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11-21-68 PC Minutes �. ��: � MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION November 21 , 1968 A regular meeting of the Golden Valley Planning Commission was held on Thursday, November 21 , 1968, at 7 : 30 p .m, at the Golden Valley Civic Center, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley , Minnesota . Chairman Senstad presided and the following were present: Vice Chairman Christiansen, Planner Schmid, Village Attorney Robert Skare , and Commissioners Franzen , Swanson , Swedberg , Daly , Johnston, Provost. Members Absent: Silverman . l . APPROVAL OF MINUTES - November 7 ,1968 . MOVED by Christiansen , seconded by Franzen , unanimously carried, to approve the minutes of the November 7 ,1968, meeting . 2. REZONING: 5915 Glenwood Avenue 3 . 6027 Glenwood Avenue By request of the proponents , both Item 2 , rezoning of the Berglund- Johnson property, and Item 3 , rezoning of the Bennett-Hammon pro- perty, was presented jointly . Request: Qpen Development to Multiple M-2 Proponents : Arthur B , Johnson - Norman T . Berglund A. H . Bennett - Harry W . Nammon Mr. Don Brauer, Planner from Brauer & Associates , was present to explain the request. He noted that this request :was before the Planning Commission last meeting and was held over at that time in order for Mr. Bennett and Mr. Hammon to submit their rezoning peti - tion . As this was accamplished , bath areas would be handled as one item, and if rezoned , both areas would be developed together. Mr. Brauer then made a slide pr,esentation to the Commission showing the existing site , surrounding land uses and proposed site plan . He noted that the topography in this area posed some problems with development, but actually was an advantage in that the buildings could be placed in a manner as to not overwhelm other nearby struc- tures . In addition, he pointed out that the amount of open space would be much greater with a multiple complex as opposed to single family homes , He said they would like to maintain and improve the creek that flows through the area for obvious aesthetic reasons . Mr. Brauer pointed out that the proposed buildings would be set back some 150 feet off Glenwood Avenue . The Commission tF�en asked several questions concerning street patterns , density, building height and number of single family homes this area could be platted for. The Planner was then asked to give the Cammission the history of this area , starting from 1957 to the present . This history noted that industrial type zonings have been consistently denied and that recently the thought has been for single family dwellings for the north 2/3 of this area with the possibility of higher density zoning along Laurel Avenue on the south . It was then suggested that the proponents wait for the results of the forthcoming planning study , but the majority of the Commission felt this would be unfair to the petitioners . a_ ���� Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 November 21 , 1968 The general concensus was that the proposed complex would overtax the existing roadways and that this particular proposal did not supply the necessary buffer. In addition, several of the Commissioners expressed the feeling that multiples might work well along Laurel and t railroad tracks , but a majority of this area should be used for single family homes . MOVED by Daly , seconded by Johnston , that both petitions be denied . This motion carried with 6 yea , 2 nay. 4. AGENCY OPERATED GROUP HOMES Chairman Senstad began the discussion by stating the objectives of the Commission. He said the Commission must look ahead five or ten years and ask the questions , "Is this a function that should be carried out in Golden Valley?" If the answer is yes , then we must ask ourselves , where does this particular use go , in what zoning , and under what ground rules or ordinances should this function be permftted? He noted that the present zoning ordinance does not mention foster group homes . In addition, the Chairman noted that the Rlanning Commission is a recommending body and will send a report to ti�e Council with the recommendations of all the Commissioners . The Minutes of the November 7 , 1968 meeting pertaining to Group Homes were then read . The Chairman noted that at the �ast Planning Commissian meeting , those in favor of this �group home were heard . The secretary informed the Commission that approximately 67 notices were sent to those who signed petitions concerning this home , informing them of this meeting . The Chairman then asked for a spokesman from the graup present and opposed to the present aperation at 6424 Winsdale . Mr. D. L . Bertness , 6530 Hampshire Place , said that a graup of ne�ghhors had met and discussed this situation. He said one of the problems is that the neighbars were approac4ed in a ' negative manner ' regarding this group home , He said that those present at the neighborhood meeting were ' 100% in favor of group homes ' and that '90� ' were in favor of the group home at 6424 Winsdale . The main problem, he said , was the question of numbers , He said the State Regulations were a good base , but do not go far enough to regulate group homes . He noted such areas as upkeep and location of group homes are areas lacking in the State Regulations . Mr, Wally A . Caryl , 6408 Winsdale , was next to speak and stated that he is ' definitely not against the group home ' but the number of girls in the home poses a problem. He also questioned the motives of the VOA, stating that he was under the impression that this particular agency was a non-profit agency . He was then asked if he had any particular complaints concerning the conduct of those occupying this home. He said instances of bad language and sm�king were observed , He also said he questioned the report from the Human Rights Commission which said the former Mayor of Golden Valley approved this home . He was asked if t�e thought the presence of this group home would have an effect on the salability of his home . He said that he thought it � �� Golden Valley Planning Commisson Minutes Page 3 Nov. 21 , 1968 would and lndicated that professional appraisers have said the same . In closing, Mr, Caryl said he was in favor of the home , but strongly believed that 5 or 6 girls was �ust too big a �ob for anyone to handle , and suggested 2 or 3 girls might be more realistic . Mrs . Eleanor Larson, 6405 Olympia , wondered how much of what she has heard about this home is hearsay . She noted that tne neighborhood is divided over this issue . The Chairman then asked Mrs . Larson if the Village should allow properly supervised group homes , She said that properly supervised and properly disciplined group homes should be allowed. He then asked if such a home should be placed in residential or institutional zoned areas . She said because of its transient nature , it should be placed in an institutional zoned area . Commissioner Johnston then asked Village Attorney Skare , if a number had ever been set by the Council regarding group homes , particularly at 6424 Winsdale . Mr. Skare replied that to the best of his know- ledge , no number was ever decided upon by the Council . Mr, Caryl then read to thase present an excerpt from the June 7 ,1967 Council Minutes , which stated that a limit of two foster children be placed in this home and gave the VOA three months to comply . The Chairman then asked Mr. William Soules , Attorney for the VOA , to tell those present about the home , its architecture and operation . Mr. Soules yeilded to Col . Robt . Nolte , who expl�ained the structure of the VOA. Mrs . Caralyn Kutz answered questions concerning the physical layout of the gr. oup home at 6424 Winsdale , noting that running away pro- blems are ' typical of gtirls ' . She said that they do not have a cur- few for the girls , but try to supervise their actions closely . In closing , Mr. Soules gave a rundown of the history and purpose of group homes , and attempted to explain the nature of the problems the adolescent in a group home has . "All of their problems , " he said , "are based on fear, Life has not been good to them. " Mr . Soules said it is the belief af the VOA that no Village or municipality should take the long step of becomina involved in a complex series of re- gulations regarding the care of children in foster group homes , This complex area should be regulated by the State , he said . However, as far as performance standards in the Zoning Code are concerned , he thought the Village has every right to set such standards and possibly take over where the State leaves off. Comm�issioner Provost asked if a financial statement for this group could be obtained , hlr . Soules said he would have copies available for the next meeting . Commission Swedberg stated that the number problem is the main problem as far as he is concerned. He believed 5 or 6 referrals is too many . Commissioner Provost expressed the thought that we should take the advice of the experts in the field when it comes to numbers . � The Village Planner indicated that this concept is relatively new to this part of the country. Ne said the main problem he is facing is where to go to gather information on the subject. l 4. � Planning Cor�mission Minutes Page 4 November 21 ,1968 The Viilage Attorney expressed his opinion that it wauld be an unreasonable exercise of the Village ' s police powers to outlaw group homes . He said he believed that limitations could be placed on 'the particular use in the form of performance standards . Mr. Skare noted certain facts he thought to be pertinent. The group home concept must take advantage of a residential setting and there must be some limit as to the numbers of referrals allowed in a residential neigh- borhood. He then suggested that we take the proposed ordinance submitted las year and improve on it. Chairman Senstad then suggested that the Staff began working on a model ordinance to submit to the Planning Commission. MOVED by Daly, seconded by Franzen , unanimously carried to lay this item over to the December 5th meeting . 5 . CONSULTANTS FOR PLANNING STUDY The full Planning Commission reviewed the Ad Hoc Committee ' s suggested list of consultants . All present agreed to eliminate Clark- Enerson from the list and add Midwest Planning and Hodne-Stageberg, two Twin City ARea consultants . The Commission instructed the Planner to set interview dates with the following list of consultants : Hodne- Stageberg; Nason , Wehrman, Knight & Chapman ; Barton-Aschman ; Vilican- Leman ; Midwest Planning ; Harland Bartholomew & Associates . The meeting dates are to be scheduled for Thursday evenings starting at 7 : 30 p.m. Each consultant will be allowed one-half hour for presenta- tion and one-half hour for questioning by the Commission . The Commission also instructed the Planner to invite representatives from the Park & Recreation Commission and the Numan Rights Commission to sit in on �Che interviews . The Commission also thought that to save time and repetition , the Village Council should be part of forth- coming interviews . MOVED by Provost, seconded by Franzen, unanimously carried , to in- struct the Planner to notify the previous mentioned consuitants as to dates available for interviews and to set up a schedule commencing as soon as possible . 6 . REZQNING: Independent School District 281 ; 1701 -1735 Kelly Drive Request: Institutional I -1 Proponents : School District 281 Present Zoning : Residential The Planning Commissa�on noted that this site and proposal was re- viewed earlier. ( see Oct 17 ,1968 P C Minutes) The school district is formally applying for rezoning and a petition is on file . MOVED by Provost, seconded by Swanson, to approve the rezoning request noting the parking requirements as set forth in Chapter 13 of the Zoning Code . Motion carried with 7 yea , 1 nay . Ther being no urther business , the meeting adjour ed at 12: 15 AM. �'" �. � Tli��� �. �^w�r � �f�� �������� ������ � ( President Paul Senstad Secretary Schmid