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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP July 28, 1998 CITY of ANDOVER SPECIAL ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING - JULY 28, 1998 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on July 28, 1998,7:34 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota, to meet with the Planning and Zoning Commission Councilmembers present: Bonnie Dehn, Ken Orttel Councilmembers absent: Mike Knight, John Kunza Planning Commissioners present Jay Squires, Maynard Apel, Don Jacobson, Jeff Luedtke, Lorna Wells Planning Commissioners absent Mike Gamache, Randy Peek Also present: Planner, John Hinzman City Code Enforcer, Jeff Johnson CommulÚty Development Director, Dave Carlberg There was an open forum discussion between the City Councilmembers and the Planning and ZoJ1Íng Commissioners. The following topics were discussed: Transportation: Mr. Carlberg noted the concerns raised by both the City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission on traffic.. When development occurs in Andover, the county is given copies, so they are aware offuture traffic patterns and increases, and they react to it The developer has nothing to do with the road system outside of the plat. Councilmember Orttel stated impact fees are illegal, though he has seen where turn lanes have been required adjacent to a plat. The City's traffic plan is incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan. Overall, traffic in the City is a concern. The discussion was on the lack of improvements made on the county roads in recent years, the county's ITustration with the City because it does not assess for county roads, that the county would be willìng to upgrade more roads if the City participated in the cost and/or right of way acquisition, the ITustration because the county did not widen Hanson Boulevard to four lanes between Highway 242 and Bunker Lake Boulevard when it was upgraded this year and the need to look at service roads along the major roads to limit access onto them. Planning Commission Chairperson Squires pointed out that roads are the most visible aspects of the government; and if money is going to accelerate the county's plans for improvements, the Council should seriously look at funding sources that are available. The Council felt an option is to increase taxes some percentage each year to build up a fund for road improvements. TIF financing may also be available on some of the county roads. They agreed to take a closer look at financial sources for road improvements around the City. . .. .. . n_ ,. Special City Council - Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes - July 28, 1998 Page 2 (Transportation, Continued) Another avenue is to be more pro-active with the county with both the Highway Department and the City's board member representatives. Bus transportation: The Council repeated its comments made at the meeting with the Comprehensive Plan Task Force, that the results of the survey indicate a majority of the residents do not favor public transportation in Andover. Options that have been suggested are to contribute to the enlargement of the park and ride facility at the Norwest Bank on Highway 242 to catch the express bus, to construct a park and ride facility south of the landfill area off Hanson Boulevard in Andover and hire a private bus firm to transport people to the express buss on Highway 242, or to talk with the county and Coon Rapids about constructing a park and ride facility on county property off Hanson Boulevard in Coon Rapids with an express bus from that location. Storm sewer issue - Hamilton Square/Chesterton Commons: Councilmember Orttel noted the conflict over storm sewer between Hamilton Square and Chesterton Commons is a very unfortunate situation over which the City has no control. The policy should be that utilities be extended to the property line so the next property can connect to it. The Council has told the parties to work it out. It is more of a personal battle. Commissioner Wells was concerned that the City will end up in a lawsuit because this dispute is preventing other properties from being developed. Mayor McKelvey didn't think so, as the development plan for those areas was not until 1999. Several people agreed that the City should take a tough stand on the time frame for the development cycle; because when plats are rushed through, mistakes are made. Rural PUD developments: Councilmember Orttel felt that with the 2020 MUSA area becoming fully developed, they will see a lot of PUD type developments in the rural area. He felt the City should try to extend municipal water to those areas wherever possible to avoid the congestion of septic systems and wells into small areas. In effect, those PUDs are permanent, because they would not be subdividable in the future if municipal utilities are made available. He recognized that the extension of municipal water would be based on economics, though it is not as expensive to extend water as it is to extend SalÚtary sewer. -~ --. _. -._-- ,,-.. . -~----- - Special City Council - Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes - July 28, 1998 Page 3 Trailways, bikeways and sidewalks: Chairperson Squires stated the Council's support of the bikeways and trailways has been a very positive thing for the City. Commissioner Apel asked if there is some way to cross Hanson Boulevard. Councilmember Orttel noted the Engineering Department is looking at costs and grant funds to cross at the schools with either an under- or overpass. Comments were made regarding the use of the trails by three-wheelers and horses and the damage being done as a result. Mr. Carlberg asked about requiring sidewalks within developments. Councilmember Orttel stated people react poorly to the concept of sidewalks, but they like trails and walkways. There is some merit to putting sidewalks on the main streets, along state aid roads where state aid funds can be used and in conunercial areas. Externalities - impact of development on schools, roads, etc.: Commissioner Wells felt the City needs to look at the impact on schools when looking at development. Mr. Carlberg stated plans are submitted to the school and to the county highway department. They are aware of the expected growth and are updated continually. They react to the growth. The Council noted the school has always been reactive, not proactive. That is their function. Commissioner Jacobson stated a proposal in the Comprehensive Plan is to address the issues of externalities before property is rezoned. They would expand what is reviewed before rezoning property such as the impact on police and fire protection, the increase in traffic, and the effect on schools and parks. Councilmember Orttel argued that is subjective data to which a developer cannot comply. Those things should not be used to deny a rezoning. He was concerned that if that is incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan, the ordinance must then comply and it will stop all development. The reasons for acceptance or denial of a rezoning are governed by State statute. Commissioner Jacobson stated that information would not be used to deny a rezoning, but it is information that the public wants. That data is needed to determine the impact on the City. Now the City doesn't even look at it. Those things drive increased prices in the City and affects every citizen in the City. The debate continued, with Councilmember Orttel then agreeing to go along with it as long as that would not be used for denial or approval of the rezolÚng, only for information. Councilmember Dehn also noted that most of that information is collected by Staff or the county or the school district, but it is not gathered and given to the public. Councilmember Orttel also noted that the impact of development on the fire department and police is not in the realm of the developer, but is a City item. Unless property is in the Comprehensive plan, it should not be rezoned. If it is in the Plan, the impact on those areas should have already been addressed. Commissioner Apel noted the proposal is those items would be discussed for rezonings that generate an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. ,. . - -~. -- ~. -- -.-.' - Special City Council - Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes - July 28, 1998 Page 4 (Externalities - impact of development on schools, roads, etc., Continued) Councilmember Orttel didn't think the City has been that liberal with rezonings, especially in the rural area. Councilmember Dehn did not want to see a gas station on each comer of the major roads. Financingfor the Andover PUD: Mr. Carlberg reviewed the financial proposal for the rental umts in the Andover PUD. That appears to be the only means of being able to control the affordable housing and to designate an age for those units so they wìl1 remain senior housing. Commercial Park development: Chairperson Squires asked about their role in the development of the new Commercial Park, noting the Commission has not even seen a proposed layout ofthe development. Mr. Carlberg stated the EDA will be creating an association with covenants for the Park. The Council suggested that both the site plan and the association covenants be presented to the Commission for their comments. Mr. Carlberg agreed. He also updated those present on the theater proposal for the Park. The meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, '(\\~~L Marcella A. Peach Recording Secretary .__þ _u' _ ..-- .._-,- --~. -