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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 7, 2002PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING MAY 7, 2002 7:00 PM The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chairperson Ramsdell. Roll Call: Commission Members present-Ramsdell, Schmitt, Yehle, and Ericson. Commission member absent-Johnson Also present were Tim Johnson (City Planner) and Shelley Hanson (Secretary). Motion by Yehle, second by EricSon, to approve the minutes from the meeting of April 2, 2002. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. NEW BUSINESS Central Avenue-Street Utility and Streetscaping and Zone 6A of the City Street Rehabilitation Program (Presentation by Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director) Kevin Hansen explained that when Public Improvements are assessed, it is recommended under MN State Statutes that the planning advisory body to the City Council review the proposed improvements and make a determination for consistency with the City's Comprehensive Plan. And even though Columbia Heights is a Charter City, we are trying to follow MN State Statute requirements. In 2002, two large projects will be undertaken in Columbia Heights. The first being the Central Avenue Reconstruction, and the second being Zone 6A, which is part of the Annual Street Rehabilitation Program. Central Avenue Improvements--The City has developed plans for the rehabilitation of Central Avenue fi.om 37th to 43rd Avenues. The work will include utilities (water main replacement, sanitary sewer repairs, and new storm sewer) and street reconstruction (which includes construction of center concrete medians, concrete curb, and gutter replacement on both sides of the street and replacing the existing sidewalks). Some parking will be eliminated which will affect mostly the east side of Central. The travel lanes are designed to be 12 ft in width. Streetscaping improvements will include decorative, colored sidewalks, matching planters and trash receptacles, pedestrian benches, and decorative street lighting. Hansen presented a visual display and explained the details of the improvements planned. The project is to begin in about two weeks and should be complete by November 30th. The total estimated cost of the work is $4,840,000. Motion by Ramsdell, second by Yehle, to support City Council action regarding the Central Avenue Rehabilitation Project as it is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan. All ayes. PLANNING & ZONYNG COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 7, 2002 PAGE 2 Zone 6A Street Rehabilitation ProgrammThe City Council has ordered improvements for 8 blocks of full street reconstruction for 2002. The area is basically bounded by 7th Street - Quincy St, 42na-44th Ave. Full street reconstruction includes removal of the existing street section, roadway grading with soil corrections, new gravel base, new concrete curb and gutter, and new bituminous pavement. City staffwill also review the condition of the existing underground utilities and will make recommendations for the replacement of water mains, sewer, or storm drains, when necessary. The watermains are very old in this area, and many have lead connections that need to be replaced. In addition, catch basins and larger pipes will be installed to accommodate the flooding issues in this area. This project should begin in June and be complete by September. The estimated cost of the work is $1,300,000. Funding for these projects will come from assessing benefiting property owners, the City Infrastructure Fund, City Utility Funds, State Aid Funds and MnDOT Funds. Hansen explained the City Council will be awarding the bids for these projects at their meeting Monday, May 13, 2002. Motion by Ramsdell, second by Yehle, to support the City Council action regarding the Zone 6A Street Rehabilitation Program as it is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan. All ayes. As another point of information, Hansen stated the City is working with BRW to establish a design concept for the Central Avenue Corridor. A committee has been formed to gather ideas and make a recommendation to the City Council. They will meet over the next six months to review such things as a color scheme, design, or theme that would bring continuity to the corridor. Items that will be coff~idered are building facades, windows, entryways, signage, screening, landscape materials, awnings, etc. Tom Ramsdell has agreed to be a member of this committee. Status of Lomianki Park Property The City Council has identified the development of property south of Lomianld Park (37~ Ave to 38t~ Ave) as one of its priority projects for 2002. On March 26, 2002, an open house was held regarding the potential development of this property. At its April 2002 Park and Recreation Commission meeting, the Board recommended the parkland status be eliminated, as they did not foresee any improvements being made to this property. In 1973 the City adopted Ordinance #803, which identified residents in the Southwest section of the City as part of a citizens group which raised funds for the purpose of developing a park for their neighborhood on property acquired from Burlington Northern Railroad. This included the Lomianki Park property between 37t~ and 40t~ Ave, excluding the existing industrial businesses. It appears that the funds were probably used for the definitive Lomianki Park property between 38th and 39th Ave. In 1975, Ordinance #831 was adopted, which amended Ordinance #803, and also designated certain properties for continued park usage. This Ordinance included Block 95; Lots 16-28, lying between 37th and 38t~ Ave, to be possibly used as a picnic park. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE MEETING MAY 7, 2002 PAGE 3 Since this time the land has been maintained by the City, but does not function as a park. The property has virtually no access from the north side because of an existin industrial business 82 · g at 38 Ave. The property also has poor access offof37~ Avenue, which currently has a chain in place to prevent vehicle access. There is nothing to identify the property as parkland of any kind. The history of the property indicates that the land was established as park so as to provide for a natural buffer from the railroad switcking yards on the west. The property is currently zoned for industrial purposes, but the highest and best use has been identified as residential. The purpose of bringing this issue before the Planning and Zoning Commission is to address the original park dedication, and to provide a recommendation on whether or not to continue recognizing this area as part of Lomianki Park. Because it has not been used as Parkland for the last 30 years, staffrecommends that the parkland status be eliminated, to allow for future development. Furthermore, the City Comprehensive Plan specifically indicates that the loss of the north and south parcels of Lomianki Park would not be crucial to the integrity of the park system. The vacant City owned~ at 3701 and 3741 California Street have been looked at for potential residential development and may either be sold through a public bidding process or sold to a preferred developer. The highest and best use of the properties has been determined as medium density residential development. MN Statute 462.356 requires that if the City has a Comprehensive Plan, it must notify the Planning Commission of the intent to purchase or sell land. The Comprehensive Plan designates this property for parkland use. However, the Plan also specifically indicates that the loss of the south and north parcels of Lomianki Park would not be crucial to the integrity of the park system. If the City moves forward with the sale and development of this property, the City will submit a change in future land use to the Metropolitan Council for these parcels. Chairperson Ramsdell explained that the Planning & Zoning Commission is only a recommending board and the City Council can override any of their recommendations. He also stated this is not a public hearing, however, as this is an issue important to so many residents, anyone wishing to make a comment may do so, but he asked that they limit their comments to five minutes. Shelly Anderson, 3720 Main Street, stated she has lived there for 34 years before the Raikoad expanded behind their homes. She said she remembers when the raikoad gave that property to the City for a buffer area to help separate the homes from the raikoad property. It was agreed at the time, according to documents she has, that if the residents could raise $6,000 ($2,000 for each parcel) then it would be designated as park property and used as such. The residents were promised that the property would never be developed as this was considered compensation for being near the railroad. Ms. Anderson said when the $6,000 was given to the City, they spent all $6,000 on the Park Building located on the middle piece. This was not by the residents choice, but was decided by the City Council at the time. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MAY 7, 2002 PAGE 4 Ms. Anderson was also concemed about the plan to level out the berm on the west side of the property to put in a street access for the development. She said that hill is so unstable, she didn't feel this was a good plan. Ramsdell pointed out, that if the development would ever be approved, this is the type of thing that Engineers would need to address and decide what is safe. Ramsdell responded he understood how the residents in the area must feel. He has mixed feelings as to eliminating parkland versus seeing the City move forward with newer development. He stated that the main section of the park is being kept in tact, and only the inaccessible, tmdeveloped green space is being considered for the development project. Ms. Anderson stated that it wasn't supposed to be undeveloped park; that the original intent had been to make park improvements to ali"three sections. Ms. Anderson also stated that the March 26 meeting held to review, discuss and take feed back on the possible development project took everyone in the area by surprise. They were told it was a preliminary meeting. However, the residents who attended the meeting from the area were further upset by the fact they thought Bruce Nedegaard was already approved as the developer who was going to build on the site. They felt if the developer has already been selected, then to call it a preliminary meeting was deceiving. Ms. Anderson questioned the Park Board's recommendation to the Council regarding this issue. She was told the minutes are public information and where she could obtain a copy of them. Commissioner Ericson explained the Planning & Zoning Commission's job at this time is to determine if the idea is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. It is an acknowledgement only. Any action-taken at this time by the Planning & Zoning Commission dges not approve or recommend the development going forward. She explained the Comprehensive Plan is an overall land use plan for the city that was reviewed by a Committee for about 1 ~ years before being approved by the City Council, and before being submitted to the Metropolitan Council as is required. There is language in the Comprehensive Plan stating that it would not be detrimental to our Park System if the two unimproved sections of Lomianki Park were eliminated as Parkland. James Gustafson of 3712 Main Street, stated he did not think this was a suitable area for a townhouse development as it is very noisy due to the railroad. He felt it would be difficult and undesirable to live next to this. Jean Boyce of 3825 2 ½ Street, stated that she was a 34 year resident of the area. She said that not everyone in the area knew this was public park property, but if it is, it should be left as such. She feels that children in the area need to have places like this to play, and if this were parkland near the council members homes, it would be a different story. Motion by Ericson, second by Yehle, to advise the City Council they find the elimination of the parkland status for the properties at 3701 and 3741 California Street consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. All ayes. PLA~NNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MAY 7, 2002 PAGE 5 Motion by Ramsdeli, second by Schmitt, to support the future action of the Columbia Heights City Council regarding the potential sale of the properties at 3701 and 3741 California Street as it is consistent with the City Comprehensive Plan. All ayes. MISCELLANEOUS Motion by Yehle, second by Ericson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 pm. All ayes. Respectfully submitted, Shelle~ H~~-on Secretary