HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014/08/18 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session (if St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK,MINNESOTA
AUGUST 18, 2014
The meeting convened at 6:34 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Tim Brausen, Gregg Lindberg, Anne Mavity,
Susan Sanger, and Jake Spano.
Councilmembers absent: Steve Hallfin.
Staff present: Deputy City Manager/Director of Human Resources (Ms. Deno), Director of
Community Development (Mr. Locke), Economic Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), Senior
Planner (Mr. Walther), Marketing & Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), and
Recording Secretary(Ms. Hughes).
Guests: David Graham (ESG Architects), Rich Kauffman (DLC Residential), Burt Coffin (ESG
Architects), Luke Appert (Cushman&Wakefield), and Russ Krivor(DLC Residential).
1. West End Redevelopment Update
Mr. Locke presented the staff report and advised that Duke Realty has proposed to make changes
to a portion of the West End development, pnmanly due to market conditions as they relate to
the office site. He then introduced Mr. David Graham with ESG Architects.
Mr. Graham distributed an Illustrative Concept Plan and explained that the revised plan provides
approximately 700,000 square feet of office space, as well as a residential and hospitality district
along Utica Avenue. It includes the previously planned boulevard extension at Utica that
becomes the main boulevard through the development, as well as a large linear park. He stated
that the plan contains two eleven-story office buildings and a parking ramp along the freeway
and pointed out that the gross square footage of developable area is still 1.2 million square feet.
The demand for parking has been reduced by approximately 800 stalls because of the reduction
in office space and the introduction of 400 units of housing.
Councilmember Brausen stated that he met with the Duke Realty development team earlier today
to review their proposal, and he shared with the development team his passion for affordable
housing. They discussed the City's recently adopted housing goals and available tools, adding
that he felt the City could work with Duke on this revised plan.
Councilmember Sanger stated she felt that the revised concept plan was worth pursuing. She
also felt that the proposed park needed further attention and requested that the developer find
ways to connect the bike trails to the rest of St. Louis Park.
Councilmember Lindberg spoke in favor of the revised concept plan.
Councilmember Mavity stated that she would prefer to see the buildings built closer together to
achieve more usable green space, adding that the same goes for the parking.
Mr. Graham stated that the plan provides two levels of residential parking below grade, with a
ratio of one stall per bedroom. The office buildings generate a need for 2,827 stalls, and the plan
provides that the parking ramp be located against the expressway with two levels underground
Special Study Session Minutes -2- August 18, 2014
and six levels above ground, adding there is an opportunity to share parking because of the mix
of uses.
Councilmember Mavity suggested that the developers consider the use of an hour car and stated
that if the City were to receive a ten or fifteen year commitment with some collateral for an hour
car, the City might be able to reduce some of the parking requirements that would save money
that could be used toward underwriting the affordable housing component.
Mr. Graham acknowledged that the parking solution is a significant design issue, and they would
like to discuss the possibility of reducing parking requirements to 1.2 or 1.3 stalls per unit to
make it possible to fill the cost gap for affordable housing, along with the use of hour cars.
Councilmember Mavity expressed concern about the corner of 16`" Street and Highway 100 and
felt that the intersection needs to be signalized,particularly with the increased uses and traffic.
Councilmember Spano agreed with Councilmember Mavity's remarks about increased green
space and coalescing the office structures to achieve more green space. He stated that Council
has previously discussed whether the current infrastructure supports the development and asked
how the proposed changes would impact the infrastructure, including storm and waste water, and
clean water delivery, as well as the fiber optic network.
Mr. Locke advised that utility capacity was addressed as part of the AUAR, and this issue will
need to be addressed going forward. He added that part of the permanent easement for the pump
station is for the sewer interceptor going through this area.
Ms. Deno noted that Novartis is no longer manufacturing in St. Louis Park, which has made
sufficient water capacity available, and agreed that the other areas will be analyzed as part of any
revised concept plan.
Councilmember Sanger stated she hoped that the apartment mix included some larger apartments
and not just one-bedroom apartments. She requested that the developers give due consideration
to the architectural design of the buildings. She also asked if there was going to be a TIF request
for this proposal.
Mr. Locke explained that the redevelopment contract already exists for the West End. It
provides TIF assistance for the project and states how the TIF money is to be used. The concept
plan before the City Council tonight is about changing the physical plans but not changing the
terms of the redevelopment contract, adding that there will be changes in the schedule for the
construction of the remaining components of the West End to a more realistic schedule for the
site.
It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to further pursue Duke Realty's new
Concept Plan for the eastern portion of the West End property.
The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
Nancy Stroth,/ity Clerk Jeff J coja , ayor