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111997 CC WS Min ~ . CITY OF SHOREWOOD WORK SESSION MEETING WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1997 MINUTES 1. CONVENE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD 7:30 P.M. Mayor Dahlberg called the meeting to order at 7:39 p.m. A. Roll Call Mayor Dahlberg; Councilmem.bers Stover, O'Neill and Garfunkel; Administrator Hurm; Planning Director Nielsen Councilmember McCarty B . Review Agenda The agenda was approved as presented. Present: Absent: 2. DISCUSSION ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - SENIOR HOUSING Mayor Dahlberg felt the goal or the intention of any senior housing which is higher density than that reflected on the zoning map should be a product of planning and re-working of the zoning map in a fashion which dedicates a particular area for senior housing after public hearings and research . of the neighborhoods outlining their feelings. Mayor Dahlberg stated his policy would be to encourage the preservation of single level living which currently exists in Shorewood. He would not want any new development to eliminate the affordable housing and single level housing which the city now has. Any development which is higher density, whether it is senior housing or not, should be done on a dedicated basis after planning. . Councilmember Stover felt the two questions which need to be decided are whether senior housing is a desirable goal and whether it needs to be affordable. Should the Council decide these are goals of the City, if a specific piece of property is zoned to a higher density than currently exists, that would increase the value of the land. When the value of the land is increased, the cost of the housing is also increased. Mayor Dahlberg stated he is not in favor of senior housing as a goal if that means special protection for that particular class with regard to the availability of that housing. He stated it would be a goal to implement single level housing in areas to increase the availability of that type of housing as well as preserving what already exists. Mayor Dahlberg stated he is in favor of having single level housing available in areas for seniors, but was opposed to actually designating seniors as a protected class by limiting the housing simply to seniors. Councilmember Stover felt the term "affordable" needs to be defined. She noted there is single level housing in the area, however, it is not affordable. Mayor Dahlberg did not feel the survey which had been done relative to senior housing had been competent. Councilmember Stover stated she would not be opposed to a new survey based upon Mayor Dahlberg's conCerns. Councilmember O'Neill noted his agreement with Mayor Dahlberg. He felt Shorewood has already developed as a specific type of community and a high density development would not be consistent with the character of the community. . CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 19, 1997 - PAGE 2 . M~yor Dahlberg felt it can be economically inefficient to force a mixed housing community where an Infrastructure would have to be created for areas which are higher density. Councilmember Stover stated the infrastructure is actually more expensive with low density than with high density. Mayor Dahlberg stated this would not necessarily be the case if the infrastructure did not already exist. . Councilmember Stover noted there were 45 Shorewood residents who were willing to buy the senior housing units which were proposed by the Eagle Crest developer. The developer would not accept the letters of intent until such time as the development was approved by the City. She noted there is interest in senior housing by Shorewood residents. Councilmember O'Neill did not feel the proposed housing to have been affordable. Mayor Dahlberg stated he cannot support a high density approach to the senior housing market. He did not feel the term "affordable" could be determined. Councilmember Garfunkel stated what is affordable in Shorewood is different than what would be considered affordable in another city. Planning Director Nielsen explained the study identified three elements of senior housing which included step down housing, multiple family and care facility. The Senior Housing Task Force, the Planning Commission and the Council at that time were in favor of step down housing. Councilmember Garfunkel felt the ordinance needs to be reviewed and amended to reflect density up to a specific number given the interpretations which may arise in which a developer believes they have the right to expect the maximum number of units per acre as described in the ordinance. Mayor Dahlberg suggested eliminating senior housing from the ordinance until such time as the Council has been able to fully address the issue. Planning Director Nielsen explained this would suggest a moratorium on senior housing until the Council has arrived at a decision. Mayor Dahlberg felt the ordinance should be clear and concise. Councilmember Garfunkel felt creating an ordinance which is clear and concise would actually allow more latitude. . Mayor Dahlberg suggested the Council pass, by simple majority, a moratorium on senior housing until such time as this issue can be worked out. Councilmember Garfunkel noted his agreement. Councilmember O'Neill suggested a new survey be performed relative to this matter. Councilmember O'Neill stated he would like to ascertain whether senior housing is a goal of the majority of the residents of Shorewood. Councilmember Stover stated if the word "affordable" is not utilized, lower or higher density is not necessarily implied. Senior housing could be permitted at the current density if the term "affordable" is not utilized. Councilmember Garfunkel felt the Council must determine whether or not it is a goal to promote affordable housing in Shorewood. Mayor Dahlberg stated this would not be his goal depending on how it is defmed. Administrator Hurm felt this must be determined prior to performing a survey on this issue. Councilmember Stover noted the Council has worked for senior housing for a number of years. In that time, two developers have submitted proposals which were rejected by the neighborhood. She did not feel another developer would come in with a proposal for senior housing based on this history, therefore, senior housing could simply be eliminated from the ordinance. Councilmember Stover stated she would not be in favor of removing senior housing from the ordinance because she is convinced it is an admirable goal. She would not, however, object to a moratorium. . . . CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 19, 1997 - PAGE 3 Councilmember O'Neill suggested placing a moratorium on senior housing and referring the matter to the Planning Commission for public hearings and recommendation back to the Council. Mayor Dahlberg noted the Council will need to provide the Planning Commission with direction relative to this matter. Nielsen felt they should be informed the density issue is paramount. Councilmember Garfunkel did not feel density to be the entire issue. He stated he has a philosophical issue with protecting a particular class of citizens. Mayor Dahlberg did not feel it to be a function of government to protect a class of relatively affluent seniors who are looking for a very specific solution in Shorewood. Councilmember Garfunkel noted his agreement. Mayor Dahlberg felt if there is going to be a higher density than allowed for on the current zoning maps, it will have to be worked out on a dedicated zoning basis. Nielsen inquired whether the Council is willing to consider higher density for senior housing if the community is willing to accept this. Mayor Dahlberg felt the Planning Commission should be informed the major issue is density as well as the question of whether or not it is appropriate for government to be engaged in housing projects which are dedicated to a specific class of people. Mayor Dahlberg felt it to be the position of a number of the councilmembers that they are adopting a market driven housing policy. This housing policy is based on the current zoning map and the market will determine what will happen. Councilmember O'Neill explained his position that the majority of the residents do not want a higher density than currently exists. He did not feel the residents would be in favor of subsidies for senior housing. Mayor Dahlberg felt any inconsistencies between the Land Use Plan and the Zoning Map should be resolved, opting for the lower density in each instance. Nielsen explained this will be discussed in an upcoming work session. It was felt an appropriate length of time for the moratorium would be approximately one year. Nielsen noted there are extensions which may be made to that one year period. Nielsen will communicate the concerns of the Council to the Planning Commission to assist in their review of this matter. Councilmember Stover stated that as a minority opinion, she would like to see what can be done to make housing affordable, even though the term "affordable" has not been defined. . . . CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 19, 1997 - PAGE 4 3. ADJOURNMENT Dahlberg moved, Garfunkel seconded to adjourn the City Council Work Session Meeting at 9:40 p.m. Motion passed 4/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Cheryl Wallat, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. ATTEST: