HomeMy WebLinkAboutKmart Comp Plan Amend Memo Aug 2003
Mayor
Julienne Wyckoff
Councilmembers
Bruce Nawrocki
Bruce Kelzenberg
Tammera Ericson
Bobby Williams
City Manager
Walter R. Fehst
CDD
OMMUNITY EVELOPMENT EPARTMENT
Date:
July 18, 2003
To:
Planning and Zoning Commission
From:
Tim Johnson, City Planner
Re:
Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment of Kmart Redevelopment Project
Area.
The now vacant Kmart property on Central Avenue NE has been proposed to be developed into a
mixed-use site including medium to high-density residential, and a new commercial component.
As the Planning Commission is aware, the property is being purchased by Nedegaard Custom
Homes. The Commission is also aware that a planning process to determine what could be built
and supported to achieve community buy-in, is also in the process and should be completed
shortly.
The current Comprehensive Plan guide for the Kmart Redevelopment Project Area (see attached
map) is deemed strictly commercial. As part of the planning process, it was determined that
Transit-Oriented Mixed-Use Development was the most appropriate category to guide the future
development of this site. This category currently exists in various nodes of Columbia Heights to
precipitate this type of development. Transit-Oriented Development Districts occur in areas along
existing transit routes, and focus on the commuting needs of Columbia Heights residents. A new
Mixed-Use project will provide new opportunities for high-density residential along with service-
oriented commercial/retail development. The proposed project makes this future land use
category a perfect fit for the redevelopment of this site.
The City will submit a future land use change to the Metropolitan Council, that would change the
future status from Commercial to Transit-Oriented Development in anticipation of the proposed
redevelopment of the Kmart site.
Recommended Motion:
Move
to support the submittal of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to change the future land
use designation from Commercial to Transit-Oriented Development, and recommend approval of
this amendment to the Columbia Heights City Council.
Attachments: City Map of property; Comp Plan section