05-19-98 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Matt Fulton reviewed his memo on the item. Fulton said the Council and Staff would like comments from the municipal commissions on the categories outlined in the memo. Schiferl referred to Question No. 3 in the memo. Schiferl said a training opportunity might be helpful for commission members, other than the one scheduled for mid-May. Schiferl commented, concerning Question No. 1, he was impressed with the efforts of the I-35W Corridor Coalition and the Old Highway 8 planning process. Schiferl said he would like to see more emphasis put on bicycling within the City. On Question No. 2, Schiferl stated it would be good if the Police Department and the City Council had a program that stressed traffic laws. Schiferl recalled that a survey of residents done a few years ago showed people like the neighborhoods and the location. Schiferl asked if the City has done a more comprehensive survey of what residents really wants. Fulton responded the City staff is planning a more thorough survey. O’Brien said he would agree with Schiferl’s comments on traffic law compliance problems. Is there a precedent for having a 20-mile an hour speed limits on neighborhood streets? Fulton said the message, then, is the problem of traffic speed in residential areas. Zisla commented it would be wonderful if developers could work some issues out with neighbors before they come before the Planning Commission. A procedure to accomplish that should be worked out. Mattila responded that we invite people to come in and meet with the City Planner in our public hearing notices. Unfortunately, those letters only go out for public hearings. Baker referred to the G & P proposals. Baker commented that G & P did not do a good job of showing their changes. For instance, at the last meeting G & P had the wrong acreage because of a change in the plan. Baker said Staff should require proposals with significant changes to be handled like a new proposal. The Planning Commission should be able to see the proposal features in black and white and not have to interpret the developer’s intent. Zisla suggested that having a checklist to refer to would be helpful. O’Brien said, at a recent meeting, Mayor Benke referred to working with adjacent suburbs. In response to Question No. 1, that seems like a real opportunity for future planning. Area-wide planning will become more important. The City should formally pursue area planning. Schiferl asked if there was a possibility of reconsidering a mini-transit service in the City. Fulton said the I- 35W Corridor Coalition was preparing an RFP for focusing on the transportation transit needs for the corridor. Reducing traffic on I-35W was the original reason for establishing the Coalition. Zisla asked how reducing traffic on I-35W would benefit New Brighton. Zisla commented on the use of ramp meters in New Brighton. Zisla commented traffic reduction was the goal of MnDOT and the Met Council’s. The Commission endorsed Zisla’s comments. Fulton responded the reason the Met Council is interested in the I-35W Coalition it that the Coalition is the only group with an area-wide growth management strategy. Transit is a logical way of addressing traffic reduction. Baker stated, regarding Question No. 3, the City Staff does a wonderful job of preparing items for Planning Commission meetings. Schopf said, to help Council select commission members, candidates should attend a meeting of the particular commission. The descriptions attached to the commissions do not really relate to the actual work of the commission. Also, the candidates should think about how they will relate to the other commissioners and to the work of the commission. Schopf suggested the City create a commission to deal with housing redevelopment, which is an issue that is becoming very important. The City is doing an excellent job on redeveloping commercial property, but some of New Brighton’s homes and apartment buildings are aging. Schopf said that, as a business owner, he has noticed an increase in bad checks and shoplifting and suggested 4 I:\COMMISSIONS\PLANNING\MINUTES\1998\05-19-98.WPD