10-23-07 Worksession-1
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES.
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
October 23, 2007
I CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:34 p.m.
I ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Sue Sandahl; Bill Kilian; Fred Wrage; and Susan
Rosenberg.
Staff Present:
Steven Devich, City Manager; Bruce Palmborg, Community Development
Director; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation
Services Director; John Stark, Housing & Redevelopment Manager/Assistant
Community Development Director; Melissa Poehlman, Zoning Administrator;
Kristin Asher, Assistant City Engineer; Tom Foley, Transportation Engineer;
and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item#1
DISCUSSION REGARDING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE (COUNCIL MEMO
NO. 195) .
Mark Koegler, Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc., presented an update on the work done thus far
regarding the 2008 revisions to the Comprehensive Plan. The report included discussion of the Land
Use Goals and Policies, Categories and Housing Goals and Policies.
Council Member Rosenberg discussed her concerns regarding Xerxes Avenue becoming
high-density rather than staying single family residential. She asked what was driving the change
along West 66th Street. She added she'd like the Comprehensive Plan to address the changes due
to Southdale metamorphosis and Crosstown reconstruction.
Mr. Koegler explained the investment into 66th Street as a Richfield main street.
Council Member Wrage asked why Penn Avenue would not be as attractive an area for
redevelopment as the Cedar Corridor.
Mr. Koegler stated Cedar Avenue is a major corridor, Penn Avenue is an arterial roadway.
Penn Avenue indicators are that this area is a neighborhood center.
Council Member Wrage discussed a recent conference he attended regarding mixed-use
development and potential issues based on the economy and how it's used. He said the City should
not make mistakes in the future and referenced to high-density developments in Richfield that are
struggling.
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October 23, 2007
Mr. Koegler explained the Comprehensive Plan update is an evolution not a revolution. There
are problems in some cities with the marketplace with multi-family and multi-use. The City's role is to
provide a designation for an opportunity for different housing over time.
Mr. Koegler discussed the housing goal for cities established by the Met Council which may
be challenging. Richfield is stretched to meet affordable housing goals set by the Met Council
because of only so much land being available.
Council Member Wroge asked how information is provided to people to explain that what
they're proposing may not be economical.
Mr. Koegler stated this is a free market economy which allows people to fail. The City has
only so much authority. The Comprehensive Plan is not a redevelopment plan but rather a guide to
try to meet attainable regional goals.
Mayor Goettel asked about reviewing the Edina Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Koegler explained the six-month review cycle to share the plan with neighboring cities.
Edina is riot changing the level of intensity as stated in their previous plan.
Item #21 DISCUSSION REGARDING SURFACE WATER COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
(COUNCIL MEMO NO. 196)
Public Works Director Eastling stated staff will review the history of storm water in Richfield,
introduce the elements of the Surface Water Comprehensive Plan, and discuss the Capital
Improvement Projects which have been identified as a high priority.
Public Works Director Eastling discussed the regulations of stormwater including flooding
(quantity), water quality and habitat enhancement.
Council Member Wroge said there should be a guarantee that there will be no flooding of
Richfield homes ever again.
Public Works Director Eastling stated protection against flooding could be provided but it still
could happen.
Council Member Wroge said people are telling him that when it rains now, there's flooding.
Mayor Goettel said there is flooding at 66th Street/Newton Avenue.
Council Member Wroge asked about the references to impaired water.
Pete Willenbring, WSB, explained the definition and impacts of impaired water.
I ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:50 p.m.
Special Worksession Minutes
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October 23, 2007
Date Approved: ~ ~ J ~_ OOb 7
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Cheryl Kr ho z
Recording Secretary