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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/06/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionfffSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA JUNE 6, 2016 The meeting convened at 6:31 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg, Anne Mavity, Thom Miller, Susan Sanger, and Jake Spano. Staff present: City Manager (Mr. I-Iarmening), Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser,) Senior Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Elkin), Senior Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Sullivan), Communications Specialist (Ms. Pribbenow), Principal Planner (Ms. McMonigal), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guests: Friends of Bass Lake Group; PLACE Development Representatives 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning —Month June, 2016 Mr. Harmening presented the proposed Study Session agenda for June, 2016. 2. Bass Lake Update Ms. Heiser presented an update on the Bass Lake Preserve Project. She stated that at the April 4, 2016, Study Session, an update was provided to council describing the study of the preserve and the resulting improvement projects recommended to meet the goals of the project reviewed by council in June, 2012. She explained the direction was to define a project which provided functional restoration to the basin, with a desire to incorporate aesthetic and environmental improvements. These improvements discussed at the April meeting were developed after examining the existing infrastructure, upland vegetation and basin conditions. Improvements were explored that would improve water quality, reduce point source pollution, and improve overall aesthetics. Staff's presentation addressed questions the council had regarding improvements. Materials attached in the report outline the physical characteristics of the basin, the identified improvements and staff recommendations. Councilmember Mavity stated she is glad the improvements are being incorporated into the plan for Bass Lake. She asked about a grant that was received from the Metropolitan Council several years ago to look at storm water and light rail areas and how this grant was linked to the project. She added that the grant received was for work on an aerial plan, not a plot by plot plan, and she has concerns this does not align with the improvements being presented. She added that she wants to be sure staff is looking at this project long-term and that there is a planning vision, not a new plan each time there is a new development. Councilmember Sanger asked about future recreational purposes for Bass Lake, stating she did not recall this had ever been clarified or discussed. She further stated this needs to be focused on at some point. Secondly, she asked what can be done so that landowners living further upstream are not polluting the wetlands and so that infrastructure will not need to be rebuilt over and over. Ms. Heiser stated many cities handle this with rain gardens, adding this information will be coming to a study session later this year. Study Session Minutes -2- June 6, 2016 Councilmember Sanger asked if the city's phosphorus rules are strong enough. Ms. Heiser noted phosphorus is not used in fertilizers. Councilmember Miller asked about the reduction of water volume. Mr. Hathaway from Barr Engineering stated this is a technique to hold water back so it flows more slowly and helps with pre-treatment and flooding issues that can occur downstream. Councilmember Miller also asked about the removal of cattails and if the city really wants them to be removed. Mr. Elkin stated this is a trade-off. By removing cattails, more desirable native plants will appear. Councilmember Miller asked about the impact of rain gardens and what the big picture plan is for land use. He asked if staff is only focusing on functional restoration. Ms. Heiser noted the 2012 project was specifically for functional restoration and dredging the basin, adding there is no master plan. She added that the dredging project was recommended at that time and sediment was removed from the basin in the 1990's. Mr. Harmening added these are improvements to take care of the outlet that the Friends of Bass Lake would support. He added he is not sure how this would affect future recreational use of Bass Lake, but at this point, staff needs to know how the council would like them to proceed. Councilmember Miller also asked about dredging and if it is beneficial to do this. Mr. Hathaway noted there are limited benefits with dredging, with the exception of maintenance dredging, so it is difficult to justify the expense. Councilmember Miller also referred to the upland vegetation management project, noting it is expensive, and with an annual maintenance cost, it becomes a questionable project. Councilmember Hallfin asked about the Carpenter Park Project and what area would be addressed there. Mr. Harmening stated the far southwest corner. Ms. Heiser added that they are also working to move the water from the pipes under this chamber to Bass Lake. She noted this water moves under the France and Excelsior intersection into a pond at Minikanda Golf Course and then to Lake Calhoun. She added that another part of this is to control the water elevation. She noted that the feasibility studies will review how much cleaner the storm water will be when it leaves the city. Mr. Harmening stated that a funding source will be identified for this project, adding the city has been adjusting rates in the storm utility fund as a means of planning for these projects Councilmember Brausen noted he is in favor of these projects, with the exception of Carpenter Park, especially given the concerns of the Friends of Bass Lake. He added he would like to know what other storm water projects can be addressed. Councilmember Mavity added the report was helpful and on all future development, the city needs to be sure to have long-term goals and milestones so all projects are clearly defined for the long-term vision and goals of the city. Further, she noted the council will need to know the metrics and proximity to goals in order to be in alignment with the Community Development Department as well. Mr. Harmening summarized the following information related to this discussion. The council would like a cost benefit analysis on Carpenter Park in order to clarify what is being Study Session Minutes -3- June 6, 2016 accomplished for the money spent on this project. Additionally, the Parkland Drive improvements are acceptable to the council. An additional study will be needed on the northeast corner of BMP, and the outlet improvements need to be more tangible. He concluded saying that this project will be revisited, and past studies will be reviewed in order for the council to understand how it all fits together. Councilmember Mavity acknowledged this process and the input received from residents as exactly how this should have occurred. The Study Session recessed at 7:24 p.m. and reconvened at 8:40 p.m. 3. PLACE Development Update Ms. McMonigal introduced Mr. Velasco from PLACE, who presented a high level concept plan to the City Council, in order to discuss details and the council's expectations for the redevelopment of the area in question. Mr. Velasco noted the concept plan showing development on both sides of the rail/trail corridor. He pointed out the e -generation and 198 residential units on the north side; a 110 -room hotel; and 102 residential and live -work units on the south side of the corridor. Additional features include commercial/retail on the south side, including a restaurant, preschool, and coffee shop. Ms. McMonigal noted that staff has not yet analyzed the concept plan details, including specific building locations, heights, residential densities, parking, setbacks, access and circulation. The site plan will be reviewed and refined over the coming months, prior to a formal application. The traffic review has been completed, showing the development can work with certain stipulations. These include driveway access over the property to the east to Yosemite Avenue; limiting the driveway access to 36`h Street to a right-in/right-out only; creating a left -turn lane from 36`h Street to Xenwood Avenue going north; and a left -in only to the north development frontage road. Advantages to the new plan include utilizing both sides of the LRT station; better location for building height; PLACES commercial components on 36"h Avenue; a better LRT passenger drop-off area; and better traffic outcomes. Additionally, staff is working with Hennepin County on the Nash Frame property, which is owned by the County Rail Authority. It is expected the property will be conveyed to the city and then sold to PLACE. Also, the city has received a Transit -Oriented Development (TOD) Grant from Hennepin County for the PLACE development for acquisition, demolition and infrastructure. Mr. Velasco noted in the development discussion there will be room for an urban forest and also an e -generation program, which will help to utilize sun and wind sources and save the city money with the organics and growing program. Councilmember Sanger asked for clarification on the new roadway from PLACE to Xenwood Avenue. The developer stated they are working on a concept related to this connection. Councilmember Miller asked for an explanation of the drop-off point for the Xenwood station. Ms. McMonigal stated the entrance will be from Yosemite Avenue, and PLACE will have to work with the Southwest Project Office (SPO) in final plans. Study Session Minutes -4- June 6, 2016 Councilmember Mavity asked if the developer is creating a new roadway access into the development. She added if this project goes forward, there will be issues. Discussions will be needed regarding Yosemite and the possibility of conflicts about traffic in that area. Ms. McMonigal agreed that this would need further discussion. Councilmember Mavity pointed out that one of the positive opportunities with this project is the possibility of integration of the LRT station and platform. This possibility does not exist on the blue and green lines, and therefore, makes this a better plan. Councilmember Mavity further pointed out key concerns related to access and entry to the residential area on the south side. She noted that entering through this dense area is a concern and that pedestrians will need to be given priority over cars. Councilmember Sanger asked the height on each of buildings on the north/south and east/west sides, adding she is concerned about shadowing on the north side. Mr. Velasco stated they are five stories, five stories and twelve stories, adding that for most of the year, the shadowing doesn't pose a problem. Councilmember Sanger also asked if affordable units were still included in the development. Mr. Velasco stated yes. They would be fully mixed into the project. Councilmember Sanger asked where customers will park at the development. Mr. Velasco stated there will be some short-term parking and also two levels with 261 spaces of visitor, hotel and apartment resident parking. Councilmember Sanger questioned whether the new revised project works even if all the recommended traffic steps are done. Mr. Sullivan stated there would be improvements to the 36" Street turn in. Councilmember Sanger stated she thought MNDOT wanted a median to prevent left turns into the development. Mr. Sullivan stated this is a requirement of the Metropolitan Council, and staff is also working on this. Councilmember Sanger asked if two lanes are going north, and two are going south, how will there be enough room to accommodate a left turn lane. Mr. Sullivan stated staff is working on how to make it more accessible, which may include bridge widening. He added there is a solution; however, it is too early at this point to know what that will be. Councilmember Sanger asked if this whole project assumes the bridge will be widened. Mr. Sullivan stated yes; however, it is still being worked on in order to optimize the design, and plans are proceeding cautiously. Councilmember Sanger added she has concerns about U turns being made at 36th Street and on Highway 7, and asked how it will be prevented. Mr. Sullivan stated staff will look at all mitigation measures, adding this is part of the analysis of this project, and as the plan is refined, all of this can be talked through. Councilmember Miller stated his chief concern is the 36th Street and Wooddale intersection and the acceptable level of traffic there, adding he would like to understand better what the plan is if PLACE is not built. Councilmember Hallfm stated he is excited about this project but knows it is all preliminary at this point. Councilmember Mavity asked about a planned driveway and stated there will need to be a walkway and a road at this location -- coming up to the station. The developer agreed. Councilmember Brausen stated he is agreeable to the project and appreciates all the hard work. Councilmember Mavity asked about rent targets. The developer stated the rent will be close to an average St. Louis Park home - not low income, but affordable. Study Session Minutes -5- June 6, 2016 Councilmember Lindberg added the council will need to have a conversation about the context of affordable housing. Mayor Spano noted that this project area shares space with a freight line, and asked what this will look like, and will it be safe and controlled. He stated the council will need to see visuals on this and have further discussion. Communications/Meeting Check -In (Verbal) There were none. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Melis a Kennedy, City Clerk