The beginning of the planning process involved notification of residents and business within 1/2 mile of the LRT station. The Planning Division worked with both the Longfellow Community Council and Standish Ericsson Neighborhood Association to solicit input from residents and business owners. Information about the planning process was covered in neighborhood newsletters, at neighborhood committees, and through e-mail distribution lists. A steering committee helped guide the planning process, and this committee consisting of neighborhood residents, business owners and neighborhood organization staff. This group met six times. Three public workshops were held as well as an open house. In addition, special efforts were made to engage business owners and the members of SENA's Housing, Transportation and Commercial Action Groups. A detailed overview of these efforts, including the views of participants, is included on the web site. The current review period provides an opportunity for residents and business owners to review the document and make comments. Written comments will be considered by staff and included verbatim in the staff report to the Planning Commission. The public hearing at the Planning Commission also gives individuals and organizations an opportunity to publicly and personally raise concerns, express support, or provide constructive criticism. Some of the material may be new to people who did not participate in the planning process. The final document will be new to all, but it incorporates and articulates ideas and recommendations that will be familiar to those who participated in the planning process. Finally, the plan does not supplant the normal notification and public hearing process that would occur with any of the potential land use envisioned in the plan.
Below is the full process we followed for public involvement on 38th Street Planning, going back to July, 2003. I'll let others decide if Council Members are "grossly negligent" as Ray Marshall claims for not doing more to involve the public. And yes, I was happy to be at every public meeting. At every meeting, I reiterated eminent domain is off the table. 38th isn't blighted, it doesn't qualify. This isn't a redevelopment plan. It's a land use plan, and a vision for what the neighborhood wants to see if and when private investment comes. If we don't have plans, then neighborhoods are on the defensive, reacting to every development proposal one-by-one. Ironically, the Mayor is including money in next year's budget so Uptown can get the same kind of resources for long term planning, that the Met Council paid for in this case. Other parts of the city are envious that Hiawatha Corridor neighborhoods have long-term plans that articulate a vision for the future of their neighborhood. Gary Schiff City Council Ward 9 "Summary of Planning Process" from: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/citywork/light-rail/38th-home.asp Steering Committee The planning process was guided by a Steering Committee, consisting of City and agency staff, neighborhood residents, and business owners. Staff and consultants supported the work of both the Steering Committee as well as activities at public workshops. This committee met periodically to provide input into the public process as well as review and provide direction on plan elements related to land use, public infrastructure, and urban design. These meetings were open to the public. Steering Committee Meeting dates: * Thursday, July 24th, 2003, * Tuesday September 16th, 2003 * Thursday, October 23rd, 2003 * Tuesday, December 9th, 2003 * Tuesday, February 10th, 2004 * Thursday, February 26th, 2004 Public Meetings and Workshops Opportunities for the general public to help create the Master Plan occurred at public meetings and workshops. Residents, business owners, and property owners discussed concerns over existing conditions as well as ideas and concerns about the future of the area. Workshop participants are learning about the history of the corridor, trends for the future, and what the City and neighborhoods can do to influence change. These workshops and meetings included the following components: * Presentations on City policy, current zoning, and the impact of light rail transit on development * Presentation on how the station area plan will affect zoning, development review, redevelopment activities, and the "marketing" of the area * Presentations about urban design and what makes an attractive and vital "place" * Discussion about concerns and ideas for the future (e.g., building heights and types of businesses) * Small group activities to discuss preferences and share ideas * Review and feedback on the different elements of the plan Kick Off Public Workshop Thursday July 31st, 2003 Bethany Lutheran Church 3901-36th Avenue South A group of community residents met on a warm summer evening to participate in the kick-off workshop for the 38th Street Station Area Plan. The July 31st workshop, which attracted approximately sixty people, was the first of three public workshops. These events were the main opportunities for residents to participate in the shaping of the plan. Many participants believed that new development could enhance the area, but were concerned about protecting the existing neighborhood from the potential downsides of redevelopment. For example, many groups would support higher density housing or office buildings to replace some of the industrial properties along Hiawatha. On the other hand, many also thought that new housing along existing corridors like 38th Street and Minnehaha should be at a scale and height that respects the existing neighborhood. Participants broke into small groups to discuss questions of urban design and identify appropriate sites for new development. Each group chose one of three areas on which to focus: the 38th Street corridor in Standish neighborhood, and the two parts of the corridor north and south of 38th Street along Dight, Snelling and Minnehaha Avenues. Groups used aerial photos, post-it notes, and "game pieces" that represented different types of development such as townhouses and mixed-use commercial buildings. Each group's map, including all comments, were available to review at the second workshop on October 2nd. Many groups focused on the need to better connect the residential areas east of Hiawatha to the LRT station. Issues that came up included the aesthetics of the industrial district, narrow sidewalks, a lack of boulevard trees and landscaping along the sidewalk, the presence of railroad tracks, and the sheer width of Hiawatha Avenue. Participants identified many other issues such as commuter parking on neighborhood streets, a desire to see the cleanup of poorly maintained properties, and the importance of protecting or enhancing neighborhood institutions like Sweet Lorraine's and Falls Hardware. Following the work of the first workshop, City staff and the consulting team developed two different maps and sets of drawings that represent two different visions of the future. One was called "Limited Change", where the use of land and character of the area only changes somewhat. A "Significant Change" scenario represented more dramatic changes in land use and character in key parts of the station area. 2nd Public Workshop: Presentation of Limited Change and Significant Change Scenarios Thursday, October 2nd, 2003 Bethany Lutheran Church The second public workshop presented maps of future land use representing two possible futures: limited change and significant change. These scenarios are based on community input as well as existing City policies and factors that influence redevelopment potential. This included an overview of LRT and the real estate market. Workshop participants met in small groups to provide feedback on each of the scenarios. Because participation at the 2nd workshop was limited, the City will be working with neighborhood groups and others to seek further input. The scenarios are based on the following general assumptions: Limited Change Scenario * Freight rail continues * Infill/re-use redevelopment projects are strong * There is some changeover of business tenants and new owners emerge when vacant property is developed * Any new residential or commercial redevelopment occurs along Hiawatha and coexists with freight rail traffic * The potential additional market value brought by proximity to the LRT station is not realized Significant Change Scenario * Milling operations phase out and the rail corridor is abandoned * Real estate development is strong, for infill and new construction of all types * Limited public intervention is possible * Future industrial uses may replace single family housing when surrounded by immediately adjacent industrial uses * Future low or mid-rise apartments should replace single family housing when immediately adjacent to low or mid-rise apartments in certain locations and under certain conditions * Physical conditions and zoning permissions may influence a recommended change in land use Business Owner Meeting December 18th, 2003 IEU Local 1140 Union Hall Neighborhood and City planning staff went door to door to solicit participation at a meeting especially for business owners in the station area. The focus of the meeting was how the vision and plans of business owners could influence the station area plan, and vice versa. Attendance at the meeting was limited, but business owners expressed interest in issues similar to the community at large. SENA Action Group November 24th, 2003 Our Redeemer Lutheran Church 4000-28th Avenue South On November 24th, 2003, members of the Standish Ericsson Neighborhood Association's (SENA) Transportation, Housing and Commercial Action Groups met to discuss the two land use scenarios. The following is a synopsis from that evening. Main Themes: * Maintain and strengthen existing business nodes primarily through renovation, rehabilitation and aesthetic changes, but also with infill development. * Scale of development along 38th Street should not change significantly. * The LRT station site was seen as the most appropriate place for new development, perhaps at higher densities than the rest of 38th Street. * Development and public improvements should result in the "greening" of 38th Street, with development set back somewhat to create landscaping and green space. * Development should be "buffered" from existing residential uses and provide adequate parking. However, expansion of 38th Street properties into residential areas for such purposes should generally be discouraged. 3rd Public Workshop Tuesday, February 17th, 2004 Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Approximately thirty people attended the third public workshop, where City staff and the consultant presented a draft "Preferred Land Use Plan". The presentation also addressed the significance of the plan and what it will and will not do. Subject matter covered at the workshop included the following: * What a Plan Does Not Do & What a Plan Does Do * Existing Conditions Map * Draft Preferred Land Use Map * Draft Building Height Guidelines * Draft District Descriptions * Draft Land Use Descriptions Open House Tuesday, April 20th, 2004 Our Redeemer Lutheran Church An Open House was another opportunity to review parts of the proposed plan, to discuss ideas, to record comments, and to ask questions of staff and steering committee members in a more informal environment. The evening also included a brief presentation followed by a formal Q&A (question and answer) session. Plan Refinement Following an open house last year, staff realized that there was not enough specific plan direction for the industrial corridor along Hiawatha. General plan concepts did not fully consider the challenges of redeveloping the industrial freight rail corridor in ways that adequately considered phasing, site planning, urban design, and traffic circulation. Furthermore, developers had become interested in the area, so the need was emerging for more refined development scenarios. The City hired URS Corporation to refine the plan's general concepts in ways that might be economically feasible, create a strong sense of place, and manage traffic circulation. This work is part of the final plan and is being presented to various groups, including neighborhood organizations. This work will be critical to assist with implementation of new infrastructure and to identify concrete expectations as development occurs. REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! 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