HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 11-30-2005 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Joint Council/Planning Commission Meeting
November 30, 2005
Deputy Mayor Bildsoe called a Joint Council/Planning Commission Meeting to order at
7:00 p.m. in the Plymouth Room, Plymouth Creek Center, 14800 34th Avenue North, on
November 30, 2005.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Bildsoe, Councilmembers Hewitt, Slavik, Stein,
Willis, and Black.
ABSENT: Mayor Johnson.
PLANNING COMMISSION PRESENT: Chair Weir, Commissioners Clyman,
Musliner, Holmes, Anderson, and Murdock.
ABSENT: Commissioner Franke Wilson.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Water Resources Engineer, Missaghi,
Planning Manager Senness, Police Chief Goldstein, Assistant Building Official Farris,
Planner Doty, City Engineer Quanbeck, Finance Director Hahn, Housing Manager
Barnes, Public Works Director Cote, Parks Superintendent Evans, Police Captain Franz,
Communications Manager LaFave, Associate Planner Noelting, Fire Chief Kline, Park
and Recreation Director Blank, Community Development Director Hurlburt, and City
Clerk Paulson.
Also Present: Dean Johnson, Land Use Planner/Consultant.
Community Development Director Hurlburt stated the purpose of this evening's meeting
is_ to discuss the Land Use Plan update for the Northwest Plymouth Area. The Northwest
Planning Area consists of two planning areas, with Planning Area 1 being the area
between Fembrook Lane and Vicksburg Lane, and.Planning Area 2 being the area
located west of Vicksburg Lane.
She spoke of the role and requirements of the Metropolitan Council, which are:
1. Review and comment for conformance with development framework and other
policies.
2. Require amendments if a substantial impact on, or substantial departure from regional
systems plans (transportation, parks, and wastewater).
3. Systems statements issued by the Metropolitan Council in September 2005 require
cities to review and update their plans.
4. Statute requires update every 10 years (2008).
Adopted Council Minutes
Joint Council/Planning Commission Meeting of November 30, 2005
Page 2 of 4
She spoke of the Metropolitan's Council's growth forecasts for population, households,
and employment. The City's current population is approximately 72,000, and just for
comparison purposes, the City was projected to have an approximate population of
73,000 in 2010.
She stated the following are the Metropolitan Council's systems statement issues:
1. Transportation (constrained funding for improvements to I-494.
2. Wastewater (inflow and infiltration, cost-sharing of Elm Creek interceptor,
development density).
3. New Hope -Crystal Golden Valley regional trail.
She explained surface water, water supply planning, and housing (affordable housing
allocations for 2010-2020 would be used to set new "Livable Communities" goals and
land availability/density) are other Metropolitan Council policy issues.
Housing Manager Barnes provided an update from the Housing Plan Committee, and
they are in the process of comprising demographics and housing stock, and those figures
would be presented at the next joint meeting on December 6.
City Engineer Quanbeck provided an update on the Surface Water Plan. He stated the
watershed commissions have completed their second generation plans, and they would be
updated as part of the Surface Water Plan.
Planning Manager Senness provided an update on the Transportation Plan, which is
essentially driven by the Land Use Plan. They are in the process of assessing other
communities on how to pay for major streets while reviewing accident data to determine
where improvements should be made to the existing system.
Recreation Superintendent Evans provided an update on the Parks Plan, and she stated
that they would be reviewing demographics and population trends to determine future
needs for playfields and neighborhood parks.
Senior Planner Drill provided an update on the Water and Sewer Plan, and he stated they
are working on an extension from the Department of Natural Resources on the Water
Conservation Plan so that it coincides with the Land Use Plan.
Planner Doty provided an update on the Public Facilities Plan, and he stated they are
working on an inventory of all public facilities in the City. They have completed a City
Hall space needs survey that they can use for insight for future space needs for City Hall.
In addition, they have met with the Fire Department staff to discuss Fire Station No. 4
and what those needs are.
Adopted Council Minutes
Joint Council/Planning Commission Meeting of November 30, 2005
Page 3 of 4
Consultant Johnson reported on the neighborhood meetings that were held on October 24
and 26. He stated there was good attendance at these meetings. He spoke of the top five
community strengths, weaknesses, neighborhood growth concerns, and growth desires
that were ranked for each of the areas. The natural areas, rural atmosphere, traffic
congestion, loss of amenities, increase in crime, change in lifestyle, retaining natural
amenities, rural atmosphere and single-family developments, extension of public utilities,
additional parks and trails, mix of lot sizes/types, housing affordability were common
concerns in both areas. He stated the challenge in updating the Comprehensive Plan
would be balancing the divergent attitudes about development within the northwest
planning area and selecting growth management strategies that reflect neighborhood
desires and remain consistent with community -wide visions, goals, and policies.
The Council and Commission discussed the existing Comprehensive Plan vision
statements.
For vision statement No. 1, which addresses "maintain a safe and secure community," the
suggestion was made to include statements on fire protection, health and community
services, and transportation.
For vision statement No. 2, which addresses "protecting and enhancing the natural
environment," the suggestion was made to include statements on "sustainable
communities" (has been discussed by the Environmental Quality Committee) and
preserving and maintaining what the City currently has including manmade ponds.
Regarding vision statement No. 3, which addresses "supporting high quality education,"
it was suggested to include private schools.
With vision statement No. 4, which addresses "maintaining and enhancing housing
quality and diversity," there should be statements that housing should include quality of
life issues rather than just density and the quality of construction.
For vision statement No. 5, which is "protecting and enhancing convenience and
mobility," there was a good discussion on the congestion on Highway 169 and the need
to move people from north to south, transit options such as biking, and seeking Federal
funding to assist in these goals.
Regarding vision statement No. 6. which is "promoting and strengthening economic
vitality, it was suggested to include a statement about redevelopment.
For vision statement No. 7, "which is providing high quality City services and facilities,"
a statement should be added about recreation opportunities for seniors and volunteers.
Community Development Director Hurlburt discussed the existing Comprehensive Plan
City -Wide Land Use Policies.
Adopted Council Minutes
Joint Council/Planning Commission _Meeting of November 30, 2005
Page 4 of 4
A considerable amount of discussion was held on item (f), which is "protecting the
existing rural character of the land not planned for urban development before 2020."
Councilmember Willis stated there could be one obstacle where landowners could
receive a conservation easement through the Department of Natural Resource to keep
their property in rural character, which the City would not be able to control.
Consultant Johnson stated those types of issues the City needs to be made aware of up
front as that would affect the infrastructure.
Councilmember Black stated the City would need review the Hampton Hills property, as
that is no longer a golf course. She noted a good majority of this property was previously
a wetland and already has been through a number of scenarios.
Councilmember Hewitt agreed with Councilmember Black and stated that the golf course
would be redeveloped, and she would prefer to address that property separately and not
part of Planning Area 1.
Commissioner Holmes stated the market would be the driving factor on the development
of the Northwest Plymouth area. He stressed that five -acre plots are nice when they are
first developed, but there needs to be the necessary utility infrastructure in place for those
properties to be redeveloped in the future.
Councilmember Hewitt requested that for the December 6 Joint Meeting, she would like
to see the goals and expectations of the Metropolitan Council for development of the
planning areas. She stated one of the difficulties is providing affordable housing when
there is no funding for transit opportunities proposed.
Other information that was requested for the December 6 Joint Meeting included what
development is occurring in Medina, Corcoran, and Maple Grove, and what is driving the
growth in the Northwest Plymouth area.
Adi ournment
Deputy Mayor Bildsoe declared the meeting adjourned at approximately 9:40 p.m.
andra R. Paulson, City Clerk