06-22-81 PC Minutes �.��
Minutes of the Golden Valley
Planning Commission
June 22, 1981
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held in the Council
Chambers of the Civic Center, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley,
Minnesota. Ghairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Those present were Commissioners: Eastes, Forster, Leppik, Polachek,
Singer and Thompson.
Commissioner Moede was absent.
Also present were Michael Milter, Director of Planning and Redevelopment,
and Alda Peikert, Assistant Planner.
i . Approval of Minutes - June 8, 1981 :
It was moved by Forster, seconded by Leppik and carried unanimously to
approve the minutes of the June $, 1981 Planning Commission Meeting.
II . Set Date for Informal Public Hearin - Rezonin�:
APPLICANT: D. P. BA,omquist
LOCATION: 1710 Douglas Drive North
REQUEST: Change Zoning from Business and Professional
Office to Light Industria L
Chairman Thompson introduced this: item, and Planning and Redevelopment
Director, Michael Miller stated that he had nothing to add to the staff
report.
It was moved by Polachek, seconded by Eastes and carried unanimously to
set an informal public hearing date of Ju1y 27, 1981 to consider rezoning
of 1710 Douglas Drive North.
In response to an inquiry from Chairman Thompson, Mr. Garfield Clark,
Thorpe Brothers Realtors, who was present to represent the proponent,
stated that the July 27, tg$l hearing date was satisfactory to the
proponent.
II1 . Set Date for Informal Publie 'Hear�ang - Rezoning:
APPLICANT: Jean A. Poole - Minnesota Communications Corp.
LOCATION; 4680 Olson Memorial Highway
REQUEST: Change Zoning fror� lndustrial to Radio
Zone District
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Planning Commission Minutes of June 22, J98} Page 2
Chairman Thompson introduced this item and noted that Planning and
Redevelopment Director Michael Milter suggested a hearing date of
July 27, 1981 • In response to an inquiry from the Chairman, the
Proponent, Mr. Jean Poole, Minnesota Commwnications Corp. , stated that
the suggested J'uly 27, 1981 hearing date was satisfactory.
It was moved by Singer, seconded by Forster and carried unanimously to
set an informal public hearing date of July 27, 1981 to consider re-
zoning of 468o Olson Memorial Nighway.
IV. Request €or Waiver of Platting -0rdinance:
APPLfCANT: City of Gotden Ualley
LOCATION: $3Q Winnetka Avenue North
REQUEST: Lot Division involving exchange of land
with Hennepin County Library
Chairman Thompson introduced this item. In response to questions from
the Commissioners, Planning and Redevelopment Director Michael Miller
exptained the lot division and exchange of land illustrated in the
graphics accompanying the staff report.
It was moved by Singer, seconded by Polachek and carried unanimously to
recommend approval of the City of Golden Vatley request for a waiver of
the p}atting ordinance for a lot division located at 830 Winnetka Ave.
North.
V. Request for Waiver of Platting Ordinance:
APPLICANT: City of Golden Valley
LOCATION: East side of intersection of 1Oth Avenue and
Winnetka Avenue North
REQUEST: Lot Division exchanging land between City
and the Chicago Northwestern Railway
Chairman Thompson introduced this item, and Ptanning and Redevelopment
Director Michael Miller expl•ained the proposed division and exchange
of iand.
It was moved by Forster, seconded by Eastes and carried unanimously to
reeommend approval of the City of Go}den Valtey request for a waiver of
the platting ordinance for a lot division east o�f the intersection of
tOth Avenue and Winnetka Avenue North.
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Planning Commission Minutes ofi June 22, 1981 Page 3
` UI . Informal Public Hearing - Conditionat Use Permit:
APPLICANT: Reinertson and Associates
LOCATION: 5800 Duluth St.
REQUEST: Conditional Use Permit to allow construction
' of an office building exceeding 3 stories in
height
Chai�rman Thompson verified that the proponent, Reinertson and Associates,
', was not represented and, therefore, postponed the hearing until later in
the meeting, based on the possibility that a representative o�f the proponent
would be present later.
Chairman ?hompson recognized one person in attendance for the hearing, a
representative of the Minnesota Department o-f Transportation (MnDOT) ,
who expressed concern over the height of the proposed building due to
its location in line with a MnDOT microwave tower. The MnDOT represent-
' ative confirmed his witlingness to wait for a period of time in hope the
proponent would arrive and the hearing could proceed.
fn the interim while the Commission was waiting for arrival of a repre-
' sentative from Reinertson and Associates, Cammissioner Leppik raised a
question concerning the letter from the applicant in Agenda Item 11 , a
rezoning request from D. P. Blomquist. Planning and Redevelopment
Director Michael Miller reviewed possible uses of the building proposed
' by the proponent subject to rezoning.
VII . Re ort on Joint Cit Council/Plannin Commission Subcommittee Meetin
June 9, 19 1 :
Chairman Thompson reported to the Planning Commission on the Joint City
' Council/Planning Commission Subcornmittee meeting held J�ne 9, 1981 , at
which Chairman Thompson and Commis�ioner Singer represented the Planning
Commission. Chairman Thompson reported that Council members Anderson and
' Mitchell , representing the City Council , prepared the meeting agenda
covering ten items:
1 . Communication of Ptanning Commission Requests to the City Council :
Communication of format Planning Commission requests to the City Council
through recording in the Planning Commission minutes is inadequate.
' Communication of formal Planning Cornmission requests to the City
' CounciT should be by means of inelusion on the City Council agenda
' and .appearance of a Planning Commissioner before the Council , by
ptacement on the agenda of the Joint Subcornmittee, or by written com-
munication from the Planning Commission Chairman to the Mayor and
City Council .
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2. Lindsay Street Access to Highway 100
The City Council wished to know whether the Planning Commission
had received any response to its request that the Lindsay Street
access to Highway 100 be closed. The Planning Commission reported
that it had received no response.
3. Ptanning Commission Attendance Policy
The City Council inquired concerning Planning Commission attendance
policy. The Council was referred to the Planning Commission By-
Laws.
4. Communication Between the Planning Commission and City Council
or HRA
Means of communication between the Planning Commission and the City
Council or HRA should be between the PTanning Commission Chairman
and the Mayor, through the Joint Subcommittee, or between the Planning
Commission Chairman and the HRA Chair.
5. Planning Commission Charge and Role
The City Council requested that the Planning Commission discuss its
perception of the Planning Commission charge and role. Chairman
Thompson announced that this would be pursued as a separate agenda
item. -
6. Planning Commission Education Program
The Subcommittee discussed plans for a continuing education program
for Ptanning Commissioners. Jt was suggested that Planning Com-
missioners meet for discussion with Planning Commission members
from neighboring communities, such as Crystal , Robbinsdale and
Plymouth. Commissioner Eastes suggested that Planning Commissioners
could benefit from academic type education prograrns as well and that
a blend of the two approaches would be profitable. Chairman Thompson
then suggested a presentation to a meeting with Commissioners from
several adjoining communities, followed by smalt group discussions.
At this point in the meeting, Chair�aan Thompson noted that a represent-
ative of Reinertson and Associates still had not arrived in conjunction
with the hearing scheduled as Item V1 of the agenda. Chairman Thompson
asked whether Commissioners and the MnDOT representative present for. the
hearing were willing to wait until 8:30 p.m, A11 expressed willingness
to wait until that time, and i.t was decided to postpone the hearing. or
cancellation of the hearing until 8:30 p.m. `
Chairman Thompson then resumed his report on the June 9, 1981 Joint
Subcommittee meeting:
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Planning Commission Minutes of June 22, 1981 Page 5
7. tong Range Ptanning
Commissioner Thompson stated that long range planning was an ongoing
process end that Planning Commission 'work on revision of the Compre-
hensive Plan could properly begin the week after submission of the
ptan to the Metropolitan Council . Commissioner Eastes suggested that
the Commission begin work sessions on a revised and improved Com-
prehensive Ptan in the fall , and it was the general consensus of the
Commission that falt would be an excellent time to schedule this
type of work.
8. Implementation of Housing Policy
The City Couneil requested that the Planning Commission examine and
recorrxnend ways of implerr�nting the City housing poticy, with discussion
to include housing, density, rezoning and land use questions. Commis-
sioner Eastes suggested that this task be delegated to one or more
Planning Commission subcommittees to be 'formed in the fall , and it was
the general consensus of the Commission that this would be another
appropriate falt program item.
9. Boston APA Conference
The City Council asked that the Planning Commission members who attended
the APA Conference in Boston share with the Council and Planning
Commission the i.nformation they received at tfie confErence. Members
who attended the conference agreed to prepare their notes, tapes and
slides for presentation to the Planning Cammission and Council .
10. Planning Commission Concerns Regarding Tax lncrement and CDBG Projects
Chairman Thor�pson reported that he expressed to the Council represent-
atives Planning Commission concerns regarding establishment of another
tax increment district and use of CDBG funds for the subsidized housing
project proposed by Bor-Son Construction Company in northwest Golden
Valtey. Chairman Thompson reported that he also expressed to the
City Council representatives his personal concerns regarding the
prospect of dealing with the City of Minneapolis in a joint project
on the Ewatd property.
Commissioner Singer stated that he did not have anything to-add to Chairman
Thompson's report on the Joint Subcommittee meeting.
Ul1I . Report on City Council Mee'ting - June 16, 1981
Commissioner Leppik represented the Planning Commission at the City Council
meeting of June 16, 1981 , and reported the following City Council aetions:
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Ptanning Commission Minutes of June 22, 1981 Page 6
l . Disapproval of Zero Lot Line Division
The City Council disapproved the request from Pietig Brothers, Inc.
for a zero lot line di'vision to divide one double bungalow into two
residential lots.
Planning and Redevelopment Di'reetor Michael Mitler offered an explan-
ation of the Council action, whieh was based on advice of the City
Attorney that approval could lead to legal probtems for the City.
A question from Commissioner Singer con�;�Erning City liability in this
type of case led to discussion of possibte personal liability of
Planning Commissioners and concern that Planning Commissioners be
covered by liability insurance. Chairman Thompson agreed to write a
letter to the Mayor expressing this Planning Commission concern.
2. Farmers Market at Carriage House Parking Lot
The City Council referred to the Planning Commission for consideration
and recommendation a request to use the Carriage House parking lot
for a farmers market.
Planning and Redevelopment Director Michaet Miller reported that he
had met with the propanent and offered instructions on applicati:on
procedures. It was his impression that the proponent intended to with-
draw his application until next year due to the lateness of the season
and time required to omplete application proeedures. There€ore, Mr.
Miller reported that it was uneertain whether the Planning Commission
would have a referral in this case.
3• Conditional Approval f PUD 26A
Commissioner Leppik r ported that the City Council granted approval
of PUD 26A condifiional upon provision of aecess to congregate dining
facilities.
4. Comprehensive P1an Housing' Actions Section
The City Council requested that the Planning Commission review and
expand the Housing Actions section of° the Comprehensive PTan. Copies
of a letter from Council member Anderson transmitting this request and
copies of the section of the Housing Plan to be reviewed were
distributed to Ptanning Commission members for their consideration.
Continuation of Vt. Informal Pu61ic Hearing - Conditioriai Use Permit:
At 8:30 p.m. Chairman Thompson announced that the hearing on the request
received from Reinertson and Associates for a conditionat use permit was
cancetled due to absence of a r�presentative of the proponent. Chairman
Thompsorr stated that Mr. Reinertson would be required to appear before the
Planning Commission to request a new hear'ing date if he wishes to proceed
with his application. The MnDOT representative who attended for the hearing
agreed to contact Planning and Redevelopment Director Michael Mi11er to
explain MnDQT concerns regarding the building height.
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Planning Commission Minutes of June 22, 1981 Page 7 �
IX. �pointment of Representative to CUBG Planning Area One Citizen
Advisory Committee:
Chairman Thompson announced that Commissioner Moede, who had agreed to
represent the City on the CDBG Ptanning Area One Citizen Advisory
Committee, has been unable to attend Committee meetings due to lack of time.
Chairman Thompson asked for a volunteer to replace Commissioner Moede as
the Golden Ualley representative on the Commit,tee. Since Commissioners
did not have a clear idea of the time requirements involved, Chairman
Thompson voaunteered to attend the next Committee meeting and report back
to the Planning Commission.
X. Preparation of Planning Aids for Planning Commissioners:
Commissioner Singer requested that a gtossary of planning terms be provided
for use by Planning Commissioners, and Planning and Redevetopment Director
Michael Miller agreed to pr�pare a glossary of planning terms within the
next month.
Mr. Miller also offered to hold elasses in plan reading, and Commissioner
Polachek agreed to-;work' with Mr. Miller on preparation of a iegend of
construction shorthand for use in reading plans.
X1 . Planning Commission Role in South Wirth Parkway Redevelopment Project:
Chairman Thompson read to the Planning Commission a letter received from
HRA Chair Mary Anderson in response to the Planning Commission's expressed
concern over lack of Planning Commission participation in the South Wirth
Parkway Redevelopment Project. HRA Chair Anderson pointed out in her
tette r that proposals for the development project wili be reviewed by the
neighborhood committee, which includes two Flanning Commissioners. If
a rezoning is involved, the Planning Commission will review and make a
recommendation on the rezoning request prior to referral to the HRA.
If no zoning change is contemplated, the Planning Commission will not be
involved.
XII . Work Session - Zoning Ordinance Revisions:
A.: Industrial Zone District
B. Institutional Zone District
Planning and Redevetopment Director Michaet Milter answered questions from
Commissioners concerning the Institutional Zoning Ordinance and the
Ptanning Commission directed additions and corrections. `
It was moved by Eastes, seconded by Polachek and carried unanimously to
recommend approval of the revised Institutional Zone District section of
the City Zoning Ordinance as amended.
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Planning and Redevelopment Director Michael Miller suggested additions to
the Industrial Zoning Ordinance and answered' questions from the Commis-
sioners. The Planning Commission directed the additions as suggested.
It was moved by Forster, seconded by Eastes and carried unanimously to
recommend approval of the revised lndustrial zone District section of
the City Zoning Ordinance as amended.
XIII . Discussion of the Role and Charge of the Planning Commission:
At the request of Chairman Thompson, Planning and Redevelopment Director
Michael Mitter agreed to distribute to Planning Commission members
copies of the recently amended ordinance establishing Planning Commission
duties as background for discussion of the Planning CommiSSion charge and
rote at a future meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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David Thompson, Chairman Mona-Moede, Secretary