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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 7, 2003PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 7, 2003 7:00 PM The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Commission Chair, Tom Ramsdell. Roll Call: Commission Members present-Yehle, Schmitt, and Ramsdell. New Commission members will be appointed by the City Council as soon as interviews are completed, and action can be taken. Also present were Tim Johnson (City Planner), Shelley Hanson (Secretary), and Tami Ericson (Council Liaison). Motion byYehle, second by Schmitt, to approve the minutes from the meeting of December 3, 2002. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. PUBLIC HEARINGS None NEW BUSINESS ELECTION OF OFFICERS-- Motion by Yehle, second by Schmitt to nominate Ramsdell as Chairperson for 2003. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. PROPOSED SALE OF PROPERTY AT 3929 CAL~ORNIA ST-- The now vacant City-owned property at 3929 California St. has been proposed for potential industrial development after it is sold to Gleim Stauffacher who owns Profile Tool and Engineering currently located at 3825 3~d St NE. The piece of property is zoned Industrial and it has been determined that the highest and best use of the property would be to develop it as light industrial. MN statute 462.356 requires that if a City has a Comprehensive Plan, it must notify the Planning Commission of the intent to purchase or sell land. The City Comprehensive Plan designates this property for parkland use, but the Planning Commission, Park & Recreation Commission and the City Council have all recommended to remove the park designation for this parcel. The City Comprehensive Plan also indicates that the loss of this'parcel will not have a detrimental impact on the future park system. The City has submitted a future land use change to the Metropolitan Council that would change the furore status from parkland to industrial in anticipation of the proposed sale and development of this parcel. According to phone conversations with the Met Council, Planner Johnson expects this change to be approved, without any problems. PLANNING & ZONING MINUTES MEETING OF JANUARY 7, 2003 PAGE 2 Motion by Ramsdell, second by Yehle, to support the action of the Columbia Heights Council to sell the property at 3929 California Street NE, as it is consistent with the City Comprehensive Plan. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. PARK DEDICATION-- Planner Johnson explained that in 2002, the Planning & Zoning Commission and the City Council granted approvals for Parkside Village, a 25-unit market rate townhome subdivision adjacent to Sullivan Lake. In the process the Park dedication issue was discussed, and a decision was made to require $750 per unit for park dedication fees. Staffis requesting the Planning Commission review the current ordinance as it relates to park dedication and to compare other cities requirements in the Twin Cities area. The current ordinance language in 9.1403; Section 14: Subdivision Regulations: Page 14-7 creates some confusion over interpretations of what 'estimate of improvements' means. Planner Johnson provided the park dedications fees of several surrounding cities and noted that the fees vary tremendously. Staff would like to see a consistent and fair amount set for both residential and commercial/industrial development and re-development projects. There was discussion regarding the fees for Residential Development. It was noted that some cities charge different fees for Residential based on whether they are single family homes, duplexes, apartments, or townhouses. Planner Johnson was asked when the comparable cities had passed their park dedication fees. The Commission members noted that the fees could akeady be outdated if established too long ago. He stated he did not know the dates that each city adopted these fees. After considering the comparisons supplied, it was the general consensus that $750/unit would be a fair fee and would be consistent with the fees being charged by New Brighton and Fridley, the cities closest to us. The Commission then discussed how Park Dedication fees should be established for Commercial/Industrial properties. Some cities charge a set fee per acre, and others charge a percentage of the market value of the unimproved land. The Commission members were concerned that a fair amount be set, so as not to turn away potential developers. The Commission felt that $2500/acre would be a fair amount compared to other cities. Councilmember Williams was present at the meeting and stated he thought that figure was too low. He felt something in the $6,000/acre range would be more equitable. He explained that based on current land values, if you went by a percent basis of the land value (5%), as some of the cities do, the amount would be closer to the $6,000 figure. As land values increase, using a percent basis would allow for increases of the fees without having to amend the Ordinance, as would be needed if a set fee is established. PLANNING & ZONING MINUTES MEETING OF JANUARY 7, 2003 PAGE 3 Community Development Director, Bob Streetar, questioned at what point the value of the land is determined. Is it before a property is purchased, after razing existing improvements, or after it is re-developed? Placing a value on property can be arbitrary, and the value could be different at each stage, therefore, language needs to established that will be clear in the amendment. Taking the comments into consideration, staff will draft an amendment to the current Ordinance and will bring it to the Commission in February for consideration. MISCELLANEOUS Councilmember Williams asked the Commission if they could possibly get involved in encouraging the sale of several properties within Columbia Heights that are currently unbuildable for various reasons. He would like to see that neighboring properties are offered these parcels so the City no longer has to maintain them, and they get back on the tax rolls. Staff will need to follow up on this and establish a list of the parcels before any action can be taken. Motion by Yehle, second by Schmitt, to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 pm. All Ayes. Respectfully submitted, Secretary