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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Information Memorandum 08-01-2019CITY OF PLYMOUTH COUNCIL INFO MEMO August 1, 2019 EVENTS / MEETINGS Planning Commission Agenda for August 7 ....................................................... Page 2 Official City Meeting Calendars .................................................................... Page 3 Tentative List of Agenda Items ..................................................................... Page 6 CORRESPONDENCE Charter Commission Appointments ................................................................ Page 9 City Set to Celebrate Night to Unite August 6 ................................................. Page 12 Citywide Test of Alert Plymouth Set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 6 ........................ Page 13 Notice of Public Meeting of Shingle Creek and West Mississippi Watershed Commissions .................................................... Page 14 REPORTS & OTHER ARTICLES OF INTEREST Hennepin County Board Approves Increase in Wheelage Tax, Star Tribune ............... Page 15 Plymouth Businesses React to Rockford Road Bridge Closure, Sun Sailor .................. Page 17 The Death of Second-Ring Suburbs, Strong Town ............................................. Page 21 PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2019 LOCATION: CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS Plymouth City Hall 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 1.CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 P.M. 2.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3.PUBLIC FORUM 4.APPROVAL OF AGENDA 5.CONSENT AGENDA A.Approve the July 17, 2019 Planning Commission meeting minutes. 6.PUBLIC HEARINGS A.Robbinsdale Area Schools (ISD #281). Conditional use permit and variances to allow / for a XXXxxx… at Armstrong High School, 10635 36th Avenue. (2019045) B.Augusta Development, LLC. Site plan and conditional use permit for a 130-unit senior housing building at 3025 Harbor Lane. (2019048) C.Watermark Properties, LLC. Preliminary plat to divide and replat Lot 1, Block 2, Beacon Ridge into two lots to be called Beacon Ridge 3rd Addition. (2019052) D.Wold Architects and Engineers. Site plan amendment and conditional use permit amendment to allow / for a XXXxxx… at Oakwood Elementary School, 17340 County Road 6. (2019055) 7.NEW BUSINESS 8.ADJOURNMENT CONSENT AGENDA All items listed on the consent agenda are considered to be routine by the Planning Commission and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner, citizen or petitioner so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. Page 2 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 5:30 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Budget/CIP Medicine Lake Room 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 August 2019 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 OFFICIAL CITY CALENDAR Phone: 763-509-5000 Fax: 763-509-5060 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 7:00 PM HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING Parkers Lake Room SUN TUES MON WED THUR FRI SAT 5:30 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Lodging Tax Discussion Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED 5:30 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Budget/CIP (if needed) Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE MEETING Medicine Lake Room 5:00 PM Park & Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting Park Tour Page 3 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 September 2019 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 OFFICIAL CITY CALENDAR Phone: 763-509-5000 Fax: 763-509-5060 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE MEETING Medicine Lake Room 7:30 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers SUN TUES MON WED THUR FRI SAT CHANGES ARE MADE IN RED LABOR DAY CITY OFFICES CLOSED 5:30 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Economic Development Advisory Commission Discussion Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 5:30 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING District Court Update/Boards & Commissions Discussion Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 7:00 PM HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING Parkers Lake Room 7:00 PM PARK & REC ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING Park Maintenance 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM Plymouth on Parade Celebration City Center Area 7:30 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 5:30 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Review Schematic Design for Plymouth Creek Center Medicine Lake Room Page 4 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 October 2019 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 OFFICIAL CITY CALENDAR Phone: 763-509-5000 Fax: 763-509-5060 5:30 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING CIP, Utility Study & Other Funds Budget Review Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 7:00 PM HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING Parkers Lake Room SUN TUES MON WED THUR FRI SAT 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers CHA 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE MEETING Council Chambers 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 5:30 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING CIP, Utility Study & Other Funds Budget Review (if needed) Medicine Lake Room 6:00 PM-9:00 PM Halloween at the Creek Plymouth Creek Center Page 5 Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. EDA refers to the Economic Development Authority Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items August 13, Special, 5:30 p.m., Medicine Lake Room •Lodging Tax discussion August 13, Regular, 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers •Financial overview •Approve Final Plat and Development Contract for “Greenway North 2nd Addition” located south of 60th Avenue at Walnut Grove Lane (2019063) •Consider Site Plan for Northwest Greenway Trailhead, Peony Lane and 54th Avenue (Parks and Recreation Dept. – 2019054) •Approve Final Plat for Westin Ridge 1st Addition located at the southeast corner of County Roads 47 and 101 (West Plymouth Development, Inc. – 2018078F) •Reject bids for the Vicksburg Lane Pavement Reclamation and Ferndale Road Mill and Overlay Project (ST199005) •Approve final payment for Plymouth Creek Center Fieldhouse renovation project •Public hearing on the On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License application with Sunday sales of Brinker Restaurant Corporation d/b/a Chili’s Grill & Bar, 4000 Vinewood Lane North •Public Hearing on conveyance of property and quit claim deed for properties located at 605 Pinevew Lane and Outlot B, Gleanloch Second Addition August 20, Special, 5:30 p.m., Medicine Lake Room •Budget/CIP August 27, Special, 5:30 p.m., Medicine Lake Room •Budget/CIP (if needed) August 27, Regular, 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers •Approve Payment No. 6 & Final for the Troy Lane Reconstruction Project (ST180002) •Approve Change Order No. 3 and Payment No. 4 and Final for the State Hwy 55 Frontage Road Reconstruction Project (13002) September 5, Special, 5:30 p.m., Medicine Lake Room •Review schematic design and construction documents for the Plymouth Creek Center renovation and expansion project September 10, Special, 5:30 p.m., Medicine Lake Room •Economic Development Advisory Commission discussion September 10, Regular, 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers •Consider approving schematic design and construction documents for the Plymouth Creek Center renovation and expansion project •Consider 2020 proposed budget, preliminary general property tax levy, HRA levy and setting budget public hearing date September 24, Special, 5:30 p.m., Medicine Lake Room •Update from Hennepin County District Court (Judge Ivy Bernhardson) •Boards and Commissions discussion Page 6 September 24, Regular, 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers October 8, Special, 5:30 p.m., Medicine Lake Room •CIP, Utility Study, and other funds budget review October 8, Regular, 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers October 15, Special, 5:30 p.m., Medicine Lake Room •CIP, Utility Study, and other funds budget review (if needed) October 22, Regular, 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers November 12, Special, 5:30 p.m., Medicine Lake Room •Budget/CIP (if needed) November 12, Regular, 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers •Adopt polling locations for 2020 elections November 26, Regular, 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers December 10, Regular, 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers •Recognize Police Citizen Academy graduates •Approve 2020 Target and Trap Shooting License Renewal •Approve 2020 Amusement License renewals •Approve 2020 Tobacco License renewals •Public hearing on 2020 budget, general property tax levy, HRA levy, and Capital Improvement Plan Page 7 BUDGET PROCESS Budget Calendar 2020 – 2021 Biennial Budget Preparation & 10-yr Capital Improvement Plan Date Description July 8 – July 17, 2019 Department meetings August 9, 2019 Council receives budget materials for budget meeting #1 August 13, 2019 Council Regular Session (Financial Overview) August 20, 2019 Council study session – General Fund Budget Review (Meeting #1) August 27, 2019 Council Study Session – General Fund Budget Review (Meeting #2) (If needed) September 10, 2019 Council adopts preliminary levies & budget (Budget Meeting #3) September 27, 2019 Council receives budget materials and utility study for Budget Meeting #4 October 8, 2019 Council Study Session CIP, Utility Study & Other Funds Budget Review (Meeting #4) October 15, 2019 Council Study Session CIP, Utility Study & Other Funds Budget Review (Meeting #5) (If needed) November 6, 2019 Planning Commission public hearing November 12, 2019 Council Study Session (Budget meeting #6) (If needed) December 10, 2019 Budget Public Hearing - CIP, Budget, Levy, & Utility Rates Adoption December 27, 2019 Levy is certified with Hennepin County Page 8 1 The City has completed the annual appointment process to the Charter Commission. Nine members of the commission had terms that expired in 2019 and there was one vacant position due to Matthew Doherty resigning for a total of ten. As requested, Chief Judge Bernhardson staggered the length of the new terms. Anne Andreasen, Karl Neset, Christian Preus, and David Buonfiglio did not seek reappointment. Robert Fandrich, Richard Norman, Thomas Murphy Jr., Jim Willis, and Dharam Bobra were reappointed. Joseph Dorpat, David Asp, Nagendar Mahipathi, Jack Amdal, and Clark Gregor were appointed as new members to the commission. The commission has 15 members which is the maximum allowed by State Statute. Attached is the current roster. Memorandum To: Mayor and Councilmembers From: Sandy Engdahl, City Clerk Date: July 31, 2019 Item: Charter Commission Appointments Page 9 (Over) Officers Richard Norman Chair Robert Fandrich Vice Chair Name Appointed Term Expires Gregg Fishbein 3660 Xenium Ln. N. Plymouth, MN 55441 7-9-09 2-5-20 Jeremy Mauritson 16000 27th Place N. Plymouth, MN 55447 2-5-16 2-5-20 Richard Dunn 17815 4th Ave. N. Plymouth, MN 55447 3-1-04 2-5-20 Dharam Bobra 16105 39th Place N. Plymouth, MN 55446 8-25-99 1-31-21 Thomas E. Murphy Jr. 4810 Orchid Ln. N. Plymouth, MN 55446 9-18-98 3-31-21 Lisa Vertelney 13866 54th Ave. N., Unit 4 Plymouth, MN 55446 8-25-17 6-13-21 Steven Hoeft 2720 Queensland Ln. N. Plymouth, MN 55447 8-26-13 6-24-21 Plymouth Charter Commission Page 10 Joseph Dorpat 14830 40th Ave. N. Plymouth, MN 55446 6-25-19 10-31-21 David Asp 13005 55th Ave. N. Plymouth, MN 55442 6-25-19 2-28-22 Richard Norman 15015 48th Ave. N. Plymouth, MN 55446 7-17-15 6-30-22 James G. Willis 16511 26th Ave. N. Plymouth, MN 55447 6-19-99 10-31-22 Nagendar Mahipathi 5975 Vicksburg Ln. N. Plymouth, MN 55446 6-25-19 5-31-23 Robert Fandrich 11720 50th Ave. N. Plymouth, MN 55442 7-17-15 7-17-23 Jack Amdal 5645 Dallas Ln. N. Plymouth, MN 55446 6-25-19 8-31-23 Clark Gregor 2940 Xanthus Ln. N. Plymouth, MN 55447 6-26-19 9-30-23 City Staff Sandy Engdahl, City Clerk 763-509-5080 Appointments are made by the Hennepin County Chief Judge. Annual meetings are held the second Wednesday in December at 7 p.m. in the Medicine Lake Conference Room. Page 11 City of Plymouth News Release For Immediate Release July 31, 2019 Contact: Sara Lynn Cwayna Public Safety Education Specialist City of Plymouth 763-509-5198 scwayna@plymouthmn.gov Plymouth set to celebrate Night to Unite Aug. 6 Plymouth, Minn. – Plymouth residents are encouraged to step outside and meet neighbors, police officers, firefighters and city officials at Night to Unite Tuesday, Aug. 6 in Plymouth. The annual statewide crime prevention and community building event is a great way to get out of the house and strengthen community ties. Block Parties Many Plymouth neighborhoods hold block parties featuring potlucks, pizza parties, dessert buffets or cookouts as a way to bond with neighbors. Plymouth police officers, firefighters and City Council members may stop by registered block parties to visit with community members and neighbors. Cutline: Plymouth residents are encouraged to meet neighbors, police officers, firefighters and city officials at Night to Unite neighborhood block parties Tuesday, Aug. 6 in Plymouth. -30 - Page 12 City of Plymouth News Release For Immediate Release July 31, 2019 Contact: Mike Goldstein Public Safety Director City of Plymouth 763-509-5129 Citywide test of Alert Plymouth set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 Plymouth, Minn. – The City of Plymouth will conduct a citywide test of the Alert Plymouth system at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6. Alert Plymouth, the City of Plymouth’s emergency notification system, is able to call, text or email residents – and allows the city to inform the public of community-wide and localized emergencies. Plymouth Public Safety Department encourages everyone who lives and works in Plymouth to sign up with their cell phone numbers at plymouthmn.gov/alertplymouth. Residents Encouraged to Update Contact Information Those who previously signed up should check to make sure their contact information is current. Launched by the City of Plymouth in 2015, all landline phone numbers listed in the White and Yellow Pages were added to the Alert Plymouth system – but the city did not have a database of cell phone numbers or email addresses. Subscribers are asked to include their address, as it enables the system to geographically notify them of emergencies near their home or business. More Information, Sign Up The system is not used to relay weather forecasts or information about city events or news. Alert Plymouth is only used to issue public safety and emergency messages. All information provided is confidential and will not be shared with any other organizations. For more information or to sign up for Alert Plymouth, visit plymouthmn.gov/alertplymouth. -30- Page 13 Legal Notice NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING SHINGLE CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT COMMISSION WEST MISSISSIPPI WATERSHED MANAGEMENT COMMISSION TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Notice is hereby given that the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission and the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission will meet at Edinburgh, 8700 Edinbrook Crossing, Brooklyn Park, MN, on Thursday, August 8, 2019, at approximately 12:45 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, for a public meeting on proposed revisions to the Commissions’ Third Generation Management Plan. Section 4.3.7 and Appendix F of the Shingle Creek and West Mississippi WMC Third Generation Plan are hereby revised as follows Option 1 - Cost Share Policy. For capital projects improvements that have been identified in a Commission-adopted or approved TMDL or management plan or as approved by the Commissions for cost participation in accordance with the Commissions’ Cost Share Policy for Capital Improvements. Projects Improvements constructed to meet Commission development or redevelopment requirements are not eligible for cost participation. 1. The Commission’s share will be 25 percent of the final cost of the project improvement, with a minimum share of $25,00050,000. Table 4.5, the Shingle Creek Implementation Plan, is hereby revised to move the 2022 Lake Internal Load Project to 2020 and specify that the project will be the Meadow Lake Management Plan at a cost of $300,000. No revisions would be made in the West Mississippi watershed 2019 CIP. The Shingle Creek watershed includes parts of the cities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale. The West Mississippi watershed includes parts of the cities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Maple Grove and Osseo. Persons who desire to be heard with reference to the proposed amendment will be heard at this meeting. Written comments may be submitted to the chairs of the Shingle Creek and West Mississippi Commissions, c/o JASS, 3235 Fernbrook Lane, Plymouth, MN 55447, or emailed to judie@jass.biz. Auxiliary aids for persons with handicaps are available upon request at least seven days in advance. Please contact Judie Anderson at 763-553-1144 to make arrangements. ________________________________ /s/ Andy Polzin, Chair Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission ________________________________ /s/ Gerry Butcher, Chair West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission By order of the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission and the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission Page 14 WEST METRO 513416972 Hennepin County Board approves increase in wheelage tax JULY 30, 2019 — 10:22PM STAR TRIBUNE FILE Hennepin County Commissioner Marion Greene The Hennepin County Board on Tuesday raised the county's annual wheelage tax from $10 to $20 to fund road and bridge repairs. The vote was 4 to 2, with Commissioners Mike Opat and Jan Callison voting to reject the increase. The board's approval meets a state-imposed Thursday deadline to enact the tax increase on Jan. 1. The increased tax will raise $10 million annually, still short of the $25 million that public works officials told the board it needs for long-term upkeep of the county's transportation assets. The board was presented Page 15 with other funding options, such as raising property taxes, using revenue from the transportation sales tax or issuing a bond. "Our roads and bridges need repairs. Property tax rates have other pressures, bonding would be borrowing against depreciating assets, and the sales tax is, for now, a non-starter," said Board Chairwoman Marion Greene. "Bringing Hennepin's wheelage tax in line with other counties is the prudent approach." The wheelage tax has been $10 since 2014. The Legislature last year allowed counties to raise the tax to $20. Opat said the increase was unfortunate. The sales tax raises $13 million a month, he said. "I've never been wild about the Legislature offering a local option to pay for things that the state should probably be funding," he said. "There were better sources." DAVID CHANEN Page 16 Plymouth businesses react to Rockford Road bridge closure City reminds residents to support affected businesses during construction By Kristin Miller kristen.miller@ecm-inc.com July 30, 2019 (SUN PHOTOS BY KRISTEN MILLER) Businesses are bracing the effects of the Rockford Road bridge closure as they look toward a future that promises a smoother, safer commute. There’s no doubt businesses are being affected by the construction improvements to the Rockford Road bridge, and while the effects seem to vary, the pending improvements seem to keep optimism alive. While road construction can be an inconvenience to most people, it’s guaranteed to provide a smoother, safer commute along the Rockford Road bridge as crews work to widen it to accommodate designated left-turning lanes onto Interstate 494. Page 17 Acme Tools off Berkshire Lane North experienced an instant reduction in foot traffic when the bridge closed, and employees have heard complaints from customers about navigating their way to the construction supply house. The project, which is expected to be completed by late November, is currently in its second phase, which required an estimated 100-day closure of the bridge. Though ramps remain open to traffic, the posted detours have made it more difficult and timely for commuters to get around the area. Scott Peterson, general manager of Acme Tools, located off Berkshire Lane North, said walk-in traffic at the construction supply house has been considerably low, especially during its busiest quarter. “Before the bridge was down, the store traffic was tremendous,” Peterson said, noting customers include contractors big and small as well as homeowners. The biggest complaints they receive from customers is the difficulty in traveling to the business, said Mark Thornberg, inside sales representative. “It’s hard if you don’t know the area to navigate to get here,” Peterson said, adding that Plymouth residents will find an alternate route but those from out of the area have a greater challenge. “We knew our business would suffer,” Peterson said, adding, “There’s nothing we can do about it.” Page 18 He had been encouraged because traffic before the bridge was closed remained steady. It was the day the bridge closed that in-store traffic took a halt. The outside sales team is working harder now, he said, since so many customers don’t want to come into the store. “If we didn’t have the outside sales team, the store would be in a way different position right now,” he said. The marketing department is also working to inform customers of the road construction, providing maps to them. “So that might help,” Peterson said. Acme Tools off Berkshire Lane North experienced an instant reduction in foot traffic when the bridge closed, but employees are working to distribute detour maps to customers to help them navigate during the construction. Despite the effect on business, Peterson said the result will be better in the long run, and he looks forward to the improvements to the bridge. Sunshine Factory owner April Hanson said the impact on the restaurant has been “hard to gauge” as there are many factors that contribute to the business, such as other events in the area and summer vacations. Weather is also a large factor, especially with the patio. Page 19 “There’s a lot going on that will generally affect the restaurants,” she said, so there is nothing measurable as of yet. What she does know is what customers and employees are saying, which is that it’s taking them longer to get there with the detour routes. But she tries to remain positive. “We have to look at our glass half full,” she said. “We have to look at the positive results from this.” Plymouth city employees have been great about communicating the construction timelines and routes and have been “extremely supportive,” she said. She also advises customers that the bridge “isn’t the only way to get here,” suggesting locals will know back roads, and the app Waze will also provide the fastest route. The proximity to Target also has helped. “Everyone’s going to find a way to get to Target,” Hanson said, noting that the impact would likely be more negative if the Sunshine Factory was a free-standing business. Hanson also gives credit to loyal customers. Plymouth Economic Development Manager Danette Parr encourages residents to “make the extra effort to support our businesses located near the Rockford Road construction area” during this time. Parr said, “Our hope is that ultimately, the next few months of inconvenience will provide for long-term enhancements for safety and economic expansion for this important commercial area of our city.” Follow the Sun Sailor on Facebook at facebook.com/mnsunsailor. Page 20 There is a small war going on in America’s second-ring suburbs. As many places cautiously emerge out of the housing recession, the uptick in new development has been at odds with concerned citizens, elected officials, developers and long-range community plans. Aging suburbia is going through an identity crisis. The only word that comes to mind? Bipolar. To best describe what is going on countrywide, I’m going to use an example in my backyard: the Minneapolis suburb of Minnetonka. It’s a well-to-do middle-class community that has expensive, moderate, and cheap suburban living. As far as suburbs go, it has a surprising range of housing price points. The suburb had its largest growth during the 1970s, when its population jumped 43 percent; and again in the 1990s with a 25 percent gain. I only bring this up so you can paint a mental picture of cul-de-sacs of split levels and starter mansions with wooded lots. Add in a regional mall and interstate extension to complete the image. These suburbs would like to grow their tax base, but they haven’t much additional land to grow outwards. All new growth must go upwards. It is this dynamic that has longtime residents at odds with the future non-existent residents. Page 21 Here is a proposed development that will knock down a 1980s bank and replace it with a suburban retrofit mixed-use building on a parcel that sits adjacent a dying shopping mall with hundreds of acres of empty parking. The mall and adjacent commercial area are the defacto “downtown” of Minnetonka. It currently looks like what you’d expect it to look like. Page 22 The proposed redevelopment fits the spirit of the community’s 2035 visioning plan that calls to transform the retail center into a vibrant, mixed use community with improved pedestrian connections. Here’s a snapshot of what the developer is proposing: The decision to approve the building came down to a close vote. Unfortunately the Council voted against it. Instead, they voted for the wishes of existing residents. Concerns ranged from added traffic, increased density, more difficulty finding parking, and not fitting the community character. One concerned citizen was quoted as saying, “I was relieved they didn’t vote for a project that doesn’t fit the core Minnetonka values.” Many are rolling their eyes now (if you’d like to continue rolling your eyes, read this Letter to the Editor). The objections are classic NIMBY claims. However, please consider that the citizens aren’t necessarily wrong. Developments like these will change the community’s character. But is changing the character of a stagnating suburban strip mall corridor such a bad thing? It struck aging suburban communities in the mid-2000s that they needed some type of mixed use center. Planners, city officials, and neighborhood groups spent the following years hashing out plans. These were often long, frustrating meetings, but alas, in the end, democracy favored those who showed up. Page 23 Countless hundreds of hours were spent at countless meetings creating plans that, at the time, had little market viability. They were pie-in-the-sky ideas. Fast-forward a decade and things have changed. The market is going after pent up demand for urbanism. Now, we have the same type of people who were originally involved in the visioning process who are now opposing the very type of development they sought. When suburbs need to put their money where their mouth is, they often get skittish. It’s sad because it’s a real waste of everyone’s time when our city plans and market say yes, but the neighbors say no. Suburbia is designed for the automobile and this development controversy is case-and-point why that is such a bad thing for growth. The nearest single-family home to the development is approximately 950 feet (about three football fields). Yet, there is literally no way to directly get to the development. Page 24 As a direct result of suburban design, 900 feet translates into a 1 mile walk along an interstate frontage road with no sidewalk (no joke). This means that traffic and parking will be an issue if this person ever wants to enjoy the added amenities (which include a restaurant and coffee shop). The disconnecting nature of suburban design takes something that should to be a benefit and turns it into a headache. There is a big difference between a three minute walk and a one mile drive, and your relationship with that place changes as a result. In a way, I don’t fault particular neighbors for opposing it. It might be tougher to find a parking spot. And, even if traffic won’t be affected, why take the chance? You live in the suburbs and your commute is bad enough as it is. Suburban retrofits might be the only long-term financially-viable options for aging suburbs. These places often cover a huge land mass, have lots of roadways and sewer pipes, and not a lot of population density to help pay for it. Minnetonka, for example, has a land mass half the size of its neighbor Minneapolis. Yet, its population is approximately 8 times less. Most of Minnetonka’s infrastructure is around 30 to 50 years old, and those sewer pipes aren’t going to last forever. They’ll need people to pay for it somehow; and time has shown that drastically increasing property tax rates is politically difficult. I like to ask the question: If not this, then what? Aging suburbia is going through an identity crisis. Existing residents would like the place to stay much the same. New residents, including those who don’t live there yet, are demanding something else. The problem is that these places can’t continue to stay the same. Yet, the change is too difficult for many to swallow. This is why the default for most suburbs is decline. Growth isn’t built into their DNA. For those living deep in the suburban pattern, new development doesn’t make your life better. Nearly the entire housing stock of second-ring suburbs is designed in a way that the lack of development is the best option. If a home’s ideal is to be disconnected, then anything near it – whether good or bad – that isn’t nature is taking away from that aesthetic. Page 25 Herein lies one of the biggest faults of suburbia: it’s not designed to change. In mature cities, as land values increased, the intensity of development would follow. That’s why downtown Minneapolis, which once had single family homes, now has blocks of towering skyscrapers. This is change that needs to occur. The harsh reality is that these places will have to change or face an impending decline. Many first-ring suburbs have decided to grow upwards. Will the second-ring follow suit? Nate Hood Nathaniel Hood has been a regular contributor for Strong Towns since 2011 and was the first person to ever donate money to Strong Towns. He is a founding member of Streets.MN and lives in St. Paul. Nate can be found online at Thoughts on the Urban Environment and Streets.MN. Nate also runs a weekly newsletter that includes two short, smart, witty paragraphs, and one local Twin Cities recommendation. You can sign up here. Page 26