Agenda - Planning Commission - 07/10/2014

Home

Regular Planning Commission Meeting Date: 07/10/2014 By: Tim Gladhill, Community Development 5. 4. Information Title: PUBLIC HEARING: Consider Resolution #14-07-138 Approving a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for the Establishment of a Future Business Park West of Armstrong Boulevard. Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case is to consider a recommendation on a proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment to establish an appropriate land use for a future business park to be located west of Armstrong Boulevard, south of the Bunker Lake Boulevard extension, and west of Puma Street. It is not the purpose of this case nor this process to consider acquisition of real property nor the construction of any improvements at this time. The purpose of this case is to consider adjusting our Future Land Use Map in order to help achieve our Comprehensive Plan and Strategic Plan goals of increasing employment opportunities and improving the City's tax base. Much of the supporting information can be found in the attached documentation. Rather than repeating this information in this case cover sheet and to focus on the needs of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment itself, please review these attachments for detailed information. Notification: The Public Hearing was advertised on the Anoka County UnionHerald. Observations/Alternatives: The Economic Development Authority (EDA) has established a work plan goal to look at opportunities for new employment growth. The City's existing business parks lack the capacity for new development and redevelopment to respond to the market demand and the City Council's strategic goals to sustainably grow the City's tax base through new employment opportunities. The EDA has narrowed a list of several areas to focus on the next business park for the community. The EDA has identified an area west of Armstrong Boulevard along the Bunker Lake Boulevard extension near Puma Street. This site will require an amendment to the City's Comprehensive Plan, changing existing commercial (retail) and residential (medium and high density) to business park. The EDA desires to facilitate the private development of this area and ensure that the City's future land use goals and Comprehensive Plan are consistent with a potential future business park in this area. Staff has been working regularly with stakeholders and property owners in this area. Specific parcels identified on the Comprehensive Plan Amendment are in support of the amendment. In addition to the multiple stakeholder meetings held, the City also hosted a citizen engagement forum on the topic in December, 2013. Coordination and Previous Future Business/Office Park Consideration The concept of establishing an area in the Comprehensive Plan for future employment growth originally surfaced in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. At that time, it was suggested, and thus reflected, that this be on an area south of Highway 10, west of Llama Street and east of Bowers Drive. This amendment will shift focus from the south side of Highway 10 to the north side of Highway 10. The Planning Commission should consider whether or not it would recommend keeping both employment opportunities or consider amending the Future Land Use Map on the south side of Highway 10 to something other than Office Park on all or a portion of this area currently shown in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.