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04-24-2023 Joint Council and HRA Conference Meeting April 24, 2023 5:30 PM Fridley City Hall, 7071 University Avenue N.E. Agenda 1.Update on Redevelopment Areas Identified in the Comprehensive Plan Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in any City of Fridley services, programs, or activities. Hearing impaired persons who need an interpreter or other persons who require auxiliary aids should contact the City at (763) 571-3450. 2 Jufn!2/ AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date:April 24, 2023 Meeting Type:City Council/HRA Conference Meeting Submitted By:Paul Bolin, Asst. Exec. Director -HRA Title Update on Redevelopment Areas Identified in Comprehensive Plan Background Staff will present anupdate onactivity inthe 21 redevelopment areas identified in the Comprehensive Plan,last reviewed in August of 2022. Since the August work session, there has been preliminary development activity on a number of these sites. Foryour convenience, attached are a map of the redevelopment areas,a description of each area, and how the area may potentially redevelop(according to the Comprehensive Plan). Attachments and Other Resources Potential Redevelopment Area Map Potential Redevelopment Areas Described Vision Statement We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses. 3 Jufn!2/ Figure 1.5Potential Redevelopment Areas 4 CITY OF FRIDLEY 01/2021 32 Jufn!2/ 1. West Intersection of East River Road and Fairmont Street This location is comprised of three small commercial lots north of Fairmont Street, and a vacant commercially zoned lot, south of Fairmont Street. In 2012, Fridley, Coon Rapids and Anoka County completed a study of East River Road to identify concepts for improving safety and mobility. This study also considered improvements to enhance the corridors appearance and economic vitality. East River Road has many access points throughout the corridor and the study evaluated each street that of Fairmont Circle and Fairmont Street are too closely spaced, resulting in multiple entry points in a short concerns. One solution is to realign Fairmont Street to the south to align with the south end of Fairmont Circle in order to create a four-way intersection. This street realignment would require approximately 9,000-12,000 sq. ft. of commercial lot, which would leave a piece of land south of Fairmont, that could be redeveloped with a single family home. The northern lots could continue to be used for local commercial uses because this neighborhood is in need of access to food, so it is important to preserve commercial zoning on this corner to allow for potential future redevelopment. 2. Osborne Road and University Avenue Intersection selected by the City’s Police Department as one of the most accident prone intersections in Fridley. It is located in the midst of a busy retail area and the Service Road access is too close to the Highway 47 intersection. In buildings include the old Kennedy Transmission building at 7700 University Avenue, the former Lyndale Garden Center site at 7616 Osborne Road, which is now part of Bob’s Produce, and the Mike’s Discount Food/ Tried and True Tool building at 7550 University Avenue. These buildings look outdated, have too much parking and are inadequately landscaped. There are many industrial uses west and south of 7550 University Avenue, so 5 01/2021LANDUSE 33 Jufn!2/ 3. Southwest Intersection of Osborne Road and Hwy 65 the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Many of the properties that were in the redevelopment area last time have since redeveloped or have become thriving businesses that no longer need to be considered for redevelopment. The properties that remain in the potential redevelopment area are in the southwest intersection of Osborne Road and Highway 65, which is the entrance into Fridley from the north. The buildings included in this area are the VFW at 1040 Osborne Road, the Fridley Minnoco Service Station at 7680 Hwy 65, the property owned by BDA Associates at 7600 Highway 65, which when built was a Lambert Lumber Yard, and Sam’s Auto World at 7570 Hwy 65. Considering this location is the gateway to Fridley from the north, a more modern mix of commercial and industrial buildings and uses could bring life back to the existing buildings and properties. Building conditions and overall site conditions are a problem in this area Lack of stormwater management, redevelopment of these properties. 4. 7345 and 7365 Central Avenue and 1360 Onondaga Street This potential redevelopment area consists of three lots with a mixed zoning of C-1, Local Business and C-2, General Business. It is approximately two acres and is currently being used for the American Legion, and a single family home. The 7345 Central property is an underutilized, large, old farmstead lot. Both lots could be subdivided into additional single family homes. This would blend with surrounding duplexes and single family homes. 5. Girl Scout Camp on East River Road The property at 6900 East River Road has been owned and operated by the Girl Scouts Council of Minneapolis since the 1960’s. In April of 2016, they sold the 22 acre property to the Metropolitan Council, so the Council can construct a new sanitary lift station. It is anticipated that this use will occupy approximately 7 acres of the site. The 2013 National Wetland Inventory shows that approximately half of the northern 2/3 of the site is wetland. After discussions with the Met Council and their Consultant it seems unlikely that any type of residential development will be able to happen on site. Instead it is the City’s hope to use the river front property and wetland area as an amenity to the City, through a trail system with connections and potential access to the Mississippi River, either for viewing or recreation. 6 CITY OF FRIDLEY 01/2021 34 Jufn!2/ 6. West Corner of Mississippi Way and East River Road This potential redevelopment area includes three small commercial lots currently occupied by Perfect 10 Carwash, a 2-3 tenant strip mall, and a small mini- golf area that has been abandoned. It is 1.75 acres and is currently zoned C-1, Local Business. The existing zoning is aligned with a potential new user. The best re- use of these parcels would be to take these underutilized parcels and combine them for a single user that could provide a convenience and possibly a fresh food opportunity considering the largely populated residential area surrounding these parcels. 7. Holly Center and (2) Properties to the West Holly Center, located at 6530 University Avenue, was originally constructed in 1957 and has approximately 9 acres of land. This property was also included as a potential redevelopment area in the last Comprehensive Plan are needed to the structure and façade. There is also an overabundance of parking, which is now informally being used as a park and ride site. Two additional parcels addressed as 201 and 203 Mississippi Street have been added to the redevelopment area because they are small commercial buildings located on parcels zoned R-3, Multi-Family. Both lots are non-conforming to lot size, so in the event that redevelopment of the Holly Center occurs, these two lots should also be considered. In 2016, University of Minnesota students completed 7 01/2021LANDUSE 35 Jufn!2/ 8. East Intersection of Mississippi Street and Central Avenue The Future Land Use map continues to guide the northern portion of this intersection for commercial type uses. Focus should be given to similar type uses, like gas, convenience, barber, and dog groomer, but other convenience uses shop, or fast food. The southern portion of the intersection is zoned S-2, Redevelopment District and has received approval to have a mixed use building constructed on it with small elements of above. That concept would align with the vision in the Future Land Use map. 9. Existing City Hall Campus Area The new Civic Campus building is complete at what was the former Columbia Arena, therefore leaving the City Hall building and property at 6431 University Avenue vacant and ready for redevelopment. This redevelopment area is approximately 9 acres in size and includes not only the previous City Hall property but also the former Cummin’s property at 6499 University Avenue and the medical building at 6341 University Avenue. It is anticipated that these areas will remain as commercial/medical uses. The former City Hall property has received City Council approval to redevelop the property to construct a 135-unit “with services” senior building that will be operated by Ebenezer Homes. Adjusted Density Range Due to the unique circumstances of this area, the density range of the MFR land use have been increased to 30.0 u/a - 40.0 u/ac 8 CITY OF FRIDLEY 01/2021 36 Jufn!2/ 10. Banquets of Minnesota, Vacant Lot (Sinclair) and Daycare This area is approximately 5.3 acres and includes the Banquets of Minnesota building (originally a bowling alley), a building that is currently a daycare, and two vacant lots, one of which had a Sinclair Service station on it years ago. The Future Land Use map continues to designate this area as commercial. Banquets of Minnesota did a major exterior and interior remodel of the building when they purchased the property, which has improved the image of this property. However, the overall area could use some new landscaping and stormwater treatment amenities. There are also improvements that could be made to the daycare building, and construction of a new commercial building could also improve this area. 11. City Liquor Store and (3) Commercial Properties to the North This redevelopment area is occupied by a City Liquor Store and three other underutilized commercial businesses to the north. This Liquor Store obtaining another location to operate a City Liquor Store. It is anticipated to the north may function better as multi-family housing. 12. Residential Lots East of Moore Lake along Central There are six large single family lots along the northeast edge of Moore Lake. The City owns three of the lots and the other three are privately owned. The total lot area is approximately 7.5 acres. Considering the City owns a portion of this land, if the area is considered for redevelopment in the future, a multi-family complex overlooking the lake should be considered. This area should be accessible to all the commercial retail and restaurants along East Moore Lake Drive. 9 01/2021LANDUSE 37 Jufn!2/ 13. Moon Plaza and Commercial Lots to the North The Moon Plaza strip mall was constructed in the 1960s and was guided for commercial redevelopment in the last Comprehensive Plan update. The strip mall building is outdated and could use a face lift. The property is over-parked for the type of retail businesses that occupy the building. It also struggles with poor access issues, to survive. Also included in this redevelopment area are three parcels to the north. One is occupied by the Alano 14. West Train Station The Northstar Commuter Rail Line makes a stop in Fridley. The station provides public parking for riders on both the west and the east side of the tracks. A Transit Oriented Development (TOD), Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Master Plan was approved by the City Council in December 2014. Within this plan, the west side of the location is being guided for multi- family residential, with a townhome style development. The north side is being utilized for stormwater ponds and the east side, closest to the tracks will be designated for parking for the commuter rail users. 15. Georgetown Apartments and Apartments to the North This redevelopment area will continue to be guided as multi-family. The Georgetown Apartments are generally has been on the City’s radar for years to consider for redevelopment, which is one of the reasons that the HRA purchased the property at 6000 East River Road when it was for sale. Islands of Peace Park, along the river, is situated behind the apartment buildings. Increased visibility of the Park from East River Road is a component of the NorthStar TOD Master Plan. Georgetown Existing street view : CITY OF FRIDLEY 01/2021 38 Jufn!2/ This would encourage more use of this hidden park. Multi-family housing will be situated around the park, along with the construction of new parkways. . Adjusted Density Range Due to the unique circumstances of this area, the density range of the MFR land use have been increased to 15.0 u/a - 40 u/ac Georgetown Potential street view 16. East Train Station The East Northstar Train Station redevelopment area is owned by the City’s HRA and has a lease with Metro Transit to provide 337 parking stalls for Northstar train riders. The site is 11 acres and is currently Metro Transit to consider reducing the amount of parking stalls required for this transit stop. The HRA is working with a local developer to construct approximately 232 units of multi-family housing on the site in a phased development. Each building will provide for underground parking and surface parking to meet the demands of the tenants. A believe that the required number can be decreased based on current demand needs and the ability to share parking areas with the new development. Shared parking would allow the Northstar riders to park during the day and visitors of the apartments to park during the evening and weekend. 21 01/2021LANDUSE 39 Jufn!2/ 17. Hyde Park Neighborhood The Hyde Park Neighborhood has its own unique, overlay zoning district and consists of a mixture of single family housing and multi- family housing along with one commercial user. The City continues to guide this neighborhood for redeveopment or Mixed Residential. Mixed Residential can consist of a variety of residential types, including single family, medium density residential and high density residential. With its close proximity to both train and bus transit and the commercial retail users to the south, including a grocery types. However, due to the age of many of the buildings within this neighborhood, there is an opportunity for re-investment and redevelopment. 18. Home Depot/Goodwill The property at 5650 and 5660 Main Street is occupied by a Home Depot and a Goodwill store. Both are successful businesses and contribute to the retail hub of this area. However, the overall property is underutilized and over-parked. City code standards have changed related to retail parking Northstar TOD Master Plan, approved in 2014, shows the addition of two commercial outlots along Main Street. The community continues to ask for more restaurant options, so these outlots could provide that amenity. 19. Commercial Strip Between 57th Place and 57th Avenue between the residential development to the north and the commercial area to the south. Redevelopment of this better pedestrian access and connections could be made between the Hyde Park neighborhood and the retail businesses. This area should be guided for commercial use. 22 CITY OF FRIDLEY 01/2021 40 Jufn!2/ 20. Neighborhood South of 57th Avenue and East of University Avenue The City is still interested in pursuing the City View Corridor Master Plan that was highlighted in the previous Comprehensive Plan update. This plan would make Medtronic Parkway a continuous roadway from Hwy 65 to Main Street and potentially East River Road. It would provide another much needed east-west connection in the City and connect 4,000 employees to what is the City’s largest retail area. The residential area that would need to be redeveloped to accommodate the new parkway is currently zoned single and multi- family housing. While this area could support some mixed use, it would support less commercial than previously thought ten years ago due to new commercial development along 57th Avenue, west of University Avenue. 21. Pawn America and Two Lots South This redevelopment area was highlighted in the last Comprehensive ago has been redeveloped. What was an old and outdated gas station site, at 5300 Central Avenue, is now a new multi-tenant commercial/ retail building that is home to a Starbucks, an AT&T store and a restaurant. The parcels that continue to be in the redevelopment area consist of a restaurant, a vacant parcel (former car wash), and a multi-tenant building, with Pawn America as its main anchor. The properties were at one time part of the Target property and as minimum lot requirements. These properties also have poor access. Future redevelopment should involve a rezoning to C-2, General Business, which will provide performance standards that will make redevelopment feasible. The retaining wall design and stormwater drainage issues need to be resolved, as well. This will be easier to do once the vacant site (former car wash) is redeveloped. Redevelopment areas #5 and #15, which are on the Mississippi River, could provide natural habitat for wildlife, including rare species, according to DNR mapping. The City will look to the corresponding watershed districts and the DNR for guidance when reviewing development proposals for these two areas. In addition to the 21 redevelopment areas listed in this chapter, other locations will develop. The sites listed above are areas where the City anticipates land use changes. For example, approximately 13 acres of the Medtronic Corporate Center is yet to be developed. As it is master planned, the City anticipates the employment to double on that site, adding another 1,758 jobs. That is the only large piece of vacant land left in the City to which will be possible if the City reduces parking requirements for commercial and industrial zoning districts as anticipated. 23 01/2021LANDUSE 41