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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes i� ��tJV� �ri°t � y � ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ���� �ri e ar�d PC�� t MINUTES COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL October 18, 2017 COUNCIL CHAMBER 12800 RAVINE PARKWAY SOUTH REGULAR MEETING - 7:00 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER The City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, held a regular meeting on October 18, 2017, at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway. Mayor Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience, staff, Mayor, and City Council Members recited the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL The following were present: Mayor Myron Bailey, Council Member Steve Dennis, Council Member Wayne Johnson, Council Member La Rae Mills, and Council Member Dave Thiede. Also present were: Charlene Stevens, City Administrator; Korine Land, City Attorney- LeVander, Gillen & Miller, PA; John Burbank, Senior Planner; Joe Fischbach/HR Manager/City Clerk; Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City Engineer; Greg Rinzel, Police Captain. 4. OPEN FORUM Mayor Bailey opened the open forum and asked if anyone in the audience wished to address the Council on any item that was not on the agenda. Washington County Commissioner Karla Bigham, a resident of Cottage Grove, wanted to give several updates: • Ravine Park: They're on schedule and things are going well. They will be replacing the playground in Ravine Park; she showed the plans that were drafted. There will also be a security gate at the new entrance. • Also, Kraus-Anderson has been named as the builder for the new Park Grove Library. CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE • 12800 Ravine Parkway • Cottage Grove, Minnesota 55016 www.cottage-grove.org • 651-458-2800 • Fax 651-458-2897 • Equal Opportunity Employer City Council Meeting Minutes October 18, 2017 Page 2 • There will be an upcoming ribbon cutting for the County Road 19 and Highway 61 roundabout, as that project was completed ahead of schedule. Commissioner Bigham thanked the City staff for their assistance with all of these projects; Mayor Bailey thanked Commissioner Bigham for her help with the many projects. As no one else wished to address the Council, Mayor Bailey closed the open forum. 5. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion by Council Member Thiede to adopt the agenda; second by Council Member Dennis. Motion carried: 5-0. 6. PRESENTATIONS — None. 7. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approve the October 4, 2017 City Council Special Meeting Minutes. B. Approve the October 4, 2017 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. C. Receive and place on file the approved minutes for the Arts Commission meeting on September 8, 2017. D. Adopt Resolution 2017-144 accepting the 2017 Seal Coating Project and approving the final payment in the amount of$176,400.50 to Asphalt Surface Technologies Corporation. E. Adopt Resolution 2017-143 accepting third quarter 2017 donations. F. Approve the Stormwater Management Agreement with Cottage Grove Leased Housing Associates for Legends of Cottage Grove. G. Approve the service agreement with Precision Landscape and Tree in the amount of$33,900 for the 2017 Ash Tree Removal contract. H. Adopt Resolution 2017-145 releasing the Minimum Assessment Agreement currently in force on the property formerly known as Home Depot in concurrence with the Contract for Private Development with Grove-Rainbow, LP. Council Member Dennis wished to pull Item E and Mayor Bailey wished to pull Item H for further comments and/or discussion. Council Member Dennis stated there was amazing generosity from the community in the form of$4,606 worth of donations for the third quarter of 2017. They included donations for the Inclusive Playground and also one for Park Improvements, which was $750 from Lloyd Busch, a resident. He thanked all the contributors and stated they're very grateful. City Council Meeting Minutes October 18, 2017 Page 3 Mayor Bailey commented regarding Item H, releasing the Minimum Assessment Agreement on the former Home Depot property, he wished to table that Item for a separate vote. Motion by Council Member Mills to approve the Consent Agenda, except for Item H; second by Council Member Thiede, except for Item H. Motion carried: 5-0. Mayor Bailey stated regarding Item H, nothing has yet happened with the Home Depot redevelopment area; as part of the agreement with the landlord, there are many things that need to be done. He wished for the City Attorney and City Staff to look at the contract; nothing has yet been received from the landlord, indicating that they're truly getting closer to getting that center filled. He asked that it be tabled until a future date; the landlord will be notified that we're reviewing the contract and their obligations in the contract with the City of Cottage Grove. Motion by Council Member Dennis to table Item H until a future date; second by Council Member Johnson. Council Member Dennis stated they're not where they want to be with that property, although another investor, Hy-Vee, followed through. Motion carried: 5-0. 8. APPROVE DISBURSEMENTS A. Approve payments for the period of 10/4/2017 through 10/19/2017 in the amount of$947,054.58. Motion to approve disbursements by Council Member Johnson; second by Council Member Mills. Motion carried: 5-0. 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. East Point Douglas Road/County Road 19 Improvement Project Special Assessments Staff Recommendation: Announce that due to a publication error, the special assessment public hearing originally scheduled to be held at this meeting has been re-advertised and will take place at the November 1, 2017 City Council Regular Meeting. Mayor Bailey stated that due to a publication error, the public hearing originally scheduled for tonight has been re-advertised in the paper and will take place at the November 1, 2017, City Council Regular Meeting. 10. BID AWARDS — None. 11. REGULAR AGENDA A. Harkness Avenue Small Area Study - Comprehensive Plan Amendment City Council Meeting Minutes October 18, 2017 Page 4 Staff Recommendation: Adopt Resolution 2017-146 approving the Harkness Avenue Small Area Study comprehensive plan amendment to modify the land use of 55 acres of land around Harkness Avenue South from low-density residential to medium- and high-density residential consistent with Land Use Alternative 1; and preparation of the Harkness Avenue Small Area Study comprehensive plan amendment as a supporting document in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, and the distribution of the amendment to adjacent communities and the Metropolitan Council. Senior Planner John Burbank stated there were Council actions in March, 2017, one of which was to have a Small Area Planning Study completed for the 55-acre neighborhood along Harkness Avenue; one of the purposes for the study was for the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Stantec Consulting assisted with the study. Planner Burbank stated the Council didn't want piecemeal development; rather, they wanted plans for the areas. This area is small, but it ties into the Council's 2017 Strategic Plan, which is having housing options for everyone. If the Harkness Avenue Small Area Planning Study is adopted, it would become an amendment to the City's Comprehensive Plan. There are currently 15 properties in the study area. Existing land use is low-density residential; one to four dwelling units per acre. Existing zoning is planned development overlay on the Villas project that was approved earlier this year, R-2 residential estate and urban reserve. He reviewed why this area was studied; its proximity to 80th Street, Highway 61, and Hardwood Avenue, as well as the developing commercial area (Hy- Vee) and transit options for residents (Red Rock Corridor). The area is in the MUSA. The Planning Commission reviewed this in August, and staff and Council will take comments tonight, although this is not a public hearing. By 2040, Cottage Grove's population will grow to 47,000, which is an additional 11,000 people; approximately 5,300 housing units, as well as retail venues, will need to be available for them. Currently, the average wage in Washington County is $19 per hour/$40,000 per year; with that income, an affordable house would be $86,000. The average house price in Washington County is $299,000. That gap needs to be filled with additional housing options. He reviewed the three concept/land use alternative plans, which included high-density residential units with underground parking, a combination of inedium density and high-density units, as well as having no changes made. Tree preservation guidelines would still apply; he reviewed the history of tree preservation in the City. The Planning Commission liked Land Use Alternative 1. Oakwood Park improvements were also reviewed and access to the park will be an integral part of any development. If the Resolution is adopted tonight, Land Use Alternative 1 was chosen by the Planning Commission and will be the existing guide with a variety of housing types. Development City Council Meeting Minutes October 18, 2017 Page 5 will occur in a planned and thoughtful manner and will not be detrimental to existing neighbors and land uses. There could be up to four dwelling units per acre. Planner Burbank stated he and the representative from Stantec would be happy to answer any questions from Council or the audience. Joshua Betts, 7301 Red Pine Road South, stated they'd lived there for 12 years; they love their neighborhood and their City. He stated he appeared they're rezoning a beloved area of Cottage Grove. He pleaded them not to do so; it's a beautiful scenic route and also home for a myriad of wildlife. He felt it was unwise to damage the critical, natural habitat. He felt destroying green space is not the way to make the City better. He stated he had 300 signatures opposing this matter, which he turned over to Mayor Bailey. Greg Oldenkamp, 7481 Hidden Valley Court, Cottage Grove, asked if there had been any impact study done on the impact to property values of existing homes in the Hidden Valley development and the homes around it with increased traffic, foot traffic, crime, etc. Matthew Hislop, 7560 Harkness Avenue South, stated he'd recently sent a letter to the City Council, which he read aloud. They've lived in Cottage Grove for 14 years; they moved into their current residence in 2015. He asked the Council Members to consider the voice of the community regarding the rezoning and development of Harkness Avenue South. As residents of that area, he and his wife firmly disagree with the Planning Commission to rezone and redevelop their home and their neighbors' homes with high-density housing. They have concerns about the future quality of life and stated their current home is an absolute blessing. Their neighbors and other citizens who enjoy the Harkness neighborhood walk, drive, and bike the area daily to experience the connection with nature. Developing that area and rezoning it would be counterintuitive to the quality of life in the community and its residents. They have concerns about the future financial value of their home and property with rezoning and redevelopment. He asked the Council to not elect the Land Use Alternative on Harkness Avenue in Cottage Grove. Ralph Rolling, 7479 Meadow Grass Cove, has lived in Cottage Grove for about 35 years. He's lived in a property adjacent to this ill-advised proposal for 14 years. He wanted to go on record as being against this; he felt it was being rushed through. If it's not going to be developed for years, just putting this designation on it will make it difficult for homeowners to sell their properties. He asked if there was any community support for this project; Mayor Bailey stated there's interest in other types of housing but not necessarily for this specific project. Mr. Rowling felt there were other sites in Cottage Grove that would be suitable for this type of housing. He felt the increased traffic near Kohl's, onto Hardwood Avenue, would be excessive. He asked why that area couldn't all be zoned as medium-density residential. He felt they didn't need to take action on it right now. City Council Meeting Minutes October 18, 2017 Page 6 Dale Streiff, 7382 Hidden Valley Ridge South, stated he'd been a resident of Cottage Grove for ten years. His concern was that there's a growing commercial area near 80th Street and Highway 61; if they're trying to promote commercial development and population growth, there are subdivisions on 70th Street that are going to be in need of commercial development. He asked if there was high-density development planned in those areas; Mayor Bailey stated that yes, there was. Mr. Streiff stated if they're looking at affordable housing and the demographics, he felt it would make sense to keep the properties the way they are now, perhaps to go to a medium-density plan rather than high density. One-level townhomes, the Villas, are $500,000, and he asked if that's the kind of development that's really needed. He felt perhaps a more economical, single- story plan as the population ages might be more beneficial. He asked if the population base was looked at. High-density already exists and he's concerned we're just adding to that. Mayor Bailey asked the consultant to speak on the traffic concerns. John Shardlow from Stantec stated they looked at traffic counts and design capacity of the roadways, and it's well within the carrying capacity of the roads. There will be more traffic, but high- density residential doesn't have the same traffic characteristics as single-family residential. There will be underground parking, which will require the acquisition of existing homes on lots. This would not be an affordable housing development project; it will perhaps be a higher-valued apartment project. Mr. Shardlow stated they were asked to look at the physical development capability of this property. Mayor Bailey asked when the layout was designed, with higher density on the Hardwood side and medium density on the Harkness, or park, side, if it was done with the maximum density of units. Mr. Shardlow stated no, they also worked with the topography to accommodate the buildings and saving trees. There are probably two miles of trails in the Concept Plan, which makes connections to the park and everything around it. There's the potential for park dedication requirements to expand the open space. Mayor Bailey asked for comments from the Council. Council Member Thiede stated he's a firm believer in having a plan for the future and what kind of things would be good in that area, which is why Stantec was brought in. If the current homeowners don't want to sell, there's nobody saying that they have to sell. He stated that there were only two lots in that area that are developable and don't have any structures on them; he asked if anyone had contacted those two owners to see if they wanted to sell. Council Member Thiede asked what they could do to make sure it would fit what the City needed; there are other areas in town that could be developed more easily. The preplanning was being done to make sure when they happened that it would be in an orderly manner and it would look good and fit the area. He told the residents to band together against this if they wanted to, and then the project would not go forward. However, if someone offered an extremely large amount of money for their properties, they might want to consider selling, as sometimes that happens and can make a difference. City Council Meeting Minutes October 18, 2017 Page 7 Council Member Dennis thanked all of the residents for their comments. All cities do planning for their future, as do individuals. He's the liaison to the Planning Commission, and there is no eminent domain process. The City does not want to hurt anyone, and they have respect for citizens' positions. The neighborhood has the power and authority to decide what the future is going to be; no one's taking that away. You do not have to sell, but to have a plan in place provides an additional opportunity. In 20 years, things might change and you might want to sell for the amount of money being offered to you; if so, this opportunity could provide that chance. Council Member Johnson stated he felt they might be opening a Pandora's box. The one thing the City has control of is zoning. Once something's designated as high density, they're limited to what they can do at that point. He didn't feel that area was a good site for high density; it's not close to a Park & Ride. There's retail in the area, but it's still far enough away that you'd have to walk in the winter. He didn't see the benefit of the plans, except the one to leave it the way it is. He didn't think this was a good direction to go. Council Member Mills stated she's working with the Red Rock Corridor; with the long- term plan there will be two bus stations, which will then provide transportation access. She wanted staff to discuss the density changes to ensure that it's not piecemealed. Planner Burbank stated with the Land Use Plan and the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, it is part of that orderly development and growth. Bus Rapid Transit is the best way to provide transit options within Cottage Grove. If we stick to the Land Use Plan, it won't be piecemeal and that's what we should strive for. Council Member Mills stated change is difficult, but we're looking at the future so she supports this plan. Council Member Dennis stated being full spectrum for housing includes housing for young people; if they move out of Cottage Grove, that's detrimental to our future. Older residents don't want to deal with yard work, etc. and are looking for something smaller; currently, Cottage Grove doesn't offer that option. There's pressure from a lot of people who want different housing options, and the Council is trying to fulfill the requests of the community. Council Member Johnson agreed that they're receiving requests for housing options, but what's being proposed, higher-end units, doesn't address the current issues. He felt there were plenty of other sites in Cottage Grove that could be looked at to address transportation concerns and nearby retail venues. Mayor Bailey stated they have a need for diverse housing in Cottage Grove, with different price points. If you look at any major retail area, it's flanked by high-density housing. Citizens want more restaurants and retail, which will require higher-density housing and there are other areas in Cottage Grove being looked at for that. Mayor Bailey stated for the next generation, what they want is completely different. Planning for development is always difficult, but we have to look to the future. City Council Meeting Minutes October 18, 2017 Page 8 Mayor Bailey asked staff regarding the schematic plan for Oakwood Park, to include an amphitheater, that the disk golf course also be maintained. He would like to see park dedication land to create a bigger buffer and an opportunity for furthering of Oakwood Park. Mayor Bailey stated if a developer came in with a higher-density option for the area along Hardwood, they'd have to meet all of the classifications; if they tried to do something that was deemed inappropriate, there were ordinances to fall back on, including tree preservation. Council Member Thiede stated that regarding the petition presented tonight by Mr. Betts, he discounted anyone who had signed it but did not live in Cottage Grove. Mr. Betts responded he felt the City was forcing their hand with the rezoning. He stated notices from the City were sent out to people who weren't adjacent to the property in question. Also, signatures obtained on Facebook didn't always indicate a correct address; he stated due to the nature of his work, his address on Facebook is Dallas, Texas, although he resides in Cottage Grove. Community Development Director/City Engineer Jennifer Levitt stated notices were sent to the parcels that were within 500 feet of a parcel that's being proposed to be re- guided; that's the standard practice for any zoning application or matter. She stated the notices were compliant with State Statute. Motion by Council Member Thiede to adopt Resolution 2017-146 approving the Harkness Avenue Small Area Study Comprehensive Plan amendment to modify the land use of 55 acres of land around Harkness Avenue South from low-density residential to medium- and high-density residential consistent with Land Use Alternative 1 and preparation of the Harkness Avenue Small Area Study Comprehensive Plan amendment as a supporting document in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the distribution of the amendment to adjacent communities and the Metropolitan Council; second by Council Member Mills. Motion carried: 4-1 (Nay by Council Member Johnson). 12. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Council Member Mills wanted to thank Council Member Dennis for stepping forward and covering some of her and Council Member Johnson's duties this week. Council Member Johnson stated on November 2, at the VFW Red Barn, there will be at home Battle Buddies, an opportunity for current and former military personnel to get together and talk with each other. Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is trying to get the word out to more people that it's there for people in need. There will be some food and it'll be an opportunity to just have some fun. City Council Meeting Minutes October 18, 2017 Page 9 Mayor Bailey stated next Wednesday, October 25, in the evening, there will be a My Future Cottage Grove launch party at the Furber Farms. It's an opportunity for anybody to come out there and hear about the study that was done in our community. At that time, the recommendations of what we'll be doing in the future will be announced. There's a strong desire for a Community Center, so there will be an opportunity to sign up to be a part of the Community Center Task Force. More opportunities to get involved in our community will be presented, also. Mayor Bailey stated the Monster Bash Parade will take place on Saturday, October 28, from the District Service Center, across from McDonald's, down the frontage road to the District Program Center, near Applebee's. It's not a very long route, but there will be a lot of candy provided. The Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest is helping manage that. Mayor Bailey stated on Saturday, November 4, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the American Legion, there will be a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the Holiday Train, which will be here in December; 100% of the proceeds will go to the Friends in Need Food Shelf. 13. WORKSHOPS — OPEN TO PUBLIC — None. 14. WORKSHOPS — CLOSED TO PUBLIC A. Performance Evaluation Staff Recommendation: Close the meeting pursuant to MN Statute 13D.05, Subdivision 3 (a) to conduct a performance evaluation of City Administrator Charlene Stevens. Motion by Council Member Mills, second by Council Member Thiede, to close the meeting pursuant to MN Statute 13D.05, Subdivision 3 (a) to conduct a performance evaluation of City Administrator Charlene Stevens. Motion carried: 5-0. Motion by Council Member Mills, second by Council Member Johnson to reopen the public meeting. Motion carried: 5-0. 15. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Council Member Thiede, second by Council Member Dennis, to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 p.m. Motion carried: 5-0. Minutes prepared by Judy Graf and reviewed by Joe Fischbach, HR Manager/City Clerk.