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10-22-84 PC Minutes71 MINUTES OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION October 22, 1984 A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held in the Council Chambers of the Civic Center, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, MN. Acting Chairman Prazak called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. in the absence of Chairman Forster. Those present were Commissioners McAleese, McCracken-Hunt, Prazak and Russell. Those absent were Commissioners Forster, Leppik and.. Singer. Also present were Alda Peikert, Planner, and Towhid Kazi, Planning Intern. I. ANNOUNCEMENT Acting Chairman Prazak informed the Planning Commission about the sudden death of Chairman Bill Forster. Acting Chairman Prazak expressed his shock and stated that Chairman Forster's passing away is a great loss to the community. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 8, 1984 Commissioner McCracken-Hunt corrected the Minutes by deleting the part "and Larry Bakken" on Item V, page 2 of the October 8, 1984 Planning Commission Minutes. It was moved by Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Mc-Cracken-Hunt and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the October 8, 1984 Planning Commission meeting as corrected. III. SET DATE FOR INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - PRELIMINARY PLAT APPLICANT: John B. Goodman LOCATION: 600 Lilac Drive REQUEST: Approval of Preliminary Plat of Valley Village 2nd Addition Acting Chairman Prazak introduced this agenda item. It was moved by Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner McCracken-Hunt and carried unani- mously to set an informal public hearing date of November 26, 1984 for con- sideration of the Preliminary Plat of Valley Village 2nd Addition. IV. SET DATE FOR INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - PRELIMINARY PLAT APPLICANT: Otto F. Dischinger LOCATION: 8330 Plymouth Avenue North REQUEST: Approval of Preliminary Plat of Dischinger Addition 1 7~ Planning Commission Minutes October 22, 1984 Page 2 Acting Chairman Prazak introduced this agenda item. It was moved by Commissioner McAleese and carried unanimously to set an informal public hearing date of November 26, 1984 for consideration of the Preliminary Plat of Dischinger Addition. V. INFORMAL PUBLIC HEARING - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICANT: OASIS LOCATION: 6739 Golden Valley Road REQUEST: Approval of Residential Facility for the Chronically Mentally Ill in a Multiple Dwelling Zoning District Acting Chairman Prazak introduced this agenda item and asked Planning staff to add any further comments. Ms. Peikert reviewed the staff report and highlighted the specific recommendations or .comments from the City Attorney and Department of Public Safety. Commissioner McCracken-Hunt expressed her concern over the fire exit from the seconf floor of the building at 6739 Golden Valley Road and asked the Building Department to take a note of it. Acting Chairman Prazak then opened the informal public hearing and asked the proponent to speak first. Mr. Henry Norton, President of The Kelly Institute, gave an overview of the structure and its organizational accountability. Mr. Dave Moran, Program Director of OASIS, explained the different aspects of the OASIS program along with the daily activities that will be offered to the residents of the facility. Dr. Keith Hartman, Ardmore Drive, Golden Valley, is a psychiatrist and has treated mentally ill people. About half of his patients are from Golden Valley and have received treatment from Bill Kelly House. He stated that Bill Kelly House is one of the best programs in the Twin Cities and as such there is always a waiting list for admission into the program. Over the past wo years Dr. Hartman has found Bill Kelly House staff to be very responsive in handling emergency situations with minimum disruptions. He also stated that in emergency situations, patients are hospitalized or dealt with in some other way and the patients are then brought back to the facility as quickly as possible for treat- ment that has been established in a residential facility. Dr. Hartman expressed his confidence on the ability of staff at 8i11 Kelly House and does not have any reservation that OASIS staff will do well in Golden Valley also. He pointed out that it is necessary for the patients to get treatment in their own community to avoid the sensation of being rejected. 1 Planning Commission Minutes October 22, 1984 Page 3 Acting Chairman Prazak inquired about patient referrals. Dr. Hartman stated that the patients are usually referred by State hospitals, private hospitals or a home within the Twin Cities. He went on to say that large numbers of people at Bill Kelly HOuse come from their own home and are typically 18 to 35 years of age. The patients typically have been seeing a mental health professional for the last few years and they are diagnosed to have thought disorder, confused, withdrawn, whose lives have been chaotic. They are usually non-violent, come from good. homes, good background and yet may of them were not given a good chance in their past 20/30 years because they are seen as different. Acting Chairman Prazak asked Dr. Hartman if the patients are involved in any programs outside of the facility such as vocational training, part-time work, volunteer work, etc. Dr. Hartman stated that usually he encourages patients to get involved in outside programs after being in the facility for one or two months because the purpose of a good residential program is to integrate the residents to move into independent living styles. Acting Chairman Prazak asked the proponents if the number of patients at OASIS would be increased at a later time if the structure permits. Mr. Norton stated that the number of patients in that structure will not exceed 18 at any time. Acting Chairman Prazak inquired about the frequency of emergency situations in a given year whereby patients are moved to a more secured facility with outside assistance such as the police. Mr. Moran stated that such situations occur only three or four times a year. Acting Chairman Prazak asked the spokesperson of the neighborhood group to make their comments on the OASIS program. Ms. Mailyn Anderson, resident of 6739 Golden Valley Road, also the first reader and member of the church adjacent to the proposed OASIS facility, stated that the church supports the deinstitutionalization of chronically mentally ill people and supports the OASIS program. The facility at 6739 Golden Valley Road is good in terms of physical structure but still the church supports the con- cerns of the neighbors. The church feels that the facility is isolated due to the lack of transportation. The church feels that the facility should be located on a site where the current residents would not be displaced. Ms. Anderson stated that the civil rights of the patients be recognized and they don't need any more isolation. As a resi- dent of the building at 6739 Golden Valley Road, she feels it would cause undue hardship for the tenants, including hereself, because it is so conveniently located. The tenants have been living there for a long time and have friends in the community. Acting Chairman Prazak asked the proponent to respond to the issue of isolation due to inadequate transportation. Mr. Moran of OASIS replied that he recognizes the inadequate public transportation. He also stated that OASIS staff will take the residents to the bus stop and if needed, the van will be used. 73 ?4 Planning Commission Minutes October 22, 1984 Page 4 Ms. Jane Scofield, 1031 Idaho Avenue North, representing homeowners and resi- dents of the area, submitted a petition signed by the residents. Ms. Scofield summarized the petition for the Commissioners. Acting Chairman Prazak accepted the petition to go on the record. Ms. Susan Glance, property owner in Golden Valley, is building a house in that area. She is also an attorney and has worked in the area of mental health law. Ms. Glance stated that she would like to move into a community that welcomes people even if they are disabled. She restated that State mandated policy not to discriminate against the handicapped. Ms. Glance also said that studies suggest that residential facilities do not have an adverse impact on the neigh- borhood and the property values do not go down. She also stated that a group home, almost without exception, is a valuable asset to the community. Ms. Glance informed the Planning Commission that the responsibility of the Commissioners is to see that the operation of the facility complies with dif- ferent regulations and also determine the impact on the neighborhood. D Offerman, resident at 6739 Golden Valley Road, stated that the residents of the apartment found out about the OASIS proposal from the neighbors. Mr. Offerman sympathized with the civil rights of the mentally ill people but won- dered whether Golden Valley is rectifying one problem by creating another problem. He also stated that by doing justice to the mentally ill people, the City is doing injustice to the people who have been living in that apartment for a long time. At the request of the Chairman, Planner Alda Peikert clarified the City notifi- cation process. Ms. Colleen Grossman, 6720 Golden Valley Road, who has lived there for 36 years, stated that the notices do not reach enough distance. Ms. Grossman expressed concern over the safety of the children in the parka Acting Chairman Prazak asked the proponents to describe the patients in the OASIS program and their distinction from the patients in a secured facility. Dr. Hartman responded by stating that the crime rate or the time served in jail by a chronically mentally ill person is equal to the rate of the rest of the population. The people with a history of violence are screened out. Dr. Hartman again reassured the Commissioners that these patients are not dangerous. He stated that the reason the State mandated this policy is because chronically mentally ill people in the past could not live in their own community and hence defeating the purpose of integrating these people with the rest of the popula- tion. Also, suburban communities were not taking their fair share of the men- tally ill population. Dr. Hartman sated that by and large chroncially mentally ill people do not hurt other people. 1 Manning Commission Minutes 7c1 October 22, 1984 Page 5 Ms. Nadine Phillips, ex-resident of Janus, Inc. (residential treatment facility), Bloomington, stated that she had emotional problems and depression but it did not make her any different than anyone else. Ms. Phillips spent eight months in a hospital and is labelled as chronically mentally ill. She spent a year and three months at Janus and has learned to deal with her feelings. She stated that she is not a dangerous person and does not hurt children. In fact, she didn't know of anyone who went for treatment with her that has hurt anyone. Ms. Phillips now goes to St. Mary's College studying physcial therapy which a year ago was impossible if-she did not receive treat- ment from Janus. She also stated that Janus has given her the opportunity to know herself in order to be able to contribute to society. Ms. Vicki Liba, 1111 Idaho Avenue North, has talked to psychiatrist Dr. Andrew Limas about the OASIS proposal. Ms. Liba stated that safety and security of OASIS is not good enough and children might be subjected to danger according to Dr. Limas. Ms. Liba also stated that Dr. Limas agrees with her that the pro- perty value will decrease and the proposed OASIS facility does not belong in her neighborhood. Ms. Liba stated that she is aware of Janus and heard that one of the residents of Janus hung a little dog. She feels that chronically mentally ill people do not belong in a residential area. She also informed the Commissioners that she knew of another person who lived at Janus for six months who stuck afoot through a glass window because he was mad at a counselor. Police had to be called several times within the six months. Ms. Betty Buckman of Vale Place in Hopkins invited all the people in the Chambers to call the residents of Hopkins and ask about the residents of Vale Place. Vale Place is a community-based residential facility and patients are schizophrenics. The program has been in Hopkins over three years and provides vocational training and job placement in addition to the treatment. Ms. Buckman concurred with Dr. Hartman and stated that only 1 percent of this population is dangerous which is no different than the general population. Seh also stated that in the case of crimes committed by the mentally ill population, it is sen- sationalized just like the movie "Psycho". Ms. Buckman stated that 50 residents of Vale Place have been placed in employment over the last two years. The resi- dents of Vale Place also provide volunteer services and are a viable asset to Hopkins. Ms. Eileen Moran, Director, North West Hennepin Human Services Council, informed that over fifteen percent of the households in the suburban area do not have cars and are isolated due to lack of transportaion. Ms. Moran stated that the special needs population should not be excluded from the community because of isolation due to inadequate transportation. Mr. Moran stated that the City can- not make judgements prohibiting the special needs population to live in the com- munity according to law. 1 7~ Planning Commission Minutes October 22, 1984 Page 6 Ms. Moran stated that it is good for the community to take care of its own peop le. OASIS will provide the chronically mentally ill people to live in their own community who are currently living in facilities outside of Golden Valley. She also informed that there are at least thirty families in the western suburbs who have a chronically mentally ill adult living at home due to lack of residen- tial facilities in the area. Ms. Moran informed the Commissioners of a recent telephone survey conducted by NWHHSC of 1100 households, of which 1.5 percent were in Golden Valley, indicated that the need for residential facilities for chronically mentally ill ranked 15th out of 30 priorities in the northwest suburbs and ranked 8th in Golden Valley. She also informed that the households surveyed at random in Golden Valley believe that a residential facility for chronically mentally ill would make a positive contribution to the community. Ms. Linda Marzenchisk, 6739 Golden Valley Road, has lived at that address for five years because of its accessibility. She is physically disabled and it would cause great hardship if she is displaced because of the OASIS program. She hoped that her rights would be considered along with the rights of the men- tally ill. Grace Hurdelbrink, 1001 Idaho Avenue North, lives alone. She is scared and unhappy about the location of OASIS. She also feels that it would be difficult to sell her house. She suggested that OASIS should be located in a neighborhood where the streets are less travelled unlike Golden Valley Road. Robert G. Oberg, 1030 Idaho Avenue North, has lived in the neighborhood for thirty years. He expressed his concern over the location of OASIS especially when there is no sidewalk along Golden Valley Road. Sheila M. Miller, 6712 Golden Valley Road, is a crime prevention officer in the Golden Valley Police Department. As a concerned resident of the neighborhood, she questions the safety of the neighbors although she is aware that mentally ill people are not child molesters or gangs of phychopathis. Ms. Miller stated that the neighbors have the right to live without fear just like anyone else. Ms. Miller made an unscheduled tour of Bill Kelly House and found out that the patient could be gone for six hours before the management calls the police. She feels that six hours is a long time for a problem to occur. Mr. Gilbert Newbert, a senior citizen and resident at 6739 Golden Valley Road, has lived there for 17 years. He stated that it would be unfair to displace the residents from the apartment complex because of the OASIS program. Ms Ila Green Selgren, also a senior citizen and resident of 6739 Golden Valley Road, has lived in Golden Valley for 29 years. She understands the need for a residential facility because she has a mentally ill person in the family but suggests that senior citizens' rights be considered when taking action on the OASIS proposal. 1 77 Planning Commission Minutes October 22 ,1984 Page 7 Mr. Hugh Norstad, 1031 Hampshire Avenue North, sees the need for a residential facility in Golden Valley but thinks the site for OASIS is a poor location because of no sidewalks along Golden Valley Road, the displacement of senior citizens and fear of the residents of the neighborhood. Mr. Norstad suggested that the proponents look for a site in a different suburb. Ian Chak, Program Coordinator, West Hennepin Community Health Center, stated the difficulty in dealing with families of mentally ill young adults who had to be placed outside of their own community. Gladys Ault, 6739 Golden Valley Road, works at Golden Valley Shopping Center and expressed here concern that she might have to 1©ok for a different job if she, along with here husband, is displaced from the apartment. Hearing no one, Acting Chairman Prazak closed the Public Hearing and opened the discussion among the Commissioners. Commissioner Russell stated that she sup- ports the need for a residential facility in Golden Valley but the City should look into finding other sites for such a facility. Acting Chairman Prazak asked the staff to comment on notification to the resi- dents if the City Council approves the OASIS proposal. Ms. Alda Peikert stated that the property owners will be notified and the City does not get involved any furhter. Commissioner Russell recognized the need for affordable housing in Golden Valley. Acting Chairman Prazak appreciated the neighbors concerns but also pointed out that it is a difficult task to located a structure that is not isolated, satisfactory to the neighbors and also acocmplishes the prupose of integrating the mentally ill residents into the community. Acting Chairman Prazak stated that it would be unjust to suggest that the loca- tion of the structure is unsafe for people under 35 years of age just because. they are mentally ill but it is perfectly safe for the senior citizens to live there. He feels that the fear among the neighbors will decline as the community adjusts with such a facility over a period of time. Therefore, he supports the approval of OASIS proposal. Commissioner McAleese stated that Golden Valley is a good community for a resi- dential facility. He also recognizes the concerns of the people but the City does not have the legal power to deny the Conditional Use Permit on the basis of inadequate public transportation. Acting Chairman Prazak commended the proponents for getting the information out to the community. It was moved by Commissioner McCracken-Hunt to recommend City Council approval for a Conditional Use Permit requested by OASIS for a residen- tial facility for chronically mentally ill at 6739 Golden Valley Road subject to the 10 conditions recommended by staff. Commissioner McAleese seconded the motion with an amendment which calls for the permit to be limited to a one-year period, the dates being concurrent with the Hennepin County Contract period so that the City can review OASIS prior to the renewal of the Conditional Use Permit to ensure compliance of the City requirements. Commissioner McCracken- Hunt accepted the amendment. ~O Planning Commission Minutes October 22, 1984 Page 8 At the request of Acting Chairman Prazak, Ms. Alda Peikert commented on the amendment and informed the Commissioners that the Golden Valley Human Rights Commission will be monitoring the operation of the facility. Ms. Peikert also informed the Commissioners that the proponent will have to go through the same process over again to renew their permit, and raised concern over whether it would jeopardize OASIS' contract with the County. Ms. Marge Wlrly of Hennepin County Mental Health Division stated that Hennepin County does not have any problem with such time limitation. Acting Chairman Prazak called for a vote on the motion made by Commissioner McCracken-Hunt, seconded by Commissioner McAleese as amended for the approval of the Conditional Use Permit requested by OASIS and passed. Those voting in favor were Commissioners McAleese, McCracken-Hunt and Prazak. Commissioner Russell voted against the motion. VI. REPORT ON HRA MEETING - OCTOBER 9, 1984 On behalf of Commissioner Leppik, Planner Alda Peikert provided the Planning Commission with a report on the October 9, 1984 HRA meeting. The Planning Commission reiterated their recommendation to include apartment housing in Area A of Valley Square Redevelopment. VII. REPORT ON BZA MEETING - OCTOBER 9, 1984 Acting Chairman Prazak provided the Planning Commission with a report on the October 9, 1984 BZA meeting. VIII. REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL MEETING - OCTOBER 16, 1984 On behalf of Commissioner Singer, Planner Alda Peikert provided the Planning Commission with a report on the October 16, 1984 City Council meeting. IX. INFORMATION ITEMS ON PROPOSED ZONING CODE AMENDMENT PROVIDING FOR HELIPORTS The Planning Commission asked Planner Alda Peikert to inquire about the cost of City Attorney's services when responding to an inquiry by the Planning Commission. Planner Alda Peikert reported on the City Attorney's response to Commissioner McAleese's inquiry regarding pre-emption rights of the City and possible remedies available to the people living nearby a heliport. 1 1 1 1 Planning Commission Minutes October 22, 1984 Page 9 X. SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ON PROCEDURES FOR GOLDEN HILLS REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT Planner Alda Peikert provided the Planning Commisson with the report on the Subcommittee recommendations on procedures for the Golden Hills Redevelopment District. The Planning Commission expressed their desire to review the propo- sals for development before a decision is made by the HRA. XI. ANNUAL PLANNING INSTITUTE Planner Alda Peikert passed out the registration forms for the Annual Planning Institute scheduled to be held on November 30, 1984 at the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota. XII. DISCUSSION OF PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY PROGRAM The Planning Commission postponed the discussion on Planning Commission Study Program until January, 1985. XIII. RESCHEDULING OR CANCELLATION OF FIRST MEETING IN NOVEMBER The Planning Commission decided to cancel the November 12, 1984 Planning Commission regular meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Gary Prazak, Acting Chairman Margaret Leppik, Secretary 79