HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/08/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session // St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
AUGUST 6, 2012
The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Steve Hallfin, Anne Mavity, Susan Sanger, Sue
Santa, and Jake Spano (arrived at 7:13 p.m.).
Councilmembers absent: Julia Ross.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Planning/Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMomgal),
Communications Coordinator(Mr. Zwilling), and Recording Secretary(Ms. Hughes).
Guests: Planning Commissioners Rick Person, Carl Robertson, and Lynne Carper.
1. Planning Commission 2011 Annual Report and 2012 Work Plan
Ms. McMonigal presented the staff report and the Planning Commission's 2011 Annual Report
and 2012 Work Plan. She then introduced Planning Commissioners Rick Person, Carl
Robertson, and Lynne Carper. She reported that the Planning Commission has been working on
updating the City's Ordinances, has implemented several sections of the Comprehensive Plan,
and is currently working with staff on SWLRT. She advised that Ms. Johnston-Madison and Mr.
Robertson have participated on the Beltline Station Area task force and the Planning
Commission will be asked to participate in the Louisiana Station Area task force this fall.
Mr. Robertson requested feedback from Council regarding issues that Council wants the
Planning Commission to address. He stated the Planning Commission has been tracking the
housing study completed a number of years ago and one of the issues that came up was the
shortage of move-up housing in the City. He indicated the Planning Commission identified the
potential to increase density in the areas surrounding light rail, e.g., Louisiana Avenue, and
whether there was any way to increase density not just in number but in sizes of homes. He
stated the Planning Commission talked about townhomes or row homes and what the City can do
in those areas to encourage larger homes and whether consideration should be given to changing
the City's ordinances regarding lot"lines to accommodate larger homes in these areas. He
suggested the City focus on arterials in the City near the light rail stations to revitalize some of
the passageways that are more tired.
Councilmember Mavity indicated the City has strived for move-up housing in the City and has
had success with its low interest loan programs and the excess land program. She stated one of
the challenges has been the availability of space in the City and agreed with the concept of
adding townhomes or cluster homes to achieve more density with a single-family feel.
Councilmember Sanger stated the City has move-up housing available via modifications to
existing homes and questioned whether the City should consider a program similar to what was
done in the Blackstone neighborhood that focused rehab money on existing homes and providing
incentives to homeowners and combining this with the idea presented by Mr. Robertson.
Councilmember Mavity stated she would be interested in seeing some guidelines developed by
the Planning Commission that address the concept raised by Mr. Robertson.
Special Study Session Minutes -2- August 6, 2012
Councilmember Santa stated she felt the City has made efforts to break out of the mold by
utilizing programs such as the Land Trust and added she felt this program was being under-
utilized. She stated the City has a lot of homes that are tired as well as homes that have been
condemned or are in the process of foreclosure and innovative programs like the Land Trust can
turn an area around.
Councilmember Mavity stated the City has been a leader in green development and indicated she
would be interested in the Planning Commission's thoughts about how the City can continue to
stay ahead of the curve as it relates to future green development trends.
Mr. Person stated he will be serving on the City's new environmental task force which will
identify some issues regarding green development, e.g., recycling, that will be sent to the City
Council for consideration.
Councilmember Santa expressed her appreciation to the Planning Commission for all of its work
on the Zoning Code in making the Code more understandable.
Councilmember Sanger thanked the Planning Commission for all of its work and requested that
the Planning Commission review the City's front yard, back yard, and side yard setback
requirements to see what can be done to make the rules better determine what the front yard is.
Mr. Carper requested that the Planning Commission and Council hold a joint meeting and tour of
the City.
Mr. Harmening stated that a joint meeting with the Planning Commission and Housing Authonty
is scheduled for September 10, 2012, that will include a presentation by the Urban Land Institute
on the "New Normal" which will provide an opportunity for conversation among the Planning
Commission and City Council.
Mayor Jacobs expressed the City Council's thanks to the Planning Commission for all of its
work.
The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
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