[00:00:03]
>> COMMISSIONERS, BEFORE WE DO A ROLL CALL, WE HAVE TWO NEW COMMISSIONERS,
[CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL ]
IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED, AND I JUST THOUGHT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO START WITH AN INTRODUCTION, TELL US ABOUT YOURSELVES.>> WONDERFUL . HI, MY NAME IS PAUL MOSES.
I LIVE HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
I'VE BEEN HERE FOR OVER 11 YEARS NOW.
I LOVE THE CITY AND I WORK AT THE CUMMINS POWER GENERATION, IT'S UP THE ROAD.
I DESIGN BACKUP POWER SYSTEMS FOR HOSPITALS, DATA CENTERS.
THE MINNEAPOLIS AIRPORT IS ONE OF MY DESIGNS AS WELL.
I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN RENEWABLE ENERGY AS WELL.
BECAUSE OF THAT, I HAVE REALLY BEEN INTERESTED IN HELPING OUT MY CITY IN THE BEST WAY I CAN TO HELP OUT WITH INFRASTRUCTURE AND BRING MY KNOWLEDGE TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND HELP OUR CITY, SO THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.
I'M SO GLAD TO BE HERE. GRATEFUL TO BE SELECTED AND I WILL DO MY BEST TO BE A GOOD COMMISSIONER.
>> HOW'S IT GOING? MY NAME IS AHMED MAMARY, I AM MAYBE ONE OF THE FRESH COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RESIDENTS ON THE BOARD.
I MOVED TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IN THE SUMMER OF LAST YEAR.
BUT I WAS RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO FRIDLEY FOR ABOUT 20-23 YEARS, OBSERVING, WATCHING COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AS IT GROWS.
I KNOW IT'S JUST TALKING TO SOME PEOPLE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
I KNOW FRIDLEY AND COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, THAT KIND OF COMPETITION GOING.
AS YOU KNOW, FRIDLEY, THE BIG SISTER OR BIG BROTHER.
HOPEFULLY, I'M OVER HERE TO GIVE YOU GUYS THE INSIDE SCOOP OF FRIDLEY.
[LAUGHTER] AGAIN, IN FRIDLEY, BORN AND RAISED FROM WHEN I WAS A KID, SEEING THE CITY GROW, WE WERE IN THE SAME HOUSE FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS, SO THAT WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MOTIVATIONS OF WANTING TO BE INVOLVED IN A CITY.
IF I HAD STAYED IN FRIDLEY, I THINK I WOULD HAVE MAYBE TAKEN THE SAME PATH AND BEEN INVOLVED IN FRIDLEY.
BUT HERE IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AS WELL,, THIS IS MY HOME NOW SO I WANT TO TAKE CARE OF IT IN THE SAME WAY THAT I'VE TAKEN CARE OF FRIDLEY.
I WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS CITY AS IF THIS IS MY CITY NOW.
MY BACKGROUND, I'M A BUSINESS OWNER.
ONE OF THE BUSINESSES I HAVE IS DREAMERS CHILD HERE IN FRIDLEY OFF OF CENTRAL, JUST A BIT NORTH.
ONE OF THE MOTIVATIONS AS WELL IS TO BRING SOME OF THAT BACKGROUND OF THAT PERSPECTIVE TO THE BOARD AND GIVE THE BUSINESS OWNERS PERSPECTIVE, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE UNDERSTANDING WHERE THE BUSINESS MIGHT BE COMING FROM.
MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE UNDERSTANDING THE FULL SCOPE OF HOW OUR ROLE OR HOW OUR DECISIONS SHAPE THE CITY, AND ALSO AS WELL, HOPEFULLY SOME OF THAT BUSINESS EXPERIENCE HELPING TO BRING IT TO THE CITY.
I WANT TO SEE THE CITY CONTINUE TO GROW.
I WANT TO SEE THE CITY CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AND HOPEFULLY, MAYBE PLAYING A SMALL ROLE IN THAT.
>> YEAH, THANKS FOR THOSE INTRODUCTIONS.
WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE YOU.
>> OUR CHAIR ISN'T PRESENT AND OUR VICE CHAIR WAS NOT REAPPOINTED TO THE BOARD.
THAT WAS COMMISSIONER VARGAS, SO WE DO NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THAT ELECTION OF THE OFFICER AND THEN WHOEVER YOU GUYS SELECT ENDS UP RUNNING THIS MEETING.
THE PROCESS, WHY DON'T YOU GO THROUGH IT, ANDREW?
[00:05:04]
THE NEW COMMISSIONERS HAVE NOT GONE THROUGH IT BUT OUR EXISTING BOARD JUST WENT THROUGH IT A MONTH AGO.>> CAN WE HAVE A CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR VICE CHAIR? ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE SOMEONE OR VOLUNTEER? DO WE NEED CHAIR OR VICE CHAIR FIRST?
>> JUST VICE CHAIR THE AGENDA INDICATES COMMISSIONER WOLF [INAUDIBLE].
>> I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE COMMISSION MEMBER SINO AS OUR VICE CHAIR.
>> WE GOT A MOTION FROM KAISER, SECOND FROM DEIN.
>> I'M SO SORRY. WE LITERALLY PRACTICE THIS. I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT.
[BACKGROUND] WE GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> AWESOME. NO, AGAIN, SO CONGRATULATIONS ERIC.
>> I GOT TO TALK NOW? ALRIGHT. [LAUGHTER].
>> IT'S LIKE A NORMAL MEETING.
DO WE NEED TO DO THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR THE NEW MEMBERS?
>> THEY'VE SIGNED IT ALREADY? AWESOME.
>> [INAUDIBLE] WAS PROVIDED AS WELL DURING THE OATH
>>. GREAT. WE'LL MOVE ON TO APPROVE THE MINUTES' ITEM NUMBER 4 ON OUR AGENDA,
[APPROVE MINUTES ]
THE APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 6, 2024 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES.>> MOTION FROM KAISER. SECOND?
>> SECOND FROM JEAN ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?
WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR TONIGHT.
[PUBLIC HEARINGS ]
WE HAVE ONE PUBLIC HEARING.A MINOR SUBDIVISION, A LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT AT 334 AND 344 40TH AVENUE NORTHEAST. OH, YOU'RE GOOD.
THIS IS FOR 334344, 40TH AVENUE NORTHEAST, CONTINUATION FROM THE MEETING THAT WE TRIED TO HAVE LAST MONTH, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE A QUORUM.
THIS IS THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, HAS RECEIVED AN APPLICATION FOR A MINOR SUBDIVISION TO ADJUST THE EXISTING LOT LINES OF TWO ADJACENT PROPERTIES, 334 AND 344 40TH AVENUE, NORTHEAST.
MR. MICHAEL GONDECK OWNS BOTH PROPERTIES.
THE 334 40TH AVENUE NORTHEAST PROPERTY, IS OCCUPIED BY TWO TENANT COMMERCIAL BUILDING.
THE 344 40TH AVENUE NORTHEAST PROPERTY IS A SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE.
THE APPLICANT IS LOOKING TO FULLY RELOCATE THE PORTION OF THE COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT FROM THE 344 PROPERTY, WHERE IT'S CURRENTLY OCCUPYING, TO THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ON 334.
THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO ESTABLISH DRIVEWAY AND PARKING EASEMENTS ON THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IN FAVOR OF THE SINGLE-FAMILY PARCEL.
THE SINGLE-FAMILY PROPERTY WILL STILL HAVE ADEQUATE PARKING IN THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY, ENSURING THAT ACCESS AND THAT THEY WILL STILL HAVE PARKING SHOULD THOSE EASEMENTS BE VACATED IN THE FUTURE.
MY SUBDIVISIONS ARE SUBJECT TO REQUIRED FINDINGS FOR 9.104K.
THIS IS JUST A AERIAL OF THE PROPERTY AND THEN THE EXISTING CONDITIONS THAT WERE ON THE CERTIFICATE OF SURVEY.
YOU CAN TELL THE RIGHT THE PROPERTY ON THE RIGHT, YOU CAN SEE WHERE THAT PARKING LOT IS ENCROACHING ONTO THAT RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.
REALLY WHAT THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING IS TO JUST BRING BOTH PROPERTIES MORE SO INTO COMPLIANCE.
BECAUSE IF SOMEONE WERE TO COME AND PROPOSE THIS NOW, THERE WOULD BE PARKING SETBACKS THAT THIS WOULDN'T BE COMPLIANT WITH.
THEN THIS IS THE PROPOSED CONDITIONS THAT THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING.
THE LOT COMES OUT TO THE DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS FOR THE GENERAL BUSINESS ZONING DISTRICTS, AND THEN IT WILL ALSO COMPLY WITH THE PARKING SETBACKS AS CONDITIONED.
IN CONSIDERATION OF THE MINOR SUBDIVISION APPLICATION,
[00:10:03]
THE NEWLY CREATED LOTS MUST MEET THE MINIMUM LOT AREA, AND WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE GENERAL BUSINESS ZONING DISTRICT, PER SECTION 9.110.C OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE, LOTS WITHIN THE GENERAL BUSINESS ARE REQUIRED TO MEET THE FOLLOWING LOT DIMENSION, HEIGHT AND BULK REQUIREMENTS AS FOLLOWS.THIS IS JUST A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT THOSE STANDARDS ARE.
MINIMUM LOT AREA IS 6,000 SQUARE FEET, LOT WIDTH IS 40 FEET.
THIS MEETS BOTH OF THOSE REQUIREMENTS.
MINIMUM FRONT YARD SETBACK IS 15 FEET, SIDE YARD HAS NO SETBACK.
THEN THE CORNER SIDE YARD SETBACK FOR THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY WOULD BE 15 FEET.
THEN A MINIMUM REAR YARD SETBACK OF 20 FEET.
THEN PARKING SETBACKS, VERY SIMILAR, THE ONLY EXCEPTION BEING FIVE FOOT SIDE YARD SETBACK, AND THEN THE REAR PARKING SETBACK IS REDUCED TO FIVE FEET.
I JUST WANTED TO SHOW YOU GUYS WHAT THE EXISTING CONDITIONS AND THE PROPOSED CONDITIONS OF BOTH ARE.
THE LOT AREA FROM 334 40TH AVENUE, IS 12,190 SQUARE FEET, AND THEN AFTER THE PROPOSED LOT AREA FOR THAT SAME PROPERTY IS 15,230 SQUARE FEET.
THE LOT AREA FOR THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY 344, IS GOING FROM 8,610 SQUARE FEET TO 6,290 SQUARE FEET.
BOTH OF THOSE WOULD MEET THE MINIMUM LOT AREA REQUIREMENTS.
WIDTH, THE 334 PROPERTY IS GOING FROM 105-132, SO IT'S INCREASING IN WIDTH.
THEN BECAUSE THE LOT AREA FOR 344 IS BEING REDUCED, THE WIDTH IS GOING FROM 70 FEET-43 FEET.
THEN THIS JUST AS A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT THE CURRENT SETBACKS ARE AS THE PROPERTY IS CONFIGURED, 334 HAS A SIDE YARD SETBACK OF 1.3 FEET, THAT IS BEING INCREASED TO 28.3.
THEN THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY HAS A SIDE YARD SETBACK OF 35 FEET, AND THAT'S BEING PROPOSED TO CHANGE TO EIGHT FEET.
THE SIDE YARD PARKING SETBACK FOR THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IS CURRENTLY NON-CONFORMING, BUT AS A RESULT OF THIS SUBDIVISION IT WOULD BECOME CONFORMING WITH THE FIVE-FOOT SETBACK REQUIREMENT FOR PARKING.
SAME GOES FOR THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.
THE SIDE YARD PARKING SETBACK IS ALSO NONCONFORMING.
THIS PROPOSED SUBDIVISION WOULD BRING BOTH THOSE PROPERTIES IN THE COMPLIANCE, AND THEN REMOVE A NONCONFORMITY.
SECTION 9.104K OF THE ZONING CODE OUTLINES SPECIFIC CONDITIONS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ARE REQUIRED TO APPROVE A MINOR SUBDIVISION.
THE PROPOSED SUBDIVISION OF LAND WILL NOT RESULT IN MORE THAN THREE LOTS.
THERE ARE TWO LOTS BEING PROPOSED.
THE PROPOSED SUBDIVISION DOES NOT INVOLVE THE VACATION OF EXISTING EASEMENTS.
NO VACATION OF EXISTING EASEMENTS WILL OCCUR.
HE IS PROPOSING ADDITIONAL EASEMENTS JUST TO GUARANTEE ACCESS TO THE SINGLE-FAMILY PROPERTY.
ALL LOTS TO BE CREATED BY THE PROPOSED SUBDIVISION CONFORM TO THE LOT AREA, AND WITH REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED FOR THE GENERAL BUSINESS ZONING DISTRICT.
AS I SHOWED BEFORE, THIS DOES MEET BOTH THE LOT WIDTH AND THE LOT AREA REQUIREMENTS.
THEN THE PROPOSED SUBDIVISION DOES NOT REQUIRE DEDICATION OF PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY FOR THE PURPOSE OF GAINING ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY.
WE AREN'T ASKING FOR THAT KIND OF DEDICATION IN THIS AS THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING HIS OWN EASEMENTS.
THEN THE PROPERTY HAS NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY SUBDIVIDED THROUGH THE MINOR SUBDIVISION PROVISIONS.
THERE'S NOTHING ON RECORD SHOWING THAT THIS WAS EVER SUBDIVIDED.
THE PROPOSED SUBDIVISION DOES NOT HINDER THE CONVEYANCE OF LAND, WON'T DO THAT IN THE FUTURE.
THE PROPOSED SUBDIVISION DOES NOT HINDER THE MAKING OF ASSESSMENTS OR THE KEEPING OF RECORDS RELATED TO ASSESSMENTS.
STAFF'S PERSPECTIVE THAT THERE'S NO ANTICIPATED CHANGES TO THE MAKING OF ASSESSMENTS OR KEEPING OF RECORDS.
THEN THIS PROPOSED SUBDIVISION MEETS ALL THE DESIGN STANDARDS SPECIFIED IN THE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE 9.116.
STAFF HAS COORDINATED WITH THE CITY ENGINEER AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHO HAS BEEN PROVIDED COPIES OF THE APPLICATION MATERIALS AND HAD NO CONCERNS WITH THE PROPOSED SUBDIVISION.
STAFF REVIEW FINDS THAT THE PROPOSED MINOR SUBDIVISION, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS A LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT APPLICATION, MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE.
STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING APPROVAL OF
[00:15:02]
THE PROPOSED MINOR SUBDIVISION FOR THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 334 AND 344 40TH AVENUE, NORTHEAST TO THE CITY COUNCIL.WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR ACTION ON TWO MOTIONS, THE FIRST BEING A MOTION TO MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF DRAFT RESOLUTION 2024-19.
THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
THEN A MOTION MOVE THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE DRAFT RESOLUTION 2024-19, APPROVING A MINOR SUBDIVISION LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT FOR THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 334 AND 344 40TH AVENUE, NORTHEAST, WITHIN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS STATED IN THE RESOLUTION.
WITH THAT I WILL OPEN IT UP TO QUESTIONS.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE CHAT? AS YOU CAN SEE, NO ONE HAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC COMMENTS, DOES THE COMMISSION HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS?
>> YEAH, I HAVE ONE. IT'S NOT DIRECTLY RELEVANT TO THE DECISION WE'RE MAKING RIGHT NOW.
I'M WONDERING IF THE PROPERTY OWNER HAS SIGNALED THAT THIS IS LIKE SOME SORT OF A HALF STEP TO SOMETHING THAT MIGHT HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE THAT WOULD ESSENTIALLY COMBINE [INAUDIBLE]? [OVERLAPPING]
>> THAT'S THAT'S NOT THE APPLICANT'S INTENT.
HE'S REALLY JUST TRYING TO ORGANIZE THESE SO THAT IN THE EVENT THAT HE DOES DECIDE TO SELL THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OR THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY, THAT THERE AREN'T ANY NON-CONFORMITIES.
REALLY IT'S JUST TO ADJUST THE LOT LINE, FULLY ENCLOSE THE PARKING LOT WITHIN THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, AND THEN JUST HAVE THE STANDALONE RESIDENTIAL PIECE.
THERE ARE NO LONGER TERM PLANS FOR THIS.
>> AGAIN, NOT WHOLLY RELEVANT TO WHAT WE'RE SEEING.
IS THIS A RENTAL PROPERTY OR THE OWNER LIVES THERE NOW, THE HOME?
>> I BELIEVE THE OWNER LIVES THERE NOW, THAT IS THE ADDRESS ON FILE FOR HIS PROPERTY TAX RECORDS.
>> THE QUESTION I HAVE, AND I REVIEWED THIS, WAS MORE SO ON THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY.
TO ME, THE NON-CONFORMING PROPERTY IS REALLY THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IN THIS CASE.
>> TECHNICALLY, BOTH OF THEM ARE NON-CONFORMING.
>> OKAY. IF WE JUST LOPPED OFF THE PAVEMENT, THE PARKING THAT WAS ON THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY, NOW, WOULD THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY STILL HAVE ENOUGH PARKING TO MEET ORDINANCE FOR THAT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY?
>> LET ME JUST SEE IF I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION CORRECTLY.
IF THE PARKING LOT WASN'T PART OF THIS, WOULD THE BUSINESS STILL HAVE ADEQUATE [OVERLAPPING]?
>> WOULD THE BUSINESS STILL HAVE ENOUGH PARKING FOR THE BUSINESS?
>> THAT IS NOT SOMETHING I LOOKED AT, SO I WILL HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT.
THAT WASN'T PART OF THE REVIEW NECESSARILY JUST BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T MAKING ANY IMPROVEMENTS, IT WAS JUST A LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT.
I CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THAT REAL.
>> GENERALLY SPEAKING, ON 40TH, THESE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES DON'T HAVE A LOT OF PARKING, AND A LOT OF THEM RELY SOLELY ON ON-STREET.
THIS PROPERTY HAPPENS TO HAVE A SMALL AMOUNT, BUT I WANT TO LOOK AT THE GB STANDARDS QUICKLY IF I COULD.
>> IT DOES LOOK IN THE PAPERWORK LIKE THEY WERE REQUIRED TO PUT THAT OFF-STREET PARKING IN, JUST BASED ON THE PACKET THAT WE WERE PROVIDED.
>> THE HISTORY IS A LITTLE BIT INCOMPLETE FOR US.
AT SOME POINT, THE COMMERCIAL BUSINESS OWNER ACQUIRED THE SINGLE-FAMILY PROPERTY BECAUSE HE WAS GETTING PARKING COMPLAINTS, I THINK FROM CUSTOMERS, AND THAT'S HOW THE NARRATIVE THAT I RECALL, THE STORY.
[OVERLAPPING] HE WENT AHEAD, ACQUIRED THE HOUSE TO HELP RESOLVE HIS PARKING CONCERNS, ADDED THE PARKING ONTO THE SINGLE-FAMILY PROPERTY WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS OF THE LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT.
YOU DON'T EVEN NEED TO PULL A BUILDING PERMIT FOR A DRIVEWAY FOR MOST FLAT WORK, SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND HOW THAT HAPPENED.
THANKFULLY, OF COURSE, HE'S THE OWNER OF BOTH.
HE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE THIS RIGHT, SO TO SPEAK, BUT.
I'M STILL DIGGING IT HERE, IF YOU GUYS CAN BEAR WITH ME.
>> I GUESS WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS LINE OF QUESTIONING IS THAT, WELL, I DO AGREE THAT THE REVISED LOT LINE DOES MEET THE ZONING REQUIREMENTS FOR MINIMUM LOT SIZES.
IT FEELS TO ME THAT IT DRAMATICALLY REDUCES THE VIABILITY OF THAT PROPERTY, SHOULD HE WANT TO SELL IT, OR SHOULD THE NEXT OWNER WANT TO MODIFY THAT HOUSE IN ANY WAY.
[00:20:03]
IT REALLY TAKES AWAY THE OPPORTUNITIES OF THE FUTURE OWNER OF THAT PROPERTY TO DO ANY SORT OF UPGRADES TO IT.WHERE THE INITIAL LOT LINE, IF WE JUST REMOVE THE ASPHALT FROM THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY, THEN KEEPS A NICE WIDE PROPERTY LINE THERE, GIVES YOU A NICE BIG LOT TO DO WHAT YOU WOULD WANT TO DO WITH.
ON THE FLIP SIDE, IF WE DIDN'T REMOVE THE PARKING LOT, IT WOULD STILL BE NON-CONFORMING, AND SO THERE WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL BARRIER TO, IF SOMEONE WERE TO MOVE INTO THAT HOUSE AND WANT TO EXPAND, THEY WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO MAKE THAT MORE NON-CONFORMING.
THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE A BARRIER TO THEM AS WELL.
>> MY HEAD WAS IN A SIMILAR PLACE WHEN I WAS GOING THROUGH THIS AT HOME BECAUSE OF THE ZONING DISTRICT THAT THIS HOUSE IS INSIDE OF, IS THIS ONE OF THOSE CASES WHERE THE HOUSE COULD NOT BE SUBSTANTIALLY MODIFIED BECAUSE IT IS A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY WITHIN GENERAL BUSINESS?
>> GENERAL BUSINESS RIGHT NOW.
>> WE DON'T ALLOW FOR RESIDENTIAL.
>> [INAUDIBLE] IT'S A FUNCTIONALLY OBSOLETE PROPERTY WITHIN THE GENERAL BUSINESS, NOT A PERMITTED USE, SO THE USE ITSELF IS LEGALLY NON-CONFORMING BECAUSE IT WAS CONFORMING AT THE TIME IT WAS BUILT.
IN THE GB, WE'RE TRYING TO, IN MANY CASES, CONVERT THESE TO COMMERCIAL.
ALTHOUGH IT DOES DIMINISH THE FUNCTIONALITY IN SOME WAYS OF A SINGLE-FAMILY PROPERTY, IT STILL IS A COMPLIANT LOT PER THE STANDARDS IF SINGLE FAMILY WERE ALLOWED TO STILL BE BUILT, 40 FEET IS DEFINITELY NARROW, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF RESIDENTIAL LOTS THAT ARE ZONED RESIDENTIALLY THAT ARE THAT SAME WITH, BUT I THINK THIS IS A TREND TOWARDS THE ULTIMATE GOALS OF THE CONFERENCE OF PLAN TO REMOVE THE NON-CONFORMING STRUCTURES WITHIN THE DISTRICT, EVEN THOUGH THERE ISN'T A PROPOSAL IN THE PIPELINE FOR THAT CURRENTLY.
>> I THINK JUST TO CONTINUE ON THE LEGAL NON-CONFORMING USE, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT BECAUSE IT'S LEGALLY NON-CONFORMING, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO EXPAND UPON THAT USE IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE REALLY BECAUSE THE ZONING DOESN'T ALLOW FOR THAT USE ANYMORE. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> JUST HAVE A CLARIFYING QUESTION.
WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IS THAT THE LOT RECOMMENDATION IS TO MOVE THE LOT LINE ITSELF BECAUSE IT'S NON-CONFORMING BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF PARKING SPACE, IT'S UNAVAILABLE.
>> DISTANCE FROM THE PARKING LOT AND THE PROPERTY LINE.
>> THAT'S WHAT IS MAKING IT NON-COMPLIANT.
>> THE PROPOSAL IS TO MOVE THE LOT LINE TO THE RESIDENTIAL SO THAT THERE'LL BE ENOUGH OF A SETBACK IN THE PARKING LOT.
>> YEAH, AND TO FULLY JUST ENCOMPASS THE PARKING LOT ON THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY THAT IT SERVES.
>> GOT YOU. CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE DRAWING, THE ONE-LINE DIAGRAM?
>> IS IT THAT ONE YOU ARE [OVERLAPPING]?
>> YEAH. RIGHT NOW IT'S IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LINE, RIGHT NOW IS A LOT, RIGHT? THE TWO LOTS. SO THEN THE PROPOSAL IS TO PARCEL IT DOWN, PARCEL BE MAKING IT SMALLER.
>> YEAH. THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY WOULD BE GETTING SMALLER, THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY WOULD BE GETTING LARGER.
>> SO PARCEL A WOULD BE GETTING SMALLER?
>> OKAY. SOUNDS GOOD. THANK YOU.
>> THIS TWO MONITOR SYSTEM HAS GIVEN ME A LITTLE BIT HERE.
>> WELL, WHILE AARON IS LOOKING INTO THAT, I GUESS TO GO BACK TO THE CONCERN THAT YOU RAISED, I WOULD HAVE SOME REAL HESITATION ABOUT THIS EVEN THOUGH WE'RE TRYING TO BRING A PROPERTY INTO COMPLIANCE.
IF IT WAS A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY THAT COULD BE EXPANDED UPON AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE, BUT BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE, I THINK THAT ULTIMATELY THIS IS JUST A CHANGE THAT WE NEED TO DO TO HELP CORRECT AN EXISTING ERROR.
>> YEAH, I AGREE. I THINK THAT THE MOST LIKELY OUTCOME OF THIS WOULD BE THAT THE HOUSE WOULD EVENTUALLY BE SOLD.
I KNOW THAT THIS PERSON IS IN POOR HEALTH AND THAT IT WOULD BE TURNED INTO SOMETHING COMMERCIAL, SO I THINK IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE THERE ANYMORE ANYWAY.
I THINK THAT THIS MAKES SENSE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH.
>> OR EVEN DEMO AND COMBINE THE LOTS INTO ONE LARGE COMMERCIAL. YEAH.
[00:25:07]
>> [INAUDIBLE]. WHAT IS THE [INAUDIBLE]?
>> IT'S A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.
>> BECAUSE PARKING FOR THE SMALL SHOP IS ON THE OTHER SIDE.
>> WHILE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT, BESIDE THE GARAGE BECAUSE WE'RE MAKING THIS INTO KIND OF AN L, IS THIS A DRIVEWAY INTO THE GARAGE? I CAN'T REALLY SEE IT VERY WELL.
>> ON WHICH? ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE PARKING EASEMENT?
>> BETWEEN AT THE BACK OF PARCEL A BY THE GARAGE, IT'S A BITUMINOUS, I ASSUME.
IS IT JUST THE DRIVEWAY? YOU COULD JUST TURN INTO THE GARAGE.
>> YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SPECKLED AREA NEXT TO THE GARAGE?
>> YEAH, THAT LOOKS LIKE A ASPHALT.
>> YEAH. IT'S ODDLY NOT CONNECTED TO THE GARAGE [OVERLAPPING].
>> IT'S WHY WE CALL IT RIGHT AWAY A NON-CONFORMING PARCEL.
[LAUGHTER] [INAUDIBLE] ABNORMALLY SHAPED.
>> LOOKS LIKE ONE PARKING STALL PER 300 SQUARE FEET OF GROSS FLOOR AREA, THAT'S THE CURRENT STANDARD.
WE WOULD CONSIDER BECAUSE IT'S AN EXISTING BUILDING, IT HAS NON-CONFORMING PARKING RIGHTS AS WELL.
>> THERE WAS VERY LITTLE DATA ON THIS.
I BELIEVE THIS WAS CONSTRUCTED IN THE '50S.
THIS IS WHERE I WAS ABLE TO FIND SOME INFORMATION, BUT VERY LIMITED.
WERE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS I COULD ADDRESS? I GUESS THAT I FORMALLY OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING THEN.
ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE ON ZOOM TODAY.
>> LET ME DOUBLE CHECK. [BACKGROUND].
>> THANK YOU, VICE CHAIR SAHNOW.
NO ONE HAS JOINED THE MEETING ON TEAMS.
>> ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION THEN? I THINK WE HAVE TWO MOTIONS TO ACT ON, ON THIS TOPIC.
>> THE FIRST MOTION IS GOING TO BE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF DRAFT RESOLUTION 2024-19, THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> SO MOVED. DO I NEED TO REPEAT IT OR?
>> YOU MIGHT AS WELL, JUST FOR THE RECORD.
>> OKAY. I MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF DRAFT RESOLUTION 2024-19, THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> I HAVE A MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND?
SECOND BY MOSES. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> ALL OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.
NOW, WE HAVE A MOTION MOVE THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMEND THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE DRAFT RESOLUTION 2024-19, APPROVING A MINOR SUBDIVISION FOR THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 334 AND 344, 40TH AVENUE NORTHEAST SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS STATED IN THE RESOLUTION.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE DRAFT RESOLUTION 2024-19, APPROVING MINOR SUBDIVISION LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT FOR THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 334 AND 344, 40TH AVENUE NORTHEAST WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA.
I CAN'T SEE THOSE IN THE WORDS, SOMETHING TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS STATED IN THE RESOLUTION.
>> I HAVE A MOTION FROM DENEEN. SECOND?
>> ALL OPPOSED? SORRY. MOTION CARRIES.
THAT WAS OUR ONLY ITEM FOR OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS TONIGHT,
[00:30:05]
SO I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARINGS PORTION OF THE MEETING AND WE'LL MOVE ON TO OTHER BUSINESS,[OTHER BUSINESS ]
AND THAT IS ITEM NUMBER 6.THAT IS THE REVIEW OF THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4416 CENTRAL AVENUE, NORTHEAST.
>> AWESOME. PLANNING COMMISSIONERS, YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU REVIEW OF THE PURCHASE OF 4416 CENTRAL AVENUE, NORTHEAST, PURSUANT TO STATE STATUTE SECTION 462.356 SUBDIVISION 2, PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION, IN AND FOR THE CITY IS REQUIRED TO REVIEW AND ULTIMATELY DETERMINE IF ANY PROPOSED ACQUISITIONS OF REAL PROPERTY BY THE CITY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY CONFORMS TO THE 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
THE EDA HAS REQUESTED THE PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW THE ACQUISITION OF 4416 CENTRAL AVENUE, NORTHEAST TO DETERMINE IF THE ACQUISITION CONFORMS TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF THE CITY.
THE EDA HAS A LONGSTANDING PRACTICE OF ACQUIRING BLIGHTED SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES TO FACILITATE SCATTERED SITE REDEVELOPMENT.
THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY RESPONDS TO SEVERAL GOALS AND POLICIES ADOPTED IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SPECIFICALLY IN CHAPTER 3, LAND USE.
BELOW ARE THE SPECIFIC GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY CORRELATE TO THE CONFORMITY OF THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION.
PROVIDE MECHANISMS FOR SUCCESSFUL REDEVELOPMENT OF VACANT LANDS AND TARGETED AREAS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, ENHANCE THE IMAGE AND VIABILITY OF THE CENTRAL AVENUE CORRIDOR WHILE PROTECTING AND ENHANCING ADJACENT RESIDENTIAL AREAS, AND THEN, ENCOURAGE INFILL DEVELOPMENT THAT DEMONSTRATES COMPATIBILITY WITH THE EXISTING NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTERISTICS IN TERMS OF QUALITY, DESIGN, BUILDING HEIGHT, PLACEMENT, SCALE, AND ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY.
SCROLL DOWN, MR. [INAUDIBLE] WE HAVE TWO MOTIONS ON THE TABLE.
THE FIRST, MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2024-PZ02, THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, AND THE SECOND IS MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2024-PZ02, RESOLUTION FINDING THAT THE ACQUISITION OF 4416 CENTRAL AVENUE, NORTHEAST OF CERTAIN LAND FOR REDEVELOPMENT PURPOSES BY THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS CONSISTENT WITH THE 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMISSION AT ALL?
>> I'M GOING TO START WITH WHAT I ALWAYS START WITH ON THESE PROPERTIES.
WHAT ABOUT THIS PROPERTY MAY BE CONSIDERED BLIGHTED, AND HOW DID IT COME TO OUR ATTENTION?
>> IT'S NOT NECESSARILY A BLIGHTED, POOR-CONDITION PROPERTY, BUT CERTAINLY FUNCTIONALLY OBSOLETE, SO ALONG THE CORRIDOR [OVERLAPPING] THE SAME GOAL APPLIES TO THE DISCUSSION WE JUST HAD ON 40TH.
THE PROPERTIES THAT ARE ZONED, GENERAL BUSINESS THAT CONTAIN SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES, THEY'RE NO LONGER CONFORMING USES THAT THE CITY, AND IN THIS CASE, THE EDA HAS A SPECIFIC REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CALLED THE COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION PROGRAM, THAT TARGETS THESE PROPERTIES FOR THIS VERY ACTIVITY.
REMOVING A NON-CONFORMING, FUNCTIONALLY OBSOLETE, SOMETIMES BLIGHTED, I THINK, PROPERTY, BUT IT DOESN'T REALLY QUALIFY FOR BEING SEVERELY BLIGHTED.
THE WAY THAT THIS PROPERTY CAME TO THE CITY'S ATTENTION WAS THE STAFF WERE DIRECTLY CONTACTED BY THE OWNER'S FAMILY, THE OCCUPANT HAD PASSED AWAY, AND IT HAD TRANSFERRED OWNERSHIP TO FOUR SIBLINGS, THEY ACTUALLY GREW UP IN THE HOUSE, AND THEY WERE AWARE OF THE CITY'S INITIATIVE AND MADE FIRST CONTACT WITH US.
THEN JUST FROM THERE, THE ACQUISITION NEGOTIATIONS WENT PRETTY SMOOTHLY.
IN SOME CASES, PROPERTIES OF THIS NATURE, STAFF ARE MORE PROACTIVE IN OUTREACH AND CONTACTING OWNERS, BUT THIS IS ONE OF THE MORE SMOOTHER TRANSACTIONS THAT WE'VE HAD.
THEY'RE AWARE OF THE CITY'S INTENT FOR DEMOLITION
[00:35:02]
AND HOLDING THE PROPERTY FOR FUTURE REDEVELOPMENT.THERE AREN'T ANY IMMEDIATE USES, BUT THE ADJACENCY TO THE 4300 REDEVELOPMENT SITE, WE EXPECT THAT THAT MOMENTUM CARRIES UP ALONG THE CORRIDOR.
ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT THE EDA DISCUSSED WITH THESE PROPERTIES YESTERDAY, ACTUALLY WHEN THEY APPROVED THE ACQUISITION, CONTINGENT UPON THIS REVIEW WAS THAT THE DEPTH OF THESE LOTS IS CHALLENGING ON THE CORRIDOR, SO IT'S REALLY PART OF A LONGER VIEW ASSEMBLY STRATEGY OF ACQUIRING THE NEXT BLOCK OVER TO CREATE DEEPER COMMERCIAL LOTS.
WE ALL KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES THAT ARE ON LOTS THIS SMALL, THE T-MOBILE PROPERTY TWO DOORS DOWN.
BUT WE'RE TRYING TO, I THINK, IN THE CUMBRANCE OF PLAN UPDATE THAT WE'RE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE THAT, IS WE'RE ON THE CUSP OF THE 2050 PLAN THAT WE'LL BE KICKING OFF SOON, IT'S LIKELY THAT WE'LL IDENTIFY BLOCKS OR AREAS, AND THIS WOULD BE ONE THAT WE WOULD ENVISION, LARGER REDEVELOPMENT EFFORTS THAT ENCROACHED INTO THE NEXT BLOCK OVER WHERE ADDITIONAL SINGLE-FAMILY PROPERTIES WOULD BE ACQUIRED AND MAYBE DESIGN AND MODEL LARGER SCALE REDEVELOPMENT.
>> JUST A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT TWO COUNCILS AGO, THE COUNCIL VOTED TO START TRYING TO ACQUIRE THE SMALL HOUSES ON CENTRAL AVENUE.
ONE FOR REDEVELOPMENT, TWO, THEY'RE NOT BRINGING IN A WHOLE LOT OF TAXES, AND A LOT OF THEM ARE BEING RENTED OR TURNED INTO BUSINESSES, AND THEN THEY COULDN'T GO BACK TO RESIDENTIAL.
THERE WAS 22 HOMES AT THE TIME, AND I THINK WE BOUGHT, THIS WILL BE 1, 2, 3 HOUSES. I LOSE TRACK.
I THINK IT'S 3-5, SOMEWHERE IN THERE THAT WE BOUGHT ON CENTRAL AVENUE FOR THE FUTURE REDEVELOPMENT OF THAT CORE, SO JUST TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY AND HOW THAT STARTED.
>> WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE LOOK AT THE LOCATION MAP OF THE PROPERTY? THANK YOU.
>> TO CLARIFY, THIS WAS NEVER PUT UP FOR PUBLIC SALE?
>> WHAT'S THE PLAN FOR THE LOT IN THE MEANTIME? ARE WE JUST DECOMMISSIONING THE HOUSE? ARE WE DEMOLISHING THE HOUSE? IT'S GOING TO BE A VACANT LOT.
>> VACANT LOT, AND HOW WE GET THERE IS YET TO BE DETERMINED.
CURRENTLY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS AMBITIOUS IN THEIR TRAINING EXERCISES, AND THEY'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY BURN DOWN ONE OF THE RECENT ACQUISITIONS ACROSS FROM THE LIBRARY ON MAY 4TH, FOR ANYBODY THAT'S INTERESTED.
THEY'VE LOOKED AT THIS AND THEY HAVE INTENTIONS NOW, UNLESS ANYTHING GETS IN OUR WAY OF DOING THE SAME WITH THIS.
THE EDA ALSO HAS ENGAGED A DECONSTRUCTION SERVICES COMPANY THAT WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THIS PROPERTY AS WELL TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH VALUE CAN BE EXTRACTED FROM SOME OF THE BUILDING MATERIALS.
ACTUALLY THE EDA AUTHORIZED A CONTRACT FOR DECONSTRUCTION SERVICES ON THE BURNED-DOWN HOUSE ACROSS FROM THE LIBRARY YESTERDAY.
THEY'RE GOING TO PULL A BUNCH OF MATERIALS OUT OF THAT HOUSE BEFORE THE HOUSE IS BURNED DOWN.
THERE'S A VARIETY OF STRATEGIES, BUT TO GET IT TO A BARE LOT, RETURN IT TO TURF, TO GRASS, AND MOW IT INDEFINITELY UNTIL WE CAN ASSEMBLE A LARGER-SCALE REDEVELOPMENT SITE.
IN THIS CASE I THINK THE LOGICAL ASPIRATION WOULD BE TO MOVE SOUTHWARD AND TRY TO GET TO THE CORNER EVENTUALLY.
>> ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF BUYING THIS HOUSE GIVES THE CITY LEVERAGE.
WHEN A DEVELOPER DOES, IF THEY DO COME IN TO DO, THAT GIVES US SOME CONTROL OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THAT CORNER.
WE BOUGHT 941 44TH, THAT'S BEHIND THAT AUTO CORNER AUTO SHOP.
WE'VE DONE IT WITH THREE CORNERS NOW, THREE HOUSES.
THE ONE THAT'S THE 1919 OR 1910 HOUSE.
IT GIVES US SOME CONTROL, INSTEAD OF SOMEBODY JUST COMING IN AND BUYING IT UP.
AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY SAY IN HOW THEY'RE GOING TO DO IT, OR NOT MUCH SAY.
THAT'S ANOTHER STRATEGY FOR THIS TOO.
>> I JUST WANT TO ADD, I'M GRATEFUL THAT YOU GUYS ARE SO PROACTIVE ON THIS.
IT'S PRETTY GREAT AFTER, GOSH, SEVEN YEARS IN THE CITY THAT I'VE LIVED HERE, TO SEE HOW BIG OF AN IMPACT THAT'S HAD AND WILL HAVE.
[00:40:06]
>> I ALSO REALLY LIKE THAT WE'RE BRINGING IN DECOMMISSIONING AGENTS, BECAUSE SUSTAINABILITY IS SO IMPORTANT.
TRYING TO TAKE MATERIALS OUT THERE THAT CAN BE REUSED INSTEAD OF JUST DEMOLISHING THE WHOLE THING, IT MAKES MY HEART VERY HAPPY.
>> JUST OFFER THAT AND WE HAVE TO WEIGH THE BENEFITS, THE ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL VERSUS COST.
IF THEY CAN EXTRACT A LOT OF VALUE FROM THEIR DECOMMISSIONING, IT'S MORE AFFORDABLE, BUT IF THE HOUSE DOESN'T PROVIDE MANY USEFUL PARTS THAT THEY CAN RESELL, IT ENDS UP IN THE LANDFILL ANYHOW AND IT DOESN'T WORK OUT.
THEY ACTUALLY REVIEWED THREE PROPERTIES AND ONLY SELECTED ONE LAST NIGHT TO PILOT THIS PROGRAM.
ANOTHER BENEFIT OF THAT GROUP IS THAT THEY EMPLOY FORMERLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS, AND THEY'RE TRYING TO GIVE THEM A LEG UP AND A FRESH START.
AN INVESTMENT IN MORE THAN ONE WAY. WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.
>> ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING FROM THE NEIGHBORS OF THE LOT ABOUT WHAT THEIR TAKEAWAY ON THIS AS WELL IS?
>> WE HAVE ENGAGED WITH THE MULTIFAMILY PROPERTY TO THE NORTH, WHO ACTUALLY AT ONE POINT SUGGESTED TO STAFF THAT THIS ACQUISITION MIGHT BE COMING.
I WOULD TAKE THAT AS A POSITIVE PERSPECTIVE, NOT REALLY FULLY ENGAGING ON THE CITY'S PERSPECTIVE, AND THEN THE HOMEOWNERS KNOWING THAT WE WERE ACTIVE IN THIS PROGRAM AND APPROACHING US.
I THINK IT'S BEING WELL RECEIVED JUST WITH THAT ANECDOTAL INFORMATION.
IT'S SOMETIMES AS HARD FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN TO CONSIDER THAT A HOUSE.
WE'RE GOING TO BURN IT DOWN AND REMOVE IT AND YOU GUYS GREW UP HERE.
THEIR PARENTS BOUGHT IT IN THE '50S, WHEN IT WAS BRAND NEW.
THIS CORRIDOR LOOK COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
THEY'RE REALLY ON BOARD WITH THE NOTION OF THE REVITALIZATION OF THE CORRIDOR.
THEY COME IN SO MANY DIFFERENT FORMS AND STORIES, BUT IN MOST CASES PEOPLE ARE REALLY HAPPY TO WORK WITH THE CITY, AND DO BELIEVE IN THE REDEVELOPMENT GOALS, AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE CITY IS TURNING OVER AND TRANSFORMING.
>>I CAN JUMP IN AND READ THEM THIS TIME.
I'LL MOVE TO WAIVE THE READING OF RESOLUTION 2024-PZ02.
THERE BEING AMPLE COPIES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
>> [INAUDIBLE] DO WE HAVE ALL IN FAVOR?
>> ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
COOL. NOW WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT.
MOVE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2024-P.Z02.
A RESOLUTION FINDING THAT THE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN LAND FOR REDEVELOPMENT PURPOSES, BUT THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
>> ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
AWESOME. THAT WAS OUR LAST PIECE OF BUSINESS.
THEN JUST SO YOU GUYS KNOW, I WOULD EXPECT A PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING NEXT MONTH, MAY 7TH.
WE DO HAVE A FEW DIFFERENT ITEMS FOR YOU.
CAN I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN TONIGHT THEN? BEFORE WE DO, WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS OFFICIALLY HERE.
WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE YOU ON THE COMMISSION HERE.
>> THANK YOU. IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> SO ADJOURNED. 6:45. AWESOME. GOOD WORK, GUYS.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. [LAUGHTER]
[00:45:16]
I EXPECT YOU GUYS TO REVIEW THE FULL INVENTORY OF ALL THE FIREWORKS THAT THEY'RE OKAY.
>> WELL, IF THEY'RE COTTONWOODS, LIM, HE'S NOT GOING TO CARE.
>> THERE'S ALSO SOME NEW BUSINESS ACTIVITY ALONG THE CORRIDOR.
[00:50:41]
A COFFEE SHOP THAT'S EXPECTED TO OPEN ON 40TH.THERE'S A LITTLE WHITE BUILDING.
THEY USED TO BE SELLING FIREWOOD OUT FRONT.
>> YES. THAT BUILDING, THEY JUST RECEIVED A FACADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT FROM THE EDA TO PUT IN SOME NEW WINDOWS AND DOORS AND THE INTENTION IS A COFFEE SHOP.
THEN THE CENTRAL MIX NEXT TO JIMMY'S BILLIARD.
IT'S A VENT CENTER, POP-UP KITCHEN SPACE.
THEY HAVE A COFFEE SHOP THAT THEY'RE CLOSE TO OPENING IN THE FRONT OF THAT.
THEN RAIL WORKS BREWING IS REAL CLOSE TO OPENING THE BREWERY AND THE BARBECUE RESTAURANT COMBINATION IN THE STRIP MALL.
NO HEARD DATE, BUT THEY'RE BREWING BEER NOW.
THEY'VE GOT ALL THEIR LICENSES IN PLACE AND THAT SHOULD BE EMINENT.
THEN KLASH DRUMS, THE MUSIC STORE ACROSS THE STREET IS OPEN, BUT NOT FULLY, BUT THEY'RE GETTING REAL CLOSE WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO DO THE MUSIC LESSONS IN THE DRUM STORE AND THE GUITARS.
THEY HAD THOUGHT THAT THEY WOULD HOLD OFF ON THE EXPANSION OF THE SECOND FLOOR, BUT THEY ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH IT AND EXTENDING FIRE SUPPRESSION UP THERE BECAUSE THEY REALLY WANT TO EXPAND THEIR MUSIC LESSONS ASPECT OF THE BUSINESS.
>> A REALLY COOL STORE, WHO CAN'T REALLY WAIT TO GET THEIR BRANDING OUT THERE AND INTRODUCE THEM TO THE COMMUNITY.
>> THE BREWERY IS GOING TO HAVE THEIR OWN HOMEMADE RICK BEER THERE.
IF YOU WANT TO COME CHECK IT OUT.
>> CAN I TELL THEM HOW MUCH OF DEDICATED MONEY? IT WAS LAST NIGHT AT THE WORK SESSION, CHRIS BAUER WHO WAS THE RIGHT-HAND PERSON OF MELISSA WHO'S A REGIONAL MANAGER.
I DON'T KNOW IF MELISSA'S STILL THERE OR NOT, BUT ANYWAY, HE CAME TO GIVE US AN UPDATE ON CENTRAL AVENUE FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.
HE SAW ME IN THE HALLWAY. HE GOES, CONNIE, I GOT GOOD NEWS.
WE GOT MONEY. GUESS HOW MUCH MONEY WE GOT? WE GOT $25 MILLION DEDICATED FROM THE STATE TO DO THE RECONSTRUCTION OF CENTRAL AVENUE FROM 37TH-53RD.
ALL THAT WORK WE DID, ALL THE COMMENT EVERYONE MADE, THE PETITION WE DID, ALL THAT STUFF, GOT THEIR ATTENTION AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE THE SOUTHERN PART OF CENTRAL.
THEY'RE PLANNING ON NARROWING, DOING A ROAD DIET TO MAKE IT MORE PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE-FRIENDLY.
THEN NOT SURE WHERE THE CUTOFF IS BUT FROM THE NORTHERN PART, THEY'LL MAINTAIN THE TWO, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO BE WORKING.
THEY'RE GOING TO BASICALLY BE TEARING UP THE ROAD AND DOING A MAJOR RECONSTRUCTION.
THEY'RE COMBINING IT NOW. THEY'RE MOVING THE BRT DOWN THE LINE SO THAT EVERYTHING CAN BE DONE AT ONE TIME.
THE SAFETY FEATURES, THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ROAD, AND THE BRT, THEY'RE TARGETING FOR 2028?
>> YES. THIRTY THREE, TO MOVE IT TO 2028 EVEN THOUGH IT'S A WAITING PERIOD, EVERYTHING BEING DONE AND THE MONEY IS JUST HUGE. THANKS EVERYONE.
[00:55:05]
JUST TO CAUTION EVERYONE, THERE'S A LOT TO DO AND THAT THEIR ENGINEERING LAST NIGHT EXPRESSED THAT, THAT NOW WE HAVE TO GET TO WORK.
LOTS OF ENGAGEMENT, LOTS OF DESIGN WORK AND TO HONE IN AND REFINE ON THAT ACTUAL REDESIGN, BECAUSE IT'S ALL CONCEPTUAL RIGHT NOW, BUT JUST IMPROVEMENTS IN SAFETY AND JUST DOING SOMETHING IS UNBELIEVABLY EXCITING.
THE THING WITH THE CHANGE, WHEN WE NARROW THAT ROAD, IS GOING TO BE A PARADIGM SHIFT, FOLKS FOR THE CITY.
JUST WITH WHAT WE CAN DO IN DRAWING PEOPLE DOWNTOWN, SO SUPER EXCITED. VERY EXCITED.
WE'RE WORKING ON GETTING THE FINAL COMMENTS FROM OUR NEIGHBORING JURISDICTIONS AND DOT.
THEIR DEADLINE IS THE 6TH OR THE 9TH, 7TH OF APRIL.
AND THEN WE'LL FULLY SUBMIT THE PACKAGE TO THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL AND GET THROUGH THEIR PROCESS, WHICH THEY TELL US SHOULD BE ABOUT A MONTH AND THEN WE'RE READY.
WE'LL SEE. WE HAVEN'T HAD NEW CONVERSATIONS WITH PROSPECTIVE DEVELOPERS THERE.
WELL, BELIEVE ME, I CANNOT WAIT TO GET THAT IN FRONT OF YOU SO THERE'S NO NEW NEWS, THERE'S NO NEGATIVE NEWS.
OUR DEVELOPMENT AND PARTNER FOR THAT SITE IS THE SAME DEVELOPER THAT WE WORKED WITH HERE AT LAST.
THE BROAD CONCEPT CURRENTLY IS 600-700 HOUSING UNITS, PREDOMINANTLY MULTIFAMILY, WITH SOME OTHER MEDIUM DENSITY AS YOU SCALE BACK TOWARDS THE NEIGHBORHOODS, BRINGING THE DEVELOPMENT UP TO CENTRAL AVENUE, WITH COMMERCIAL ON THE MAIN FLOOR, AND APARTMENTS ABOVE, 75,000 SQUARE FEET OF COMMERCIAL, IF WE CAN PULL IT OFF.
THE BIG MISSING LINK IN THAT CONVERSATION IS A GROCERY STORE PARTNER.
WE'RE WORKING AND WORKING ON THAT GROUP TO TRY TO GET THEM TO COMMIT, AND THAT'S THE LAST DOMINO.
AT SOME POINT, IF THEY DON'T, WE'RE REALLY JUST GOING TO HAVE TO MOVE ON FROM THAT.
THE EDA LAST NIGHT IS VERY MUCH ON BOARD TO SAY.
IF WE CAN'T GET THIS GROCERY PARTNER, WE STILL HAVE TO GET PHASE 1 ROLLING BECAUSE THE CITY IS THE LENDER ON THIS PROJECT.
WE BONDED TO PROVIDE THE MONEY TO ALLOW LATIS TO PURCHASE AND DEMOLISH THE BUILDING THAT WAS THERE.
WE HAVE A TIMELINE AND WE'VE EXTENDED IT AND IT'S TIME TO GO.
WE KNOW THE COMMUNITY DESPERATELY WANTS A GROCERY STORE.
BY AND LARGE, THAT'S THE RESOUNDING FEEDBACK, BUT WE CAN'T LET THAT HOLD US UP ANY LONGER.
IT'S NOT DONE BUT WE'RE STILL SPINNING OUR WHEELS IN THAT MOTION AND THE PRESSURE IS ON.
WE WANT TO GET, IDEALLY, A PHASE 1 GROUNDBREAKING.
THIS YEAR IS REALLY WHAT WE'RE TRYING FOR.
WE THINK IT'LL BE A PHASED PROJECT, 2-3 PHASES, STARTING WITH THE FIRST DEVELOPMENT ON THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE SITE ON CENTRAL AVENUE.
[01:00:01]
IT'S NATIONAL CHAIN.THE SIZE OF THEIR FOOTPRINT IS 25,000 SQUARE FEET OF THAT.
YOU CAN NARROW IT IN THAT REGARD.
IT'S NOT A GIANT GROCERY STORE, BUT IT IS NATIONALLY KNOWN.
WE WOULD LOVE TO BREAK THE NEW ZONE AND SECURE THAT GROUP.
IT'S A VERY VIABLE SITE BY ALL MEASURES AND WE HAVE A VISION FOR IT AND WE'RE READY TO EXECUTE THAT.
THE CONVERSATION HAS COME UP AND THEY'VE ENGAGED EVERYONE.
THEY COMMISSIONED A STUDY TO MARKET TO ALL OF THE GROCERY STORES IN THE COUNTRY.
THEY'VE ENGAGED THE BEST BROKERS THAT OPERATE IN THAT SPACE.
IT'S JUST GROCERY IS CHALLENGING RIGHT NOW AND THE AMOUNT OF GROUPS THAT ARE EXPANDING IS VERY LIMITED.
THEY'RE UP AGAINST ALL THE SAME CONSTRAINTS THAT ANY DEVELOPER FOR ANY GROUND UP PROJECT IS FINANCING RIGHT NOW.
HOUSING, WE CAN FIND WAYS TO GET THAT DONE.
THE OTHER COMMERCIAL TENANTS DON'T NECESSARILY NEED THE GROCERY STORE, AND I THINK WE WOULD BE HAPPY AND EXCITED FOR THOSE TENANTS.
IT'S A FITNESS CENTER AND A HARDWARE STORE, AND THEN SPECULATIVE RESTAURANT SPACE AS WELL.
WE GET CALLS EVERY WEEK FOR RESTAURANT SPACE.
IF THEY BUILD OUT RESTAURANTS, THEY WILL GET FILLED.
THE COMMUNITY HAS TOLD US ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THAT THAT'S A PRIORITY.
I KNOW BOB HAS LOOKED AROUND, BUT TO HAVE OUR OWN FOOD COURT, IF WE HAVE A BUNCH OF RESTAURANTS INTERESTED.
IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE OUT THERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO START SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THAT'S ANOTHER POSSIBILITY THAT I'VE BROUGHT UP TO HIM, BUT HE HASN'T FOUND ANYONE THAT'S INTERESTED IN DOING IT HERE YET.
>> FOR FOOD COURT TYPE WHERE YOU HAVE FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT GOOD RESTAURANTS AND THEY HAVE A SHARED EATING SPACE.
THEY HAVE A COUPLE IN MINNEAPOLIS THAT ARE REAL POPULAR.
WITH THIS COMMUNITY, WITH THE WAY PEOPLE LIKE TO GO OUT TO EAT AND TRY DIFFERENT THINGS, I THINK IT'LL BE A GREAT GATHERING SPOT FOR US.
THE GROCERY STORE WE'VE TRIED FOR THREE YEARS, GUYS, IT'S JUST REALLY STRUGGLING TO EVEN APPEAR.
>> I BELIEVE IT'S THE ASIAN MARKET IN EDEN PRAIRIE THAT GROUP, THEY ACTUALLY ENGAGE THAT SAME GROUP FOR A SIMILAR CONCEPT.
WHAT'S THAT? THEY'RE JUST NOT QUITE READY FOR A SECOND ONE, BUT THAT TYPE OF CONCEPT AND THEY ALSO WORKED WITH, IT'S HOLY LAND ON CENTRAL AVENUE.
THAT SAME OWNER ON AN EXPANSION CONCEPT OF THAT, A RESTAURANT MARKET.
THEY HAD SOME INTERESTS, BUT THEIR CURRENT SPACE IS JUST LIKE DOING AMAZING, APPARENTLY.
THEY WOULD HAVE TO SHUT THAT DOWN BECAUSE IT'D BE IN TOO CLOSE PROXIMITY.
THEY'RE TURNING OVER EVERY STONE.
BUT AT SOME POINT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PIVOT AND I THINK WE'RE AT THAT POINT.
IF WE CAN'T SEAL THE DEAL IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, IT'S TIME TO JUST MOVE ON.
YES. HE ACQUIRED THE HIGH GAS STATION LOT.
YES. NOW THERE'S TWO LOTS AND THEY'RE UNDER THE SAME OWNERSHIP OF THE GENTLEMAN THAT YOU ARE MENTIONING.
WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO MAKE CONTACT BECAUSE HE HAS A MARKET CONCEPT, A MIDDLE EASTERN THEMED RESTAURANT AND MARKET AND THERE WAS RUMORS THAT HE WOULD CONSIDER SOMETHING SIMILAR.
WE JUST HAVEN'T HAD ANY CONTACT.
[01:05:02]
THAT WAS DISCUSSED LAST NIGHT WITH THE EDA AS WELL AND WE WANT TO REACH OUT.HE MADE MOVES TO ACQUIRE THE HIGH V PROPERTY.
IT'D BE NICE TO GET SOMETHING ROLL IN THERE.
THAT'S A REALLY SIZABLE PIECE OF PROPERTY.
IT HAS SOME CHALLENGES, TOPOGRAPHY AND INFRASTRUCTURE WISE, BUT IT'S IN A MIXED USE ZONING DISTRICT.
WE'D LOVE TO SEE SOMETHING ELEVATED, NOT JUST A STRIP MALL, BUT POTENTIALLY RETAIL BELOW RESIDENTIAL, AND IT WOULD FIT THERE.
WE WANT TO MAKE CONTACT AND IF YOU HAVE ANY ROADS.
SERIOUSLY? TELL HIM TO CALL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE WE'D LOVE TO SEE WHAT HIS IDEAS ARE.
>> AWESOME. COOL. ALL RIGHT.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.