft recommendation, to be finalized at the next
meeting.
III. Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. City Council.
Board of Zoning Appeals. Community Standards Task Force
No reports were given.
IV.
Other Business
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Staff asked if any Commissioners were interested in attending the MnAPA Conference in
Alexandria this coming September. Two Commissioners showed a desire to attend and will get
bac:;k to staff within the next week with registration information.
V. Adjournment
Chair Prazak adjourned the meeting at 8:25 PM.
Jean Lewis, Secretary
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MEMORANDUM
Date:
August 22, 1995
To:
Chair Thompson and HRA Commissioners
From:
Chair Prazak and Planning Commissioners
Subject:
Valley Square Area B
The Planning Commission has completed its study of Valley Square Area B, as requested
by the HRA. The Commission recommends the following redevelopment objectives for the
area:
· Remove the Bies/Maren Shopping Center, Tower Square, Jerry's grocery store, and the
remaining single family home.
· Vacate, or realign and cul-de-sac Maren Lane.
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· On the Jerry's and Bies/Maren block, construct either a mid-size grocery store (like the
Wedge) or a multi-screen movie theater at the east end, with miscellaneous small
service/retail extending west and north from that anchor; these do not have to be under
a continuous roof.
· Construct townhomes (no more than two-stories) at the northeast corner of Golden
Valley Road and Wisconsin Avenue. It would also be acceptable to extend this use
eastward all along the creek, and/or southward in the area of the existing supermarket
building.
· Consider options for integrating the Golden Valley Shopping Center site with the rest of
Area B, Le.
- tear the center down and rebuild
- have the stores face Golden Valley Road, with attractive berming and landscaping
along Hwy. 55.
· Match streetscape and landscaping similar to that on the Civic Center block.
· Continue the trail system on the south side of Bassett Creek, but bring it up to street
level on Winnetka Avenue.
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The Commission further recommends the amendment of the Area B Plan Characteristics
section of the currently approved Valley Square Redevelopment Plan as necessary to
accommodate these objectives.
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V ALLEY SQUARE AREA 6
PROPOSED LAND USES
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NORTH
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TOWNHOUSES AND/OR
MIXED RETAIL/SERVICE
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MIXED RETAIL/SERVICES
AND/OR TOWNHOUSES
RETAIL ANCHOR:
MID-SIZE GROCERY OR
MOVIE THEATER
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Golden Valley Road
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