2015.06.08 PC Meeting Packet
CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA SUMMARY
Monday, June 8, 2015
7:00 p.m.
Crystal City Hall Council Chambers
4141 Douglas Dr N
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
May 11, 2015 meeting *
C.COMMISSION ACTION
1. Determine whether the Economic Develop
Douglas Drive North conforms to the Comprehensive Plan.*
D.GENERAL INFORMATION
1. May City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: None
2. Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, July 13, 2015 meeting
E. OPEN FORUM
F. ADJOURNMENT
* Items for which supporting materials will be included in the meeting packet
Page 1 of 2
CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION
DETAILED AGENDA
Monday, June 8, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, Crystal City Hall
Commissioners, please call 763.531.1142 or
email dan.olson@crystalmn.gov if unable to attend
* Items for which supporting materials are included in the meeting packet
A. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Crystal Planning Commission convened at ______ p.m. with
the following members present:
Commissioner (Ward 1) Commissioner (Ward 2) Commissioner (Ward 4)
Sears \[Secretary\] Selton Einfeldt-Brown
Commissioner (Ward 1) Commissioner (Ward 3) Commissioner (Ward 4)
Heigel \[Chair\] VonRueden Johnson \[Vice Chair\]
Commissioner (Ward 2) Commissioner (Ward 3) Commissioner (At-Large)
Erickson Buck Strand
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES *
Moved by _______________ and seconded by _______________ to approve the
minutes of the May 11, 2015 regular meeting with the following exceptions:
Motion carried.
C.COMMISSION ACTION
1. Deter
3122 Douglas Drive North conforms to the Comprehensive Plan.
Staff presented the following:
The following were heard:
Page 2 of 2
Planning Commission discussion:
Moved by _______________ and seconded by _______________ to find that
the
North (does) (does not) conform to the Comprehensive Plan.
Motion carried.
D.GENERAL INFORMATION
1. City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items: None
2. Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, July 13, 2015 meeting
E. OPEN FORUM
F. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by _______ and seconded by _______ to adjourn.
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at _______________ p.m.
Unapproved Minutes of May 11, 2015 Planning Commission Meeting
Page 1of 3
CRYSTAL PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Monday, May 11, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, Crystal City Hall
A. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Crystal Planning Commission convened at 7 p.m. with the
following members present:
X Commissioner (Ward 1) X Commissioner (Ward 2) X Commissioner (Ward 4)
Sears \[Secretary\] Selton Einfeldt-Brown
X Commissioner (Ward 1) X Commissioner (Ward 3) X Commissioner (Ward 4)
Heigel \[Chair\] VonRueden Johnson \[Vice Chair\]
X Commissioner (Ward 2) X Commissioner (Ward 3) X Commissioner (At-
Erickson Buck Large) Strand
Also attending were staff members John Sutter, Dan Olson, and Gail Van Krevelen.
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Commissioner Einfeldt-Brown and seconded by Commissioner Sears to
correct the date for the minutes to April 13, 2015. Moved by Commissioner Selton and
seconded by Commissioner Buck to approve the minutes of the April 13, 2015 regular
meeting as amended.
Motion carried.
C.PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Consider Application 2015-4 for lot division and combination at 3701-3709-3717
Vera Cruz Avenue North to create two 120-foot-wide lots for construction of two
family dwellings on each lot
Community Development Director Sutter explained that currently there are three
th
lots at the SW corner of 38 and Vera Cruz. The owner is proposing to
demolish the existing structures, divide the middle lot in half, and combine each
He is proposing
to build a two-family dwelling on each lot.
Mr. Sutter said staff recommends the application with the conditions that the
building on the middle lot be demolished prior to recording the lot division
resolution, the sewer/water issues being resolved with the Public Works
department, and the utilities to the new buildings being underground.
Commissioner Buck questioned whether the duplexes would be owner/occupied
or rentals, Mr. Sutter said it was his understanding that the owner plans on living
in one of the units and renting the remaining units.
Unapproved Minutes of May 11, 2015 Planning Commission Meeting
Page 2of 3
Commissioner Erickson commented that it appeared this was on an alley and
asked whether each unit would have a garage. Mr. Sutter indicated that the alley
was never completed, and that per code, each unit would be required to have a
1-car garage and one additional parking space.
The following were heard:
No one spoke before the commission.
Moved by Commissioner Strand and seconded by Commissioner Sears to
recommend approval of Application 2015-4 for lot division and combination at
3701-3709-3717 Vera Cruz Avenue North to create two 120-foot-wide lots for
construction of two family dwellings on each lot subject to the three conditions as
listed in staff report.
Motion carried.
D.GENERAL INFORMATION
Mr. Sutter introduced the new City Planner, Dan Olson, to the commission members.
April 21 City Council actions on previous Planning Commission items:
Approved a conditional use permit and setback variance for North Suburban Towing
to relocate or expand to 5124-5128 Hanson Court
Approved the plat of Crystal Economic Development Authority Seventh Addition at
4724 Lakeland Avenue North
Updated plat of Gaulke Pond Homes expected to be considered by the Council in May:
Mr. Sutter provided the commission members with the grading plan and draft of the final
plat, and reminded commission members that the developer had a number of conditions
regarding the final plat including covenants regarding drainage and reforestation which
would allow them to sell the individual lots without creating an association. They still
need to put the final plans on paper so staff can review it and they also need to pay the
park dedication fee. The developer also submitted a grading plan and the major change
is that lot 8 has been widened in order to leave the existing house in place and they
reduced the number of lots by one. All lots will still meet the minimum size
requirements. Commissioner Einfeldt-Brown asked if there would be one or two curb
cuts per driveway. Mr. Sutter said that each lot would be allowed one curb cut although
the locations shown on the grading plans may change. He also questioned whether a
next-gen style home would be allowed. Mr. Sutter indicated that due to lack of space it
would not be allowed, except possibly for lot 8.
Letter to Metropolitan Council regarding updated 2040 forecasts: Mr. Sutter indicated
that the numbers are much more realistic now than previously forecast, except for
employment. Commissioner Erickson asked if there were any figures listing what the
medium income was; Mr. Sutter said the census would have that information.
Unapproved Minutes of May 11, 2015 Planning Commission Meeting
Page 3of 3
Commissioner Heigel asked about any Bottineau LRT updates and Mr. Sutter said Mr.
Olson will be doing an update later this year. The City Council is asking the blue line
office to prove that the addition of LRT in the vicinity of Bass Lake Road and County
Road 81will not cause traffic issues at that intersection. Mr. Sutter also said that staff is
waiting for the Environmental Impact Statement and felt the bigger issue is the noise
and vibration and the impact on the residences close to the line.
Commissioner Heigel asked if there were any updates on the BNSF railroad and Mr.
Sutter said that Hennepin County closed on the property at 5170 West Broadway and
heard that the railroad is looking at other options. Mr. Sutter also said that legislation
preventing the railroad from taking the property by eminent domain has been passed by
both the House and Senate but he is unsure if it will be signed by the Governor.
Staff preview of likely agenda items for Monday, June 8, 2015 meeting: No items as of
yet.
Commissioner Einfeldt-Brown asked what the outcome was for the open house for the
Basset Creek Regional park trail. City Council did change the wording but approved
funding support. The City Council will also need to approve the easement agreement
because the trail will use part of the street right-of-way, but the preliminary step has
been completed. Commissioner Sears asked if there would be any liability to the city for
maintenance. Mr. Sutter said it was a Three Rivers Park facility; we give them an
easement to build and maintain it.
E. OPEN FORUM
No one spoke before the commission.
F. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Sears and seconded by Commissioner Buck to adjourn.
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
MEMORANDUM
DATE: June 3, 2015
TO: Planning Commission (June 8, 2015 meeting)
FROM: Dan Olson, City Planner
SUBJECT: Commission Action - Determine whether the Economic Development
Comprehensive Plan
A.BACKGROUND
The subject property is located at 3122 Douglas Drive North.
Development Authority (EDA) purchased the property in 2003 and demolished the
existing home. Now the EDA is proposing to market the property for sale as a single-
family home site. According to a 1965 statute (§ 462.356, Subd. 2), for those
communities with an adopted Comprehensive Plan, the planning commission shall
report to the City Council whether the sale of the property is in conformance with the
Comprehensive Plan.
The following is attached to this staff report:
1. 2030 Planned Land Use Map showing property
B.STAFF COMMENTS
The following are excerpts from the 2030 Comprehensive Plan that relate to the
development of this property.
Existing Land Use Map (page 31): The property is guided as Medium Density
Residential (between 3-12 units per acre). The 9,000 square foot property is
proposed to have one single-family home, which would be a density of 5 units
per acre.
Recommended finding: The proposed density is in conformance with the
Comprehensive Plan designation.
Housing Policy #4 (page 36): Acquire blighted, structurally substandard and
functionally obsolete residential property for demolition and replacement with
new, move-up houses in accordance with EDA budget parameters, market
conditions and other factors (current ongoing program).
3122 DOUGLAS DRIVE N COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DETERMINATION
PAGE 1 OF 3
Recommended finding: This property was purchased by the EDA and the
existing home demolishedin 2003. The EDA is now planning to sell the
property for the construction of a new single-family home.
Redevelopment Area #20 (page 43): The area on the east side of Douglas Drive
ndst
from 32 to 31 Avenues was designated as a potential redevelopment area.
This area is a small part of a much larger potential redevelopment area (see
special area plan, above) in the current Comprehensive Plan. This area has
been significantly reduced in size because much of the rest of the previously-
identified area has either been redeveloped for assisted living or townhouses, or
single family houses and one vacant EDA lot. It is guided for medium density
residential as a way of making it feasible for a private developer to acquire the
properties and redevelop the area without financial assistance.
Recommended finding: The EDA has waited 11 years to see if there is
interest among private developers in acquiring the three adjacent
properties to assemble a site. There has been no serious interest from
developers in doing so. Therefore, it is appropriate for the EDA to sell 3122
Douglas for construction of a new single-family home if it no longer desires
to hold the lot for inclusion in a larger site.
Special Area Plans (page 23): A special area plan was approved by the City
thth
Council for the area on Douglas Drive between 26 and 27 Avenues, including
this property. No plat approval, rezoning, conditional use permit, site plan
approval, or other similar city approval shall be granted by the City Council for
any structure, use or subdivision of land in this area unless it is fully consistent
with the following guidelines:
Recommended findings below:
o Development shall be consistent with the density limits established
for the residential uses shown on the 2030 Planned Land Use map.
If a development site includes areas guided for different densities,
the developer may request that the city average the guided density
on a pro-rated basis over the entire site. However, the city may
require the developer to conform to each guided density instead of
a pro-rated average.
The sale of 3122 Douglas would result in a density of 5 units
-
12 units per acre for Medium Density Residential.
o Development shall not reduce the development potential of other
parcels by impeding access or leaving undeveloped any adjacent
small, isolated, difficult-to-develop parcels.
3122 DOUGLAS DRIVE N COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DETERMINATION
PAGE 2 OF 3
The sale of 3122 Douglas will not impede access. The only
adjacent vacant parcel is 3101 Brunswick which is city park
land and is accessed from Brunswick Avenue.
o Development shall include additional right-of-way for Douglas Drive
or other public streets as necessary to preserve and enhance the
transportation system.
Because this is an existing lot, no additional right-of-way is
required.
o Development shall preserve an open space corridor along Bassett
Creek for the purposes of flood prevention, open space
preservation and a possible future public trail.
Not applicable.
o Development shall be compatible with adjacent land uses and
systems, including but not limited to issues of traffic, parking, noise,
buffering, screening, impervious coverage, building size, form and
materials. The preferred residential development style would be
townhomes or similar structures where each unit has a private
entrance instead of apartment-style buildings where residents
share a common entrance.
Like the proposed use, the adjacent uses are single family
homes.
o Certain office-type commercial uses may be compatible in areas
guided Medium Density Residential or High Density Residential
adjacent to Douglas Drive. In no event shall a commercial use be
permitted that is found to be incompatible with adjacent land uses.
Not applicable.
o The city reserves the right to deny any application for development
that it determines to be incompatible with these guiding principles
or any other part of the Comprehensive Plan.
No such application is required for the EDA to proceed with
the sale of this lot for construction of a single family home.
C.STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Planning Commission should determine that the sale of the property at 3122 Douglas
Drive North by the EDA is in conformance to the Comprehensive Plan based on the
findings in Section B above.
3122 DOUGLAS DRIVE N COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DETERMINATION
PAGE 3 OF 3