09-08-15 - CM Agenda Packet AGENDA
Council/Manager Meeting
Golden Valley City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
Council Conference Room
September 8, 2015
6:30 pm
Pages
1. 2014-2015 Winter Parking Restrictions Review (40 minutes) 2-3
2. Goals and Work Plan for Updating Tree and Landscape Requirements 4-5
(30 minutes)
3. Neighborhood Meeting Policy (20 minutes) 6
4. Storage of Dealership Vehicles in 1-394 Mixed Use Zoning District (30 minutes) 7-9
5. Proposed 2015-2016 Other Funds Biennial Budget and Portions of Capital 10
Improvement Plan (1.5 hour)
6. Board/Commission Interviews (15 minutes) 11
Council/Manager meetings have an informal, discussion-style format and are designed
for the Council to obtain background information, consider policy alternatives, and
provide general directions to staff. No formal actions are taken at these meetings. The
public is invited to attend Council/Manager meetings and listen to the discussion; public
participation is allowed by invitation of the City Council.
l pp This document is available in alternate formats upon a 72-hour request. Please call
J 763-593-8006 (TTY: 763-593-3968)to make a request. Examples of alternate formats,
mayinclude large print, electronic, Braille, audiocassette, etc. 1
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Physical Development Department
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763-593-8030/763-593-3988(fax)
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Executive Summary
Golden Valley Council/Manager Meeting
September 8, 2015
Agenda Item
1. 2014-2015 Winter Parking Restrictions Review
Prepared By
Marc Nevinski, Physical Development Director
Bert Tracy, Public Works Maintenance Manager
Summary
While the large snow events (2+ inches) generally receive media attention and fewer vehicles are
parked on the street, the City performs de-icing and plow the roads more frequently for snow
events less than 2 inches. This is in response to icy roads and to address key areas of concern in
the City. Ideally, staff is plowing or treating the streets in the early morning when there is less
traffic for equipment operators to avoid which is safer and more efficient. The winter parking
restriction is another tool in the City's winter snow and ice control efforts.
The winter of 2014-2015 was very mild and maintenance staff had started prior to 6 am on only
15 occasions. However, the 2013-2014 winter operations were performed on well over 50 days
prior to 6 am, conducting anti-icing, de-icing and plowing operations.
When responding to winter ice and/or snow events, the vehicles parked on the street create
additional obstacles that operators must watch for and navigate around while de-icing and/or
plowing. Without the parking restriction, one of the challenges for maintenance route operators
is to get as close to the parked vehicle as possible to clear with street without coming into
contact with the vehicle. Occasionally, the route operators are unable to safely navigate around a
parked vehicle leaving the street unplowed. When parked vehicles are plowed around, snow
remains in the street which can present a hazard for traffic and require additional staff time and
machine hours to remove. The parking ban helped reduce these situations.
2014-2015 Winter Parking Restrictions Summary:
No snow emergencies were declared. Although, on two occasions staff did not need to
call a snow emergency because of the Ordinance.
- Neighboring city residents that have similar on-street parking restrictions were no longer
able to park in front of Golden Valley homes.
- With parking restrictions in place, staff would not need to call a snow emergency during
the day. Instead, Staff would work on clearing the roads during the day and return early
the following day to complete clean up.
- On one occasion the City received an overnight snow fall (started around 9:00 pm). Staff
began to full plow operations early. As it was overnight, vehicles were not allowed to park
on the street. If the City had not had parking restrictions in effect, a snow emergency
would have been called in the early morning which would not have been effective.
- During large snow winters, the Ordinance allows Staff to complete winging operations in
the overnight or early morning hours rather than during the day time when pedestrians,
children in snow banks or children at bus stops, and vehicle traffic are present.
- When anti-icing before a storm, equipment operators can drive down the center of all the
streets instead of drifting from side to side in order to avoid parked vehicles.
- When snow fall amounts are lower than two inches and/or the event occurs during the
day, Staff utilizes the overnight parking restriction as an opportunity to clean up the
roadways.
The Police Department issued 240 citations and 187 warnings for overnight parking.
During November, only warnings were issued as a way to inform people of the new
ordinance. Approximately thirty exemptions were granted in the 2014-2015 season. The
Police Department reports that the process generally worked well.
- Staff believes the current winter parking restrictions should be maintained for at least
several more seasons to avoid confusion by the public and to allow for further evaluation
of the Ordinance under different winter conditions.
Similar City Ordinances:
Below is a summary of what neighboring cities use for on-street parking restrictions.
- Crystal - No on-street parking year round between 2 am and 5 am. No on-street parking
after a snowfall of 1.5 inches or more until the street is plowed to the curb.
- Minnetonka - No on-street parking year round between 2 am and 6 am.
- New Hope - No on-street parking year round between 2 am and 6 am. No on-street
parking after a snowfall of 1.5 inches or more until the street is plowed to the curb.
- Plymouth - No on-street parking year round between 2 am and 5 am. No on-street
parking after a snowfall of 2.5 inches or more until the street is plowed to the curb.
Edina - No on-street parking between 1 am and 6 am from November 1 through March 1.
No on-street parking after a snowfall of 1.5 inches or more until the street is plowed to
the curb.
- Robbinsdale - On-street parking is prohibited any time there is a snowfall of 2 inches or
more until the street is plowed to the curb.
- St Louis Park - On-street parking is prohibited any time there is a snowfall of 3 inches or
more until the street is plowed to the curb.
city of
golden ,' MEMORANDUM
valley Physical Development Department
763-593-8095 /763-593-8109(fax)
Executive Summary
Golden Valley Council/Manager Meeting
September 8, 2015
Agenda Item
2. Goals and Work Plan for Updating Tree and Landscape Requirements
Prepared By
Al Lundstrom, Parks Maintenance Supervisor
Emily Goellner, Associate Planner/Grant Writer
Summary
Staff is seeking feedback from Council regarding the set of Policy Goals established for staff as
they modify the Tree Preservation section of City Code.
Community Concerns
The following points summarize the feedback received at public hearings, community meetings,
and other conversations with Golden Valley residents:
- The current tree preservation regulations do not result in the desired level of tree
preservation; a higher percentage of existing trees should be maintained than is currently
required.
-- New residential development has caused the removal of many overstory trees and
understory brush.
- The City has historically taken a strong position on preserving and planting trees. This
should be a guiding principle in the new strategy.
- Developers should be responsible for removing Buckthorn and other invasive species.
Summary of Subdivision Study Results
The goal of the Subdivision Study was to utilize the expertise of an outside consultant to conduct
community listening sessions, explore potential solutions, and provide recommendations for
possible modifications to the City's Subdivision and Zoning Code Chapters. As part of the study,
HKGi was asked to look at options for preserving additional tree canopy and green space in the
city. At the completion of the study in the spring of 2015, HKGi recommended that follow-up
work be conducted by the City that integrated their recommendations with the newly established
site landscaping standards (which are not currently codified). The key policy recommendations
included:
Adjust percentage of trees removed during initial site development (grading, utilities)
Adjust percentage of trees removed during the building of the structure
Add minimum landscape standards
Guiding Principles
Staff wants to ensure that all policy changes abide by the following principles:
1. Policies are consistent
2. Policies are fairly applied
3. Policies are easy to interpret
4. Policies are easy to administer
Policy Goals
Based on feedback received from community members, City Council Members, and Planning
Commissioners, staff in the Planning, Engineering, and Public Works divisions has been meeting
regularly and focusing the code changes on the following goals:
1. Identify what is working well in the Code and in the permitting process
2. Simplify Section 4.32 of the Code to be easier to interpret and administer
3. Improve the worksheet used by Tree Preservation Permit applicants
4. Require the preservation of high quality trees to the largest practical extent possible
5. Explore the option to require the preservation or replacement of understory brush
6. Address the removal of invasive species in Code and provide educational handouts
7. Establish minimum landscape standards for all Zoning Districts
Staff is seeking feedback from Council regarding the set of Policy Goals established for staff as
they modify the Tree Preservation section of City Code. More detail on the Policy Goals will be
provided prior to the discussion.
Work Plan
Staff plans to bring a set of proposed changes to the next Council/Manager meeting on October
13. The changes would likely be scheduled for a City Council agenda in November, depending on
the time needed to incorporate feedback received. Beyond changes to the City Code, staff will
also create educational handouts that could potentially be provided by the City.
City of n
golden11 ' MEMORANDUM
Valley Physical Development Department
763-593-8095/763-593-8109(fax)
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Executive Summary
Golden Valley Council/Manager Meeting
September 8, 2015
Agenda Item
3. Neighborhood Meeting Policy
Prepared By
Jason Zimmerman, Planning Manager
Summary
In June of 2014, the City Council adopted a neighborhood meeting policy which requires an
applicant for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), a Planned Unit Development (PUD), a subdivision,
or a rezoning to hold a meeting with property owners within 500 feet of the subject property to
discuss the application.
Over the last year, staff has observed these meetings and has some concerns regarding their
effectiveness. In general, while developers may receive feedback from residents regarding their
proposals, they are under no obligation to adjust their application or to respond to the comments
they receive. This is especially true of subdivision and conditional use applications, which typically
require approval if the minimum requirements are met, regardless of the input from outside
parties.
In fact, staff has observed that residents are more likely to be upset regarding a project if they
feel their concerns were heard but not taken into account by the developer or the City. This
results in a frustration surrounding having invested time and effort to make a proposal better,
only to see their efforts "wasted."
Staff has contemplated reserving the neighborhood meeting requirement for applications in
which the City, and therefore residents, have greater flexibility to demand modifications -
specifically, for PUDs. In the other cases, it may be sufficient to require the applicant to mail basic
information regarding the project to neighboring property owners, but to reserve the
opportunity for dialogue for the public hearing itself.
Staff is looking for feedback and direction regarding the current neighborhood meeting policy so
that any adjustments can be made in advance of future applications.
city of
olden MEMORANDUM
valley Physical Development Department
763-593-8095/763-593-8109(fax)
Executive Summary
Golden Valley Council/Manager Meeting
September 8, 2015
Agenda Item
4. Storage of Dealership Vehicles in 1-394 Mixed Use Zoning District
Prepared By
Emily Goellner, Associate Planner/Grant Writer
Melissa Sonnek, Planning Intern
Summary
City Planning staff has received notice from other staff members as well as from members of the
public regarding the improper storage of dealership cars offsite in parking lots owned by other
businesses.
The growing presence of car dealerships along the 1-394 Mixed Use Corridor has become
apparent and it is potentially undesirable as underutilized sites in this district redevelop. While
owners of smaller properties may be able to benefit from the additional income gained by
renting unused parking stalls, it delays the likely redevelopment of underutilized parcels. The
1-394 Mixed Use Corridor Study was adopted into the Comprehensive Plan in December, 2007. It
is important to take into account the City's zoning code only allows for excess parking in
specifically permitted uses with the appropriate screening and other accommodations.
City staff has already identified several lots and businesses that are in violations of the previously
mentioned zoning requirements with some lots storing upwards of 30 dealership cars. Areas that
have been identified in the 1-394 Corridor include:
- Between Pennsylvania Avenue, Rhode Island Avenue, Laurel Avenue, and Wayzata
Boulevard (Morrie's)
- Corner of Laurel Avenue and Louisiana Avenue (Lupient/Motorwerks)
- 7500 Wayzata Avenue (Morrie's)
- Westwood Lake Office ramp (Luther)
- Golden Hills Office Center ramp (Luther)
Staff is looking to Council for direction on how to proceed in either working to have these cars
removed or revising the Zoning Code to allow them to remain with mitigation such as screening.
Attachments
• Map of Car Dealerships and Overflow Lots in 1-394 Corridor (1 page)
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city of v ;
golden , MEMORANDUM
valley Administrative Services Department
763-593-8013/763-593-3969 (fax)
Executive Summary
Golden Valley Council/Manager Meeting
September 8, 2015
Agenda Item
5. 2016-2017 Other Funds Budget and Portions of 2016-2020 Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Prepared By
Sue Virnig, Finance Director
Summary
At the September 8 Council/Manager meeting, Council will be reviewing the following budgets
and CIP:
- Brookview Golf Course Fund (Enterprise) and CIP 2016-2020
- Human Services Fund (Special Revenue)
- Water and Sewer Utility Fund (Enterprise) and CIP 2016-2020
- Conservation/Recycling Fund (Enterprise)
- Storm Sewer Fund (Enterprise) and CIP 2016-2020
- Vehicle Maintenance Fund (Internal Service)
- Motor Vehicle Licensing Fund (Enterprise)
Appropriate staff will be in attendance to discuss the proposed budgets.
Attachments
• Bring your 2016-2017 Other Funds Budget including sections of the CIP (previously delivered)
city of
golden MEMORANDUM
va11e� City Administration Council
763-593-8003 /763-593-8109 (fax)
Executive Summary
Golden Valley Council/Manager Meeting
September 8, 2015
Agenda Item
6. Board/Commission Interviews
Prepared By
Judy Nally, Administrative Assistant
Summary
Since there is a Council Quarterly Review Session scheduled on September 8 at 5:30 pm and a
Special HRA meeting on Wednesday, September 16 at 5:45 pm no board/commission interviews
have been set-up. At the Council/Manager meeting be prepared to discuss setting interview
date(s). There are vacancies on the Human Services Fund (3), Open Space and Recreation
Commission (1) and Human Rights Commission (1). There are nine candidates to interview.