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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ - May 24, 2011C] Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Agenda May 24, 2011 Andover City Hall Council Chambers 7.00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Minutes —March 8, 2011 3. Review Proposed Adoption of a Modification to the Development Program for Development District No.1 and the Proposed Adoption of the Modifications to the Tax Increment Financing Plans for Tax Increment District Nos. I -1 and 1 -2, Both Redevelopment Districts 4. PUBLIC HEARING: Consider changes to City Code to comply with variance © legislation enacted by the State of Minnesota. 5. Work Session: Discuss status of planning and development 6. Other Business 7. Adjournment u 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US ANDOV '. PLANNINGAND ZONING COMMISSIONMEETING — MAY 24, 2011 The Regular Bi- Monthly Meeting of the Andover Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order by Chairperson Daninger on May 24, 2011, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Chairperson Daninger, Commissioners Valerie Holthus, Tim Kirchoff, and Michael Olsen. Commissioners absent: Commissioners Dennis Cleveland, Lynae Gudmundson, and Devon Walton. Also present: City Planner, Courtney Bednarz City Administrator, Jim Dickinson Others Q OATH OF OFFICE. Chairperson Daninger recited the Oath of Office. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. March 8, 2011 Chairperson Daninger indicated that due to the lack of a quorum of members who had attended the March 8, 2011 meeting, the approval of minutes would be tabled to the next meeting. REVIEW PROPOSED ADOPTION OF MODIFICATION TO THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO. I AND THE PROPOSED ADOPTION OF THE MODIFICATION TO THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLANS FOR TAX INCREMENT DISTRICT NOS.1-1 AND 1 -2, BOTH REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS. Mr. Dickinson, noted as the Economic Development Authority (EDA) moves towards the completion of tax increment districts that have facilitated the redevelopment of property near the closed landfill site building community market value and removing blight, the EDA is now looking at additional opportunities not originally planned for and continue Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes — May 24, 2011 Page 2 © to build value and eliminate blight within the established development district. Staff reviewed the location of the development district and TIF districts 1 -1 and 1 -2. Mr. Dickinson noted that TIF District 1 -1 expires in 2012, while TIF District 1 -2 expires in 2014. The City needs to consider what else needs to be accomplished in the community. The EDA has interest in acquiring blighted housing west of Crosstown Boulevard and east of Crosstown Drive and seek other blighted housing within a designated area. Mr Dickinson showed a map depicting that general area of the City and development district. Mr. Dickinson reviewed the tax increment district information further with the Commission. Chairperson Daninger clarified what action was required from the Planning Commission this evening. Mr. Dickinson stated staff was seeking review by the Planning Commission if the modifications are consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Olsen questioned if the TIF district timelines would be extended through the proposed modifications. Mr. Dickinson stated the timelines would remain the same and the district would not be extended beyond the 25 year framework. He noted both districts were debt free with positive increment available for redevelopment activities. © Commissioner Olsen inquired if the City would be using eminent domain to acquire blighted housing. Mr. Dickinson did not feel this would be necessary as the City would approach willing sellers, but Mr. Dickinson did qualify that it still is a tool available to the City. Commissioner Holthus felt different portions of the housing stock within the City would align better with the Comprehensive Plan than others. Mr. Bednarz stated the proposed area for potential acquisition for blighted housing would be the area up for review against the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Holthus asked if any commercial businesses would be proposed for redevelopment in this area. Mr. Dickinson indicated acquisition of commercial property was not being proposed at this time. Commissioner Kirchoff questioned if any properties would be rezoned through acquisition. Mr. Dickinson stated the City would acquire the parcels and then likely work with a developer to create a mixed use development. The City would have to meet basic developmental criteria through the Met Council. Any changes to the Comprehensive Plan would be reviewed by the Planning Commission. Chairperson Daninger inquired how the new district would change the current boundaries of TIF districts 1 -1 and 1 -2. Mr. Dickinson stated no new district is being created, the Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes — May 24, 2011 Page 3 © boundaries would remain intact but dollars created by development within the current districts could be expended throughout the proposed acquisition area. Chairperson Daninger questioned who developed the potential acquisition area boundary. Mr. Dickinson explained this was reviewed by the EDA and recommended by staff. Commissioner Olsen questioned if the City would need to bond for proposed housing acquisitions over the next several years. Mr. Dickinson stated the City could bond, but did not feel this would be necessary given the positive cash flow in the TIF districts and the limited time frame. Commissioner Holthus explained one of the main goals within the Comprehensive Plan was to maintain and enhance the quality of life to Andover residents. She felt the proposed modifications met this requirement and aligned with the five year housing plan. She further reviewed the goals offering support for the proposed modifications to the TIF plan. Commissioner Holthus asked what advantage the City would have if using a developer to create a housing proposal from the acquired blighted sites. Mr. Dickinson stated the limited timeframe available to the City may not allow this to happen. However, if this did occur, the City could choose to provide a subsidy for the development and assist with City utilities and infrastructure. Motion by Kirchoff, seconded by Holthus, to recommend approval, finding the proposed modifications to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Motion carried on a 4 -ayes, 0 -nays, 3- absent (Cleveland, Gudmundson, Walton) vote. Mr. Bednarz stated that this item would be before the Council as a public hearing at the June 7, 2011 City Council meeting. PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDER CHANGES TO CITY CODE TO COMPLY WITH VARIANCE LEGISLATION ENACTED BY THE STATE OFMINNESOTA. Mr. Bednarz noted the purpose of this item is to hold a public hearing and take input on the changes to the City Code that are needed to comply with recent changes in State law regarding variances. Mr. Bednarz reviewed the proposed code changes with the Commission. Commissioner Kirchoff questioned if the variance references in different sections of the code were being refined to reference one set of criteria for variances. Mr. Bednarz stated this was the case. 0 Commissioner Olsen agreed with the proposed amendments but asked if the language regarding prohibited uses should remain as is. Mr. Bednarz stated variances have not Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes — May 24, 2011 Page 4 © been allowed in the past for uses not permitted in a zoning district. Instead the City would have to amend City Code. Commissioner Olsen indicated it would be interesting to see how the proposed changes would affect the number of variances requested from the public. Chairperson Daninger clarified that an economic hardship was still not a reason to grant a variance within the proposed language. Mr. Bednarz stated this was the case. Chairperson Daninger asked for clarification of the proposed changes concerning lot splits. Mr. Bednarz stated the proposed changes would continue to allow variances to be approved as part of a lot split application without a separate variance application as has been done in the past. He added that administrative lot splits that do not require a public hearing would be required to submit a variance application and go through that public hearing process. Chairperson Daninger asked if the City had a choice with these new standards. Mr. Bednarz indicated the City would be best served by aligning City Code with State regulations. Commissioner Olsen asked if the City could be more restrictive than the regulations passed along by the State. Mr. Bednarz explained the City could use the review criteria #I to determine if a request is out of character with the intent of the applicable requirement. Chairperson Daninger commented the City may have to review the City Code in the future after several variance requests had run through the new process. Motion by Olsen, seconded by Kirchoff, to open the public hearing at 8:01 p.m. Motion carried on a 4 -ayes, 0 -nays, 3- absent (Cleveland, Gudmundson, Walton) vote. Motion by Olsen, seconded by Holthus, to close the public hearing at 8:01 p.m. Motion carried on a 4 -ayes, 0 -nays, 3- absent (Cleveland, Gudmundson, Walton) vote. Commissioner Olsen stated he was in favor of the Code amendments presented this evening. He felt the Council and Planning Commission would have to complete subjective analysis to approve future variances. Motion by Holthus, seconded by Kirchoff, to recommend to the City Council the presented and proposed amendments to City Code regarding variance legislation. Motion carried on a 4 -ayes, 0 -nays, 3- absent (Cleveland, Gudmundson, Walton) vote. Mr. Bednarz stated that this item would be before the Council at the June 7, 2011 City Council meeting. Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes — May 24, 2011 Page 5 ® WORK SESSION. DISCUSS STATUSOFPLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. Mr. Bednarz noted one of the topics discussed at the joint workshop with the City Council was how to engage the Planning Commission in an open ended discussion beyond application and ordinance amendments to longer term planning for the City. Chairperson Daninger explained the Council was seeking comments from the Commission on the future vision for the City of Andover. He suggested the Commission propose ideas or issues that were of interest. Commissioner Olsen suggested the Commission address the need for a more diversified tax base to support the City. He noted that only 2% of the city is zoned for commercial development and stated the Commission and Council could discuss what would be the proper percentage of commercial property in the City. Commissioner Olsen indicated he would like to see the permitted conditional and prohibited use chart within the City's ordinances streamlined so that it is not misleading. Chairperson Daninger suggested the City review transportation and how it affects the City. This was always a concern to residents and felt it was a good point of discussion. © Commissioner Holthus stated she would like to see the City continue to pursue Open Space. This greatly improved the quality of life for the residents in Andover. In addition, the larger parks in the City should offer more amenities. She added that she would like to see improved public transportation. The bike trails in the City could tie into the County/regional trains and create more loop trails. She stated increased commercial development would greatly benefit the City and its residents. Commissioner Kirchoff indicated it would be interesting for the City to pursue additional employment opportunities in the City of Andover such as a corporate campus. This would allow people to live and work in the City. Commissioner Holthus stated additional programming for junior high students would also be a benefit to the city. Chairperson Daninger noted the intent of this discussion was for the City to remain proactive versus reactive. He suggested a joint meeting between the Planning Commission and the Park Commission to further discuss park and trail issues. Mr. Bednarz thanked the Commission for their input and stated he would compile a list of priorities and bring this to the Commission at a future meeting. © OTHER BUSINESS. Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes — May 24, 2011 Page 6 ® Mr. Bednarz updated the Planning Commission on related items. Mr. Bednarz stated Fun Fest was scheduled for July 8 - 9 and the committee was still seeking volunteers for the event. IIaLIII��� Motion by Holthus, seconded by Kirchoff, to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m. Motion carried on a 4 -ayes, 0 -nays, 3- absent (Cleveland, Gudmundson, Walton) vote. Respectfully Submitted, Heidi Guenther, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.