HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013/06/10 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Jfl St., Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
JUNE 10, 2013
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Steve Hallfin, Anne Mavity, Julia Ross (arrived at
6:34 p.m.), Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, and Jake Spano.
Councilmembers absent: None.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Deputy City Manager/Director of Human
Resources (Ms. Deno), Director of Community Development (Mr. Locke), Planning/Zoning
Supervisor(Ms. McMonigal), Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Hunt), Communications
Coordinator(Mr. Zwilling), and Recording Secretary(Ms. Hughes).
Guests: Mr. Gary Dreher(TOLD Development) and Mr. Dennis Sutliff(ESG Architects).
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—June 17 & 24, 2013
Mr. Harmemng presented the staff report and proposed special study session agenda for June 17,
2013, and the proposed study session agenda for June 24, 2013.
Councilmember Hallfin noted that next week's Council agenda includes the Comprehensive Plan
Amendment for the Wooddale Flats project and requested that this item be discussed in study
session prior to the Council meeting.
Mr. Harmening agreed to place this item on the study session agenda prior to Council action.
Councilmember Hallfin stated he has heard from some residents requesting that the bathrooms at
Browndale and Oak Hill parks be kept open and suggested the City consider using timers on the
bathrooms. He requested this item be placed on a study session agenda for further discussion.
Councilmember Mavity stated the City has adopted anti-discrimination policies and the City has
partnered with a number of organizations that do not have anti-discrimination policies in place.
She requested that Council discuss this issue and consider whether the City should ask the
organizations that it partners with to adopt anti-discrimination policies.
2. Proposed Redevelopment of the Former Bally Total Fitness Block
Mr. Locke presented the staff report and advised the Bally Total Fitness site has been identified
in the original Excelsior & Grand plan as a mixed use development and TOLD Development
now has control of the property and is prepared to redevelop the site, including the vacant EDA
parcel. He added that the project will need some level of TIF assistance. He then introduced Mr.
Gary Dreher from TOLD Development and Mr. Dennis Sutliff from ESG Architects.
Mr. Dreher stated the proposed redevelopment plan is intended as an extension of the existing
Excelsior & Grand project and indicated that due to the condition of the former Bally building,
primarily related to asbestos, the building will be torn down. He presented several architectural
renderings of the proposed redevelopment and advised the project will include 103 market rate
apartment units and 30,000 square feet of retail space with an anchor tenant occupying 22,400
square feet of space and all parking will be located below grade. He stated they feel the
Study Session Minutes -2- June 10, 2013
proposed number of apartment units provides a good mix given the number of units being built
in the City and throughout the metro area. He advised that the project will include a courtyard in
the middle of the project accessible to residents. He stated that access to the building and
parking for retail and residential will be in the midblock region of Quentin Avenue to avoid
congestion along Excelsior Boulevard. He indicated the underground parking for the
commercial retail provides 120 stalls not including the on-street parking and the residential
parking provides approximately one parking stall per unit.
Councilmember Ross encouraged the City to make sure there is enough parking in the building.
Mr. Dreher stated they conducted a detailed parking analysis to get the right mix of residential
and commercial parking and added that parking has not been an issue at Excelsior & Grand. He
also indicated they have had discussions with several potential anchor tenants who have
expressed an interest in the project.
Mr. Sutliff presented a drawing of the lower level parking plan and the level three and level four
plans, noting the residential building extends over the top of the retail level. He indicated the
height of the building approaches 50' high in this region and would be slightly taller than Phases
1 and 3 of the Excelsior & Grand project. He also showed the level five residential plan,
indicating the building steps down from five stories to four stories as seen from Park Commons
Drive. He presented several aerial drawings of the project and stated the retail section along
Excelsior Boulevard has a height of approximately 25' with three levels of residences above it.
He stated the proposed building has been designed to be consistent with the colors and materials
in the earlier phases of Excelsior& Grand without replicating the earlier phases.
Councilmember Hallfin stated that while he does not like all the rental units being built in the
City, there does not appear to be another use for this site and was okay with moving forward.
Councilmember Sanger stated she was okay with selling the vacant EDA parcel and felt that
retail with housing above the retail space makes sense in this location. She stated she did not
agree with having so many small one-bedroom units and no two-bedroom units in the building.
She indicated it appears most developers are banking on one set of data from one market
research company that says they need to build only one-bedroom units and stated there are a lot
of people looking for larger units, adding she was not happy with the mix of unit sizes and urged
the developer to look into this further. She added she would not support any TIF assistance if the
developer only built one-bedroom units. She indicated the City also needs a stronger ordinance
in place requiring insulation or a buffer between commercial and residential units so that upstairs
residents are not inundated with fumes and noise from commercial businesses.
Councilmember Spano felt the proposed use was appropriate for the area. He agreed the
proposed residential mix seems lopsided and stated he would like to make sure the project
includes some affordable housing. He indicated he was okay with selling the vacant EDA
parcel. He stated Council has previously expressed increasing concern about the balance of
residential units available in the City and urged the City to remain mindful of Council's concern.
Mr. Dreher acknowledged Council's concern regarding the number of units being built in the
City and agreed to work with the City on this issue.
Councilmember Sanger stated she would be inclined to provide TIF assistance if the project
included units large enough to accommodate families.
Study Session Minutes -3- June 10, 2013
Councilmember Ross agreed and added she was concerned about the amount of retail space
being proposed given the vacant retail space existing in the City today.
Mr. Dreher acknowledged Councilmember Ross's concern and stated that TOLD Development
would not put up speculative space.
Councilmember Mavity requested that TOLD Development provide further information
regarding the current market for apartments particularly related to two-bedroom apartments. She
agreed that the City needs larger units and stated she would rather see less square footage in an
apartment with more bedrooms rather than a large apartment that might be cost prohibitive for
families. She requested that staff research what it would take to have Sec. 8 housing in the
proposed redevelopment. She also urged the developer to make sure the proposed retail
complements the existing retailers in the area and brings added value to the community.
Councilmember Santa stated she would like to see the proposed retail blend in and enhance what
is currently happening all along Excelsior Boulevard. She indicated she has heard that people
are looking for three-bedroom apartments and was concerned about the proposed unit mix. She
added she wanted to make sure the proposed courtyard contains usable space for residents. She
stated she was in agreement with selling the vacant EDA parcel and was open to discussing TIF
assistance.
Mayor Jacobs stated he was also concerned about overbuilding apartment units in the City
especially since the housing markets change over time. He shared Councilmember Sanger's
concern about the number of smaller apartments and felt it would be nice if the project included
apartments for families with children. He stated he was in agreement with selling the vacant
EDA parcel and was open to discussing TIF assistance.
3. Southwest LRT Update
Mr. Locke presented the staff report and stated the SWLRT Project Office (SPO)has indicated it
will be presenting its recommendations for freight rail in mid-July and the City would be
submitting its comments related to freight rail to the SPO in early July. He advised the City
would prepare its position statement based on the previous work done by the City including its
current position on freight rail and identify its concerns as well as what additional information or
analysis the City feels is necessary. He presented a large map depicting two freight rail reroute
options and stated the map includes several staff comments on some of the key issues. He also
distributed a preliminary list of pros and cons for the reroute options.
Councilmember Mavity requested further information regarding the process for preparing and
submitting the City's comments.
Mr. Locke explained that staff will prepare draft comments for review with Council on June 24th
He stated that a joint meeting with the School Board would be scheduled on July 1st or July 8th
followed by Council approval of the comment letter to the SPO.
Councilmember Mavity expressed concern that the modeling for Wooddale and Beltline on the
colocation option seems to be missing and stated she wanted to make sure Council is given an
opportunity to consider traffic and grade separation issues for this area and especially around
Wooddale.
Study Session Minutes -4- June 10, 2013
Ms. McMonigal advised that staff will be meeting with the SPO tomorrow to review the
colocation alternative and further information will be provided to Council following that
meeting.
Mr. Locke explained that the large map contains the Brunswick West alternative and the
Brunswick Central alternative and in either a relocation or colocation scenario, the storage track
on the Bass Lake Spur goes away as well as the switching wye. He stated that in either of the
Brunswick reroute scenarios, over 50% of the route consists of new nght-of-way and the tracks
are elevated in almost every location. He discussed the Brunswick West and Central reroutes
and provided detailed information about the proposed track elevations.
Councilmember Mavity indicated the City has been dealing with sight line issues at the Highway
7 and Wooddale interchange and requested that issues with sight lines be addressed by the SPO.
Mr. Locke indicated the City's DEIS comments raised the issue that this corridor was too narrow
and would become even narrower due to the elevated tracks. He stated the City believes the
Blackstone side of the corridor should be acquired between Minnetonka Blvd and West 27th
Street to provide a larger buffer between homes on Blackstone and Brunswick and the freight rail
tracks.
Councilmember Sanger felt that the acquisitions along Blackstone north of Minnetonka Blvd
should go south to Lake Street, too. She felt the City should be concerned about the number of
feet from the tracks to houses and was also concerned about the elevated tracks because of the
noise.
Mr. Locke stated one of the big issues for both reroute alternatives relates to the impact of
introducing large berms/retaining walls and bridges through the middle of the community,
creating visual and physical barriers, especially through the high school campus area. The berms
will have a tendency to create barriers and divide neighborhoods. He added it will be important
to understand the long-term impact on the community of creating this type of barrier.
Councilmember Spano stated that putting freight rail 20' up in the air will cause additional sound
to spill out into areas that had not necessarily experienced noise issues in the past and felt that
sound mitigation issues become more pronounced as a result of the elevated tracks.
Mr. Locke explained that the Brunswick West alternative has freight rail traveling through the
ponding area along Lake Street near Brunswick Avenue. The ponding area is very deep. He
stated this important ponding area provides anti-flooding capacity for the City, and the drawings
show this area getting filled in. He stated indicated it would need to be replaced.
He stated with both reroute options, most at-grade crossings are eliminated over significant roads
in the City, including Wooddale and Beltline. He discussed the reroute option that goes through
the high school football field and stated the map shows the commercial properties along Lake
Street being acquired and Lake Street rerouted to parallel the freight rail tracks with the
possibility of shifting the football field north of this area.
Councilmember Mavity stated as Council has noted previously, the money invested by the City
in this area would need to be mitigated.
Councilmember Sanger requested information about what the reroutes will do to PSI.
Study Session Minutes -5- June 10, 2013
Mr. Locke advised that the Brunswick West route keeps the trains almost equidistant between
the high school and PSI. He stated the Brunswick Central option retains the new football field
but goes through the PSI/Central Community Center playgrounds and School District's
maintenance building. He indicated Wooddale would have to be lowered a couple feet to make
this route work, and Hwy 7 would need to be lowered about 4.5 ft. This option hits more homes
and also impacts the City's storm water system. He stated this option is problematic because
freight rail gets moved closer to the elementary school and goes through the playground area.
The residual land from taking homes might make it possible to replace the playground close to
the Central Community Center but this area would be adjacent to elevated tracks between 14'
and 17' above the existing grade. He added one of the common issues with berms is the side
slopes and the City feels the side slopes should be at least as flat as 3:1 slopes for maintainability
and safety. However, gentler slopes will need more land. Another option is retaining walls but
they are more expensive, can be a safety issue, and create a visual barrier.
Councilmember Spano asked how close the tracks are to the PSI property at Section B of the
Brunswick Central option.
Mr. Locke stated he did not know and agreed to obtain this measurement. He indicated all the
freight rail alternatives include the south connection from the Bass Lake spur and that this has
impacts on a number of commercial properties in that area. He stated that staff will prepare a
similar analysis for impacts related to colocation, including the continued at-grade rail crossings
at Wooddale and Beltline and related circulation impacts, as well as the impact of freight rail at
the station areas for the next City Council Meeting. He asked Council to review the preliminary
list of pros and cons for the reroute options and to provide feedback and comments to staff as
soon as possible prior to the continued study session discussion on June 24t.
After further discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to start the special study
session on June 17`'' at 6:00 p.m. to allow Council another opportunity to review and discuss
SWLRT, particularly as it relates to colocation and the Wooddale and Beltline crossings.
Mr. Locke advised the City has asked the SPO to produce 3D drawings of some of the key
locations and these 3D drawings will be provided to Council at its next meeting.
Councilmember Sanger requested that Council be provided with a complete list of all properties
to be acquired for both the reroute and colocation options. She also requested that Council be
provided with information regarding the distance from the tracks to the property lines for
remaining properties under both the colocation and reroute options as well as information
regarding the distance from the tracks to buildings for each of these options. She also requested
information regarding mitigation being proposed by the SPO for each of these options. She also
asked when the FTA is expected to make a decision regarding whether an amended or
supplemental DEIS will be required.
Mr. Locke stated that staff will ask the SPO's environmental consultant about the decision
regarding an amended or supplemental DEIS.
Councilmember Sanger asked when studies would be conducted related to noise impacts,
vibration, and derailment potential. She also requested information regarding the railroad's
position with respect to reroute and colocation and whether they have accepted any of the routes
as viable options and if not, she asked what was left to be decided. She stated the railroads have
indicated if they are rerouted through the MN&S route that they would need to be compensated
Study Session Minutes -6- June 10, 2013
and she questioned whether any decisions on compensation have been made and who would be
responsible for that compensation. She stated the previous DEIS indicated that colocation was
not a feasible option because of 4f parklands in Kenilworth and asked whether this issue has
been resolved.
Mr. Locke agreed to follow-up on the 4f parkland issue adding it was his understanding that the
options on the table for rerouting and colocation represent options that the SPO feels could be
done.
Councilmember Halifin stated that City Council Resolution No. 10-070 lays out the City's
position, most notably that the City opposes the rerouting of freight rail traffic from the
Kenilworth corridor to St. Louis Park unless there are no other viable options and indicated the
SPO has indicated there are other viable options. He added the City has established its position
and this position has not changed.
Councilmember Mavity stated that Met Council has previously indicated there are five options
that work for the SPO and the railroads but there is no indication these options work for the
community. She asked what happens during construction since this is an open and functioning
railroad line.
Mr. Locke stated it was his understanding that the SPO is having conversations with the railroad
at this time regarding constructability and figuring out how to keep the trains moving during
construction.
Mr. Harmening indicated the School Board has expressed an interest in meeting with Council
and suggested meeting with the School Board on July 1st.
It was the consensus of the City Council to schedule a joint meeting with the School Board on
July 15t
Mr. Harmening advised that the Corridor Management Committee is meeting on Wednesday,
June 12th, and stated he would attend the meeting in Mayor Jacobs's absence. He stated he
planned to reiterate the City's current position and policy related to freight rail and that the City
continues to have significant concerns regarding the freight rail reroute options based on what
has been presented to date.
Councilmember Santa suggested that Mr. Harmening also point out that Council has reviewed
the next level of information on a potential reroute but has not yet had an opportunity to review
the colocation option and any remarks regarding colocation would be preliminary, but that
Council has significant concerns based on what it has seen to date.
4. Human Resources Update
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report and stated the reorganization of the Parks and
Recreation and Public Works Departments to the Departments of Operations and Recreation and
Engineering has gone very well. He stated staff continues to closely review the City's CIP from
an engineering perspective and advised the impacts are much greater than previously anticipated,
e.g., SWLRT. He advised that Mr. Rardin has announced his retirement effective June 28, 2013,
and the Director of Engineering position will be posted tomorrow. He also advised that the City
is close to filling the Engineering Project Coordinator position, previously held by Mr. Olson.
Study Session Minutes -7- June 10, 2013
He stated that if it is determined that additional engineering support is needed, we are in the
process of staffing analysis due to business needs and there would be cost implications to the
budget. He indicated the City's engineering costs are charged out to the City's various projects
and part of the cost of staffing would go directly to projects.
Councilmember Ross asked if it would make sense to hire additional staff on a contract basis.
Mr. Harmening replied that we do use consultants to help engineering in various areas to off load
some of the work.
City Council was appreciative of the update and was in support of the City Manager continuing
to handle staffing and to add in areas as needed.
Communications/Meeting Check-In (Verbal)
None.
The meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
5. Knollwood Development Proposal
6. Process Update—Environment and Sustainability Commission: Sustainable SLP
7. Update on Sale of 5609 Wood Lane (Vacant City Property)
Nancy Stroth, 9"ty Clerk Jeff
/7 ob , Ma�C r