Loading...
07-23-18 PC Minutes Regular Meeting of the Golden Valley Planning Commission July 23, 2018 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, July 23, 2018. Chair Baker called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm. Those present were Planning Commissioners Baker, Black, Blum, Brookins, and Pockl. Also present were Planning Manager Jason Zimmerman, Planning Intern Amy Morgan, and Administrative Assistant Lisa Wittman. Commissioners Angell, Johnson, and Segelbaum were absent. 1. Approval of Minutes July 9, 2018, Regular Planning Commission Meeting Black noted that the date was missing from the first paragraph. MOVED by Brookins, seconded by Blum and motion carried unanimously to approve the July 9, 2018, minutes with the above noted correction. 2. Discussion — Future Land Use Map Zimmerman stated that the City Manager would like the Planning Commission to review the proposed Future Land Use Map again to make sure they are comfortable with it going forward. He referred to the Map and said there are five areas that he would like the Commission to focus on. The first area Zimmerman discussed is the MnDOT and State Highway Patrol site at Duluth Street and Highway 100. He stated that the proposed Future Land Use Map has this property guided for mixed use. He explained that the property owners are preparing a master plan to improve the site and have said they are not intending on leaving so staff is proposing to re-guide the property to match the current use instead of guiding it Mixed Use. Baker questioned the access to the green area on the southwest corner of the site. Zimmerman stated that there is an office building located on that corner, but that there is an existing trail and public access to the green space. Blum stated that he has been in this facility and that it is used mostly for storage for vehicles. He said he agrees that there is a lot of potential for this site and is happy they are preparing a master plan to improve it. Brookins asked what uses could occur at this site based on the current zoning. Zimmerman stated that it would probably be zoned for a civic use and that a PUD could be needed as a part of their master plan. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission July 23, 2018 Page 2 Baker asked if a PUD would constrain them from selling off part of the property. Zimmerman said no, but there would need to be a PUD amendment done if that happened. The next area Zimmerman discussed is the corner of Golden Valley Road and Lilac Drive. He stated that there is still an applicant considering a senior living facility for these properties and added that the applicant's proposal will be amended to include fewer units and less height/massing. Black asked if the recommendation is to guide these properties Low Density Residential. Zimmerman said yes, staff is recommending that the properties remain Low Density. The next area Zimmerman discussed is the northeast corner of Golden Valley Road and Douglas Drive. He stated that staff is not suggesting a change for this corner and that the vision for the area is the same, he is just looking for confirmation that it should remain guided for high density residential and if that is the right use of this corner. Baker asked if anyone has expressed concerns about this corner being designated for high density residential. Zimmerman stated that during the last Comp Plan update is was guided and rezoned to High Density Residential and some residents were opposed to that so the properties were rezoned to Medium Density. Blum asked about the properties to the north of these. Zimmerman stated that the apartments and condos are staying. Baker asked if High Density Residential fits with the Douglas Drive Study. Zimmerman said yes, it is consistent with the Douglas Drive Study to guide these properties High Density Residential. Baker asked if public access along the creek is something that could be included with these properties. Zimmerman said yes because any development done here would probably require a PUD so there could be opportunities to include access along the creek. Brookins said he is concerned that the parcels might not get developed if they are guided High Density Residential. Zimmerman noted the Medium Density might not work, but higher density encourages development in some ways. The next area Zimmerman discussed is the southeast corner of Winnetka Avenue and Highway 55. He stated that the area is currently guided Low Density Residential and that the proposed Future Land Use Map guides it Medium Density Residential. He stated that there is the challenge of many separate property owners and there is concern about traffic among other things. He added that Medium Density would allow for a senior living facility and that a higher density use might be too much for some neighbors, but leaving it R-1, Low Density would be a disservice. Baker asked how to go about building consensus about something being developed here. Zimmerman stated that a developer would build the narrative because the City isn't Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission July 23, 2018 Page 3 proposing a project, but rather saying what the appropriate land use would be and helping address concerns. Blum asked if the HRA could engage in buying the parcels to make a larger development and market it that way. Zimmerman noted that the City owns one of the lots, but the Golden Valley HRA does not have a levy like some other cities do. Baker said he thinks the City needs to be more active with this development. He asked if the parcels involved are owner occupied or if they are rentals. Zimmerman said there are some rental properties, but most of them are owner occupied. Zimmerman asked the Commissioners how they feel about guiding these properties Medium Density and added that he'd rather be more conservative about the density rather than allowing for higher density right away. Brookins said he sees High Density as a better option. Baker said starting with Medium Density and going to High Density might seem incremental and he doesn't want it to look like the City is playing games. Zimmerman added that if these properties are rezoned to R-4 a developer could build an apartment building without any affordable housing because they wouldn't need to apply for a rezoning which would trigger the affordable housing requirements. Brookins reiterated that he thinks this area should be high density especially with the amenities across Highway 55. Blum agreed and noted that when high density development has been discussed in the past they've talked about putting it on busier streets, highways, or major road intersections. Baker agreed that there are a lot of good reasons to zone these properties R-4. Zimmerman noted that if the intersection can't handle the traffic of a high density development that might bring the density of a development down and naturally solve some of issues. Blum referred to the area by Wally Street to the west and said that is another island of single family homes surrounded by more industrial type uses and questioned if that area should also be designated for higher density. Zimmerman stated that one of the big challenges in that area is that there is only one entrance into the neighborhood off of General Mills Blvd. Baker said he is supportive of higher density at the corner of Winnetka and Highway 55. Black asked if the City envisions higher density at this location. Zimmerman said yes, the City envisions some sort of higher density, but a traffic study will show better what type of use would work here. Pockl said she agrees with High Density Residential in this area and asked if there is a way to envelope the homes to the east across the street to Rhode Island Avenue. Zimmerman stated that the homes on Rhode Island Avenue are all brand new. The last area Zimmerman discussed was the properties on the west side of Winnetka Avenue south of Medicine Lake Road. He stated that the properties he is referring to are currently an office and a single family home. He said that there is not a demand for office in this area and the owner thinks a commercial use might be better. The neighborhood did not like the idea of a commercial use is this area and staff thinks Medium Density Residential might work here. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission July 23, 2018 Page 4 Black said it looks like a great spot for townhomes. Zimmerman agreed that townhomes or a two or three story apartment building could work. He added that the owner is interested in developing a multi-family development. Brookins asked about the right-of-way property near Turners Crossroad and Highway 100. Zimmerman stated that the plan for that property is to engage the residents in the area about some sort of R-2 or R-3 residential use. Baker asked how many lots would be possible in this right-of-way area. Zimmerman said it is hard to say because it is an odd shape. He added that a PUD would probably be needed to develop some sort of small multi-family building. Zimmerman stated that the public comment period for the Comp Plan Update has ended and that staff will be going through the comments and summarizing them all over the next few months. 3. Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City Council, Board of Zoning Appeals and other Meetings No other meetings were discussed. 4. Other Business Zimmerman referred to topics that the Planning Commissioners have brought up in the past and would like to discuss. These topics include: • Sunset provisions for grandfathered (existing) non-conformities • Planning Commission education of capital projects or other proposals/designs related to the Comprehensive Plan. The Commission would be more effective by being better informed of all planning with respect to: 1. Bicycle facilities and sidewalks 2. Roads and traffic improvements 3. Infrastructure — Sewer 4. Infrastructure —Water • Affordable Housing initiatives • Drones • Overlay districts • Identifying and discussing transit bottlenecks in the city Baker said he would like to discuss the City being more deliberate and assertive in green, sustainable, and alternative energy codes. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission July 23, 2018 Page 5 Zimmerman asked the Commissioners if they are interested in leading a discussion or presenting information on any of the topics. Blum said he thinks a drone ordinance could be useful but he would like to know if there is interest from staff first. He said discussing overlay districts is of greater interest to him and that he would like to focus on that. Zimmerman said he would do some research, gather information and bring it back to the Planning Commission in the future. Zimmerman gave an update of the recent ULI workshop which studied the downtown area and said he would share their recommendations with the Commission when they are available. • Council Liaison Report Schmidgall referred to the ULI workshop and said he was impressed with some of the drawings that were done and some of the ideas that they have come up with. Blum asked about the most compelling thing ULI showed the City. Schmidgall stated that their plans included going all the way to Lewis Road on the east which he figured wouldn't be included. � Schmidgall stated the City has officially kicked off the Lime bike program and said it should be fun to be a part of this program. Black stated that this would be his last Planning Commission meeting. The Commission thanked Black for his service and wished him good luck. 5. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 pm � �- V�I Ron Blum, Secretary Lis Wittman, Administrative Assistant