HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015/07/20 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session ffiSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
JULY 20, 2015
The meeting convened at 7:04 p m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro Tern Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg, Anne
Mavity, Susan Sanger, and Jake Spano.
Councilmembers absent: Mayor Jeff Jacobs.
Staff present: Deputy City Manager/Director of Human Resources (Ms. Deno), Director of
Community Development (Mr. Locke), Planning & Zoning Supervisor (Mr. Walther), Economic
Development Coordinator (Mr. Hunt), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Hughes).
1. Former Lutheran Church of the Reformation Site—Property Guidance
Mr. Walther presented the staff report and stated the subject property is guided for Civic and is
zoned R-1 single family residential He stated some interest has been shown in the property with
the most recent being a day care use with some apartments as well as single family residential
along the west side of the site.. He pointedlout there is a floodplain district identified in this area
but there is no elevation associated with" it and there is a process that property owners can
undertake with FEMA to establish that elevation. He presented aerial photos of the site and
stated any proposed development that requires a subdivision would trigger the City's park
dedication requirements and this would provide an opportunity to preserve space on the site. He
advised that any change in the Comprehensive Plan or zoning to accommodate some other type
of development would fall under Council's purview and the City has a number of controls in
place without having to purchase the property
Councilmember Sanger thanked the residents for attending this evening and advised that she
recently attended a meeting with the property owner's representative and a church representative
and the Birchwood neighborhood informed them of the importance of retaining this land for
single family homes and retaining the community garden and preserving as many trees as
possible. She stated this site provides an excellent opportunity to fulfill Council's goal of having
more single family housing in the City and she felt it was appropriate that the site remain single
family. She stated that while a day care center might not be a terrible use, the City would lose
control if the day care center closes and another commercial use comes in. She stated this site is
not near a bus line and she did not want to see anything on this site that would increase traffic in
the single family neighborhood She referenced the Birchwood Neighborhood Association's
position paper requesting that the site be retained for single family housing and to retain the
community garden and trees and it was her hope that Council would honor their request.
Councilmember Lindberg agreed with Councilmember Sanger and felt this site was
appropriately guided and would like to see a single family development on the site. He felt there
was some value in purchasing the site and to maintain some of the open space and community
garden and significant trees, adding he would like to further discuss Council's options related to
the property.
Councilmember Spano agreed with Councilmember Sanger and requested that staff explore
whether it is possible for the City to purchase only the community garden portion of the site
Special Study Session Minutes -2- July 20, 2015
Councilmember Hallfin agreed with the remarks of his colleagues and stated he supports single
family housing on this site. He stated he would love to see the community garden stay on the
site but felt it could be moved if necessary for development purposes. He also supported the idea
of purchasing the community garden portion of the site.
Councilmember Mavity agreed that the portion of the site along Vernon Avenue is well suited
for single family homes. She requested that staff provide Council with information on what the
City has done in the past regarding community gardens She felt that a portion of the site along
the highway was not well suited for single family homes and requested that Council consider
other home ownership options in this area such as townhomes
Mayor Pro Tem Brausen stated he was open to development of the parcel based on what the
market is looking for, as there does not appear to be tremendous demand for single family lots.
It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to pursue single family housing on the
former Lutheran Church of the Reformation property and to preserve the community garden.
Mayor Pro Tem Brausen adjourned the meeting at 7:29 p.m.
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Kennedy, City Cler 111, Tim Brausen, M pyor Pro Tem