HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014/09/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session J/1 St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
SEPTEMBER 8, 2014
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg,
Anne Mavity, Susan Sanger, and Jake Spano (arrived at 6:38 p.m.).
Councilmembers absent: None.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Operations & Recreation (Ms.
Walsh), Director of Community Development (Mr. Locke), Director of Engineering (Ms.
Heiser), City Assessor (Mr. Bultema), Senior Planner (Mr. Walther), Senior Project Manager
(Mr. Elkin), Housing Supervisor (Ms. Schnitker), Communications & Marketing Coordinator
(Mr. Zwilling), Housing Programs Coordinator (Ms. Olson), and Recording Secretary (Ms.
Hughes).
Guests: Tony Heppelmann, PE (WSB &Associates) and Scott Neal (Edina City Manager).
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning—September 22, 2014
Mr. Harmening presented the proposed study session agenda for September 22nd
Councilmember Mavity requested that a future study session agenda include an update about the
grade separations and other Southwest LRT improvements as well as an update on the process.
Councilmember Sanger stated she has been asked when Council intends to schedule a discussion
about the updated City Council resolution related to Southwest LRT and suggested that Council
discuss the resolution within the next month or two.
Councilmember Lindberg stated he preferred to discuss the resolution sooner rather than later.
Councilmember Mavity stated she preferred to first focus on making sure the City gets the grade
separations and making sure that money is allocated for the grade separations.
Councilmember Hallfin stated it was his impression that Council would take up the resolution
sometime before the end of the year.
Councilmember Brausen stated he was okay with taking up the resolution next year.
Mayor Jacobs stated he preferred to wait until funding is in place for the improvements before
taking up the resolution.
2. Blake Road/Aquila Avenue Corridor Study Update
Mr. Elkin presented the staff report and introduced Mr. Tony Heppelmann from WSB &
Associates.
Mr. Heppelmann provided background information regarding the Blake Road Corridor Study
and advised that an open house was held in June to obtain input and another open house would
be scheduled in October to obtain input on alternatives followed by identification of a preferred
Study Session Minutes -2- September 8, 2014
alternative for the corridor and finalization of an implementation schedule. He stated that
concerns expressed at the open house included traffic operations and safety concerns, the
pedestrian crossings at Blake Road and Highway 7, and a desire for bike facilities on Blake Road
as well as safety concerns about the Cedar Lake Regional Trail crossings and access to the future
Southwest LRT station. He discussed several alternatives for Blake Road and specifically the
Excelsior Boulevard and Highway 7 intersection and stated that the committee considered on-
road bike lanes, a cycle track plus sidewalk, and multipurpose trails for the corridor and the
committee concluded that a multipurpose trail is the best alternative for this corridor. He
presented several alternatives for a signalized intersection and roundabouts, stating that
roundabouts would slow traffic in the corridor and provide crossing locations for pedestrians at
slower speeds, adding that these alternatives will be presented at the public meeting for
comment. He stated the committee is also considering options for the Highway 7 intersection
and the possibility of adding a second turn lane. He stated the committee is also looking at grade
separation at Blake and Highway 7 in the future and presented drawings depicting a buttonhook
interchange, single point interchange, and tight diamond interchange, noting that Mn/DOT has
indicated it has no intention of constructing a new interchange at this location.
Councilmember Mavity asked what other options might be available for this intersection.
Mr. Heppelmann replied that another option might be a pedestrian bridge over Highway 7.
Councilmember Spano was supportive of looking at a pedestrian bndge over Highway 7, given
the amount of foot traffic coming from the Blake Road light rail station.
Councilmember Mavity felt that a pedestrian bridge should be further considered and also felt
that the study did not go far enough to address pedestrian safety and making sure the corridor
provides safe access for pedestrians and bikes.
Councilmember Sanger stated she would like to see more work done on a pedestrian overpass at
Highway 7 and Aquila and questioned whether Knollwood Mall might be willing to help with
the cost.
3. 40`h Street and France Avenue Site
Ms. Walsh presented the staff report and policy questions for Council consideration. She stated
that the City of Minneapolis has indicated that the City has until November 15, 2014, to make a
written offer on the property.
Mr. Harmening introduced Mr. Scott Neal, Edina City Manager.
Councilmember Mavity noted that the portion of the property in St. Louis Park is guided for
Parks and Open Space in the Comprehensive Plan while the property is zoned R1 single family.
She requested further information about the appraisal assumption that the site is zoned R1 single
family and asked if the appraised value would be significantly less if the land were zoned Parks
and Open Space.
Mr. Bultema stated the Minneapolis appraisal does not go far enough to provide definitive
answers and uses raw land comparables. He felt that developers would have an interest in the
site but there were too many undefined variables at this time, adding that he felt the appraised
value would be a lot less if the property were zoned Parks and Open Space.
Study Session Minutes -3- September 8, 2014
Mayor Jacobs stated he had no interest in purchasing the property from the City of Minneapolis.
Councilmember Mavity stated if the City declines to purchase the property, the City might lose
its ability to shape its use going forward. She wanted to make sure the City has a public process
in place and requested that staff provide options for future use of the site that can be provided to
the public for input and comment.
Councilmember Sanger indicated she would be okay with a couple of single-family move-up
houses on the site with a portion kept for Parks and Open Space. She felt it would be important
for St. Louis Park and Edina to have one coordinated strategy related to the site. She stated she
would like to pursue the possibility of changing the zoning to Parks and Open Space, adding that
the City might also want to obtain its own appraisal using the City's assumptions regarding use
of the site as Parks and Open Space.
Councilmember Hallfin felt that the City should purchase the portion of the site located in
Minikanda Vista Park.
Councilmember Brausen spoke in favor of developing some houses along France Avenue and
was also in favor of purchasing the western half of the site and preserving it as open space. He
also felt that Council should do a blanket resolution to rezone all properties in the City that are
not currently consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Councilmember Lindberg agreed with Councilmember Brausen.
Councilmember Mavity stated that the neighborhood members are going to have strong opinions
about this matter and the City needs to create a public process to solicit and consider their input.
Councilmember Hallfin agreed that public processes are good but felt that Council was elected to
make these types of decisions and he was not sure a public process was needed in this instance.
Councilmember Brausen stated the first step should be to discuss the possible rezoning of the
property with the City Attorney.
Councilmember Sanger asked if it would be possible to have a rough illustration prepared
depicting what could be done with the site. She also requested an assessment from staff as to
whether the City would be better off letting Minneapolis sell the site to a developer or whether
the City should buy its portion of the site and sell off a portion for some sort of development.
Mr. Harmening stated it was questionable whether Hennepin County would allow direct
driveway access onto France Avenue. He stated further engineenng analysis would be required
of the grades in the area, how any development might affect utilities, and how to split up the
property, adding that this would require some effort and expense on the part of the City.
Councilmember Sanger asked about the City of Edina's discussions relative to this site.
Mr. Neal advised that the City of Edina has had similar conversations regarding this property and
the Edina City Council believes it is important to coordinate its approach with St. Louis Park.
He stated this item is on the Edina City Council's September 23`d agenda as a closed session
discussion.
Study Session Minutes -4- September 8, 2014
Mr. Harmening agreed to have the City Attorney attend a special study session next week to
discuss rezoning of the property to Parks and Open Space to be consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan land use designation. He stated the City would send a letter to the
neighborhood with information about what is happening with the property and inviting them to a
neighborhood meeting. He stated that staff would also conduct further internal analysis,
including contacting Hennepin County about whether the County would allow driveway cutouts
in this area, for presentation at the neighborhood meeting.
4. Affordable Housing Strategy Review
Ms. Schnitker presented the staff report and proposed strategy requiring the inclusion of
affordable housing units in new market rate multi-unit residential developments receiving
financial assistance from the City.
Councilmember Hallfin stated he did not want to see a concentration of affordable housing units
in one area, adding that he felt the Excelsior and Grand project represented ideal affordable
housing.
Councilmember Sanger agreed it was important to avoid concentrations of affordable housing
units and suggested using a cap on a percentage basis to avoid having too many affordable units
in any one building. She stated that Program Component II allows a developer to fulfill the
requirement at another building and asked if there was anything that says a developer could not
accomplish the required number of affordable units in someone else's building.
Council continued its discussion regarding concentration of affordable housing units.
Councilmember Brausen agreed with the desire to infiltrate affordable housing in all market rate
apartments but wanted to leave all options open for Council to consider and to avail itself of all
available tools. He stated he would like to see the limits a little higher, perhaps 15-20% at 60%
AMI, and felt that developers would be able to make it work especially when the City is giving
density bonuses or a reduction of parking requirements.
Councilmember Mavity stated she would like to see a more formalized policy as it relates to
parking reduction, particularly in projects where developers are demonstrating other options,
e.g., hour cars. She stated she would also like to make sure the City has a clear strategy related
to payment of a fee in lieu of developing affordable housing units and how that money is used.
Mr. Locke agreed that further research is needed regarding Program Component III.
Mr. Schnitker stated that Council's efforts to put this housing policy in place have garnished a lot
of positive attention in the housing industry with a lot of people offering assistance to the City.
She indicated the Family Housing Fund is coordinating an initiative looking at policies,
regulations, and best practices for providing affordable housing and has offered to work with the
City, provide technical assistance, and use the City as a test case.
Councilmember Spano requested that affordable housing be discussed with Hennepin County
Commissioner Greene vis-à-vis the City's neighboring communities.
Communications/Meeting Check-In (Verbal)
Study Session Minutes -5- September 8, 2014
Mr. Harmening advised that a hotel developer has expressed an interest in the Santorini site to
develop a budget extended stay hotel, adding that further information would be presented in the
near future. He advised that staff has been working with the Hockey Association regarding the
schematic design of the ice rink. He stated that staff is trying to get as much work done as
possible on the ice rink so that this information can be presented to Council at the same time as
the schematic design plans for the potential community center.
Councilmember Sanger requested an update on the potential partnership with the YMCA and
JCC on the community center.
Mr. Harmening advised that staff asked the YMCA and JCC to put together an economic model
for review and staff hopes to have this information available to review with Council at the end of
October.
The meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m.
Written reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
5. HIA Resolution Ending Hardship Deferral for 2160 Ridge Dr. #25 & Reinstating the
Special Assessment
6. Rochel Forbearance and Loan Modification Agreement
7. EDA Redevelopment Contract Status Report
8. Construction Management Plan
9. Update on the Park the Street! Pop Up Eve•
Ar
Nancy Stro�y Clerk Jeff J."obs, M.yor