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09-12-16 PC Minutes Regular Meeting of the Golden Valley Planning Commission September 12, 2016 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, September 12, 2016. Chair Segelbaum called the meeting to order at 7 pm. Those present were Planning Commissioners Baker, Blum, Johnson, Kluchka, Segelbaum, and Waldhauser. Also present were Planning Manager Jason Zimmerman, Associate Planner/Grant Writer Emily Goellner, Public Works Specialist Eric Eckman, and Administrative Assistant Lisa Wittman. 1. Approval of Minutes August 22, 2016, Regular Planning Commission Meeting MOVED by Kluchka, seconded by Johnson and motion carried unanimously to approve the August 22, 2016, minutes as submitted. 2. Informal Public Hearing —Zoning Code Text Amendment— Section 11.60: Floodplain Management Zoning Overlay District—ZO00-108 Applicant: City of Golden Valley Purpose: To consider updates to the Floodplain Management Zoning Overlay District. Eckman stated that the City has a floodplain management code that guides and regulates the orderly development of land within the floodplain of Bassett Creek and its tributaries. He stated that the code needs to be updated as a requirement of the City's participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. Eckman explained that the code includes an official flood zone map and profile consisting of the Flood Insurance Rate Map panels and Flood Insurance Study provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA requires that the City update its floodplain management code whenever the flood zone maps and profiles are updated which occurs approximately every 10 to 15 years. Eckman referred to a map of the flood boundaries in Golden Valley and discussed what the floodplain looks like when there is a 1% annual chance flood which means there is a 1% chance in any given year where there might be inundation equal to or exceeding what is shown on the map. He added that properties in that area are mandated to get flood insurance. Eckman noted that there are no significant changes and that the Bassett Creek Watershed map boundaries and flood elevations are roughly the same as the existing map. He stated that no new properties have been added to the 1% annual chance flood areas, but that there were some new properties added to the .2% annual chance flood Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission September 12, 2016 Page 2 area, which will not require flood insurance. He stated that even though there are no significant changes staff will be sending a letter to adjacent property owners to make sure they are aware and have advanced warning if they need flood insurance. Baker asked if the new floodplain map will be on the City's website. Eckman said the map is not currently on the City's website, but it will be once it becomes effective. He added that the DNR, the City Attorney, and the Bassett Creek Watershed Commission have reviewed the proposed revised ordinance and that the proposed changes will be consistent with Watershed policies. Segelbaum asked Eckman to highlight some of the more significant changes. Eckman stated that the spirit and intent of the Code remain the same. However, several definitions were added, deleted, or modified as recommended by the DNR. Revisions were made to reflect the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission's policies regarding "no net loss in floodplain storage" and "no increase in floodplain elevations." Provisions were added allowing non-residential parking lots to be located in a floodplain area. Language was clarified to state that no new structures are allowed in the floodplain, and provisions were added to ensure that subdivisions and building sites within or near flood prone areas are suitable for development. Segelbaum asked if the Medicine Lake Road/Winnetka Avenue area is in the floodplain. Eckman said it is less than two square miles so it is not a large enough area to be in the federally mapped floodplain, which would require property owners to have flood insurance, but it is a known localized flooding area. He added that the requirement is two square miles of drainage. Baker asked Eckman if he knows how many homes are in the floodplain. Eckman said there are approximately 500 properties, including some public property, in the floodplain. Baker noted that there is a definition listed for the 1% annual chance flood, and questioned why there isn't a definition for the .2% annual chance flood. Eckman said staff will consider adding that definition. Kluchka asked if there is a version of the floodplain map showing what the floodplain used to be compared to what it will be. Eckman said staff can make the 2004 map and the current map available. He reiterated that the 1% annual chance flood boundary didn't change and that is where flood insurance is required. Kluchka referred to a survey done last year in the DeCola ponds area that caused confusion because it was done at the same time as the Liberty Crossing proposal. He asked about the communications plan for the floodplain map versus the survey information. Eckman said staff will be working with homeowners and sending letters to affected property owners. Baker questioned if the City should add the DeCola ponds area to the floodplain map. Eckman said that has been a discussion in the past, however property owners would then be required to purchase flood insurance which is Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission September 12, 2016 Page 3 quite expensive. Baker stated that building in floodplains is a chronic problem and he thinks it is in the public's interest to point out where these areas are. Segelbaum questioned why manufactured homes have been stricken from the proposed ordinance. Eckman said it was practical to remove that language because there are no manufactured homes in Golden Valley. Waldhauser stated that during public hearing for subdivision proposals the Planning Commission often hears from residents about water problems being aggravated and open space being taken away. She questioned if allowing commercial parking lots in the floodplain which can store water, but won't take water away, is a conflict. Eckman explained that there is a different section of City Code pertaining to stormwater for developments. Segelbaum opened the public hearing. Seeing and hearing no one wishing to comment, Segelbaum closed the public hearing. Kluchka said he thinks for the purpose of the overlay district itself the proposed changes are appropriate but he thinks there is value in having an overlay of properties where there are different requirements because the City knows there are properties in flood prone areas that are not on a floodplain map. Baker added that the City could also present other sources of information about other areas of concern. Kluchka said he is guessing that the City only studied the DeCola neighborhood because of the development in the area and that it hasn't studied other areas. Eckman clarified that the DeCola study was underway before development was proposed in the area, but agreed that the City could study other areas. He added that the Bassett Creek Watershed has been working on a watershed-wide model and that maps could be generated to assist in identifying areas that are at risk of flooding once the modeling effort is complete. Waldhauser stated that Golden Valley is fully developed so there is some danger and implications to property values if these maps are imposed on property owners. She added that the City should provide information for buyers, but it is really a buyer beware issue. Kluchka stated that providing additional data helps people make decisions and that he would rather have data on what is actually happening in an area rather than blaming developers or builders during the subdivision process. Baker suggested including a disclaimer in the letter to residents, or on the website stating that the floodplain map doesn't include all areas of the City that are prone to flooding. MOVED by Kluchka, seconded by Blum and motion carried unanimously to recommend approval of the proposed updates to the Floodplain Management Zoning Overlay District. --Short Recess-- Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission September 12, 2016 Page 4 3. Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City Council, Board of Zoning Appeals and other Meetings Johnson gave an update on the August Board of Zoning Appeals meeting that he and Commissioner Kluchka attended. Zimmerman stated that staff will be working on producing an end of year summary of all the proposals/projects that have been reviewed. Kluchka asked if there are any updates regarding the Central Park West Art Task Force. Goellner said no and that she will probably have more information next month. Zimmerman gave an update on the Hello. Apartments and noted that the Three•Nine•Four Apartments have been renamed Talo Apartments and that demolition on the Mayfair apartments should start soon. 4. Other Business • Comprehensive Plan Land Use Discussion Zimmerman reminded the Commissioners that the Comprehensive Plan Kick-Off Open House will be held on September 19 from 6:30 to 8:30. He explained that in order to get feedback from the public at the open house, he would like to get the Commissioner's input regarding the Land Use Map and areas likely to change as part of the Comprehensive Plan Update process. He showed the Commissioners several different maps that included all of the areas identified previously by the Commission, areas where there could be additional residential intensity, areas that could include mixed use or retail nodes, areas that are misguided or may need to be revised, areas with unique land use ideas, and the common themes befinreen all of the Commissioners suggestions. Segelbaum stated that residents often get nervous when they see development in their area pointed out on a map. He suggested that staff call out what they think might happen in certain areas instead of just highlighting an area on the map. Zimmerman said staff could call out areas that are likely to change and be more specific about the potential changes. Baker stated that the map showing areas of likely change is awfully safe and that he would like to call out more areas that could potentially change. Zimmerman stated that during past comprehensive plan updates the City has had to accommodate growth and now some of the pressure is off because that growth has been accounted for with all of the recent apartment developments. Baker suggested asking people at the open house what they would like Golden Valley to look like in 10 years, or what they feel is missing, or have maps available that people can draw on. He also suggested asking people what kinds of changes in livability they would like to see as a way to get more input such as where they would like to see retail, or areas where they would like to see no change. Blum noted that a lot of the discussion so far has been around areas for more mixed use, or more development, but they haven't discussed character preservation. He said Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission September 12, 2016 Page 5 there has been a lot of frustration from people who want to preserve the character of their neighborhood. He suggested there be discussions about small area plans, or overlay districts, or other types of tools in order to get those ideas funded in a democratic way and paid for by the neighbors in particular areas and not by the entire city. Zimmerman stated that discussions haven't been about preserving neighborhood character partly because the last plan focused heavily on that. Waldhauser said she thinks it is important to address areas that they think will change or be enhanced that are not necessarily density driven. Blum stated that it is hard to determine if the City is hearing from a vocal minority or the majority, so he would like to focus on tools that could be implemented like neighborhood associations for example, or requiring a certain number of signatures to prove the majority of people want a proposed change, etc. Johnson said there might be something the City can display to show what happens when cities don't plan. Blum explained that he highlighted the Golden Valley Road corridor on the land use map because he is interested in corridor preservation for vehicles, bikes, bus lanes, etc. so people who live locally can use it without having to get on a highway. He stated that for transit, the first and last mile is important and he wants to make it easier for people not to use their cars. Waldhauser discussed missing east-west connections in the City. Blum noted that the Planning Commission has discussed gateway areas in the past and questioned what they want them to look like and how they can be visually appealing. Zimmerman asked what areas the Commission considers to be gateways and if they think that should include the edges of the City or major roads, etc. Waldhauser said Highway 55, Baker said I-394 and Theodore Wirth Park could be highlighted more. Blum suggested there be signage about what makes Golden Valley special. Kluchka suggested thinking about wayfinding and not just signs that say "you've entered Golden Valley." Zimmerman discussed the Metropolitan Council's projections and forecasts and explained the census information. Blum said it would be helpful to see some analytics and percentage changes rather than just numbers. Zimmerman agreed that knowing the types of housing would be helpful. Goellner showed the Commissioners the Comprehensive Plan Survey and the interactive Bicycle/Pedestrian map on the City's website and explained that it is another opportunity for people to provide input. Kluchka asked how those are being promoted. Zimmerman said there have been stories in the newsletter, postcards have been mailed out, and stories have been on the Northwest Community Television station. • Council Liaison Report No report was given. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission September 12, 2016 Page 6 5. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:49 pm. John Kluchka, Secretary Lisa Wittman, Administrative Assistant