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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/07/1985 - City Council SpecialMINUTES OF A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE EAGAN-ADVISORY PLANNING COMMISSION & EAGAN CITY COUNCIL EAGAN, MINNESOTA OCTOBER 7, 1985 A special joint meeting of Eagan City Council was held on Eagan Municipal Center. Present Thomas, Smith, Egan and Wachter, Mulrooney, Wilkins, McCrea, Wold, Consultant John Voss, Jim Sturm, Hedges, City Planner Dale Runkle, the Eagan Advisory Planning Commission and Tuesday, October 7, 1985 at 7:00 p.m. at the were Mayor Bea Blomquist, Councilmembers Planning Commission members Hall, Harrison, Bohne and Trygg. Also present were Planning John Hohenstein, City Administrator Tom and City Attorney Paul Hauge. Mayor Blomquist convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and announced that the purpose of the meeting was to receive information and hear a presentation from the City's Consulting Planner, John Voss, and City Planner Runkle, regarding the Eagan Comprehensive Guide Plan update. A copy of the update material dated October 8, 1985 had been distributed to the Planning Commission and Councilmembers. PURPOSE OF MEETING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Dale Runkle presented an overview, of the proposed Eagan Housing Profile and general housing issues regarding the Comprehensive Plan. He noted the first plan had been done in 1974 with the first revision in approximately 1979. A slide presentation was provided, indicating housing development throughout the City. Steve Schwanke, a Planning Intern, described the slides and reviewed the data presented in the update packet. This included type of housing in the City, standard residential development, building permit comparisons, size of residential lots since 1979 and a summary of the development thr.oughout development districts in the City. There was a question about the reasonable minimum number of non -owner - occupied units within the City, but it was noted that many multiple or alternate units are owner -occupied, which has been a change in the trend in recent years. There were concerns about the number of vacant lots, and Councilman Egan noted they apparently increased from 1,400 in 1980 to 2,000 in 1985. The increased size in the City may account for some of this differential. In,19805 56% of the housing was single family and by 1990, it is expected that 53% will be single family. Joint APC & Council Minutes October 7, 1985 SMALL LOTS A recent policy that had been established by the City Council concerning small lot subdivisions was discussed and it was suggested that the data indicate which lots are smaller because of having been formerly duplex or multiple underlying zoning. Also, it was requested that Council policy be incorporated into the charts based upon the sliding scale suggested in the policy. MAXIMUM DENSITY There were concerns by members present that the Comprehensive Guide designation does not mean that densities are intended to allow for maximum density or that the designation is a specific designation intended for the use, e.g. that all R-II property necessarily be developed as two-family units. Further, it was noted that the Comp Plan is simply a guide and not intended to determine the zoning. Member McCrea suggested. that public hearings should possibly be held to determine whether current established densities are currently needed or desired. It was further indicated that there is no absolute right to develop to the maximum density specified in a Comprehensive Guide category. The need to project services in the future, noting that maximum population projections have been reduced substantially below the original Met Council projection of $180,000.00, appeared to be necessary. Chairman Hall suggested the possibility of considering converting some of the land with higher density uses that are not being developed, to lower densities to assist in paying the costs of services and development. There was clearly a consensus that a mix of uses is desirable and that changing the. mix, although it may create additional cost, may be a necessity for future development. The need to allow discretion within the Planning Commission and City Council to accept new concepts and innovations such as zero lot lines in single family developments with homeowner operated open areas, appeared important for future development purposes. Either the applicable ordinances or policies should be defined to allow such revisions. ZONING DISTRICT SUMMARY It was requested that the zoning designation within planned developments be defined by category for more accurate summary. LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING It was noted that about 800 to 1,540 low and moderate income housing units have been provided in relation to the 1980 Comp Guide objectives. Categories for low and moderate housing should be revised to provide for available and feasible programs from time to time. Comparisons between certain of the neighboring cities concerning rental units was discussed and Mr. Voss noted that offering rental units do allow housing for low and moderate income families by their very nature. 2 Joint APC & Council Minutes October 7, 1985 EFFECT ON THE CRIME RATES Police Department representatives indicated that there were no particular parts in the City that have any greater crime rates. However, the housing stock does have a direct effect on the neea for services, including welfare and social services. Some of the goals that appeared to be breached include providing for a variety of housing types for various levels in the areas throughout the City. Sound construction appears to have been effected but high value single family housing is not available. There was discussion concerning methods of attracting such development. It was also noted that coping with the growth including offering utilities, highways and parks, seems to have occurred in recent years. It was also mentioned that senior citizen housing also has not become available. COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE SCHEDULE Mr. Voss indicated that a public hearing will be required for the amended Comp Guide and ultimately review by the Metropolitan Council of any revisions will be required. There was discussion regarding the uses in the flood plain area, particularly along the Minnesota River, and it was suggested that revision from the Industrial zoning may be desirable. TOWN CENTRE 70 PROPOSAL City Planner Dale Runkle described a request of Federal Land Company for site plan review approval for a proposed Rainbow Food Store in the Town Centre 70 Addition, and in addition, the first phase Mall complex. Mr. Runkle stated it is not necessary that a formal public hearing be held and noted that the plat has been recorded. The general concept was similar to the original proposal. He further indicated that the Chairman of the Advisory Planning Commission and Mayor had authorized the application to be submitted to the Joint Meeting for action. Vernon Colon of Federal Land Company appeared and detailed the application, indicating 150,000 square feet of retail shopping planned for the first phase, and noted the request of Rainbow Foods to expedite. the commencement of the construction, including the foundation during the Fall of 1985. He requested only approval of the footprint of the building, and then will submit an application for foundation permit. Jim Benshou, Traffic Engineer, and Paul Dahlberg, the architect for the project, were also present. Mr. Dahlberg reviewed the three phases, generally including the road pattern and the development frame -work. He mentioned that the framework criteria will be prepared as a supplement to the Planned Development, which will include signage, landscaping, interior lighting, etc. 3 Joint APC & Council Minutes October 7, 1985 Mayor Blomquist questioned the treatment of the back side or easterly portion of the buildings and the applicant -indicated that plantings, berming and parking will be provided on that.side of the buildings. Exact treatment of the rear of the building has -not been determined but will be similar to the front side of the building. There was concern that the back side of the buildings would blend into the balance of the exterior of the buildings. In addition, Mr. Colon requested 9 foot by 18 foot parking spaces and members of the Planning Commission and Council indicated that there did not appear to be a basis for a variance from the ordinance requirement for the width of the parking spaces. However, it was noted that in certain areas the depth of the parking spaces from 20 feet to 18 feet had been allowed. The outlot on the final plat would require replatting to accommodate the current building as proposed. An EAW will be required and detailed lighting plan will also be submitted. After discussion, on behalf of the Advisory Planning Commission, member McCrea moved, member Wilkins seconded the motion to recommend approval of the site plan for both buildings and to recommend the grant of the foundation permit for both buildings, noting the need to expedite construction in the late fall of 1985 and the fact that there were no significant changes from the original plan that was submitted; in addition, that no further construction be allowed until the outlot is replatted according to City Code requirements. All voted in favor, except Harrison who voted no, indicating that the replat should be completed prior to the grant of the foundation permit for the mall building. On behalf of the Council, Councilman Smith moved, Councilman Egan seconded the motion to approve the recommendation of the Planning Commission for grant of the site plan for both buildings and in addition, the foundation permit for both buildings, with the understanding that no further construction will be allowed until the outlot is replatted according to City Code requirements. All members voted in favor. It was further noted that the parking stalls 18 feet in depth would be allowed on a limited basis to follow the general guidelines in retail areas but that the 10 foot widths would be .-required throughout the commercial center. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m. City Clerk Secretary — APC PHH 4