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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 19, 1982 o 0 e<<, 05 ANDOVER C) SPECIAL PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MAY 19, 1982 MINUTES A special meeting of the Andover Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order by Chairperson d'Arcy Bosell at 7:32 P.M., Wednesday, May 19, 1982 at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard N.W., Andover, Minnesota. The purpose of the meeting was to interview consultants to update the City's Zoning and Platting Ordinances. Commissioners Present: Commissioners Absent: Also Present: Anstett, Apel, Perry, Randklev, Spotts None John Bergly, Wehrman Consultants; David Licht and Al Brixius, Northwest Associated Consultants; Bill Short and Susan Blachman, Barton-Aschman Associates. Each consultant was given 15 minutes for their presentations after which the Planning Commission asked several questions. Wehrman Consultants, represented by John Bergly Mr. Bergly stated that the most important part of a proposal is the introductory section. It lets you know if the planner knows what your needs are. He felt that this will be a very educational opportunity for the Planning Commission especially because of the number of new members. He then presented the following procedure which he would use if selected. ('\ ,-/Phase I: Familiarization - review existing plans and ordinances; recommend general format and review schedule; meet with Planning Commission. Purpose - to uncover issues before suggesting changes. First Draft - prepare drafts of ordinances; prepare revised zoning map with new districts; review drafts with Planning Commission and resolve issues (estimate of a minimum of 4 meetings). Purpose - to address in draft form the issues identified in . previous step - from a planning perspective. Phase II: Meet and Resolve - meet with city staff (engineer, attorney); meet with City Council. Purpose - to review and suggest modifications from both the technical and political perspectives. Phase III: Preliminary Draft - incorporate all changes in preliminary ordinance draft. Purpose - to provide a completed draft, including proposed changes, for public hearing. Public Hearing - (Conducted by Planning Commission) assist in notification; participate in public hearing. Purpose - to encourage citizen response and to satisfy State legal require- ment. Adoption - meet with Planning Commission to resolve changes suggested at public hearing and prepare memo; present changes to City Council for adoption; publish adopted ordinances. Purpose - to provide easily administered and comprehensive development tools. Mr. Bergly noted that their proposal includes incorporating the existing zoning ordinance and amendments and the existing subdivision ordinance into two new ordinances with integrated, easily administered formats. Mr. Bergly noted that they have worked with the City of Anoka beginning in the early 1960's when they worked on their first ordinance. Since then they have worked with Anoka on C=;ordinances dealing with mining, planned unit developments, solar access and environmental preservation. In the mid 1970's they drafted a new ordinance for them and in 1981 they codified the above listed ordinances in a new ordinance. They have also done ordinances for the following cities: Hopkins - sign ordinance; Minnetonka - mobile home ordinance; Orono - multiple family; Minnetrista - update of subdivision ordinance and agricultural ! \ '-J Special Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting May 19, 1982 - Minutes Page 2 I ~,(Wehrman Consultants, Cont.) '--,' l) preserve districts; Oak Park Heights - signs. Mr. Berg1y's firm is now serving the communities of Anoka, Minnetrista, Arden Hills, Forest Lake, East Bethel, Cambridge, Hanover and Cold Spring with Mr. Bergly personally working with Anoka, Minnetrista, Forest Lake and East Bethel. If Wehrman Consultants is the firm selected, Mr. Bergly will be working with the city. Chairperson Bose11 asked if six months is an unreasonable time to expect this project to be completed. Mr. Berg1y stated that Anoka has been working on updating their ordinances for the past two years. Commissioner Perry asked Mr. Bergly what the difference is between performance based ordinances and rule based ordinances. Mr. Bergly noted that a performance based ordinance has not been tried in a 100 percent fashion in the metropolitan area. A rules based ordinance sets out criteria and is more subjective. He felt that the rules based ordinance is better. Commissioner Anstett asked what area Mr. Bergly felt he had a lot of expertise in. Mr. Bergly noted that he would consider ordinances his field as he has been a planner for 20 years. He also is a designer which he feels helps with zoning. Chairperson Bose11 noted that the $10,000 fee Wehrman Consultants would be asking is more than the City is planning to spend. She asked Mr. Bergly if it is possible that the fee be reduced. Mr. Bergly noted that it could be less if the Platting Ordinance doesn't take / ~a lot of work. Chairperson Bose11 was also concerned that the review process of the Compre- ,_/hensive Plan would use up a lot of the planner's time. Mr. Bergly noted that he has reviewed it quite carefully in preparation for the presentation. Mr. Berg1y also suggested that each Planning Commissioner could take a different section of the ordinance to work on between meetings, which would save a lot of time. At this time, the Planning Commission discussed the proposal of Wehrman Consultants with Commissioner Anstett stating that she would like to check with Forest Lake to see if they are happy with Mr. Berg1y's work. Commissioner Spotts noted that he was pleased that Mr. Bergly said that planning doesn't have to be drudgery. Northwest Associated Consultants, represented by David Licht and Al Brixius Mr. Licht noted that his firm worked on the city's Comprehensive Plan. He then gave a brief history of his company which began as Midwest Planning and Research and later merged with Northwest Associated. Mr. Licht presented a list of the communities he has worked with, including Maple Grove, Lakeville, etc. He is presently working with White Bear Lake, Spring Park, Wayzata, Shorewood and Little Canada. He noted that in 1978 they did a review of our existing ordinances and a proposed draft ordinance and one concept they found unique was a definitions ordinance. He found from that that there was a lack of community involvement. Representing their firm will be Mr. Licht, who will be handling the public hearings, public meetings, working sessions, and A1 Brixius who will be backing up Mr. Licht. They will be using a three step process after meeting with the Planning Commission, the . City Attorney, City Engineer, City Clerk and all who are involved with the ordinances. '\ '- ) , Step One - Submi t a draft ordi nance to the Attorney, City C1 erk, etc. Step Two - Come to the Planning Commission and review the draft. It should take three or f' "- "'-J Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting May 19, 1982 - Minutes Page 3 ~~(N.W. Associated Consultants, Cont.) four meetings on the zoning ordinance and 1 to 3 meetings on the subdivision ordinance. " , ~J Step Three - Assist the attorney in notifying the residents and hold the public hearing. Mr. Licht presented a copy of the Lakevil1e Zoning Ordinance as an example of what they have done. He suggested that the sign section of the ordinance be taken out of the zoning ordinance and made an ordinance of its own. He noted that the subdivision ordinance should not take too long but the zoning ordinance contains a lot of policy and will take longer. He also noted that their budget is $4,500 but could be reduced if the city assumes the copying. Commissioner Anstett asked Mr. Licht what he has developed as his own personal strengths. Mr. Licht replied that ordinances, in general are his strengths. Commissioner Perry asked what the difference is between performance based and rules based ordinances. Mr. Licht noted that with a performance based ordinance you can to anything you want in a zone as long as you meet the criteria. A rules based ordinance is fairly precise. Chairperson Bose11 asked if Northwest would codify the ordinances. Mr. Licht noted that they would. Chairperson Bose11 asked if Mr. Licht had a copy of an ordinance background report that he could leave with the Commission. Mr. Licht noted that he did not have one with him but that he would m,ail one to the City. /, '-/Barton-Aschman Associates, represented by Bill Short and Susan Blachman Mr. Short gave a brief history of his company noting that they have 8 offices in the United States with their headquarters in Illinois. The firm has been in business since 1958 and the Minneapolis office has been in business since 1970. The people who will be representing Barton-Aschman are Mr. Short, Susan Blachman and Kevin Locke. It will primarily be Mr. Short and Ms. Blachman. They are presently working with Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and Centervi11e. Mr. Short presented their procedure which includes six steps: 1. Kick-off Meeting - this will be with the Planning Commission. 2. 3. Ordinance Review - this will include a summary of initial comments and recommendations. 4. Staff Review/Work Sessions - this will take 1 to 2 meetings with City Staff and the product will be a summary of recommended changes. Review with Planning Commission - this will take 1 to 3 meetings with the Planning Commission and will result in a draft ordinance update. City Council Review - this will take 1 meeting with the City Council and the product will be a refined ordinance update. Public Hearing - this should only take one meeting for the hearing and will result in the final ordinance. 5. / "".... , O. --J Mr. Short noted that the total time period will be 120 to 190 days with five to eight meetings. The total cost will be approximately $6,600 to $8,800. The number of meetings will adjust the cost. / , Planning and Zoning Commiss~ ;eeting May 19, 1982 - Minutes -- Page 4 L,) ~ )(Barton-Aschman, Cont.) Mr. Short noted that they will codify the ordinances. They have worked with several cities including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, White Bear Township, Gem Lake, Bemidji, Marshall, Eau Claire, Rhinelander, Ironwood, and Wahpeton, N.D. Mr. Short is presently working with Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and White Bear Township. Commissioner Anstett asked Ms. Blachman what she will be doing to assist Mr. Short. Ms. Blachman noted that she will provide assistance to Mr. Short; do research; attend all of the meetings and make sure all of the paper work is done accurately. Chairperson Bosell asked Mr. Short how many copies would be given to the city. Mr. Short noted that there will be enough for everyone. Mr. Short noted that there are four sections to every ordinance: 1) Map; 2) District regulations; 3) Administration; 4) General provisions. i Chairperson Bosell asked if they felt they could get this done in six months. Mr. Short stated they could, but it might require special meetings. Commissioner Perry asked Mr. Short the difference between performance based and rules based ordinances. Mr. Short noted that with a performance based ordinance you do not have specific zoning districts; the city is open for uses as long as they meet specific criteria. Commissioner Anstett asked Mr. Short what his strengths are. Mr. Short replied that being ,~\able to help the Planning Commission and developers to work together is one of his strong ~~points. Ms. Blachman noted that when she worked in Ironwood, Michigan the Planning Commission was new and she had to develop a strong commitment for a regional problem. She had to educate them in the process of zoning and planning and teach them enough to learn to become involved with other communities. At this time the Planning Commission discussed the three firms that were interviewed. Commissioner Anstett asked if the dollar figures given by the firms would influence the Commission's decision. She also noted that Northwest Associated Consultants seemed to want to get it done with and not have the city involved. She also liked the idea of having Susan Blachman working along with Mr. Short (Barton-Aschman). Commissioner Apel noted that the Commission has received some good comments about Mr. Short from Ham Lake and Lino Lakes. He felt that we should hire someone using two criteria - personality and money. It was noted that Northwest Associated Consultants really didn't have a presentation pre- pared and they told the Planning Commission that updating the ordinances could be boring, whereas Wehrman Consultants felt that updating the ordinances could be fun. Commissioner Randklev liked the idea of splitting up the ordinance between the Planning Commissioners that was mentioned by Wherman Associates. She also noted that she had negative feelings about Northwest Associated Consultants. It was the concensus of the Commission that the secretary contact the Mayor and Council to see if they are more interested in the dollar figure or the product we will be getting. This , 'will be continued at the May 25th meeting. ,~J MOTION by Spotts, seconded by Anstett to adjourn. Carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 10:15 P.~l. Re~f~~mitted, Vicki Volk, Commission Secretary