HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014/09/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session JffSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
SEPTEMBER 15,2014
The meeting convened at 6:45 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro Tem Steve Hallfin, Tim Brausen (arrived at 6:49 p.m.),
Gregg Lindberg, Anne Mavity, Susan Sanger, and Jake Spano.
Councilmembers absent: Mayor Jeff Jacobs.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), Senior Planner (Mr.
Walther), Controller (Mr. Swanson), Marketing & Communications Coordinator (Mr. Zwillmg),
and Recording Secretary(Ms. Hughes).
1. 40`h Street and France Avenue Property
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report and referenced the letter from the City Attorney and
stated the letter is attorney-client privilege and not part of the public record. He advised that he
spoke with Edina City Manager Scott Neal today and learned that the Edina City Council likely
will not discuss this item until the first week in October.
Mr. Scott stated the portion of property in St. Louis Park is guided for Parks and Open Space and
is zoned R1 single family residential and the City could choose to rezone the property to Parks
and Open Space to make it consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The City could also choose
to reguide the property to residential, adding that the City is not limited to those two options and
his letter to Council further addresses the issue and potential challenges that may be raised if the
property is rezoned to Parks and Open Space.
Councilmember Lindberg indicated the west side of the property is currently used for park
activities and the east side of the property is open space and asked if the entire property has to be
zoned the same.
Mr. Scott replied that part of the property could be zoned one way and another part of the
property zoned differently, adding that the site's physical features might be conducive to more
than one zoning type.
Councilmember Spano asked if the portion of the parcel currently used as the infield portion of
the ball field at Minikanda Vista Park is in jeopardy and whether a developer could say they
want this portion of the property.
Mr. Walther stated this portion of the property is in the floodplain and has severe limitations,
adding that the City could require that this portion of the property be used for park dedication.
Councilmember Sanger stated it was her preference to rezone the property to Parks and Open
Space at this time.
Councilmember Mavity felt it was important for Council to first determine what it wants to do
with the property and also to hear from the neighborhood about their preferences and concerns,
adding that this site is a valuable forest in a dense urban environment that does not exist
elsewhere in the area.
Special Study Session Minutes -2- September 15, 2014
Councilmember Spano agreed it was important to hear from the neighborhood and stated the
City should secure the ball field portion of property located on the Minneapolis property so the
City can retain control of that portion of the site.
Councilmember Lindberg agreed the City should secure the portion of the park located on the
Minneapolis property and stated the City has an opportunity to create move-up housing on the
site and asked if the City would be able to make sure the western portion of the property remains
a park if it did nothing further at this time in terms of purchasing any of the property.
Mr. Scott stated he was not sure about the City's rights with respect to the ball field, adding if the
City has a short term lease that was terminated and a developer came in, the City would be in a
position to have to buy the property and negotiate with the developer or condemn it to get it back
outright.
Councilmember Sanger felt that the City should start the process of rezoning all properties that
are currently inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Councilmember Brausen felt the neighborhood process should occur first, adding that portions of
the property are developable but not the entire parcel and the City has the ability to control the
development process.
It was the consensus of the City Council to hold off on determining a final response back to
Minneapolis until they were able to hear from the adjacent neighborhood.
Mr. Harmening advised that a tentative date for the neighborhood meeting is Tuesday,
September 30`h, with other possible dates of October 8th or 9`h.
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
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Nancy Strote, City ClerkSteve Hallfin, Mayor Pm