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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.05.03 Work Session Minutes City Council/Planning Commission! Spruce Street Corridor Area Task Force Workshop Minutes May 5, 2003 Mayor Ristow called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. Present: Ristow, Cordes, Fitch, Fogarty, Soderberg Johnson, Heman, Larson Deb Nevala, Kris Akin, Jim Gerster, Jim Allen, Charlie Webber, Don Peterson, Bob Knutsen, Stan Knutsen, Doug Bonar, Mike Heinzerling, Larry Johnson, Mark Koegler, Randy Pederson, Glen Nord, Casey Wohlschlager, Mark Kujawa Ed Shukle, Kevin Carroll, Randy Distad, Jim Atkinson, Cynthia Muller Aaron Tinklenberg Also Present: Audience: Mr. Mark Koegler, of Hoisington Koegler, gave an overview of the planning process and tasks completed by the Spruce Street Task Force. The purpose of this meeting was to seek Council and Planning Commission input on the assembly of a master plan for the area. The planning process should be finished in late August. There is a market area surrounding Farmington that could support as much as 650,000-700,000 sq. ft. of commercial/retail space. A large area is agriculture and will be for several years. There are areas to the north ofthe city that have a good opportunity for retail, which is bad for Farmington. There are a number of grocery anchored areas being developed. Mr. Koegler then gave an overview of the layout of the area to be discussed which lies south ofHwy 50 and west of Denmark Avenue. The work ofthe Task Force yielded three concepts. Concept A - Main Street design; Concept B - Town Square design; Concept C - Parkway design. The Task Force liked Concept C with some elements of Concepts A and B. These were combined into Concept D - Composite Concept. Housing would be located to the south and mixed use on the north, with a trail to Rambling River Park. Mr. Koegler asked for comments and direction from the Council and Planning Commission. Commissioner Larson, who served on the Task Force, stated the reason for choosing the parkway is the other concepts had residential and commercial backing up to open space. Concept D draws people to the open space, and the parkway is for everyone to enjoy. Mayor Ristow was concerned with the rooftops and no room for the buildings to expand. He would like to see areas shifted to allow room for expansion. Mr. Koegler stated the Task Force liked the roadway.split, but wanted it to reach to the town square area. Phasing of the area to the north should also be considered, which would allow flexibility. Pilot Knob Road could be a significant possible retail location. Mayor Ristow was concerned with traffic congestion on Denmark Avenue and restrictions on the trout stream. Councilmember Fitch stated if Pilot Knob Road is extended, Denmark would turn back to the city. He asked ifthe city was getting ahead of the process without an AUAR being completed. Mr. Koegler stated an AUAR requires an assumption ofland use patterns. This plan would help shape the land use plan in the AUAR. Councilmember Cordes felt the more open space there is, the better. Commissioner Larson stated the Task Force wanted to create a place people will want to come to. Councilmember Soderberg stated the amount of commercial space would be significantly more than 660,000 sq. ft., and he liked the parkway design. Mr. Koegler stated the intent is for the area to be a comfortable pedestrian corridor. Mr. Heinzerling felt the city is in need of apartments. In the southern portion ofthis area, the Task Force was looking at medium to high-density housing. Councilmember Soderberg asked ifthere would be many businesses fronting Hwy 50. Mr. Koegler replied there would be some frontage, but they are trying to focus inward toward the development. Councilmember Soderberg noted there are three interior corridors to Hwy 50. One is across from the entrance to the industrial park. In the future, if the county maintenance facility does not move, the city will have to phase around it. Councilmember Fogarty asked about infiltration basins. Mr. Koegler stated all concepts will have environmental techniques to control storm water. Councilmember Fitch inquired about controlling traffic without over- controlling it. Mr. Koegler replied they would be working with the traffic engineer. The concept provides a variety of ways to enter and exit the area. There are also various connections to trails and roadways. The view from Hwy 50 is not a wall of commercial businesses, which creates an attractive environment. Commissioner Johnson wants the businesses, but access also needs to be convenient. He would like to see a north-south connection. Commissioner Heman mentioned the roundabouts and felt they do not allow for good traffic flow. Mr. Koegler will work with Concept D to include a connection for easy access, storm water issues, and transportation. MOTION by Cordes, second by Soderberg to adjourn at 8:54 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, {1' ~ ~ ~ i' , ..".L/f!,~ " ,/' /77 dtE: ? .---7..(-"''1''~'" <-d.- " '-- CCynthia Muller Executive Assistant