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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWK May 15, 2000 ~ 0Jj l.ù'u..tb.r lD-<ç-CO CITY of ANDOVER SPECIAL ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP - MA Y 15, 2000 MINUTES A Special Workshop of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on May 15,2000,7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hal!, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. '\ Councilmembers present: Don Jacobson, Julie Johnson, Mike Knight, Ken Orttel Councilmembers absent: None Also present Planning Commission members Maynard Ape1, Mark Hedin and Tim Kirchoff City Planner, John Hinzman Community Development Director, Dave Carlberg Others COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ISSUES Mr. Hinzman explained Staff has been working with the Metropolitan Council Staff on issues relating to the City's Comprehensive Plan. The City has until June 8 to resubmit that Plan per the agreement to expand sanitary sewer for the new high school. He asked for direction on several issues. Discuss changes in adopted housing guidelines: Mr. Carlberg explained on March 6, 2000, the City Council adopted housing goals and agreed to certain things to get MUSA to the school. The Metropolitan Council approved the Comprehensive Plan amendment for the school on March 8 with the condition that the City had 90 days to resubmit its Comprehensive Plan with specific items being resolved. The Mayor did write a letter to the Metropolitan Council stating the City agreed to the 90 days but it is expected that both parties would agree to extend beyond that date if there were items that would take longer, such as traffic analysis. When the housing goals were passed by the City Council, scenarios were calculated to detemúne the specific number of housing units that would be required over the next ten years. The understanding on February 17,2000, was that 261 rental plus 392 attached affordable housing would be required, which amounts to about 109 acres assuming a density of six units per acre. On April 21, a letter from Tom McElveen of the Metropolitan Council indicated the calculations were based on wrong data and that the City is expected to build 1,164 units over the next ten years. That comes to 22 acres of 10 to 12 units per acre and 150 acres of 6 units per acre, Mr. McElveen has said they used 1996 to 1997 figures, which was in error and is now going on the assumption that no affordable housing is being constructed in Andover. Mr. Carlberg stated he met with the Metropolitan Council Staff, but they are not willing to change their position. ,0 ......_--.~ Special Andover City Council Workshop Minutes - May 15, 2000 Page 2 (Discuss changes in adopted housing guidelines, Continued) The Council discussed the issue, generally feeling the City doesn't have an obligation to go along with the new figures. The City made the agreement in good faith and felt the Comprehensive Plan should reflect the agreement as understood on February 17. It was also felt that the high density such as Presbyterian Homes, which developed as a PUD of 14.4 units per acre, would be acceptable in a controlled setting such as senior housing; but it would be unacceptable in any other way in the City. Andover does not have the transportation system, police coverage, schools or the benefit of state aid dollars to accommodate such high densities; plus it is not the way people want to see the City develop. Another concern is the rapid deterioration of high dense areas experienced in other cities. The issue of allowing the use of wetlands when determining density was discussed. The Council generally felt only high usable land should be considered. Mr. Carlberg suggested the PUD ordinance be amended to use net buildable areas when determining density. Also, he did not think the ordinance was intended or desirable for rural development. Identification of other areas for multiple family development: In designating land for higher density development, Mr. Carlberg suggested the Comprehensive Plan indicate the zoning change would be subject to public hearings. The Council noted about 22 acres of higher density housing is available in Andover Station, the WDE development site and the redevelopment area along Bunker Lake Boulevard. However, they generally preferred to mix housing units of single family and multiples to prevent the concentration of high density housing in any given area. Possibly a certain percentage of each single family development must be for multiples. A variance could be considered for the very small plats where the incorporation of multiple units would not be feasible. Mr. Hinzman stated that can be accomplished through the official controls which would have a policy that the goals would be met by incorporating a percentage of density housing in all urban plats. Mr. Carlberg also noted the area off Seventh Avenue and Bunker Lake Boulevard is already zoned for six units per acre. The Metropolitan Council is supporting that because they are looking for ways to improve the Coon Rapids interceptor or Anoka line so they don't have to build the CAB interceptor. Affordable housing was discussed. The Council had been told it is not possible to build affordable housing because of the numerous requirements. One option would be to set minimum requirements for area. Controlling the developments can be accomplished by contracts. It was then agreed the Comprehensive Plan will show some City-owned property at 10 to 12 units per acre and the property in the southwest portion of the City as six units per acre. The remaining density goals wi!! be accomplished through mixed use housing, suggesting the ordinances be changed to require 10, possibly 15 percent within the gross MUSA area be attached housing. The 10 to 12 unit densities are to be deleted from the Comprehensive Plan, and wording be added to indicate zoning changes would be subject to public hearings. Contract developments would also be required, and the intent would be the dense housing would be kept in the southern portion of the City. Staff agreed to make those changes and bring it back to the Council for approval. .. _.--~ [ Special Andover City Council Workshop Minutes - May 15, 2000 Page 3 Establishment of a 2040 MUSA boundary and 1 :40 density requirements; Mr. Hinzman explained the Metropolitan Council has asked the City to designate a 2040 MUSA boundary to preserve those areas for future urban development. He reviewed a draft map which outlined a proposed boundary. He asked the Council where they see the City developing beyond 2020. The Council noted that the Comprehensive Plan Task Force had recommended the 2020 MUSA boundary would be the end of urban development in the City. The intent was to permanently retain the rural character of Andover beyond that boundary, which is also why many of the residents moved here. There is very little land left to develop in the rural area, with the majority of it being in the northeastern portion of the City and along the river loop to the west. Discussion also noted that the sewer interceptor was not sized to go beyond this area, so any extensions beyond the City would require major reconstruction and would be extremely expensive. It was suggested that possibly a better alternative to urban development beyond the 2020 boundary would be to allow one- acre lots in the rural areas with City water and private septic systems. That would also allow total local control. In addition, the City's roads are insufficient to handle any development beyond 2020. Also, there is no corridor left to eventually bring the sewer line to the northern boundary of the City to serve Oak Grove. Staff was directed to state in the Comprehensive Plan that the 2020 MUSA boundary is also the City's 2040 MUSA boundary. It was also agreed that the concept of I-acre lots with city water and on-site septic systems should be discussed at a later date. Policies to preserve 1: 1 0 density in permanent rural areas: Mr. Carlberg noted only 40 to 50 houses are built in the rural area each year. Council discussion noted the price of land for ten acres for a house is extremely expensive, which would really force the creation of estates. The Metropolitan Council policy of I : 1 0 density would stop the lot splits on 5+- acre lots or could eliminate the subdivision of property by those who owned land for years and now want to subdivide for retirement. The Council asked Staff to determine how much land there is over 10 acres in the rural areas and where it is located. Of the buildable acres, how much could be developed. The thought is that the impact on the City's Plan would be relatively small. Is it worth changing the policy for the small number oflots? The preference was because there is so little land left to develop in the rural areas, the current 2 Yz-acre lot policy should be allowed to remain as is. Also, the PUD ordinance would be changed so it would not be allowed in the rural area. Discuss travel demand mar/apement strategies: , f Mr. Hinzman stated the CitY has been asked to incorporate language in its Comprehensive Plan to find ways to lessen the load on the highways. That language would encourage businesses to offer flexible hours, telecommuting and park and pool lots. The council agreed. - -~. ---. [ Special Andover City Council Workshop Minutes - May 15, 2000 Page 4 (Discuss travel demand management strategies, Continued) Mr. Carlberg also noted language would be put in the Comprehensive Plan that analysis is being done relating to traffic and the new schools. The traffic issue is a long ways from being done. Mr. Hinzman also noted that the figures being used by the county on Hanson Boulevard reflect no growth in the City over the next ten years. Staff is working with the county to correct that.. The county is not scheduling any road projects in Andover that requires federal funds. Federal funds wi!! now be going through the Metropolitan Council and cities must belong to Livable Communities Act to participate. The Council agreed to review the changes in the Comprehensive Plan again before the June 6 regular meeting. Motion by Jacobson, Seconded by Johnson, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully su~ ~k:L Recording Secretary ,,. - +----