06-26-78 PC Minutes ���
MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY
PLANNlNG CONIMISSlON
June 26, 1978
A regular meeting of the Golden Valley Planning Commission was held at 7:30 P.M.
on Monday, June 26, 1978 at the Civic Center, 7800 Golden Valley Road,
Golden Valley, Minnesota.
Chair Seh{ in presided and the fo{ lowing members were present: Comrnissioners
Edstrom, Forster, Herje, Hughes, Mindess, Polachek, and Specktor. Aiso
present was Jon Westlake, staff inember.
Members absent: None.
I . APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MOVED by Forster, seconded by Hughes, carried
unanimously, to approve the minutes of the J-une 12, 1978 Planning Commission
mee�h i ng as ma i 1 ed.
2. WAIVER OF THE PLATTING �RDINANCE
Applicant: Dan E. Landwehr
Location: 2885 Regent Avenue North-2820 Scott Avenue North
Request: Divide Parcel and Add to Contiguous Lots
Zoning: Residential
Dan E. Landwehr, 2885 Regent Avenue North, was present for the request, and
explained that he had signed a purchase agreement for the property subject to
the City approving the Iot division which would eliminate the potential of
a house being built on this lot. If the lot were not divided, it is of sufficient
size to be a fegally buifdable fot.
Jon Westlake explained that the request is to divide Tract B adding 46 feet to
Tract C and 54 feet to Tract A ali in R,L.S. No. 1059. There is a County
drainage ditch running through the property which would make it a difficult
lot to build on.
It was moved by Edstrom., seconded by Mindess, carried unanimously, to recommend
approval of the waiver of the Platting Ordinance, subject to the new lots
(Tracts A & C) remaining as a single family use and subject to continuance of
the Hennepin County drainage easement on the property.
The Planning Commission discussed recommending the same condition on Lots I & 2
of Black I , Dawn Acres First Addition in reference to single familv�: use because
of their size, but noted they are not involved in the request.
3. WAIVER OF THE PLATTING ORDINANCE
Applicant: Norman Johnson
Location; 3300-3390 Kyle Avenue North
Request: Add 2 feet to 3310 Kyle Avenue north
Zoning: Residentiai
Norman Johnson, 3300 Kyle Avenue North, and Dick Haan, 3310 Kyle Avenue North,
were present for the request.
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Planning Commission
June 26, I978 page 2
Jon Westlake expfained that it was found by the property owners that the attached
garage located at 3310 Kyle Avenue North extends over the SQUth property line
I . I foot. The request is to add 2 feet to Lot 10 from Lot 12, all in Block I ,
Noble Grove Addition. If the division is approved, Lot 12 will still exceed the
100-foot frontage requirement and the square footage requirement; however, the
structure on Lot 10 would still remain in non-confor•mance. The house at
3310 Kyle Avenue North was constructed in 1950, and the house at 3300 Kyle Ave. N.
was construci�ed i n I 952.
It was moved by Mindess, seconded by Edstrom, carried unanimQUSly, to recommend
approual of the waiver of the Platting Ordinance #o add 2 feet to Lot 10 frQm
Lot 12, all in Block I , Noble Grove Addition.
4. REQUEST FOR REZONING
Applicant: Oak Grave Properties
Location: 625 Decatur Avenue North
Request: Rezone to light lndustrial
Zoning: Commercial
Jon Westlake explained 1-hat the proponent is prQposing to construet an ofi�ice
warehouse. containing approximately 49,500 square feet. fn order to do this a
rezoning of the property from Commercial to Light IndustriaJ is being requested.
This parcel of land is located in the Golden Valley Industrial Park.
The site characteristics are retatively flat with some vegetation on the South--
west corner.
The surrounding zoning to the North and Northeast is Industrial , to the E�st is
light lndustrial , to the South is Commercial , to the Scauthwest is Nlultiple, and
to the West is Institutional . The Institutional Zoning is fior Wesl-view Elementary
School . The Hopkins School District is considering closing this school ; therefiore,
the Planning Commission may be considering a request for rezoning this parcel in
the future.
The uses in this area o-F the lndustrial Park are offiice warehouse, Class I
restaurants, and the Medicine Lake Bus Company offiice/bus storage : is located
directly to the North of this site.
The proposed use is in conformance with the City Comprehensive Plan, which is
Industrial . l'n consideri'ng the land use of light lndustrial for th'is site, it
would seem to be proper because if does confQr°rn to the Comprehensive Plan and
provides a flow in zoning from Commercial to light `Industrial to lndustrial .
Ron Manning, Real Estate Agent, and Mr. Walz, AttQrney representing the property
owner, were present for the request.
The Planning Commission expressed concern about the nearness of this office/
warehouse to the muftiple dwellings to the Southwest and felt trees and evergreens
should be planted on the Southwest and West area of the property for screening.
(Commissioner Herje arrived at 8:00 P.M. )
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Planning Commission
June 26, 1978 page 3
The Planning Commission also discussed access to the School property and
surrounding �oning. In reviewing the surrounding zoning the Commission felt
the proposed light lndustrial zoning is a good use for the parcel because of
the surrounding land uses.
It was moved by Mindess, seconded by Herje, to recommend acceptanee of the re-
zoning, subject to the proponent agreeing to add more trees to act as a buffer
on the Southwest corner of the site. The motion did not carry.
(Commissioner Specktor arrived at 8: 10 P.M. )
It was then moved by Mindess, seconded by Hughes, carried unanimously, to amend
the motion by recommending acceptance of the rezoning, subject to an appropriate
landscape plan being p rovided by the proponent with particular attention to the
Southwest and South side of the property.
5. REQUEST BY CITY COUNCIL
Review Redevelopment Plan of Valley Square Area
Dana Young, City Administrative Assistant, was present and explained that the
Planning Commission is being asked to consider the overall plan for the Valley
Square area and then make any recommendations to the City Council prior to the
July 5, 1978 Council meeting. The Housing and Redevelopment Authority in
Golden Valley has been established and has approved the Valley Square Redevelop-
ment Pian.
The Planning Commission began discussion on the Valley Square Redevelopment Plan
at which time the Commission made the following comments and motions after
numbering the pages in the Plan and reviewing it in that order:
- Page f
Comments: Commissioner Herje felt that it is incongruous, when they are talking
of land use and planning, to approve something before it is sent to the
Planning Commission.
- Page 5
Comments: In regard to Item #] under GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, it was felt this Plan
would not create a down town or central core or identity for Golden Valley. It
was also felt that the Council should attempt to obtain a central area.
- Page 6
The Planning Commission questions the legal .de�inition of blight.
In regard to Item #3, it was moved by Herje, secpnded by Specktc�r, carried
unanimously, that the Planning Cc�mmission does not consider the �re� bounded
by the soufih side of Golden Valley Road> and east side o� Winnetka Avenue as
a blighted area.
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Planning Commission
June 26, 1978 page 4
In regard to ltem #3, it was moved by Herje, seconded by Edstrom, that a report
on behalfi ofi the City should state, for example, to wit, Phase IV, fifth paragraph,
Page 18, that this is speculative and anticipatory on the part of the Manager's
office. The motion was carried unanimously.
- Page 7
The Planning Commission expressed concern with the word underutilization.
In regard to ltem #5, it was moved by Specktor, seconded by Hughes, carried
unanimously, to change the above motion to relate to the Council that the
Plannir�g Commission does not feel that a definition of underutilization of land
is not to use it at its maximum density.
In regard to ltem #6, it was moved by Edstrom, seconded by Herje, carried unani-
mously, that Item #6 be removed because the blight described in Item #6 is a
result of the Valley Square Redevelopment Plan rather than a justification of
the Plan.
In regard to li�em #7, it was moved by Mindess, seconded by Hughes, that there
are now Ordinances and laws governing the cu1-ting of weeds.
It was moved by Mindess, seconded by Edstrom that to summarize the justification
for the redevelopment in this area, that the items as listed in the report are
not adequate justification for the Valley Square concept, other more justifiabfe
items could have been added to the report. The motion carried with Commissioner
Herje voting nay.
- Page 9
Comment: Change wor�i�i.ng in Paragraph l under Phase l from West Broadway to
Winnetka.
- �'age 10
In regard to Paragraph 2, it was moved by Specktor, seconded by Edstrom, carried
unanimously, that the Planning Commission objects to the creating of the availa-
bility of land for a senior citizens high rise as a justification fior re-location
of Rhode Island Avenue.
It was moved by Edstrom, seconded by Specktor, carried unanimously, that the
P(anning Commission objects to the City and Calvary Lutheran Ch�arch involved
in the reselting of land as indicated in Paragraph 4.
- Pages 10 & II
It was moved by Specktor, seconded by Polachek, carried unanimously, to object to
the following sentence of Paragraph 7 on Page 10: "Construction of new Rhode Island
and the Senior Citizen High-rise results in the highest and best use of land-use
change over in this area.", and also object to the fioilowing sentence of
Paragraph 3 on Page ll : "The decision that this parcel of land :�hQ�aid be used
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Planning Commission
June 26, 1978 page 5
for offices W�s surprising to :the Planning Commission because no proposal had
k�een presented'to the �'Ianning Commission.
It was moved by Herje to continue the review of the last half of the Valley
Square Redevelopment Plan at the next regularly scheduled Planning Commission
meeting in order to review what has transpired to this point. Motion died for
lack of a second.
- Pages 12 & 13
It was moved by Edstrorn, seconded by Poiachek, carried unanimously, that the
Planning Commission be provided with information on the Calvary Community
Services Corporation, who the Corporation represents, and source of the
Corporation's funding.
it was moved by Edstrom, seconded by Hughes, carried unanimously, that information
be provided to the Planning Commission as to what ancillary church purposes are
that require the HRA to sell the land to the church.
- Page �4
{t was moved by Edstrom, seconded by Mindess, carried unanimously, that if the
Councii has land available for use as an office building, make it generally
available fbr developers to bid or' by advertising and ask what the role for
the Housing Redevelopment Authority is.
- Page 15
It was moved by Edstrom, seconded by Herje, carried unanimously, that a trail be
placed along Bassett Creek as indicated in the March 27, 1978 Planning Commission
minutes.
- Page ]7
It was moved by Mindess, seconded by Edstrom, carried unanimously, that the
Planning Comrnission strongly suggests that the bulk material storage be moved
from the City Hall property.
It was moved by Mindess, seconded by Polachek that the Planning Commission fully
agrees with the concept of moving McDonald's Restaurant and the Post Office off
Winnetka Avenue since they do create a -traffic problem. The motion carried with
2 nay votes by Commissioners Herje and Edstrom.
In regard to ltem #3, it was moved by Edstrom, seconded by ��rje, carried
unanimously, that the Council should not acquire the land, including the
McDonald's and Post Office sites, unless it has a specific demonstrated need
for that land.
In regard to ltem #3, it was moved by Herje to recommend that the City consider
very carefully the need for expansion of Civic Center facilities. Motion
died for lack of a second.
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Planning Commission
June 26, 1978 page 6
- Page ]8
1t was moved by Edstrom, seconded by Herje, carried unanimously, that the
Planning Commission recammends that the HRA take the same kind of action in
the Commercial area as in the housing area for redevelopment.
Comment: The main problem with the Valley Square commercial area is the commercial
development. The proposed Redevelopment Plan does not address the main problem.
it was moved by Specktor that the Commfssion notes there is no present proposa!
in the Plan that provides for any direct improvement or commital on the part of
the owners to participate in any such improvements to'the commercial area. The
motion was seconded by Edstrom and carried unanimously.
It was then moved by Specktor, seconded by Herje, carried unanimously, that the
implementation of Phase IV is an integral part of the implementation of the
other three phases and shouid be done concurrent with Phase I .
- Page 19
Comment: Phase V is speculative and subject to land u.se consideration and should
also be considered for low and moderate income housing or business & professional
otfices.
- Page 20
It was moved by Specktor, seconded by Forster, carried unanimously, that the
Planning Commission recommends that before any further action is taken by the
Council on the Valley Square Redevelopment Plan, questions raised by the
Planning Commission should be responded to by the City Council or HRA in any
way the �ouncil deems advisable.
it was moved by Edstrom, seconded by Mindess, carried unanimo�sly, to express the
appreciation of the Planning Commission to Dana Young for the excellent presentation
in regard to the Valley Square Plan before the Planning Commission.
6. GENERAL
A. Correspondence from Mayor of Golden Valley
Chair Sehlin reviewed with the Planning Commission three letters addressed to the
Planning Commission from Mayor Noover regarding the Skeets Held property on
Turners Crossroad, input on City budget, and review of land use for Valley Square Area
B. Planning Commission Meeting Notice
The next regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting will be held on July 24, 1978
There being no further business to come before the meeting, it w�s c�n mqtion,
duly seconded, adjourned at 11 :30 P.N1.
Jody Sehlin, Chair Mervyn NJindess, Secretary
NO PLANNING COMMISSION NIEETING July l0, 1978