01-18-18 PC Minutes - Comp Plan Special Meeting of the
Golden Valley Planning Commission
January 8, 2018
A special meeting of the Planning Commission was held at the Golden Valley City Hall,
Council Conference Room, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota, on
Monday, January 8, 2018. Chair Baker called the meeting to order at 7 pm.
Those present were Planning Commissioners Baker, Black, Blenker, Blum, Johnson,
Segelbaum, and Waldhauser. Also present were Council Member Rosenquist, Planning
Manager Jason Zimmerman, Associate Planner/Grant Writer Emily Goellner, and Jay
Demma and Mike Lamb representing the consulting team for Hennepin County
Community Works. Commissioner Brookins was absent.
1. Hennepin County Community Works — TOD Zoning Study Update
Zimmerman introduced Demma and Lamb and gave a brief background of the work being
done in association with the METRO Blue Line Extension project for Hennepin County
Community Works.
Demma introduced the TOD Zoning Study and provided some of the highlights of the
work completed to date with respect to drafting zoning tools for use in the Golden Valley
Road station area. Segelbaum asked about the timing of producing new zoning language.
Baker said it needed to be coordinated with the adoption of the new Comprehensive Plan.
Zimmerman said it would likely follow the Comp Plan update by no more than nine
months.
Blum asked about the target density for a redevelopment site in the station area. Demma
replied that the Metropolitan Council's requirements are for 25 units per acre but higher
densities are encouraged. Baker asked about the feasibility of development and if
commercial uses would be supported. Zimmerman replied that a Commercial Market
Study was being conducted as part of the consultant's work and that this question would
be addressed.
Black asked about the current net density of the station area once parks and open space
were subtracted. Demma said the report would provide that information.
Demma said the next steps would be to conduct a workshop with staff and then to meet
again with the Planning Commission and City Council. Rosenquist cautioned that the
neighborhoods around the Golden Valley Road station had been very engaged in past
discussions and wanted to be sure that this process would be sensitive to their concerns.
2. Comp Plan Work Session — Housing
Goellner introduced the Housing chapter and pointed out some of the main points in the
updated chapter, including new themes of affordable housing preservation,
accommodation of senior housing, and greater energy efficiency. She stated that the
2040 plan has been drafted to be much more forward thinking compared to the 2030 plan,
Special Meeting of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
January 8, 2018
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which was focused on preservation of the existing housing stock. Although there is
market demand for many types of housing in Golden Valley, there is not enough space to
build it all so the City will need to choose where it wants to focus.
Segelbaum asked how the Commission should attempt to balance all of the competing
goals. Baker said he thought it was important to be specific about priorities and then
understand what you are willing to forego. Johnson pointed out that in addition to
limitations associated with land and resources, there are also limitations in City services
and staff.
Johnson said he was surprised by the high percentage of homes in Golden Valley that
are cost burdened. Segelbaum supported the plan to establish regular staff meetings to
discuss housing issues. Baker wondered if"disinvested" or vacant properties are a
concern. Zimmerman outlined the process that the City uses to address property
maintenance issues, including the use of Administrative Citations. Waldhauser wondered
if utility use tracking could be used to help determine when a home is vacant.
Blum asked if there could be more transparency regarding resident complaints about
these properties and attempts to have them resolved. He said he believes it should be
possible for the City to provide information about specific addresses. Baker agreed that
the City should follow the law with respect to releasing data, but also wanted staff to
protect the privacy of individuals when possible.
Segelbaum asked if the goals and objectives were too aggressive and if the City could
accomplish them all. Goellner replied that there was a fair amount of pressure to take
immediate action, particularly on affordable housing. Waldhauser asked if it would be
possible to quantify some of the costs associated with the actions.
Blum referred to the on-line questions posed as part of the Comp Plan process and
reminded the Commission that being "green," clean, safe, and multi-modal were all
priorities. Baker cautioned that on-line surveys can be biased and should not be taken as
a representation of the entire community. Johnson asked if sustainability could also
include economic equity.
Black asked if the goals were being written in a way that they could be used to deny a
proposed PUD or TIF district if the City did not feel they were appropriate, or if they were
too vague.
Blum asked if the City really was interested in researching Accessory Dwelling Units or if
this had already been discussed and rejected. Zimmerman reminded the Commission
that a recent zoning text amendment prohibiting accessory units was specific to
Temporary Health Care Dwellings as defined by the State. The Commission agreed that
language in the implementation plan about accessory dwelling units should be clarified.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 pm.
Special Meeting of the Golden Valley Planr�ing C�mmission
January 8, 2018
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Ro um, ecretary Lisa Wittman, Administrative Assistant