Minutes

New Brighton Planning Commission

Regular Meeting - December 19, 2000

7:30 p.m.

Call to Order

Larry Baker, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Roll Call

Present:	Larry Baker, Jim O'Brien, Norm Schiferl, and Paul Zisla

Absent:	David Schmitz and Jeff Schopf,

Also Present:	Mark Andrle, Community Development Specialist

Matt Fulton, City Manager

Judy Goepel, Events Coordinator

Steve Larson, Mayor

Char Samuelson, City Council Liaison

Report on Council Actions

Samuelson said the Holmbo Minor Subdivision and Lot Split was denied by Council at a recent meeting.

Agenda Review

The Weyerhaeuer Site Plan, NC00-5 and LP00-14, will be discussed at the January 16, 2001. Also, no date has been determined for consideration of the site plan review and special use permit to construct an addition at Highview School. The agenda was adopted as amended.

Public Hearings - None

General Business

City Manager Matthew Fulton explained that Council and staff meet annually to discuss strategic planning issues. The Commission's input, guidance, and recommendations on the following issues helps the Council in their efforts to make the best policy decisions possible. The following summaries the issues raised during the roundtable discussion:

What do you think are the greatest challenges/ issues that are currently, or will be, facing our community within the next five years?

1)	Brighton Village Future - would prefer restaurants and retail versus office space.

2)	There is a need to locate single family home sites/townhouses. The City of St. Anthony purchased smaller homes for redevelopment of new home sites.

3)	What direction should New Brighton housing take? There appears to be a need for higher-
end rental properties.

4)	Follow through on Highway 8 Corridor Vision & 35W/I-694 Quadrant (new urbanism)

5)	Continuation of quality schools, services, and social economic conditions are more critical than development.

6)	Where will young people live - demographics and housing impacts

7)	Demographics are changing, more retired people, fewer kids

8)	Life cycle housing - what needs does New Brighton have? Need for quality condo/townhomes, and mix of low/high rise housing in Northwest Quadrant

9)	Transit issues

When you think about the "global" direction our community is currently moving, what suggestions/ recommendations would you provide?

1)	Take more aggressive role in Northwest Quadrant/35W Corridor

2)	What is the community's direction

3)	Need to move from an industrial community with residential

4)	Metropolitan Council would react positively to regional approach

5)	Delivery of services regionally versus locally

6)	Greater sense of responsiveness/accountability

7)	Some services are delivered best regionally i.e. transportation

8)	Higher density development preferred for 35W Corridor

9)	Quality of existing rental stock along with management, social services

Are there City regulations or policies that are inconsistent with the City's best long term interests?

1)	Nuisance ordinance states enforcement when grass is measurable one foot

2)	Do we over-regulate citizen property rights

3)	Windshield survey is positive for City

4)	Not over-regulatory or lax, good balance in staff reaction

Are there any big community projects or issues that we are currently not actively pursuing that you think we should be? (Any dream projects you might have).

1)	Time frame for Hwy 8 Vision should not be too hasty. Many other more urgent projects

2)	Eight years left on TIF legislation

3)	Redevelopment of Brighton Village is a big priority

4)	Need for a community gathering place in New Brighton

5)	Widening of the Old Hwy 8/I-694 bridge to allow for friendly space

How could we improve on our use of citizens in our local governance process? This might include any suggestions on how to modify the use of municipal commissions.

1)	Less regulated public notification/hearing process

2)	Don't mandate but encourage neighborhood meetings

3)	Schedule public hearings when development projects are proposed

4)	Good use of neighborhood/grid meetings

Strategic Issues

1)	Continuation of the sense of design for Silver Lake Road

2)	Underground versus above ground electrical wires

Technology

1)	E-government is a future possibility, but enhance access and availability of current services

Approval of Minutes

Baker corrected a statement on page 2, paragraph 8. Motion by O'Brien, seconded by Schiferl, approve the amended November Planning Commission minutes. 4 Ayes - 0 Nays. Motion Carried.

Announcements and Updates

The January Planning Commission meeting will consider the rezoning of a parcel behind Minar Ford from business to residential. This rezoning is consistent with the Long Range Comprehensive Plan.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m.

_______________________________________

Mark Andrle, Redevelopment Specialist