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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Information Memorandum 01-05-2023CITY OF PLYMOUTH COUNCIL INFO MEMO January 5, 2023 EVENTS / MEETINGS Environmental Quality Committee Agenda for January 11 .................................... Page 2 Official City Meeting Calendars .................................................................... Page 3 Tentative List of Agenda Items ..................................................................... Page 6 CORRESPONDENCE Preliminary Plat Site Plan and Variances for Suite Living at 4325 Zachary Lane North (2022080 ).......................................................... Page 7 Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Amendment for 12001 Highway 55 (2022081) ...... Page 9 Variance for 17145 9th Avenue North (2022085) ............................................... Page 11 Variance for 19040 County Road 6 (2022086) .................................................. Page 12 REPORTS & OTHER ARTICLES OF INTEREST Plymouth City Council Recognizes Departing Councilmembers, Sun Sailor ................ Page 13 Plymouth Business Co-owner Posthumously Receives Award, Sun Sailor .................. Page 16 A Dismal 2022 for Twin Cities Home Builders, Star Tribune ................................. Page 17 Environmental Quality Committee 1 of 1 January 11, 2023 CITY OF PLYMOUTH AGENDA Regular Environmental Quality Committee January 11, 2023, 7:00 PM 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. PUBLIC FORUM—Individuals may address the Committee about any item not contained on the regular agenda. A maximum of 15 minutes is allotted for the Forum. If the full 15 minutes are not needed for the Forum, the Committee will continue with the agenda. The Committee will take no official action on items discussed at the Forum, with the exception of referral to staff for future report. 3. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENTS 4. APPROVE AGENDA —Environmental Quality Committee members may add items to the agenda for discussion purposes or staff direction only. The Committee will not normally take official action on items added to the agenda. 5. CONSENT AGENDA —These items are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Committee member or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and placed elsewhere on the agenda. 5.1 Adopt proposed Environmental Quality Committee Minutes December 14 Regular 6. GENERAL BUSINESS 6.1 Plymouth Environmental Academy Introduction and Logistics 7. REPORTS AND STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS 7.1 2022-2024 Water Efficiency Rebate Program Update 2022-2024 Water Efficiency Rebate Program - Information and Application 8. FUTURE MEETINGS—February 8th, 2023 - Environmental Quality Committee Regular Meeting 9. ADJOURNMENT 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 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 January 2023 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 OFFICIAL CITY CALENDAR 763-509-5080plymouthmn.gov 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers SUN TUES MON WED THUR FRI SAT CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED NEW YEAR’S DAY OBSERVED CITY OFFICES CLOSED 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE MEETING Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 5:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Board Interviews and City Attorney Presentation Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.DAY CITY OFFICES CLOSED 8:00 AM COUNCIL STRATEGIC WORKSHOP Plymouth Community Center Cedar Room 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 SUN TUES MON WED THUR FRI SAT February 2023 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 OFFICIAL CITY CALENDAR 763-509-5080plymouthmn.gov 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers PRESIDENTS DAY CITY OFFICES CLOSED 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE MEETING Medicine Lake Room 6:00 PM PARK & REC ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 7:00 PM HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING Council Chambers 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 March 2023 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 OFFICIAL CITY CALENDAR 763-509-5080plymouthmn.gov SUN TUES MON WED THUR FRI SAT 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers 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 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 7:00 PM HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING Council Chambers 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 January 21, Special 8:00 a.m., Plymouth Community Center •Council Strategic Workshop January 24, Special 5:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room •Prudential and Four Seasons Update January 24, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers •Legislative Updates •Order and receive preliminary engineering report, order and approve plans and specifications, call for a public hearing, order advertisement for bids, declare costs to be assessed, order preparation of proposed assessments, and set public improvement and assessment hearings for the Hidden Lake and Beacon Heights 2nd Street Reconstruction Project (ST229001) February 28, Special 5:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room •City Center Update March 14, Special 5:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Room •Council Strategic Workshop follow-up Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Plymouth City Council recognizes departing councilmembers By: Kaitlin McCoskey Jan 3, 2023 Carroll and Prom attended their last meeting Dec. 13 The Dec. 13 meeting of the Plymouth City Council marked the last meeting for two of the current councilmembers before they leave office. Both Ned Carroll and Jim Prom were recognized at the meeting for their years of public service. “It’s kind of a bittersweet time,” Plymouth Mayor Jeff Wosje said. “This group has been together for a fair amount of time, and I’m just genuinely sad to see them go. They’ve contributed so much into our community.” Wosje continued: “Councilmember Prom was first appointed onto the city council in 2013, he ran in 2014, and again in 2018.” Jim Prom has served Ward 4 since 2013. Submitted Photo Page 13 Turning to address Prom, Wosje said: “And you promised as a part of running you would only serve two terms. And now you’re staying true to that. You’ve added a lot of variety to our meetings, but the one thing I really appreciate from you is that you bring your passion and your viewpoint, and you’re certainly not shy about sharing that. But we are a good Council when we respectfully listen to each other.” Prom shared his parting thoughts. “I’d like to thank the great people on the staff that I’ve worked with over the years,” he said. “I really want to wish the new councilmembers the best of luck, to rely on the staff, and to enjoy their time serving the people of Plymouth. Plymouth is the greatest city, and I hope it stays that way.” Wosje also recognized Carroll’s service. Ned Carroll has served at-large since 2014, and will move on to the Minnesota State Legislature. Submitted Photo “Councilmember Carroll was first elected, at large, in 2014, and re-elected in 2018,” Wosje said before addressing Carroll personally. “To say you have done service to Plymouth would be an understatement.” “You’re going to continue your service to our community and I sincerely appreciate that,” Wosje continued. “It’s just important to reflect on all the work that’s been done here, especially over the eight years (you’ve) been on the Council. I know there are times we don’t see eye to eye, but I don’t think any councilmembers see eye to eye all the time.” Carroll shared his parting thoughts as well. Page 14 “I’ve been dreading this day, because I’ve enjoyed my time on the Council so much. It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Plymouth,” Carroll said. “I want to thank the staff. [They’ve] just been outstanding, and I don’t think that the people of Plymouth realize that the staff is really the backbone of Plymouth, led by [City Manager] Dave Callister.” Carroll will move on to serve in the Minnesota State Legislature, serving in the District 42A Senate seat. He will be sworn into office Jan. 3. Stepping into Carroll’s at-large seat on the Plymouth City Council will be Clark Gregor, and taking over the Ward 4 seat for Jim Prom will be Julie Pointner. Follow the Sun Sailor on Facebook at facebook.com/mnsunsailor. Page 15 Plymouth Business Co-Owner Posthumously Receives Award By: Kaitlin McCoskey Jan 3, 2023 The National Urban Air Leadership Team has posthumously awarded Plymouth business owner Lindsey Herold the company’s prestigious 2022 Lighthouse Award. This award recognizes an Urban Air Adventure and Trampoline Park that is both a light in its community and a light in the industry. According to a press release, it’s given to those who “embody the spirit” of Urban Air and make their community better “one family at a time.” Accepting the award on her behalf was her husband, Wesley Herold. Together, Lindsey and Wesley Herold have owned and operated Urban Air Adventure and Trampoline Park in Plymouth since 2019. Per the release, the park was Lindsey Herold’s way to stay involved with the community and children when she could no longer teach elementary school due to ongoing health challenges. Lindsey died after a lifetime battling cystic fibrosis in June. She was 38. Lindsey was active in the cystic fibrosis community and led “Team Lindsey” at the annual Great Strides event. She also served as an ambassador with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Minnesota. “Urban Air honored Lindsey for the tremendous impact she made not only in the Plymouth community, but in the full Urban Air family,” Douglas Kwong, vice president of Urban Air Marketing said. Page 16 BUSINESS 600240988 A dismal 2022 for Twin Cities home builders High interest rates crushed demand and forced builders to pivot to apartments. By: Jim Buchta, Star Tribune JANUARY 5, 2023 — 11:17AM JIM BUCHTA An abundance of new apartment buildings like this one in Northeast Minneapolis helped make Minneapolis the top city for housing construction during 2022 Home building in the Twin Cities went from hot to nearly not during 2022. Last year was a tale of two halves, according to a year-end report from Housing First Minnesota. Orders for new houses soared during the first six months, but as mortgage rates climbed in the back half of the year, new home sales tanked. "The steep jump in interest rates earlier this year sent homebuyers to the sidelines," John Quinlivan, 2022 board chair of Housing First Minnesota, said in a statement. "We're optimistic Page 17 that as interest rates level out, homebuyers will find opportunities that were not there last year and return to the market." During the year, builders were issued enough permits to build 5,463 single-family homes throughout the 13-county metro, a 26% decline from 2021 and the fewest since 2016. Apartment builders fared much better. Developers were issued enough permits to build 11,001 units, a 43% increase compared to the previous year. During the early months of 2022, demand for new houses was so strong many builders limited sales and kept wait lists. But as mortgage rates rose to the highest level in two decades, demand slid. On Thursday, Freddie Mac said the 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 6.48% for the week ending Jan. 5 compared with 6.42% the week prior. That's double the average rate a year ago and reverses a recent pattern of slightly declining rates. Page 18 For the last eight months of the year, single-family permits failed to outpace 2021, with the losses accelerating as the year wore on. During December alone, builders were issued 295 single-family permits, about half as many as last year, according to data collected by the Keystone Report for Housing First Minnesota. That was the lowest December figure since 2012. December was a stronger month for multi-family housing, mostly market-rate rentals. Builders were issued enough permits to build 524 units, almost double the number issued in December 2021. Altogether, builders were issued 5,835 permits to build 16,464 units last year in the Twin Cities. Nationwide, sales of new single-family houses defied expectations during November (the latest data available), rising 5.8% from the previous month but down 15.3% compared with last year at the same time. In the Twin Cities metro, sales of new houses were down slightly more, falling 16.6% compared with the previous year, according to November sales data from the Minneapolis Area Realtors. The median price of those sales was $494,990, a nearly 13% increase over the previous year. Quinlivan, a custom home builder and remodeler, said the bulk of the declines in new home sales were concentrated among entry-level and move-up buyers who are most likely to be impacted by the increase in mortgage rates. Most upper-bracket buyers — those spending more than $1 million — have been less likely to delay their decision to build a new house. They're more likely to pay with cash or have enough income to absorb higher borrowing costs, enabling them to move forward with their plans. Quinlivan attributes much of the downturn to what he considers temporary uncertainty over the general election, the Fed's rate increases and concerns about the economy during 2022. Despite all of that, he said the mood among builders is generally positive. Quinlivan builds about eight to 10 new houses and takes on about a half-dozen big remodeling projects every year. Revenue at his company during 2022 exceeded the year before, and he already has enough orders this year to exceed 2022. "We've been through this before," he said. "Buyers don't go away; they might be on the sidelines for a couple months or half a year, but they don't go away. They want to see how things wash away." In the end-of-year report, James Vagle, chief executive of Housing First Minnesota, repeated a common refrain about the home-building decline. Page 19 "The Twin Cities housing market was already a tough landscape for first-time homebuyers," he said. "This year's rising interest rates and slowdown in construction has only made it more challenging. We need more starter homes in our market to preserve homeownership for future generations." Minneapolis was by far the busiest city for housing construction last year in large part because of strong demand for rentals. Builders in that city were issued enough permits to build 3,557 units, followed by Edina with 985 units. Minnetonka came next with 914 permitted units, and St. Louis Park had 884 permitted units. Housing in Minnesota • The Twin Cities housing market is weird right now. Should you buy or rent? • Singletary: Five reasons why you shouldn't buy a house right now • As interest rates rise, some Twin Cities sellers wait before buying again Jim Buchta has covered real estate for the Star Tribune for several years. He also has covered energy, small business, consumer affairs and travel. jim.buchta@startribune.com 612-673-7376 Page 20