12-07-55 PC Minutes ��� .
GOLDEN VALLEY PLANNTNG COMMI5SION �
Minutes of Meeting of December 7, 1a55 '
The regv.lar meeting o� the Golden Va11ey P1ai�ting Commission was
called to order a� 8;20P.M., Deceml�er 7, 19�5, at the Vallage Ha11.
Members present were Erickson, Loughland, Lynch, Borchert, Putn�m,
Raughland, Patterson, LaHissoniere, Ewa1d and Veiz�. Village
Engineer Ogard was present at the meeting: .
Min�tes of previous meetings were read and approved.
West 1 Ya1e Garden Homes Addition:
ngin�er Ogar.d � �d. a 1at of the Loretta Swa�son
� , �g � �� P property wh�ch
�,� s � inad�quate. LaBissoniere moved that the plat be returned
to the platter because it is inadequate. 5econded by Loughland,
carried.
NLr. Nason and Mr. Wehrman, of More11 and Nichols, presented a
revised plat o� the West Z of Ya12 Garden Homes in which t1-ie upper
road had been moved three feet West, the lower road eliminated
from th.e South 2, ancl a revised lower �oac1 provided in the 1Vorth
2 of the p1at. Several changes in lot lines were suggested to
m.inimize property exchanges. There was some discussion regarding: a
lower road in. the South ,� of the area �s��%�some future rlate and this
idea should not be completely discarded. The plat presented ,�ouia -
not con��`lict with futvre street development a1ong this 1ine. N1r.
Nason was requested to contact the platters of the Swanson property,
make the �uggested changes in 1ot lines, and prepare copies for
distribution to the prop�rty owners. Engin.eer Ogard was reques�ed
to irstruct Administrator Owens tb notify the �roperty owners that
a hearing on the xevised plat would :�e held on January 19, 195b at
8:00 o1clock P.M. a� the VilTage Ha11.
A. D. Strong-R�zoni�.g:- (Public Hearing)
A fairly large group of Citizens wer� present to discuss the request
of the A. D. Strong Comp�.ny for the rezonin.g to I�dustrial. catego�y 1
of 10� acres of prpperty at the Northwes�. corner of l�ouglas Drive
and the Minnea�olis, i�Torthfield and Southern Railway.
The following residents of the area ��oke in opposition to the re-
zoning: Perkins, Rein.eger, Wright, Werner, .S�Lover, March, Snyder.
and 1�e�erson. Their ob jee-�ions are sw-nmari2ed as follows:
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, 1. When buying in this area, they were led to believe that
the ar�a North of the tracks was tp be cleveloped resident-
ia11y because platting had started and, more recently, the
grading of st�eets had begun. •
2. Heavy i�.dustrial deve1opment would devaluate th� adjacen.t
residen�`i,ial .property anc2 wouZd otherwise be detrimenta,l and
' vnsightly.
3. Poten�ial heavy trar"fic woulct create a ha2ard a�1d nuisance,
and would also require considerable expense for st�eet im-
provezaen� to accomodate heavy trucks.
�.. T_ncreased rai lroad traff i c.
5• :Bringing such a large industry into the area would cause
- sewer construction before such time as the resiclents felt
that it would otherwise be recluired. �'
There were about eighteen (18) pro�erty owners present as objectors
azzd they indica�ted that there would have been many more had infor-
mation about the problem been be�cter known. ihey ;�Tesent2d a petition
ol sixty-three (63) names objecting ta previ�v.sly considered comriercial
zoning in the area.
During the cliscussion, President Borchert explained the position oi the
Planning Commission in holding public hearings on 1a�ge zoning questions;
that this was the first step in advisi�.g inter.ested eitizens of the �
matter and getting their opinions. He also 2xplainecl the histoxy of
the previously considered re�uest 1"or commercial 2oning in�i.h e area, as
well as the withdrawal o� the !inderson P1at Nortfi of th.e tracks.
A.fter a11 objectors had been heard, Fresident Bo�chert asked if there �
was anyone who wished to speak in favor of the rezoning. When no on.e
responcled, he advised those present that Mr. Boblett, oi' the A. D. S��.rong
Corapany w�.s present and available to answer questions.
In re�1y to questions �'_rtxn, the floor, Mr. Boblett said that future '
employment could reach three thousand (3,000); there would be no
smoke, ancl rail tr�.ffic would be extremely light.
Lov.ghland askecl Ntr. Boblett to explain to those presen� why this
Company clid not locate in some area already suitably zoned. Mr.
Boble�t stated that the area along Wayzata Boulevard had a poor fotarr.-
dation for a building of 2000,000 sq. ft. as proposed. The. 80 acres
just West o� the proposed site was studiecl and rejeetecl because oi
J poor ioun@ation in part os the area �a ��ne railroad bisecting the
property.
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LaBissoniere �sked what road or street improvzmen-�s would be requi.recl.
Mr. Bobl�tt said that Douglas Drive would have � be improved to
Go1d�n;�Valley Rcr�,c� a,iidv�rolclen �Ta11ey Road Eas� to the beltline. These
' roads would have to be strengthened to carry 9-ton axle loads during
the spring period. The County co�1d offer no assistance to this work
at the p�^esent time as a.vailable funds were already budgeted. There
also was �.o answer to the possible congestion at the Golden Va11ey
Road and beltiaie intersection. - �
Mr. Thompson appeared to straighten out any statements about the
industrial property along Wayzata Boulevard. He cited the street
problems created by the Southclale develop�nent in Edina and pointed
out that Lhe industrial property along Wayzata Boulevard would create
no such problems. He presented the data on soil borings on. the Way-
zata B1vd. property, sta�ting that th.e depth o#' peat ranged from a
minimum oi`' � fee� to a r?�rima.un o� 35 �eet with sand below. The -
additional cost of footings under these conditions would not be more
than �%, or about �'b75,000.00 for the building a.n question. He also
pointed out that a truck road �.nnd. ra.ilroad spur were available in
addition to the highway, and �hat the West 25 acres was solid ground �
where no footing problem would be encountered. �
Mr. Douglas Rees poin.ted out that the Council had just autho�i2ed
the con.st:cuct ion of �the South Trunk Sewer. He st�.tec1 that it was the �
duty of the Planning Co�nission to direct the orderly growth of the
Village, that big companies not using rail facilities would use znany
trucks, that tra.ific and homes do not mix; therefore, such industr�
should follow the highways.
Mr. Boblett was asked the approximate location of the proposed building
on the pr.o�erty. He stated that it would be approximately where the
Albrecht house stood. Tnis �ras not received favorably by the residents
of the area.
Borchert askecl if there were any more questions or discussion, a.nd,
when none was forthcoming, he informed those present that the pvblic
hearing wa.s closed and ihat the Commission would study the matter
�`urther. He then asked for commEnt from the membsrs.
� LaBissoniere stat:ed that he was not in �avor of ��plumking�� a large
in u' c�`s ria"1'�zo'�ne in a residential area. The proposal would create a
serious tra.�'�'ic problem through a considerable area. He citecl the
Tera�iant case where the rezoning fe11 in line with other zonecl areas,
and felt that -che Village should follow the pattern along T. H. ,�`55
and 1. H. #12. He �rovld be in favor of tlie company coming �;o Golden
Va11ey if .it would go in an already 2oned a.rea. He pointed out the
school on Golden Va11ey Road and traffic problem- at Golden Va11ey Road
and the Bel�cline. .
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,y F - � �l;:�
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Lynch commented tha� this proposal should be s.tudied very carefully
' before tak.ing any action. The remarks o�' N1�. Rees �.nd Mr. ihompson
should be disregaxded, becav.se the rec�.est does not i�volve the
property along Wayzata Boulevard. Traffic wi11 increase in the area.
regarclless of �he proposed rezoning. 5ewers wi11 have tb be built �
be�ore too long anyway. People build homes neai� industry ai�.er it
is established so probably it is not as bad as it may seem.
1'utn�a said that this proposal was big enough to �raxrant comple�e
s�v.dy and consideration. Commenting on LaBissoniere�s rema.x�ks, �hat
h� would favor the company in another place, implies that the traffic
�roblem is the crux of his objec�cions. We Don�t 1�now th� dollar and
cents value which shoulcl be weighec� apa�nst the objec�i;ions and cost
of services by �he Village. The remaining open areas in t1�e Village
are closing in very fas� and. somethin� should be done about rezon.ing
if the large expenses for street i�nprovements, parks, schools and others '
a.i�e to be met. The money cannot come from homes alone. He cited,�the
inadec�uacy oi the one year old Nob1e Avenue �ehool as a�i example oi°
how fast -i,he school problem is movnting.
Raugland referred to a tax analysis, made at the tiane the Hop� Qz�st
� problem was studied, which iri.dicai;ed that revenue from Inclustrial
property would be 50� above residential prope�ty. Agreecl with Lynch
-that traffic p?�oblem would come anyway. He stated _that he h�,d just
piarchased a 1ot with intentions �o.i building within two blocks o_`'
the area �roposed For rezoning. . �
Lynch: -The �.rea would accomodate 250 homes wh.ich, if rezoned, wov.ld �
not be built, thereby reducing the school ;�roblem.
LaBissoniere stated that he is not against indus��r�r, �he Village . �
should get i�t, but should n.ot allow industry to go most any_place
they w�.nz as long as we have zoned areas available. �
i ui;nam asked what the status oi' tlze zoned area a1 ong Way2ata Boulevard
was a�c �his time. Engineer Ogard �i�.swered that road construction
has started and -'chat the�e were businesses ready to move in as soon '
as tris construction is com�leted.
, LaBissonieres If' these freguent rec�uesi.s £or rezoning indicate that
we don��t have enough zoned a.rea, then we should get busy ancl rezone � .
` additio�al �.reas. �
Pecersoz poi�.�ced ou�� that sorn���ime ago we tvr�.ed do�rn a request fo_r
rezoning at i;he Soui.hwest corner of Golden Valley Road and the Belt-
line on accoun.t o-_° tra�fi�. . 5o iar in this matter we have had no �
opinions �'rom peovle along Golden V�.11ey Road who would be affected
• by traffic from the proPosed rEZOning. Zoning for large industry
i�. a sma11 town or village creates a cozrrpany-�cown, wherein the
�.�-�
Company tells the Village what to do.
The secretary read comments on the issue from N1�. Fatterson who could
not attend the meeting. His opinions are svmmarize� as follows:
Should not �.pprove the request because o:� dif�'icult location, too ,
much traffic, would cost more in iacilities and services than income
from t�e�, size not a measure of desirability, zoned land available,
don tt cov.nt �ia road improvement aid from coznpar�y, becav.se of al�sence
of �'u11 disclosvre of identity of company decision would have to ue
based on most any industrial use oi' which he listed several. Ques-
zioned whe�ther Golden Valley is to tollow the examples of Hopkins, �
a.nd cited that their tax rat� is 10 mi11s above ours with a11 their
large size commercial properta.es. �
Futnam asked President Borchert if committees couldnTt stuay tne
questions of traffic, roads, t,a.x values, e�c., and evaluate �hem
�`urther.
Loughland agreed with Putnazn th�,t this is too 1a�ge ior a quick
decision. The most impressive thing is the access problem. The
� original development �o employ some 300 people with a futvre poten- � �
tial of 10 million dollars a,�.d 3,000 people. This potential p�ese�.ts
an immense problem. He poin�ed out tlzat he was riot speaking for ar �
ajainst the recluest, but just pointing ou� things which must be con-
sidered. Many peo�le who �sould work at the plan-i; would decide to
live in Golden V�,11ey �,rhich would be on che f�,vorable side. The effect
oi the plant on adaacent residences probably would not be as important
as might appe�.r at this zim.e beca.usE of modern ty�e construction. The
area requested for rezoning is adjacent to 80 acres alrea.cly zoned in-
dustrial so could not be object�d to as "spot�� zoning very se�iously. �
Tf this plant were to go on Wayzata Boulevard, it prob�bly. would over- �
load that highwa.y. The potential trr�..f�ic or street problem is the
, ma�jor consideration. Sewer would be forthcoming very shortly and
n.o doubt wa�er �.� some later date iz tliis recruest is approvel. Lough-
l�.nd concluded that a thorough study shoulcl be m,ade on Lhe. basis oi
the ft�rf.ure potentiaZ of the proposal. ._ . .
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President Borchert asked Enginee� Ogard to coi�tact the Village
Assessor in regards to ta.x values and to determine possible costs of
services which the Village would hav�. to furnish. �Ie ap��in�ed Pu�nam
ancl Ve1z to study �he road problem and contact Mr. Boblett to detexmine
how far �i.he compar�y would go toward solving the imm�c�iate street problem
and in setting up a long ra.n.ge plan' of access streets. A1so, to determine
the �.ttitude- oi the eompany toward Golden �Ta21ey in te�ns of assistanee
in solving any problems which might be. created by the compar�.y becoming
a ��citizen�� of the VilZage. Borchert appointed. Raughland and Patterson
to contact Hopkins regarding the cos� Lo theiri �or services rendered to
their industrial "pro�erties, and also to evaluate this against possible
tax revenue. -
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Roo�ds in. South Trunk Sewer District:
Engineer Ogaz°d informed the Commission that there a�ropeared to be a
need for a road alon.g the N,orth side of the spur track to be con-
� strv.cted along the North side of t�e industrial �property fro�.�ing
� on Wayzata Bouleva�d. He outlined the street and sewer construction
, already planz�ed for this area ancl that tne proposed stree� Nor�h .:
of the spur would be desirable both i'or access to %he property to
the Nor�1� withou� many crossings of the spur track and for sewer
construction. Mr. Pau1 Enghauser spoke again.st the expenditure of
' Village iunds for the road rinht-of-way as �che �roperty owners sh�i���
clonate the land �or �the ro�,d f� i� is '�� b� � �enefit to them. H�
also pointecl out that there is 35 feet f peat in this area ancl
roacl eonstrv.ction would be costly, and �hat the clep�h of peat may
. cause some changes in the sewer alic�nment so the proposed road right-
ol-way m.ight not be a benefit to sEwer construction. After dis-
cussion which cnetered axovnd getting property owrsers to c1on�.-te the
road righ�-ol-way, Loughland moved that a 5Q foot street North of
the section line might we11 be provided for in th.e long range p1a.n�ing
of this area. This street to extend from the Trach plat Westerly to
Pennsylvania Avenue. Seconded by Ewa1d, carried. �
Residential Set-Back on Corner Lots:
- This problem was discussed briefly, f,hen. President Borchert asked
� Rougland to contact hanson, Chairman oi° the 2oning Committee, and
• req_uest that the committee study the langvage of the o1d zoning
ordina.n.ce to deter?nine whether the new ordinance should be revised
' to permit less than a 35 foot side yard on corner lots where there
are no houses facing the side street.
Re2oni�.g P�Iinne�.polis Park Board Properf,y:
A �sma11 piece of Minneapolis Park �oard property lying North of the
Min:�.. Western Railroad in line with Inclia.na �lvenue North extended,
is at present inclvded in the railroad zone catego�y. Putnam moved
thai; the Plannin.g Commission recommend to -L-he Council that this
property be rezoned to__O�en Development category. Seconded by
LaBissoniEre, car�ied. •
Name (�angemFrance Avenue to Glenwood Parkway:
Engineer Ogard informed the Commission that one property owner re-
cruested that Franee Avenue, south of T.H. ;�55, be renamecl to Glenwood
Parkwa.y because that was his add.ress prior to recent construction
of France Avenue at his location.. LaBissoniere moved that the
request be denied. 5econded by Ewald, caxried.
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A.11e�y-5ixth Avenue_North to Maren Lane;
Engin.eer Ogard presented a request for an a11ey to run behind the
commercial buildings facing Winnetka Avenue conn.e.cting Sixth Avenue
, North �.n.d P�laren Lane. lresident Borchert turnea �his request over
to the Hi gh�,�rays Committee for study and repo�t:' ^-'
Meeting adjourned at 11:30 o�clock P.M.
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