HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-02-2020 Planning Commission Minutes
MINUTES OF
PLANNING COMMISSION
June 02, 2020
6:00 PM
The meeting was called to order at 6:01 pm by Vice Chair Fiorendino.
Commission Members present- Sahnow, Novitsky, Hoium, Kaiser, Schill, Vargas, and Fiorendino.
Also present were Aaron Chirpich (Community Development Director), Elizabeth Hammond (City Planner),
Christy Bennett (Secretary), and Connie Buesgens (Council Liaison).
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Elizabeth Hammond asked for nominations for the officer positions.
Hoium nominated Fiorendino for Chair. There were no other nominations.
Motion by Hoium, seconded by Kaiser, to elect Fiorendino Chairperson
All Ayes. MOTION PASSED.
Kaiser nominated Sahnow for Vice Chair. There were no other nominations.
Motion by Kaiser, seconded by Schill, to elect Sahnow Vice Chairperson.
All Ayes. MOTION PASSED.
Hoium nominated Kaiser for Secretary/Treasurer. There were no other nominations.
.
Motion by Hoium, seconded by Sahnow, to elect Kaiser Secretary/Treasurer
All Ayes. MOTION PASSED.
The meeting resumed under the leadership of Chairperson Fiorendino.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Sahnow, seconded by Hoium, to approve the minutes from the meeting of May 5, 2020.
All ayes. MOTION PASSED.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
CASE NUMBER: 2020-0601
APPLICANT: City of Columbia Heights – EDA
LOCATION: 3989 Central Avenue NE, 3889 Central Avenue NE, 950 40th Avenue NE,
and 961 Gould Avenue NE
REQUEST: Review the Proposed sale of property and Determine if it Conforms to the
Comprehensive Plan
INTRODUCTION
Elizabeth Hammond explain that the Economic Development Authority (EDA) of Columbia Heights is
proposing to convey the property located at 3989 Central Avenue NE, 3889 Central Avenue NE, 950 40th
Avenue NE, and 961 Gould Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421 (Subject Properties) for the purposes of
redevelopment as mixed-use multifamily housing and a city hall facility, pursuant to a Purchase and
Redevelopment Contract with Alatus Columbia Heights LLC. Minnesota Statutes (Section 462.356, subd. 2)
requires the Planning Commission to review the proposed disposal (sale) of publicly-owned property within the
City prior to its disposal, to determine it is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The EDA has requested that
the Planning Commission review the sale of the Subject Properties and make a determination.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The proposed sale of the Subject Properties responds to several goals and policies adopted in the
Comprehensive Plan, specifically in Chapter 3: Land Use, Chapter 4: Housing, and Chapter 5: Economic
Competitiveness. Below are the specific goals and policies from the Comprehensive Plan that correlate to the
conformity of the proposed sale.
LAND USE AND REDEVELOPMENT
Goal: Preserve and enhance the existing viable commercial and industrial areas within the community.
1.
Facilitate the enhancement and redevelopment of major streets and commercial districts.
Goal: Provide mechanisms for successful redevelopment of vacant lands and targeted areas within the
community.
1.
Enhance the image and viability of the Central Avenue corridor while protecting and enhancing
adjacent residential uses.
Utilize mixed-use land use and design principals to integrate office, commercial, and
residential uses with a focus on pedestrian and bicycle amenities within redevelopment
along Central Avenue.
Housing
Goal: Strengthen areas of commercial and civic activity by introducing complementary housing
development.
1.
Support the inclusion of appropriate housing alternatives during redevelopment in mixed use districts.
ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS
Goal: Enhance the economic viability of the community.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution 2020-PZ04 a resolution finding that the
proposed sale of land for redevelopment purposes by the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority
is consistent with the City of Columbia Heights’ Comprehensive Plan.
Questions from Members:
Hoium asked if this was all in line with the original agreement. Hammond said that is correct.
Public Hearing Opened
There were no questions.
Public Hearing Closed
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2
Motion by Hoium, seconded by Novitsky, to adopt Resolution 2020-PZ04 a resolution finding that the proposed
sale of land for redevelopment purposes by the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority is
consistent with the City of Columbia Heights’ Comprehensive Plan.
All Ayes. MOTION PASSED.
Subject Property
3989 Central Avenue NE, 3889 Central Avenue NE, 950 40th Avenue NE, and 961 Gould Avenue NE
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-PZ04
A RESOLUTION FINDING THAT THE PROPOSED SALE OF CERTAIN LAND FOR
REDEVELOPMENT PURPOSES BY THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS’ COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN
Planning Commission Minutes Page 3
WHEREAS,
the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority (the “Authority”) proposes to convey
th
certain property (the “Property”) located at 3989 Central Avenue NE, 3889 Central Avenue NE, 950 40
Avenue NE, and 961 Gould Avenue NE in the City of Columbia Heights (the “City”) and described on the
attached Exhibit A, for the purposes of redevelopment as mixed-use multifamily housing and a city hall facility,
pursuant to a Purchase and Redevelopment Contract with Alatus Columbia Heights LLC; and
WHEREAS,
Minnesota Statutes, Section 462.356, subd. 2 requires the City Planning and Zoning Commission
(the “Commission”) to review the proposed acquisition or disposal of publicly-owned real property within the
City prior to its acquisition or disposal, to determine whether in the opinion of the Planning and Zoning
Commission, such acquisition or disposal is consistent with the comprehensive municipal plan; and
WHEREAS
, the Commission has reviewed the proposed sale of the Property, and has determined that the
Property is located in an area of the City which, on February 4, 2020, was approved by the Commission for
designation as Planned Unit Development with allowed uses of market-rate apartments, commercial/retail, and
office, that the Authority’s purpose is to redevelop the Property consistent with these uses, and that the
proposed acquisition is therefore consistent with the City’s comprehensive plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
, by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Columbia
Heights, that the sale of the Property by the Authority is consistent with the City’s comprehensive municipal
plan, will promote the elimination of blight and blighting factors, and will foster redevelopment consistent with
the zoning designation of the Property.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
that this resolution be communicated to the Board of Commissioners of the
Authority.
,
Adopted this 2ndday of June, 2020 by the Columbia Heights Planning and Zoning Commission.
Chair, Columbia Heights Planning and Zoning Commission
EXHIBIT A
Description of Property
Lot 32, Block 6, Reservoir Hills, Anoka County, Minnesota.
Lots 25 through 28, Block 1, Walton's Rearrangement of Lots 33 and 34, Block 6, Reservoir Hills, Anoka
County, Minnesota.
The vacated alley adjacent to Lots 25 through 28, Block 1, Walton's Rearrangement of Lots 33 and 34, Block 6,
Reservoir Hills, Anoka County, Minnesota.
Those parts of Lots 28 through 31, Block 6, Reservoir Hills; Lots 23 and 24, Block 1, Walton's Rearrangement
of Lots 33 and 34, Block 6, Reservoir Hills; and of the vacated alley adjacent to Lot 24, Block 1, Walton's
Rearrangement of Lots 33 and 34, Block 6, Reservoir Hills; lying Southwesterly and Westerly of the following
described line: Beginning at a point on the South line of Block 1, Walton's Rearrangement, said point being
18.00 feet West of the Southeast corner of Lot 23, of said Block 1, Walton's Rearrangement; thence Northerly
on a line 18.00 feet West of and parallel with the East line of Lot 23, a distance of 87.00 feet; thence on a
Planning Commission Minutes Page 4
straight line to a point on the North line of Lot 30 of said Block 6, Reservoir Hills, said point being 47.23 feet
Easterly of the Northwest corner of said Lot 30 and there terminating.
Anoka County, Minnesota
Abstract and Torrens Property
AND
Those parts of Lots 27 through 31, Block 6, Reservoir Hills and those parts of Lots 23 and 24, Block 1,
Walton's Rearrangement of Lots 33 and 34, Block 6, Reservoir Hills and of the vacated alley abutting Block 1,
"Walton's Rearrangement of Lots 33 and 34, Block 6, Reservoir Hills", as dedicated in said plat, lying within
the following described tract: Commencing at a point on the South line of said Block 1, Walton's
Rearrangement distant 18.00 feet West of the Southeast corner of Lot 23, said Block 1, Walton's
Rearrangement; thence Northerly on a line 18.00 feet West of and parallel with the East line of said Lot 23, a
distance of 87.00 feet, to the actual point of beginning of the tract to be described; thence continuing Northerly
on the extension of said line to the North line of Block 6, Reservoir Hills; thence Westerly along said North line
of Block 6, to a point being 47.23 feet Easterly of the Northwest corner of Lot 30, Block 6, Reservoir Hills;
thence Southeasterly, to the point of beginning;
Excepting therefrom Tract A, Registered Land Survey No. 250, Anoka County, Minnesota.
Abstract Property
AND
Tract A, Registered Land Survey No. 250, Anoka County, Minnesota.
Torrens Property
AND
Lots 24, 25, and 26, Block 6, Reservoir Hills
Lots 20, 21, and 22, Block 1, Walton’s Rearrangement of Lots 33 and 34, Block 6, Reservoir Hills, and all of
the vacated alley adjacent to said Lots 20, 21, and 22.
Those parts of Lot 27, Block 6, Reservoir Hills and of Lot 23, Block 1, Walton’s Rearrangement of Lots 33 and
34, Block 6, Reservoir Hills and of that part of the vacated alley abutting Block 1, “Walton's Rearrangement of
Lots 33 and 34, Block 6, Reservoir Hills”, as dedicated in said plat, which lies westerly of the northerly
extension of the east line of Lot 23, said Block 1, lying easterly of the following described line:
Beginning at a point on the south line of said Block 1, Walton’s Rearrangement, said point being 18.00 feet
west from the Southeast corner of Lot 23 of said Block l, Walton's Rearrangement; thence northerly on a line
18.00 feet west of and parallel with the east line of said Lot 23, to the north line of said Block 6, Reservoir
Hills.
Reserving and subject to easement to the City of Columbia Heights for roadway purposes over the north 4.00
feet of the west 232.00 feet of said Block 6, Reservoir Hills.
AND
Planning Commission Minutes Page 5
Lot 19, Block 1, Walton’s Rearrangement of Lots 33 and 34, Block 6, Reservoir Hills.
Anoka County, Minnesota.
OTHER BUSINESS
Updates:
Chirpich said he had no special updates, but thanked the commission members for bearing with the hybrid
system, using zoom to allow for social distancing during the pandemic.
Chirpich said he is not anticipating a need for a July meeting, as the application deadline had just passed.
Fiorendino welcomed Mark Vargas to the Planning Commission Board and asked him to introduce himself.
Vargas shared he has owned a home in Columbia Heights since 1999. Vargas said he is excited to learn more
about the process and how the City plans things out.
Fiorendino recognized Marlaine Szurek, the previous Chair of the Planning Commission. Fiorendino said he has
served on the commission with Szurek since 2004. Szurek was a member of the Planning Commission for many
years and Fiorendino wanted to thank her for her service. He said that everything Szurek did for the
Commission is appreciated.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:17 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Christy Bennett
Secretary
Planning Commission Minutes Page 6