05-15-97 CC Special Meeting Minutes unsigned Special Meeting
of the
City Council
May 15, 1997
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a special meeting of the City Council of the City of
Golden Valley, Hennepin County, Minnesota was held at 7800 Golden Valley Road in said
City on May 15, 1997 at 6:30 p.m.
The following members were present: Anderson, Johnson, LeSuer, Micks (arrived at 7:09
p.m.) and Russell. Also present were: William Joynes, City Manager; Fred Salsbury,
Director of Public Works; Allen Barnard, City Attorney; and Judy Nally, Administrative
Secretary.
*Letters and Petitions Regarding Hidden Lakes Development
MOVED by Russell, seconded by Johnson and motion carried unanimously to receive and
file the letters and petitions regarding the Hidden Lakes Development as follows: petition
and letter from Glen Helgeson and Cori Ofstead, dated April 30, 1997; letter from Michael
Lawson, dated April 15, 1997; letter from Marvin Ray Erickson, dated April 15,1997; letter
from Linda Rawson, dated April 15,1997; letter from Ronald Oren, dated April 15, 1997;
letter from Eleanore Gibson, received April 30, 1997; letter from Karen Boehne, dated April
15, 1997; letter from Jack Lundquist, received April 11, 1997; letter from Mary and Ed
Raker, dated April 29, 1997; letter from Richard and Kay Tyrrell, dated May 13, 1997; and
letter from Frances Slane, dated May 15, 1997.
Continued Public Hearing - Preliminary Design Plan A�proval - PUD #74 - Hidden Lakes
Development
Mayor Anderson introduced the agenda item. Allen Barnard reviewed the approval
process for development of a planned unit development.
Robert Schmidt and John Shardlow reviewed the preliminary design plan and were
available to answer questions from the Council.
Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development, presented the staff report and was
available to answer questions from the Council.
Warren Kapsner, Planning Commission representative, presented the Commission's
report.
Linda Loomis, Open Space and Recreation Commission representative, presented the
Commission's report.
Mayor Anderson presented the Human Rights Commission report.
Special Meeting of the City Council
May 15, 1997
Page 2
Continued Public Hearing - Preliminary Design Plan Approval - PUD #74 - Hidden Lakes
Development
The Mayor opened the meeting for public input and persons present to do so were afforded
the opportunity to express their views thereon.
Jane McDonald Black - 924 Adeline Lane, she wanted to clarify that there is public access
to Sweeney Lake and there has been for over 20 years, stated she originally opposed the
development but now thinks the positives of this development outweigh the negatives,
feels there will be a major positive social impact on this part of the City if the development
is built, feels it would help clean up the beach, make the Minneapolis park more usable and
safe.
Laura Knutson, 1250 Angelo Drive, feels that some people don't want the peninsula
developed because it will interFere with their view, that they will have to look at houses,
some people want to bring their canoe to Twin Lake and use the peninsula for their own
private park, and some like to swim nude, asked what the objectors of the development of
the peninsula are really after, wants the Council to consider all of the citizens in Golden
Valley when they cast their vote.
Karen Bainy, 1735 Toldeo Avenue North, feels what the developer wants to do is not
affecting the park land whatsoever, with this development going in it will provide a trail
access for her to walk, and he should be given the chance to build his project, she sees the
additional taxes for the City and School District, feels this development will cause the least
amount of traffic impact considering what else could of been built on the site.
Terry Brashear, 2100 Garfield Avenue South, Board of Directors Member of the Audobon
Chapter, representing people who live in Golden Valley, doesn't see any environmental
enhancements that will increase the amount of runoff into the lake and water quality, feels
that places like this are few and far between.
Dean Zimmerman, 2416 17t" Avenue South, Minneapolis Park Board Member, speaking as
a citizen stated that Twin Lake is the cleanest lake in park system, feels it is a step
backwards if development is permitted right on the lakeshore, felt in general it is a good
projec, good for city and school district, except for development of the peninsula.
Sigred Legred, 1610 Yosemite Avenue North, thinks the Council should think of the total
enjoyment of a lot of people, not just a few, not opposed to development on the hill, but the
other area should be left for the enjoyment of all.
Special Meeting of the City Council
May 15, 1997
Page 3
Continued Public Hearing - Preliminary Design Plan Approval - PUD #74 - Hidden Lakes
Development
Jim Simpson, 1815 Major Drive, wants to make sure the development is environmentally
sound, showed photo of the peninsula in the winter and the natural springs that melt the ice
in early spring, and questioned the environmental soundness of development of the
peninsula, and doesn't understand how a house would fit on the peninsula.
Chuck Erickson, 4110 Golden Valley Road, feels this is two projects instead of one, the
upper development which he welcomes and the lower peninsula development which he is
opposed to as it requires variances to develop, feels there is no hardship basis for the
granting of a variance to build on the peninsula and it is just a business investment.
Corey Austed, 1241 Toledo Avenue North, submitted additional signatures to be added to
the petition included in the agenda packet, and reviewed the process used to obtain the
signatures, showed a map of the City which shows who signed the petition and stated that
most of the people who signed the petition don't live on the lake, and they feel that
development of the peninsula is a community issue.
Jeff Hazen, 9325 Nesbit Road, Bloomington, Vice Chair Pentel, Sierra Club, Northstar
Chapter, representing members of the Club, and some of which live in Golden Valley, says
the reason so many people are here tonight is that there are so very few sites left where
development hasn't occurred, feels the area should be preserved, enhanced and
protected.
John Rajkowski, 7811 Western Avenue, feels this was a good idea for the City, this project
has been approved by city staff and various other governmental bodies, and feels there is
no concrete reason to deny the project.
Dave Minikus, 6300 Phoenix Street, owns vacant lot at 1919 Kyle Place, plans to build a
house there at some time in the future and looks forward to the Hidden Lakes
development.
Glen Helgeson, 1241 Toledo Avenue North, distributed copies of the shoreline regulations
and reviewed some of the regulations, stated he and others measured the width of the
peninsula and found some inaccuracies in the map provided by the developer, expressed
concern over grading of the site, removal of trees, clearing of the bluffs and peninsula and
feels the peninsula and bluff should be declared a protected area, the peninsula width is
too narrow, slope is too steep, soil unsuitable, water table too high, asked about future
variances by homeowners, and feels the bluff/peninsula area is too environmentally
sensitive and should not be developed.
Special Meeting of the City Council
May 15, 1997
Page 4
CQntinued Public Hearing - Preliminary Design Plan Approval - PUD #74 - Hidden Lakes
Development
Judy Merrick-Lockett, 931 Angelo Drive, expressed concern over the loss of other natural
areas within the city, has no problem with upper site development, but opposes
development of the peninsula.
Nancy Berg, 920 Angelo Drive, feels the Council should make the responsible decision and
then make the necessary compromises, in favor in general of this project but opposes
development of the peninsula, feels the tax increment should be used to condemn and
purchase the peninsula.
Steve Korzenowski, 1614 Wilson Avenue North, feels the development is unsound, feels it
will effect the land values around the site, feels it will destroy the ecological balance of the
lakes, and will set a bad precedent, against the best interests of the community.
Randy Martinanacco, 4846 Golden Valley Road, expressed concern over the traffic impact
on Golden Valley Road, there are times now in the morning and afternoon when he can't
get out of his driveway, adding additional traffic will make it worse, what about the
possibility of routing some of the traffic on to Highway 55.
Jim McNulty, 400 2"d Avenue South, Hopkins, President of a family construction company
who has built homes from the 1950's to the 1970's , and hopes to be involved in building
homes in the proposed development and wants to speak on behalf of the development and
does this as a business and his company does environmental sensitive issues and feels
they will be developed in a responsible way, feels the homes are needed and a good use
of the land.
Jeff Peters, 3439 Bryan Avenue North, feels the issue is water quality and the
environment around Twin Lake, asked if the developer can guarantee no water and
environmental degradation, is responsible if the water quality is affected and if there are
any plans to handle it if it happens.
Rob DeVolve, 9110 Golden Valley Road, feels additional information is needed before
approval of the development of the peninsula is granted, feels a new grading plan is
warranted as the new measurements should show the location of the road has changed,
the elevations at some points vary by sometimes as much as 5' and this will effect the
installation of the driveways and the grading of the lots, that there is a smaller buildable
area, and the road doesn't meet the 50 foot setback requirements.
Special Meeting of the City Council
May 15, 1997
Page 5
Continued Public Hearina - Preliminary Design Plan Approval - PUD #74 - Hidden Lakes
Development
Joan Johnson, 5111 Thotland Road, feels the peninsula is a delicate piece of property,
feels the developer knew when he bought the land they would need variances, doesn't
object to development of the old hospital site but does object to development of the
peninsula.
Joyce Lilja, 435 Golden Valley Road, expressed concern over additional traffic, noise and
air pollution on Golden Valley Road.
Bob Mattison, 1120 Angelo Drive, does support development of the site, except for the
peninsula, expressed concern over the soil conditions on the peninsula, feels the soil is
unsuitable for development, expressed concern over high water table, construction of a
new bridge, and adequate lift stations.
Mary Adair, 505 Janalyn Circle, in favor of not developing the peninsula, feels that if we
lose that area we will never get it back, feels if development of the peninsula was going to
house alot of people it might be worth it, but not for 8 homes, and feels that leaving the
peninsula a natural wild area would enhance the upper development of the site.
Jerry Secord, 2801 Major Avenue North, would like to be able to get access to Twin Lake
to canoe.
Kermit Witt, 1445 Spring Valley Road, feels Twin Lake is unique because of the clean
water and resembles the BWCA, and feels the peninsula should not be developed because
of its scenic beauty and homes to a lot of animals.
Vicki Lee Newman, 3439 Bryant Avenue North, asked if the Minneapolis Park Board has
been asked for a comment on the plans to connect to the Park trails in Minneapolis, and is
opposed to development of the peninsula.
Steve Mully, 1410 Spring Valley Road, feels the peninsula should not be developed and
feels once you change the area - you change it forever, and feels the City should make it a
park.
Tim Harris, 1416 Aquila Avenue North, in favor of development of the site.
Ray Meinhard, 1121 Wills Place, feels the peninsula should not be developed, has
watched red fox, deer, beaver, raccoon, feels it is a precious area for nature, and if any
development is done it should be done with loving care.
Special Meeting of the City Council
May 15, 1997
Page 6
Continued Public Hearing - Preliminary Design Plan Approval - PUD #74 - Hidden Lakes
Development
David Fellman, 1540 St. Croix Avenue, feels the entire dumpsite should be tested, and
reviewed the variances required for the development of the site.
Hugh Maynard, 1420 Spring Valley Road, feels that this is really two projects, feels the
upper part of the development should be governed by the planned unit development
regulations and the rest of the project should be developed under the single family
subdivision guidelines.
Don Paquette, 2008 Aquila Avenue North, feels the developer doesn't own Twin or
Sweeney Lake and doesn't have the right to pollute the lakes, expressed concern over the
soil conditions, the saleability of the homes, where the homes will be built considering the
soil conditions and asked if we are burdening future tax payers.
Sharon Mattison, 1120 Angelo Drive, asked if the City received anything in writing from the
Minneapolis Park Board about its approval or disapproval of the trail system through Wirth
Park, asked how this development will impact the property taxes for the surrounding
neighborhood and city, will houses be valued higher, will the taxes be lowered.
Bill Flannary, 6737 Olympia Street, feels that many of the citizens of the City support the
project.
Faith Woodman, 1420 Spring Valley Road, stated she is not opposed to the homes on the
old hospital site, but feels the peninsula is unbuildable and feels the developer should
dedicate the peninsula as open space, supports the Open Space and Recreation
Commission recommendation.
Irwin Schaffer, 1240 Angelo Drive, against development of the peninsula.
Mike Steward, 1915 Hillsboro Avenue North, excited and in favor of the project, feels it is
great for the area and community,.
Greg Webster, 1250 Angelo Drive, approved of the development of the peninsula as he will
be able to use the park path.
Blair Tremere, 2305 Lee Avenue North, feels the community should approach this
development as a positive not a negative, and the Council should consider the project as a
whole when considering this project.
Special Meeting of the City Council
May 15, 1997
Page 7
Continued Public Hearing - Preliminarv Design Plan A�proval - PUD #74 - Hidden Lakes
Development
Rosemary Mars, 4840 Markay Ridge, asked about the possiblity of diverting the traffic to
Highway 55 instead of Golden Valley Road.
The Mayor closed the public hearing.
Mayor Anderson reviewed the process for the special meeting scheduled for June 2, 1997.
MOVED by LeSuer, seconded by Johnson and motion carried unanimously to continue the
meeting to June 2, 1997 at 6:30 p.m.
Ad�ournment �
MOVED by Russell, seconded by Johnson and motion carried unanimously to adjourn the
meeting at 11:24 p.m.
Mary E. Anderson, Mayor
ATTEST:
Judy Nally, Administrative Secretary