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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-09 CC MIN Joint Meeting with CPC II lwater 216 4th Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-430-8800 The Birthplace of Minnesota www.ci.stillwater.mn.us JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES October 9,2018 SPECIAL MEETING 7:00 P.M. Mayor Kozlowski called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Kozlowski, Councilmembers Menikheim, Junker, Weidner, Polehna; Planning Commission Chairman Collins, Planning Commissioners Hansen, Kocon, Lauer, Siess Absent: Planning Commissioners Fletcher and Hade Staff present: Community Development Director Turnblad City Administrator McCarty COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING PROCESS Schedule Community Development Director Turnblad stated the first draft of the Comprehensive Plan is ready to be released for a 6-month review period. He introduced Lance Bernard, Planning Consultant from the Hoisington Koegler Group. Mr. Bernard reviewed the schedule for the Comprehensive Planning process and led discussion of the main elements of each of the draft chapters. Approach Mr. Bernard described the approach involved in updating the Comprehensive Plan and working with the Advisory Committee. 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Highlight General Requirements Mr. Bernard highlighted the general requirements for the following chapters: Sustainability and Resiliency; Land Use; Housing; Transportation; Parks and Trails; and Implementation. Mr. Turnblad added that the drafts of the Downtown and Historic Resources Chapters were prepared under separate effort. Highlight Notable Updates/Changes Made to the 2030 Plan Mr. Bernard reviewed the Sustainability and Resiliency Chapter, regarding the requirement to address solar power, renewable energy sources and sustainability strategies. He noted that much of the discussion evolved into the City's participation in the GreenStep Cities program. Mr. Bernard stated that the Land Use Chapter aligns with the City's population, household and employment forecasts. It addresses the requirement to demonstrate that the City on average can meet the Metropolitan Council's target net density of five units per acre. Joint City Council and Planning Commission Workshop October 9, 2018 On a question from Councilmember Weidner about whether the City has enough developable land to meet the forecast population density,Mr.Bernard responded that some land use categories have a higher density, for example eight units per acre, which helps with the overall average. Commissioner Siess asked if the job forecast is for full time jobs; and Mr. Bernard answered that they are not all full time jobs; the projected numbers are assigned to the City, but they could change. Mr. Bernard went further explained that the Advisory Committee looked at exploring new areas of opportunity (Highway 36, the Oak Park Elementary School site and Lakeview Hospital site). The Oak Park Elementary School site was dropped from consideration because the school district stated they have no plans to sell the site. The Advisory Committee discussed opening up the Highway 36 area for a little more flexibility for more mixed use and transit-oriented development. This is one of the bigger overarching land use changes. Councilmember Weidner asked about the present hospital and clinic site; and Mr. Bernard replied that area was previously guided for low to medium density. The Advisory Committee bumped up the density to medium density residential. Mr. Turnblad added that the Advisory Committee did not want to make it high density because it is a low density neighborhood now. Councilmember Junker referenced past discussion indicating a desire to maintain the true commercial neighborhoods in the older part of town and get away from the Special Use Permit process. Regarding the Housing Chapter, Mr. Bernard explained general requirements to document existing housing supply, policies, programs and tools, and to address future housing needs. He stated that the City must address the Met Council's affordable housing goal to accommodate 227 units by 2030. A Housing Action Plan will need to be developed to better define the "who, what, where and when." Councilmember Weidner asked if there is a geographic requirement to spread affordable housing throughout the community; and Mr. Turnblad responded that no, the Housing Action Plan identifies the units that could be affordable or encouraged to be affordable. Mr.Bernard added that some of the language added to the Housing Chapter involves incentivizing tools to help developers willing to do more in terms of affordable housing. Planning Commissioner Kocon recalled when the Lakeview project at Highway 36 and Manning was discussed, the campus was to include senior housing. He asked if what is labeled research and development park will include housing to help meet the affordable housing goal; and Mr. Bernard replied that is a great point. Commissioner Siess recalled discussion in the Advisory Committee about Minneapolis's Fry- plexes done by Mayor Jacob Fry, about how they are Victorian in nature,provide a neighborhood atmosphere and are affordable for owners. She thinks this may be a way to meet the housing goals. Mr. Bernard responded that Minneapolis was considering the possibility of allowing four-plexes anywhere in the City. The recommendation in their comprehensive plan is now to allow tri-plexes anywhere with no parking requirements in order to address their housing goals. He stated Page 2 of 6 Joint City Council and Planning Commission Workshop October 9, 2018 Stillwater's Advisory Committee did not introduce that as a recommendation, keeping in mind that if bigger changes like that are introduced,the City will need to implement zoning changes. Mr. Turnblad agreed that Stillwater would have to completely rewrite zoning for such a provision. Staff doubts that the community would favor that type of a change. It may be easier to pose the concept of allowing three-unit buildings in RB with certain conditions by Special Use Permit. Mr. Bernard went on to explain that the Transportation Chapter addresses the requirement to describe and map the existing and future systems for all modes (cars, freight, pedestrians and bicyclists), and recognize the region's funding scenarios for roadway and transit improvements. He added that the Met Council recognizes the need,but at this time there has not been any regional funding identified for transit on this side of Washington County. The Advisory Committee agreed to advocate strongly for transit needs in the Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Polehna stated the City should encourage a ramp at the Rec Center. Mr.Bernard reviewed the Parks and Trails Chapter and the requirement to describe,map and label the parks system facilities located in the community. The 2015 Trails Master Plan has been incorporated into this update.He stated the Chapter includes potential ideas for the Aiple Property, recognizes gaps in the park and trail system for future programming, and recognizes the community's desire for swimming opportunities or a community facility. Councilmember Polehna suggested including Bridgeview Park with the Aiple Property.He added that there needs to be cooperation with other communities so Stillwater does not end up being the only community financing improvements. Commissioner Siess stated she heard the term swimming pool should not be used, it should be aquatic center. Also, there is a lot for little kids, but not a lot for ages 11 to 20. She would like to see more innovative things like obstacle courses etc. Councilmember Polehna suggested changing the wording to state that there is a desire for more recreational activities in Stillwater rather than a swimming pool or community facility. Councilmember Weidner asked why does Stillwater need a community facility if Oak Park Heights has it right across the highway? He is concerned about how the City could afford all of the suggested amenities. Regarding the Implementation Chapter, Mr. Bernard summarized the tools and programs in place to help implement the Comprehensive Plan, provide a capital improvement program and recognize needed zoning changes. Councilmember Weidner remarked that if the focus is out 20 years, the idea that the City is not going to go to Highway 96 seems ridiculous right now. For instance he knows of a farmstead parcel that is getting ready to make application for annexation. Mr.Turnblad replied that regardless of what is put in the land use plan,a parcel can still go through the annexation process - minor Comprehensive Plan amendments can occur as annexations are proposed. But adding that parcel in now could cause the township to question what does the boundary really mean. Page 3 of 6 Joint City Council and Planning Commission Workshop October 9, 2018 NEXT STEPS Mandatory 6 Month Review Mr. Bernard explained the six month review period for all comments, October 2018 -April 2019. The Met Council will send a letter identifying the things they would like the City to change or address and he will work with Met Council staff to do so. Public Engagement Councilmember Weidner asked for clarification on the approval process; and Mr. Turnblad explained that Planning Commission reviews the draft Plan. The Council is the final decision maker. Except for a few things,the Met Council recognizes this is the City's plan. There are only a few aspects where they have statutory authority to request a change. Official Submittal and Adoption Mr. Bernard stated the official submittal and adoption of the Plan will occur April - May 2019. DISCUSSION Commissioner Siess pointed out that, being on the Advisory Committee, she expected to do an economic development chapter and then she read that was in the Downtown Plan. She feels the economic development section in the Downtown Plan is too focused on downtown and not enough on economic viability of the rest of the City. In addition, many of the things the Advisory Committee suggested are great ideas but are not cheap. She thinks the City can do a better job and place more emphasis on economic development. The huge emphasis on tourism does not bring in money, according to what some of the downtown business owners have told her. Mr. Turnblad replied the City did a scoping document which listed what would be spent on each of the elements of the Plan. The Council approved $17,000 for the economic development study. There was no money available for more economic development studies for the rest of the Plan. Commissioner Siess stated that the need is not more study, but for good objectives, policies and goals. She has some examples. She feels a bigger tax base will allow the City to bring in more transit and have better parks, trails and schools. Councilmember Polehna pointed out the area by the hospital will provide some economic possibilities. Mr. Bernard added it would be easy to add more goals and objectives to the Plan. Commissioner Siess stated it is not just land use, it is attracting businesses. For instance, some of the tech companies make a lot of money and bring people to town for meetings and so on. Mayor Kozlowski recognized that some cities have an economic development position that recruits and finds business opportunities. Councilmember Weidner noted that a regional group to attract tech and manufacturing was formed across the river which includes volunteers from businesses and organizations. He questioned how the City would do something similar. Page 4 of 6 Joint City Council and Planning Commission Workshop October 9, 2018 Commissioner Siess stated it was suggested to her that the Parking Commission focuses on parking not on people. It should focus on people. It was also recommended to her that the Traffic Commission should be gone because the City does not have the bridge anymore. Councilmember Weidner stated getting rid of the Parking Commission and making it more of an economic development group sounds like a good idea. Councilmember Menikheim commented that after eight years on the Council he still does not know if Stillwater is an events oriented city, a bedroom community, a suburb of the Twin Cities, or a village. The answers are all over the place. That is what this conversation is all about. It is a start. Councilmember Polehna agreed that there may be too much focus on downtown. Mayor Kozlowski stated he runs a virtual business out of his home. He asked if that is something the City should try to encourage. Councilmember Junker recalled that an elaborate study was done exploring who is coming into Stillwater to work and who is leaving Stillwater to work. Mayor Kozlowski stated he was recently at a meeting where a list of various communities' assets, i.e. education level, etc. was reviewed and Stillwater was consistently the most attractive among communities that were there in terms of the cost of living being lower and salaries being higher than other communities. He is open to the ideas, but is not sure what the value is of attracting certain types of businesses into the City. City Administrator McCarty stated that strategic planning will take place at the Council level after the election and the new year. Combined with the branding and the logo, this may help define a framework. Councilmember Junker recalled a study done a few years ago that found Stillwater does not have the land resources for a big commercial campus. Councilmember Weidner responded that does not mean the City can't develop certain economic drivers. Mayor Kozlowski read data from a 2016 document showing that Stillwater is below the state average for unemployment and has an equal number of jobs with low, medium and high wages. There is little cultural diversity but lots of economic diversity in Stillwater. Commissioner Kocon questioned how to generate income, adding that economic development really needs to look at redevelopment of large sites. Beyond that, all the City has room for is infill sites that may or may not impact the current tax base. Councilmember Weidner asked if the question of how to devise a focus group or economic development authority should be included in the Plan; and Mr. Bernard replied that could be included, along with a couple more goals and objectives, but it will take a lot of work to answer the questions being asked. Page 5 of 6 Joint City Council and Planning Commission Workshop October 9, 2018 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Weidner, seconded by Councilmember Polehna, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:11 p.m. Ted Kozlowski, Mar ATTESJ: -_zyd /7, -;// / ..., _ ./._, - Beth Wolf, City Clerk f- Page 6 of 6