02-22-05 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AND
REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY/PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Concurrent Worksession of City
Council/HRA/Planning Commission
February 22, 2005
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:34 p.m.
Council Members
Present:
Martin Kirsch, M<wor; Susan Rosenberg; Fred Wroge; Bill Kilian; and Sue
Sandahl.
HRA Members
Present:
Martin Kirsch; Kristal Stokes; Sue Sandahl; and Joan Heimberger.
HRA Members
Not Present:
Thomas Harms, Chair.
Planning Commission
Members Present: Gordon Hanson; Greg Van Sickle; Maureen Scaglia; Donna Drummond;
Jeffrey Karr; and Kim Houle.
Planning Commission
Members Not Present: Jeffrey Walz; Kyle Hartnett; and David Schneider.
Staff Present:
Steve Devich, Acting City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director;
Bruce Palmborg, Community Development Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety
Director; John Stark, Assistant Community Development Director; and Cheryl
Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item #1
Assistant Community Development Director Stark reviewed the history of the Cedar Corridor
concept site plan from 2000 to the present.
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February 22, 2005
Michelle Mong~on, JLG Architects, explained the creation of a vision for the site with
compatible uses. Sh.e adde.d details still need,to be discussed.
Mr. Stark said the City Council and HRAhaveapprovedthebroad conceptplanbut that it
continues to be c.oncep~ual and f1.uid. The plan needs to be uniqueJy Richfield and welllimdscaped.
Ryan Companies does not tell Richfield what the plan is, but Richfield te.lls Ryan.
Michael Schroeder, Westwood Professional Services, Inc., discussed the essential elements
needed and more details on the site plan. .
Mr. Starkexpl~Hnedthe pros8nd 'cons oUhe newest concept plan as identified by staff's
internal Design Review Advisory Committee7 Th~'ilrchjJe,ctll.reof th~ building has broad elements
that need to be presented to Ryan. ..
Mr.Slark asked the City Council ifslaff is proceeding in the right direction with this Cedar
Point site plan' and if it should be presel'lted to Ryan. Land use approvals are next. Site plans
prepared by Ryan will be presented to the City Council and will be compared to tonight's plan with
explanations for changes. Neighborhood meetings Will be conducted. . Redevelopment and
transportation go hand-in"hand in proje~~s like t,his bec.au.se one drives the other.
Council Member Wroge asked if the greenway is essentially 17th Avenue and if Cedar
Avenue will not exist.
Mr. Stark said yes. The new bridge ,and ramps at 66th StreetlCe,gar Avenue eliminates Cedar
Avenue. '
Council Me,lllber Wroge asked about aC9,~ss to Taft Park and traffic being forced on to
neighborhood streets.
Mr. Stark explained the access points to the park which should feel like extensions of the park
with the landscaped parkwClY.
HRA Commissioner Helmberget said she like'd the overall view but expressed,concern
regarding a traffic jam to get in and out of the parking lot resulting in increased residential traffic.
Public Works Director Ea'stlitig explained. thatWSB consultant, reviewed the site and is
confident traffic to and from the site can be ade.quately handled.
Mr. Stark added access points and howtliey operatewill control traffic,
HRA ComniissionerH,elmberger~~*edabout acc.e..ssJo tb~ site by south Minneapolis
residents. ."" ' ,"
Publtc Wo'rks DireGtor EastlhTg explained the main access points, including a secondary plan.
HRA Commissioner Stokes asked about the noise barrier locations.
Mr. Stark explained the sound experts have not agreed on the location, but the preferred
location is closer to the $ource.
Public Works Director Eastlingstated what nois'e is to be blocked - freeway and airport.
There is no wall that will affect low fre.ql,Jency noise.
Maureen Scaglia, Planning Commissioner Member, asked about loading dock areas.
Mr. Stark explained the doCkS are along 77th Street and Target has a policy that loading
docks are not visible.
Ms. Scaglia asked about the multi-housing parking.
, Mr. Stark ~tatEfd the parking woUld most likely be underground. Visitor parking is on the
surfacer with tenant parking below.
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Council Member Kilian stated he liked the landscaping for the huge parking lot and the rear of
Home Depot and Target against the freeway because it was neighborhood-friendly.
Council Member Kilian asked about regulations for a liquor store's proximity to the Mount
Calvary School, if the City's liquor store relocates.
Mr. Stark explained no rules for municipal liquor stores are needed because the City controls
the stores. There are regulations for the proximity of retail.
Council Member Rosenberg expressed agreement with Council Member Kilian regarding the
building orientation which may provide an opportunity for public art.
Mr. Schroeder stated Target has certain parameters but they do not disagree with this pattern.
Council Member Wroge asked about the staging of the development.
Mr. Stark explained Phase I of the project to the eastside of 17th Avenue. The greenway is
uncertain in thi~ Phase. It apRe;:lrstp make the most sense to do it with Home Depot and Target but
there are huge funding questions.
Acting City Manager Devich said it is a City Council decision on the ranges of the public
contribution for funding shortfalls.
Council Member Kilian asked if the homes on the westside of 17th Avenue would be taken for
the greenway.
Mr. Stark saicj yes.
Council Member Sandahl said if the greenway concept is moved forward, the area may be
more attractive for another developer for the housing portion.
Mr. Schroeder said it sets the bar higher for what is expected to be built there.
Council Member Wroge asked about the soundproofing of the new
condominiums/townhomes; if it was new buildings but with the same old airport noise problem.
Mr. Stark explained the inside insulation from airport noise is fixable but it depends on what
developer iswiUing topCJY. The outside no.ise is fixed by the type of housing and density. It is
anticipated young professionals will live in the area.
Council Member Wroge said the City is losing more families with this development and he
wants to see the City do more for families.
Mr. Stark said that is a valid concern.
Council Member Sandahl said when the new runway is operational, there will be a better idea
of the noise issues.
Acting City Manager Devich explained the City Council needs to address the Cedar Avenue
municipal liquor store location or relocation because of the bridge work and new intersection at 17 1/2
Street with a median.
The City Council consensus was that this Cedar Corridor concept plan is proceeding in the
right directi.on.
Mayor Kirsch qsked that a timeline on the project be provided to the City Council.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:25 p.m.
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February 22, 2Q05
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Date Approved: March 8~ 2005
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cherylK[6mhOI,q
Record[ng. Secretary