HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Packet 04-18-2006 Special 1Agenda
City of Plymouth
Special City Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
5:00 P.M.
Bus Tour of the Northwest Plymouth Area
1. Bus Tour of Northwest Plymouth
2. Return to City Hall
3. Discussion on Golf Courses/Land Use Planning Process in
Public Safety Training Room
4. Adjourn and conduct Special Meeting on Police and Fire
Staffing Studies
DATE: April 12, 2006 for the Special City Council Meeting of April 18, 2006
TO: Laurie Ahrens, City Manager
FROM: Anne Hurlburt, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Golf Courses and the Land Use Planning Process
The Mayor has added a brief discussion on the land use planning process as it relates to
golf courses to the agenda for the special Council meeting on Tuesday, April 18 at 5 p.m.,
after the bus tour of Northwest Plymouth.
Attached as background for the discussion are the following items:
1. Draft letter to residents surrounding golf courses
2. Draft Golf Course Talking Points (March 30, 2006)
3. Staff memo dated March 15, 2006 prepared for the March 21, 2006 special
Council meeting, with attachments
Dear Resident,
You are receiving this letter because you live near * * * * * Golf Course. You may be aware that
the City of Plymouth is currently in the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan as required
by state law. As part of this effort, the City must review the land use designations for all land
within the city, including golf courses, which are currently guided as pubic -institutional uses.
With the exception of Three River's Eagle Lake course, the golf courses in the city are privately
owned—yet they play an important role in our community. They provide open space and
recreation opportunities and are part of the identity of some neighborhoods. However, City
officials are keenly aware that landowners in Plymouth are facing economic pressures as the
price of undeveloped land continues to increase. The City is also aware that it is important to
balance community interest with the right of property owners.
The City is not considering any proposals to redevelop any operating golf course in
Plymouth. In fact, we have been in contact with the owner of Begin Oaks golf course, and they
are particularly concerned that we assure you that they are not considering any change to their
golf course. The owners of Hollydale golf course have also indicated that while they have no
plans to change the use of their property in the near term, they are concerned about the long-
range land use plan for their land.
City officials have decided to look at the issue of the future of Plymouth's golf courses
proactively. There are at least two options that the City could follow—leaving the public -
institutional designation in place and addressing potential redevelopment at a later time, if and
when needed is one option. Another option would be to consider developing a new, special
designation for golf courses aimed at retaining some of the open space values that golf courses
bring to Plymouth, if in the future, the landowner decides to no longer operate a golf course.
City officials believe it is important that the discussion of land use designations for golf
courses include input from all interested parties throughout Plymouth.
Therefore, the City Council has laid out a special process to highlight golf course discussions and
to solicit input from residents in all areas of Plymouth. The Council will be reviewing a
preliminary report on options and alternatives for golf course land uses in May. Look for an
announcement of the availability of the report on the City's website: www.ci.Plymouth.mn.us .
If you would like to receive a notice when the report is available as well as other matters related
to the update of the Comprehensive Plan, you can sign up by going to the website and clicking
on Comprehensive Plan Update.
The Council will hold a special public meeting to discuss this issue on Thursday, June 22, 2006
at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. All property owners within 750 feet of an operating golf course, as
well as any other property owners who live in a neighborhood abutting a golf course are being
notified that this issue is under consideration. The same property owners will also receive a
second notice for the June meeting.
If you have any questions or concerns about this issue, please contact * * * * * *
Golf Course Talking Points
March 30, 2006
Key Message
The City of Plymouth will consider land use planning designations for the three
privately -owned operating golf courses located in Plymouth (Elm Creek, Hollydale
and Begin Oaks) as the City updates the land use portion of the Comprehensive
Plan.
Supporting Statements
The City must review land use designations for all land in Plymouth as part of the
Comp Plan update.
Golf courses are currently guided as public -institutional.
Key Message
Golf courses are privately owned, yet they play an important role in the community.
Supporting Statements
Golf courses provide open space and recreation opportunities.
Golf courses play an important part in the identity of some neighborhoods.
Land owners in Plymouth are facing economic pressures as the price of
undeveloped land continues to increase.
It's important to balance community interest with the rights of property owners.
Key Message
The City is not considering any proposals to redevelop any operating golf course in
Plymouth. The City is looking at this issue proactively.
Supporting Statements
The City can opt to leave the public -institutional designation on golf courses, and
address the issue at a later time, if and when needed.
The City can consider developing a new, special designation for golf courses
aimed at retaining some of the open space values that golf courses bring to
Plymouth if, in the future, the land owner decides to no longer operate a golf
course.
Key Message
It is important that that the discussion of land use designations for golf courses
include input from all interested parties throughout Plymouth.
Supporting Statements
While Northwest Plymouth contains one operating golf course and the northwest
area has been the initial focus of land use discussions, golf courses are located in
other areas of Plymouth. Many people outside the Northwest Plymouth area have
a stake in the future of the golf courses.
The City Council has laid out a special process to highlight the golf course
discussions and to solicit input from residents in all areas of Plymouth.
The City Council will hold a special public meeting to discuss golf courses on
June 22, 7 p.m., at City Hall.
All property owners within 750 feet of an operating golf course, as well as any
other property owners who live in a neighborhood abutting a golf course, will be
notified in early April that this issue is under consideration. They will receive a
second notice for the June meeting.
The City will also issue a news release on the golf course meeting in late May or
early June, and include an article in the May/June Plymouth News.
MEMO
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447
DATE: March 15, 2006
TO: Plymouth City Council
FROM: Anne Hurlburt, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Land Use Planning Designations for Golf Courses
Recommended Strategy/ Public Process
There are three privately owned golf courses (Elm Creek, Hollydale and Begin Oaks) that are
currently guided "P -I" (Public -Institutional) by the City's Land Use Plan. At the March 9, 2006
City Council/ Planning Commission work session on land use planning for Northwest Plymouth,
a potential new approach to the land use designations for privately -owned golf course properties
was briefly discussed (see attached handout.) At the same time, you received a letter (also
attached) from the owners of Hollydale Golf Course indicating their desire to have their property
guided for residential use. Council members expressed concerns about considering any change
in the current planning for the golf courses without input from surrounding property owners..
Staff suggests the following strategy and public process for resolving the future planning
designations for the golf courses:
Staff report on options-- Staff would prepare a report to the Council with some
background on the issues surrounding planning for golf courses and recent legal issues in
other Minnesota communities. The report would outline several options for the land use
plan, including retaining the current P -I guiding, assigning them residential land use
classifications, or using a new "golf -course" designation as described at the March 9
meeting. It would evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of all of the options, and
explore possible variations on the different approaches. We also would work with the
City Attorney to include information on related legal issues. This report would be shared
with the Council at a meeting (study session or regular meeting) in May.
Public meeting-- After the study session, a public meeting would be scheduled in June.
The options in the staff report, as may be modified by the Council, would be the basis for
the presentation and discussion. As the same issues will affect all three privately owned
golf courses, we recommend that a single meeting be scheduled. All property owners
within 750' of the three existing courses would receive a mailed invitation, and the report
and meeting announcement would be provided on the City's website and to the e-mail
notice list for the Plan update. A separate meeting for these residents would ensure that
the golf course discussion did not dominate the meetings we already have planned for the
Northwest Area. We expect that many golf course neighbors would have significant
concerns, different from residents who have been participating in the Northwest Areas
meetings.
Planning Commission review-- After the public meeting, a report would be provided to
the Planning Commission with a request that they make a recommendation to the Council
on a preferred approach to land use planning for the golf courses. Depending upon the
date of the public meeting, this could occur at one of the Commission's regular meetings
June 21 or July 5.)
Council decision-- The Council could receive the Commission's recommendation, and
give their direction on the preferred planning approach as early as the July 8 regular
meeting.
Of the three privately owned golf courses, only Elm Creek is within the Northwest Planning
Area. It is not critical that a decision on this property be made by June, when the Council wishes
to decide on a preliminary land use plan for the area. For the May and June Northwest Area
meetings, the maps presented for public review would indicate a designation of "Golf Course*"
for the Elm Creek property, with the asterisk indicating that the specific land use classification
for all of the City's golf courses was under review.
If this strategy is acceptable to the Council, we will proceed immediately with developing a
detailed report on golf course land use planning options.
Attachments:
1. Golf Course Redevelopment, Issues & Options
2. March 7, 2006 letter from Richard Deziel
2
Plymouth Comprehensive Plan Update
Golf Course Redevelopment
Issues and Options
Comprehensive Plan:
Issue/Purpose Establish separate land use guide plan designation for current operating and fixture golf
courses — distinguish from public parks and recreational facilities, or public/semi-
public/institutional category. Highlight compatibility of golf courses with residential land
uses and open space value, as well as impact on land values and neighborhood identity.
Create limitations on the reuse or redevelopment potential of golf courses based on land
use compatibility, neighborhood investment, open space protection, transportation/access,
sewer and water capacities, and general public welfare.
General Concept Redevelopment of 18 -hole golf course requires retention of 9 -hole course for private or
public use, based on compatibility with area land uses, transportation network, and public
utilities.
OR-
Redevelopment of any golf course requires compatibility with adjacent land uses,
transportation network, and public utilities, and the retention of at least 50% of original the
golf course area as permanent open space — City has discretion if option exists to accept as
public open space.
Zoning Ordinance:
Issue/Purpose Create separate zoning classification for current operating and future golf courses that.
establishes parameters and limitations for future redevelopment that are intended to protect
the public health, safety, and welfare.
Permitted Uses Privately -owned, membership -only golf courses
Privately -owned, golf courses open to the public
Publicly -owned, golf courses open to the public
Accessory Uses Maintenance buildings
Clubhouse, retail sales of golf accessories
Rental of carts and clubs
Convenience foods sales and non -intoxicating liquor sales
Practice greens
Conditional Uses . Clubhouse with full prep kitchen/dining facilities
Banquet facilities
Driving range, swimming pool, fitness center
Residential development at initial development approval
Redevelopment of golf course for residential development
Special Standards PUD process must be used for any redevelopment of 18 -hole golf course, which requires
retention of 9 -hole course for private or public use and compatibility with area land uses,
transportation network, and public utilities. Alternatively, PUD process must be used for
redevelopment of any golf course, which requires compatibility with adjacent land uses,
transportation network, and public utilities, and retention of at least 50% of original golf
course area as permanent open space — City has discretion if option exists to accept as
public open space.
March 7, 2006
Ann Hurlburt, Community Development Director
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, Minnesota 55447-1432
p 9 2006
i Ur rpt MUU l h
1,11 liNln WELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
RE: HOLLYDALE GOLF COURSE & COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE PROCESS
Purpose of this correspondence is to advise the City of Plymouth of our desire to have the future use of
our property Guided Residential. We have attended the various Comprehensive Plan Update meetings
and have orally expressed our interest in pursuing a future Zoning and Guiding status that better
reflects our family's future intentions and plans for the property. Please consider this letter our formal
written notification to the City of our future intentions and plans for the property.
While we plan to continue operating the Hollydale Golf Course in the near term, we want the City to
know that our future plans for the property include pursuing residential development of the Hollydale
Golf Course and the adjacent or nearby Deziel related property. Please consider this letter our formal
written notification to the City of our future intentions and plans for the property. The attached
Exhibit A identifies the property. Hopefully, this notice will help City Staff, as you move forward
with the Comprehensive Plan Update process.
Thank you for your assistance in updating the Comprehensive Plan to reflect our family's desire to
have the future use of our property Guided Residential. Please contact me at (763) 559-4409 if you
have any questions.
Sincerely,
1
Richard J. Deziel
o
16100 46`j'
Avenue North
Plymouth, Minnesota 55446
cc: Hollydale Golf Course -File
EXHIBIT A (March 7, 2006)
HOLLYDALE GOLF COURSE & RELATED DEZIEL PROPERTY
PLYMOUTH, HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PIN: ACRES OWNERSHIP NAME
08-118-22-32-0004 17.549 Hollydale Land LLC
08-118-22=31-0001 59.251 Hollydale Land LLC
08-118-22-34-0006 66.935 Hollydale Land LLC
08-118-22-44-0054 0.758 Hollydale Land LLC
08-118-22-43-0002 27.667 Hollydale Land LLC
08-118-22-34-0003 3.467 William W. Deziel
08-118-22-34-0002 1.516 Estate of George Deziel
TOTAL: 177.143