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05-10-99 PC Minutes 2"" t") at> Regular Meeting of the Golden Valley Planning Commission May 10, 1999 A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held at the Golden Valley City Hall, Council Chambers, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota, on Monday, May 10, 1999. The meeting was called to order by Chair Pentel at 7:00 p.m. Those present were Chair Pentel and Commissioners Eck, Groger, Hoffman, Martens and Shaffer. Commissioner McAleese was absent. Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development, Beth Knoblauch, City Planner and Tammi Hall, Recording Secretary. Chair Pentel thanked Emilie Johnson and Warren Kapsner for their years of dedicated service for the City. Pentel introduced new commissioners Les Eck and Jay Hoffman. I. Approval of Minutes- April 12 and 19. 1999 I Commissioner Shaffer indicated that the second paragraph on page 12 of the April 12 minutes should be changed. He stated that the first sentence should refer to Mandan I Avenue rather than Boone Avenue. Commissioner Eck indicated there was an error in the April 12 minutes on page 14, the second paragraph under Other Business. The second paragraph should read: "Grimes stated that the agenda for May 10th would include workshops on the transportation plan and the wastewater plan." MOVED by Groger, seconded by Shaffer and motion carried unanimously to approve the April 12 minutes with the above revisions. MOVED by Groger, seconded by Eck and motion carried unanimously to approve the April 19 minutes as submitted. II. Election of Officers MOVED by Groger, seconded by Eck and motion carried unanimously to elect Pentel as Chair, Shaffer as Vice Chair and Groger as Secretary. I I I I 289 Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission May 10, 1999 Page 2 III. Informal Public Hearing - Minor Subdivision Applicant: Howard Gilbert Address: 6909 Olympia Street and 1525 Jersey Avenue North Request: The subdivision will reconfigure the existing two lots by adjusting the location of the property line between the two lots. Director of Planning and Development Grimes briefly reviewed the proposed minor subdivision. He stated that the subdivision involves two lots on which there are two homes. He indicated that the purpose of the subdivision is to move the property line between the two parcels 10 feet to the south. Grimes stated that the existing north lot was created in 1978 in order that Mr. Gilbert could build his home at 6909 Olympia. He indicated that the City approved the creation of these two lots by a waiver of the platting code. Grimes stated that in 1986 Mr. Gilbert purchased the south lot and built a new house for his mother and sister. At this time, he discussed with the Building Department his desire to move the property line between the two lots 10 feet to the south. However, he did not go through the entire process necessary to formally change the property line. Grimes stated that in 1998, Mr. Gilbert sold the house on the south lot to the current owners, Mr. and Mrs. Carns. Grimes indicated that the Carns have agreed to the minor subdivision to create the new property line since it was their understanding when they purchased the property that the proposed property line was the official property line. Grimes stated that Mr. Gilbert is now selling his existing home at 6909 Olympia' and the new buyer (who happens to be a real estate attorney) noticed that the legal description of the property is only 74 feet wide since the property line was never officially changed. Mr. Gilbert now wants to go through the proper minor subdivision procedure to move the property line. Commissioner Eck indicated that the house on Lot 2 will be 12.8 feet from the proposed property line and asked if this meets the setback requirements. Grimes stated that the setback requirement is 15% of the lot width. He indicated that it was determined at the time the home was built that it met the setback requirements. Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Carns were in attendance. Mr. Gilbert stated that when he bought the south lot in 1986 it was his intention to move the property line. He indicated he had spoken with the City and completed the necessary survey of the property. He indicated he was unaware that anything further needed to be done to change the lot line. Mr. Gilbert stated that approval of the minor subdivision will make the property line official. He stated that both property owners thought that the proposed line already was the property line so nothing will change physically on the property. t"..00'0 tJv Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission May 10, 1999 Page 3 I Chair Pentel opened the informal public hearing. There were no comments. Pentel closed the informal public hearing. MOVED by Shaffer, seconded by Eck and motion carried unanimously to recommend to the City Council approval of the minor subdivision as requested. IV. Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. City Council and Board of Zonina Appeals Chair Pentel stated that she would be the Planning Commission representative at the HRA meeting on May 11th. V. Workshop - Transportation Plan and Wastewater Plan Jeff Oliver, City Engineer and Merlin Thorne, Utility Supervisor were present for the workshop reviews. Grimes provided a brief background on the Wastewater Plan. He indicated that one of I the main purposes of the plan is to ensure that the City is in compliance with the Metropolitan Sewer System. Commissioner Hoffman asked the reason for the recent increase in residential water and sewer rates. Thorne responded that the City rates reflect the rates charged by the Metropolitan Sewer System (for sewer) and the City of Minneapolis (for water). City Planner Knoblauch stated that fees charged to the City by the Metropolitan Sewer System have decreased but the City required additional funds for repairs in the system. Hoffman referred to page 19, number 3 in the Wastewater Plan, regarding Trunk Sewer Reconstruction. There was general discussion regarding reconstruction of this line in conjunction with the Xenia Avenue extension project. Commissioner Martens asked about replacement of sewer lines in connection with the street repaving project. He asked if the City considers replacing lines that are old, even if they are still functioning, when the street is torn up. City Engineer Oliver replied that steps are taken to correct any problems in the lines when the streets are under construction for repaving. He stated that most of the sewer line in the City is clay pipe which will last for a hundred years if it is not damaged. However, he indicated that it is very susceptible to damage. He stated that most of the sewer system is televised so the City can effectively monitor and repair lines as needed. He added that the City also I I I I (""\ --'1 .. 1 V",n., Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission May 10, 1999 Page 4 has a routine maintenance program where approximately one-third of the system is cleaned each year. Commissioner Eck commented that the plan indicates that the Tyrol Hills area is running near capacity and that 70% of the volume is from St. Louis Park. Pentel indicated that St. Louis Park is planning major development for the 1-394 and Hwy. 100 area. She asked how this would affect the system in that area. Oliver stated that when new development occurs they are required to file applications with the Metropolitan Sewer System. These applications are reviewed in terms of the impact throughout the system. Grimes stated that this has been identified as a problem area for several years and is monitored by the Metropolitan Council. Pentel asked what might be the potential solution for the area. Thorne responded that this area consists of trunk line which is 40 or more feet deep. He indicated that the only method to alleviate the problem would be to install a lift station at the Golden Valley/St. Louis Park border. He indicated that this would be very expensive and would not be considered any time soon since there is not enough new development in the area to warrant the expense. Grimes stated that the sewer flow for the City has actually decreased. Oliver stated that sewer flow cycles with wet and dry periods. He indicated that the decrease is also a result of the City's maintenance and repair program. He stated that use of the televised system allows the City to see where infiltration is occurring and immediately repair the situation. He stated that infiltration occurs most frequently where private lines connect to the City line. Oliver stated that the City is aggressive with the repairs program and this is the largest factor in the decreased sewer flow. Pentel referred to page 7 of the plan which lists the major users. She asked how major users are billed. Thorne responded that General Mills and Honeywell both have sewage meters from which they are billed. He indicated that Liberty Carton is billed for sewage usage based on the amount of water they use. Thorne indicated that residents are billed a flat fee for sewer usage and commercial usage is generally billed per thousand gallon of usage. Pentel asked about the status of homes that still have private septic systems. Oliver responded that the remaining private septic systems would be eliminated with the Highway 100 construction project. Pentel asked how sewer and water would be handled in the Hidden Lakes Development on the peninsula. Oliver responded that there is a lift station in the development. Pentel asked if there was an understanding regarding the capacity. Oliver responded that the design was based on the maximum potential number of homes to be developed. Grimes indicated that 10 to 12 homes is the largest number that has been discussed. Pentel stated that currently all lines are hung under the 292 Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission May 10, 1999 Page 5 I bridge. Oliver indicated that he did not recall the planned location for future lines to be installed when development occurs. Pentel asked who maintains the lift station. Thorne responded that the City maintains the lift station. Commissioner Groger asked how it is determined where the sewer lines become the responsibility of private property owners. Thorne responded that the City is responsible for the line installed by the main line contractor. He indicated that this is ge'nerally from the middle of the street to the property line. Groger stated that most residents do not think of maintaining their sewer line until there is a problem. He asked if this could potentially cause increased problems for the City as the system ages. Thorne responded that the City tries to educate residents through periodic articles in the newsletter. He also indicated there would be information on the City's website to educate citizens on sewer line maintenance. Thorne stated that when there is a problem with a private line, the City requests that a City employee be present when the repair contractor breaks into the pipe to ensure that the City does not pay for repairs that are outside the City system. Thorne stated that the television equipment goes down the main lines but does not have the capability of going into service lines. He indicated the equipment could look up the service line approximately three feet. He stated that some plumbers have television capabilities so they can look into residential lines to determine the location of the problem before they begin digging. Grimes provided a brief background on the Transportation Plan. He stated that this plan also ensures consistency with the Metropolitan Transit Plan. Grimes stated that the City is unusual in that it has four major highways in a community of 10.5 square miles. I Hoffman asked about construction of a road in his neighborhood which would create an exit from an apartment building directly to Glenwood Avenue. He indicated that some of his neighbors had mentioned this road had been proposed twenty years ago but has never been built. Oliver responded that there is no plan to construct this road. Knoblauch stated that, based on older maps that show this proposed road, she felt the road was proposed prior to the time the apartment building was constructed. Knoblauch indicated she would assume the proposed road project was abandoned at the time the decision was made to construct the apartment building. Pentel indicated that the Park and Ride located in the Byerly's parking lot is not shown on the map. Grimes responded that the Byerly's location is not shown on the map because it is not an official Park and Ride. He indicated that the Springgate shopping center, where Byerly's is located, had an official Park and Ride location which they recently canceled. Byerly's has an informal agreement to continue allowing their I parking area to be used by MTC riders. I I I 293 Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission May 10, 1999 Page 6 Shaffer expressed concern regarding item number 2 on page 31. This item states that construction will be completed on Laurel Avenue as a local collector from Pennsylvania Avenue to Winnetka Avenue. He indicated that it was his impression that it had not yet been determined that Laurel Avenue would serve as the local collector. Oliver responded that this is a problem area that needs to be addressed. He said this item could be revised to maintain the verbiage regarding construction of a local collector but with less specific language since the end solution has not yet been determined. Pentel stated that it would be good to inform residents of this process so they are aware of the situation and the alternatives being considered. She suggested that item number 2 be revised to indicate that this traffic issue needs to be resolved. Oliver and Grimes indicated they would revise the language. Commissioner Martens asked if the designation on the map for sidewalks and trails is the same. He indicated he would like to see a distinction between sidewalks and trails. Martens mentioned the proposed sidewalk on Regent from Golden Valley Road to Culver. He asked if this is something that would be discussed in the community before it was finalized. Oliver responded that there would be community discussion before this was constructed. He indicated that determination of the location of proposed trails/sidewalks is based on connecting the pieces that already exist, location of parks and schools, as well as safety considerations. He indicated that proposed sidewalks/trails on the map does not necessarily mean they will be built. There was brief discussion regarding the logical connection of trails, particularly across major roadways such as Highway 55. There was also discussion about providing better signage for trails. Grimes suggested that this could be discussed further when the Commission reviews the Parks Plan. Hoffman referred to item number 2, Peak Congestion, on page 23. He asked if this analysis takes into account the new development occurring in Golden Hills. Oliver responded that all traffic predictions are based on projected development. Hoffman asked how it is determined what type of business can be located in a particular area. He cited the example of the Volvo dealership being built on the site that was formerly the Cactus Creek Steakhouse. Grimes responded that this business came before the Planning Commission for approval. He stated that auto dealerships have typically been permitted in the 1-394 corridor in the industrial zoning areas. Knoblauch stated that one of the residents at the informal public hearing for the General Mills project had expressed concern regarding traffic in the Boone Avenue and Highway 55 area. Oliver indicated that there are both structural and capacity concerns in this area that will be reviewed. Hoffman commented that he was impressed with the layout of both plans. 294 Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission May 10, 1999 Page 7 I Groger referred to item number 4 on page 23 regarding the reconstruction of State Highway 100. Groger questioned the plan to leave a segment north of Duluth Street as two lanes until 2010. Oliver responded that the City is working with MnDOT to increase this segment to three lanes at an earlier date. Oliver stated that in the current plan the third lane drops off at the Duluth Street exit. He stated that the third lane picks up again as the entrance from Duluth Street connects to northbound Highway 100. He said that the main reason MnDOT plans to delay expansion of this segment to three full lanes is because it involves reconstruction of the bridge over Duluth Street which is fairly new. Oliver said the City hopes to work with MnDOT to expand this segment to three full lanes in the next two or three years. Pentel suggested that it may present a public safety problem to close the Thotland Road access to Hwy. 100 before a new frontage road is in place. Oliver responded that this will be closed early in the project because northbound traffic will be re-routed during construction to the area where the frontage road is now located. Shaffer stated that MnDOT has indicated they will be connecting the new frontage road early in the project. Martens asked about the status of the sound wall on the west side of Hwy. 100 south of Byerly's. Oliver responded that it is MnDOT's policy that they do not construct sound walls in front of commercial buildings. He stated that the discussion on this particular I area is ongoing and no solution has been determined at this point. Eck referred to the aviation section on page 22. He asked why the Channel 11 heliport was not listed. Oliver responded that the heliport is no longer located at Channel 11 due to the construction of the General Mills facility next to Channel 11. Grimes indicated that helicopters are not permitted to land on this property. VI. Other Business Knoblauch distributed a copy of the final land use plan map. She asked about Commission members who had not yet responded whether they would be attending the housing meeting on Thursday, May 13. Groger and Hoffman both indicated they planned to attend. VII. Adiournment Chair Pentel adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m. ~~~ RIC ard Groger, e e ary I