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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 [06] Jun 06 Joint Meeting June 6, 2012 Page 1 of 2 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the St. Joseph City Council, Planning Commission, Park Board and EDA met in joint session on Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at 5:00 PM in the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall. City Council Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz. Councilors Dale Wick, Bob Loso, Steve Frank and Renee Symanietz. Planning Commission Present: Chair S. Kathleen Kalinowski. Members John Meyer, Ross Rieke and Brad Cobb. Park Board Present: Chair John Anderson. Members Any Deuhs, Marguerite Fogarty, andSharon Young. EDA Members Present: Tom Skahen and Larry Hosch. Others Present: Telizia Callaway, Stephanie D, Administrator Judy Weyrens and Joanne Foust of MDG, Inc. Mayor Schultz called the joint meeting to order at 5 p.m. and welcomed committee members to the meeting noting the importance for all city commissions to communicate and work together to develop a shared vision and action plan for the downtown. Joanne Foust, MDG, Inc. noted that the EDA would like input on the future of the downtown. She indicated the purpose of the meeting is to briefly review documents and projects relating to the downtown that have been completed, projects relating to the downtown that are currently underway by each committee, discuss the future vision and how we get there. Documents and studies completed in the past were discussed including, (1) a 1995 Design Team Visit which focused not only the downtown area, but the residential areas as well. It was noted the plan is somewhat dated. The design team is currently taking applications for a project. A visit costs$ 4,000 with grant funds possible from the Initiative foundation and Central MN Foundation. The process does require a large commitment from the Community; (2) Downtown Design guidelines were developed in 2007. These are guidelines versus ordinance requirements; (3) The Comprehensive Plan includes recommendations for the downtown. Each committee provided an update on projects they are currently working on which relate to the downtown. Park Board — There is a significant commitment to link traffic from Wobegon trail, along CR 2 and provide additional access to the downtown. The Park Board is also working to connect trails in parks to established bikeways. They would like to publish information on the trails to inform residents and tourists of the trail system. The Park Board is working on a plan to redevelop one of the tot lots into a contemplative space. Funds have been budgeted in 2012 to develop a plan and begin implementation in 2013. It was asked if the Park Board has discussed any courtyards or public space in the downtown area. Symanientz stated that the Park Board at one time did discuss have sitting areas; however, the 2008 master park plan did not include a downtown park area. The park board is looking to create some events for the community, to encourage the use of and introduce people to the parks. Planning Commission — The 2008 Comprehensive Plan includes recommendations relating to the downtown. Commissioners noted it may be time to revisit the Plan. The Commission has been reviewing Ordinances, trying to envision what can happen to make it easier for those that have rental homes in light of the housing requirements. The Transportation Plan was just recently updated although it is not yet approved. The parish is looking at building in the downtown, which will add activity to the downtown area and increased pedestrian traffic. The Planning Commission has been very cognoscente of the need to connect trails to the downtown and residential neighborhoods and other parks. It was suggested that small signs be placed along the trail directing people to restaurants and other businesses. The senior assisted living project south of the downtown was also discussed. June 6, 2012 Page 2 of 2 EDA — The EDA has been discussing the conversion of student rentals to commercial spaces and ways to assist property owners convert their residential sites. The EDA is also administering a Business Facade Architecture grant program and offering demolition grants. Scenic Specialties was retained to assist with looking at what could be done downtown; however, many of the designs are for private property the EDA does not control. The EDA is also looking at a branding or marketing plan. The need for designated handicap parking spaces and a downtown parking study were discussed. The group emphasized the need to connect parking lots to the downtown and integrate it with the buildings. The Design Team renderings which proposed backage access ways with a theme were discussed. Cobb recommended Mary Vogel of the U of M's Center for Changing Landscape as a resource. They specialize in planning around parks and trails but also assist in urban revitalization. He suggested a common theme be developed through similar style benches, trash receptacles, signage, etc. It was noted that a number of benches have been installed. It was suggested the city consider those donations and discuss how we continue that theme. City Council- The City Council has selected a downtown site for the future Community Center. The committee reviewed the impacts of parking, acknowledging it may be two blocks away for larger events. Loso questioned why the parking requirements were deviated from in the downtown. He expressed concern that new businesses designate the church parking lot as their parking. He questioned how many times the same space can be designated for parking for development or redevelopment. It was also reported that Xcel Energy has prepared a cost estimate to move the power lines off Minnesota Avenue to the back alleys. They are unable to bury lines as there would be transformers on each block on the sidewalks. Unified Vision for the Downtown. The group discussed the unified vision for the downtown. Frank noted that as you read through the various plans common themes reoccur including convenience, walkable, compact, coordinated, and small town. He noted that while the demographics are aging, St. Joseph may be able to draw younger, more professional and creative people due to the presence of the college. Hosch suggested the downtown be planned as (1) a Livable Downtown or a place residents can live as well as find a good place to eat, do laundry, shop, etc. and (2) a Destination for others coming to St. Joseph. He recommended connecting neighborhoods to the downtown with a bike share program and developing marketing information to promote what the downtown has to offer. This could include plaques along the Wobegon Trail and business information at the entrances to town. Other activities to bring people to the downtown were discussed including moving the Farmers Market downtown to the Church parking lot. Using technology to promote the downtown businesses was also discussed. Achieving the Vision. The group discussed the need to include stakeholders or property owners in the downtown area in the Downtown Master Plan process. The consensus of the group was to have the EDA develop an action plan for the Downtown which would identify a process to include stakeholders to provide input on the vision for Downtown, steps to accomplish the vision, a phased plan for implementation and identify funding sources to accomplish identified goals. Members discussed the possible need to retain an Urban Planner /Landscape designer to assist with illustrations specific to the downtown. The consensus was that the Design Team would view the community at a higher level and perhaps not provide the level of detail desired for a Downtown Master Plan. Adjourn: The Joint City Council, EDA, Planning Commission and Park Board meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. ■udy eyrefis Ad • istrator