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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWK May 30, 2000 ~OJ)~ CITY of ANDOVER Special City Council Workshop - Tuesday, May 30, 2000 Call to Order - 6:00 PM Discussion Items 1. Housing Presentation - John Kari, Metropolitan Council 2. Comprehensive Plan Issues Other Business Adjournment , ,- ~MW1LttJ-. CITY of ANDOVER SPECIAL ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP - M4Y 30,2000 MINUTES A Special Workshop of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on May 30, 2000, 6:01 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Don Jacobson, Julie Johnson, Mike Knight, Ken Ortte1 Councilmembers absent None Planning Commission Members present Jay Squires, Doug Falk, Tim Kirchoff, Dean Davanger, Mark Hedin, Larry Dalien Also present: City Planner, John Hinzman Community Development Director, Dave Carlberg Others METROPOLITAN COUNCIL PRESENTATION ON INCLUSIVE HOUSING Metropolitan Councilmember Natalie Haas-Steffen introduced John Kari, Senior Planner at the Metropolitan Council. The discussion this evening is about the development the Metropolitan Council is trying to get built across the region and how they are trying to help the communities. This is being done under the umbrella called smart growth, with the key aspect being to have growth by choice, not by chance. The Metropolitan Council is trying to anticipate these kinds of changes to be able to respond to them in the investments of transportation, sewer, parks, and airports. They have a GIS system for the entire region and for each community. As local comprehensive plans are received, they will be put on their GIS system to build a regional map of all community plans. Mr. Kari went into detail on the four parts of the life cycle community: 1) the life cycle housing providing a variety of housing choices and options, 2) the mobility options relating to the variety of modes to connect people to housing, jobs, services, recreation and civic places; 3) stewardship of land and resources relating to the infrastructure of sewer and water systems and streets plus protecting the environment by incorporating more sustainable development practices; and 4) sense of place, providing community identity, traditions and neighborhoods that work well. He then reviewed various residential patterns of single family ranging from 3 to 4.5 units per acre, town homes ranging from 5.1 to 15 units per acres, and condominiums ranging from 21 to 31 units per acre. Development patterns, designs and details have a large impact on what one looks at. High density developments pay attention to the view shed or open spaces. Programs are available to help communities write down the cost of development to make it available for a variety of housing costs and types. By looking at a development, one cannot tell which units are low income. Overall the development is maintained at the same standards. Special Andover City Council Workshop Minutes - May 30, 2000 Page 2 (Metropolitan Council Presentation on Inclusive Housing, Continued) Mr. Kari also discussed examples of mixed use development, referencing the New Brighton City Center, Golden Pond Senior Housing, and the senior housing over commercial retail and services in Shakopee. He noted that nonsubsidy rents on some of the developments shown range from $800 to $1,200 per month, depending on the number of bedrooms. The developer of West Ridge Market in Minnetonka developed it all at once and has senior housing, affordable housing plus higher income housing interrelated, which has worked well. The key elements of development are urban design, development controls and acres of open space, Demographics and growth are forcing them to look at other options. One of the things they have found is that the growth trend of the region is to grow internally, that is people grow up and tend to stay in this region. That means there is a need for housing and services for those people who stay here. Also, there are a number of new residents coming from greater Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Dakotas, They like to live just as far in as they need to go, so this end of the Metro Area has a lot of people related to north and northwestern Minnesota. The segment of population in their 50s will also be looking for other forms of housing, which is another part of what is driving the Metropolitan Council to look at the future. There is also a need for apartments because a lot of the baby boomers had children who are now getting out of college. The Council asked if all cities are being required to meet the same standards. There is also the issue of providing affordable housing, as developers are saying that cannot be done because of the costs of development. The increasing cost of land in Andover hinders affordable housing here. One of the reasons people move to Andover is for the open space, yet Andover is now being forced to develop to a higher density, the very thing people are trying to move away from. Nor does Andover have the businesses or transportation system to support high density housing. Mr. Kari stated it is hard to get affordable housing built without subsidies. The standards are across the metropolitan area, but the affordability standard is raised annually based on federal guidelines. Councilmember Haas-Steffen stated they were surprised to learn of the movement of people between cities in the subregion, pointing out many people will work in or near Andover in the schools, government centers, businesses, etc. There aren't enough homes to accommodate all the help wanted signs now. The 3.0 units per acre is an average because it has been determined that that is the most efficient use of the land. Councilmember Knight read the school population in Minneapolis and St. Paul has gone down dramatically, and Minneapolis is putting in $260,000 to $300,000 condos along the river. They are not looking at low income families with children in schooL Councilmember Haas-Steffen did not think that is accurate, She stated Minneapolis is really working hard at providing affordable and family housing, to revitalize older homes plus build new ones, condos and apartments. The same thing happened in Columbia Heights; it does cycle itself. The Council asked how many cities are meeting the guidelines established by the Metropolitan CounciL There was a concern that not all cities are required to meet the same guidelines. Councilmember Haas-Steffen couldn't answer that, stating they have just instituted the guidelines. --- -- .... . - - -. Special Andover City Council Workshop Minutes - May 30, 2000 Page 3 (Metropolitan Council Presentation on Inclusive Housing, Continued) Everyone has asked for an extension on their Comprehensive Plans, but they are all required to meet the 3.0 units per acre. The plan is to monitor a core number of cities before updating the GlS system. Andover had been included, but she asked that it be removed. Ham Lake has 2.5 acre lots. They were going to join Livable Communities; but they are not asking for any infrastructure, so they are not required to have 3.0 units per acre. Mr. Kari also stated every year they have more requests for assistance by subsidies than they have the ability to fund. The legislature just increased the amount to help communities, but it still won't meet the demand. The Council noted considering the land prices in Andover, it really is not possible to have affordable housing without some subsidy. Will the City be forced to provide those subsidies? Councilmember Haas-Steffen felt it is true that affordable housing cannot be done without some subsidy. She stated the cities are going to have to make some concessions and there must be some creative financing to do this. She is arranging a meeting to develop creative financing packages to be able to develop at market value with some units that are affordable. There are reputable developers in Anoka County who are looking for ways to get this done. She invited the Council and Staff to attend. Councilmember Orttel stated under the law the City only has to make the land and zoning available and nothing more. Now he is hearing the City will have to have a plan to accomplish those goals. Then it no longer becomes a choice. Mr. Carlberg stated by making the land available at higher densities, hopefully affordability will be accomplished. According to the goals, 40 percent of the owner-occupied housing has to be attached. However, if the land is available at 6 units per acre, but a developer wants to build three units per acre, so be it Sandra Pennell, Senior Planner, Metropolitan Council, stated there is an implementation piece of the Comprehensive Plan. Andover has committed to the goals, and the implementation was still open. Councilmember Haas-Steffen stated they want the City to make the options available. Mayor McKelvey stated they have been told the City will not get any money if it doesn't join Livable Communities. Councilmember Haas-Steffen stated that was true in the past but cited an example of Egan obtaining some funding because it has goals. As far as she knows, housing dollars have only gone to cities that have been in Livable Communities; but there are a lot of other dollars coming through the Metropolitan Council where belonging to Livable Communities or having the goals and working toward them has become criteria for getting money. Mr. Kari stated they are looking for a mix of housing to address the issues, not to build all rental units. They are also concerned with maintenance and the quality of the neighborhood. The City needs to look at things like inspections when units turn over and to stay actively involved. Councilmember Jacobson stated the City signed the letter of agreement for the sewer for the high school, and it will meet those obligations and will try to make it available. He felt it is difficult to put things in place to write down development and to look at things to make it more affordable. (Councilmember Haas-Steffen left the meeting at this time) Special Andover City Council Workshop Minutes - May 30, 2000 Page 4 (Metropolitan Council Presentation on Inclusive Housing, Continued) The discussion continued with Metropolitan Council Staff on the goals, concepts, concerns, unique aspects of Andover and the difficulties facing the City in meeting the Met Council policies, Another concern of the Council was the change in interpretation of Andover's goals by the Metropolitan Council Staff after those goals were agreed to by the City. To understand the goals, units and acreages were assigned. The number of units doubled since the goals were agreed to, and that is a problem for the City. It also means that the highest density is being forced to the edges of the MUSA boundary, which is next to the country and is the worse possible planning. There is no mass transit; there are no decent roads. It creates another form of sprawl. It is also a matter of trust. The Council then indicated the goals as they understood them originally will be incorporated in the Comprehensive Plan. In discussing development along the North Star corridor, Ms. Pennell stated they are trying to provide moral support to the project. Development around the stations would be denser, but they are not trying to promote that people in Andover drive to that station. Nor are they promoting development away from the line. She also answered questions about the process involving the submitting and approval of the City's Comprehensive Plan. The next step is for the City to submit what it thinks it can do to meet the goals. Then they will review the Plan. Right now the Plan is not complete. Until it is, it limits the City's ability to get any MUSA expansions, rfthere is a major impasse, they will consider the impacts on their major systems. Commissioner Squires pointed out Andover is different ITom other communities. He cautioned the Metropolitan Council not to compare Andover with other cities or to require the same things, nor should it be held to the same standard. It is more important to look at the situation Andover is in as opposed to what other cities are doing. He disagrees with them pointing to other cities as examples of what Andover should do because Andover has its own unique circumstances. It is unfair to hold Andover to the cookie cutter standards of what other communities are doing. For example, Andover doesn't have a transportation system. It does not have a lot of buildable land, plus there are a lot of soil limitations. Ms. Pennell noted in looking at the overall index for this area, Andover's goals are a lot lower than others. They do recognize the differences. Blaine has a lot of wetlands and is in the process of working with the landowners and University of Minnesota and the Metropolitan Council in a three-way partnership to plan for that area creatively to work for everyone. They would prefer it would be a creative endeavor. Commissioner Squires agreed with creativity but not with unfunded mandates. Ms. Pennell noted Andover would get money if it participated in the programs; but it doesn't have to join. Councilmember Grttel understood the county will not get funds to improve the roads because Andover does not belong to Livable Communities. Mr. Kari explained the funding is prorated based on points, and belonging to Livable Communities affects the overall score. But it does not stop the funding. Special Andover City Council Workshop Minutes - May 30, 2000 Page 5 The Council recessed at 7:51; reconvened at 8:06 p.m. DISCUSS OUTSTANDING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ISSUES Future Land Use Map - The Council reviewed the proposed Future Land Use map, noting the proposed high density areas south of the WDE site and in the Andover Station site. It was suggested the descriptions within the Plan note that for future expansion, the development would include 10 acres in the general area of the WDE site and 8.14 acres within the general area of the Andover Station site. The text could also explain the high density redevelopment area along Bunker Lake Boulevard. That area should be transitional residential, not transitional commercial. If it is developed as a PUD, a mix of commercial would be allowable. Staff was also asked to make a change on the property in the southwest corner of Hanson and Andover Boulevards, as it has been proposed as a townhome development. It was suggested the future high school site be shown as public property. Mr. Hinzman explained the transitional commercial industrial zone at Prairie Road and Andover Boulevard allows more flexibility for future development. It conforms to the present zoning district as a residential use but is viable as a commercial site in the future. Mr. Carlberg noted that the zoning on the proposed Grey Oaks site on Hanson Boulevard north of Oak View Middle School can be reviewed at the Council meeting next week following the Council's action on that item. Percentage of gross acreages for multiple family uses - Mr. Hinzman noted the proposed changes in Chapter Two, Housing, to indicate the City's intent to require a certain percent of all development in the MUSA to be allocated to multiple family development. Sketch plans would be required to be submitted by a certain date, and Staff would evaluate the percentage of multiple family housing. In discussing the issue, the Council felt that the goal for multiple family housing must be measured in units, not acres. There was deliberation on how to handle the scenarios where too many multiple units are proposed or not enough. It is expected that all of the issues will be handled by contract rezoning. Specific criteria needs to be established as to where the multiples can be located. Some of that criteria is already in place. It was acknowledged that this means the City will be more involved in planning the developments. Another concern was the interpretation of multiple housing, high density and medium density. Net versus gross acres must be clear. The Council then determined and agreed that 12 percent of the new development units over the next 20 years should be allocated to multiple family development in accordance with adopted housing goals. That would be 12 percent maximum unless the area is zoned for multiples. Any higher density would require a rezoning. The Council also agreed it would be good planning to have a deadline by which sketch plans would need to be submitted, but suggested Staff check with the City Attorney as to the legality of doing so. Land outside the 2020/2040 MUSA boundary over 10 acres - Mr. Hinzman reviewed the map which showed the buildable land over 10 acres and land with severe soil restrictions in the rural area. There are 1539 acres with soil restrictions and 3716 acres of buildable land outside the 2020 MUSA. Because there is not a lot ofland left outside the MUSA for development, the proposal has been to - Special Andover City Council Workshop Minutes - May 30, 2000 Page 6 (Outstanding Comp Plan Issues/Land outside the 2020/2040 MUSA boundary over 10 acres, Continued) stay with the current development standards for the rural area. The Council suggested coloring only the parcels over 10 acres, which will indicate there is very little left to develop in the rural area The Council also suggested that the language changes in the text be reviewed by the City Attorney to avoid misinterpretations in the future. Motion by Knight, Seconded by Johnson, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously, The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~~~ Marcella A. Peach Recording Secretary .' -