04-09-2018 Council Work Session Packet

Home Browse Search

Navarre Moratorium / DSU Studv — 2006 In July of 2005, the City Council imposed a moratorium on development applications for the Navarre commercial area with the intent to study the area and develop a framework to guide future investment. The City enlisted the services of Dahlgren, Shardlow, and Uban (DSU) to provide an analysis of the existing conditions and to conduct a workshop with business and property owners and surrounding neighbors to present an analysis of existing conditions, explain the City Council's objectives, and facilitate a discussion about the future of the area. The discussion included a SWOT analysis of the Navarre area. Approximately 75 members of the public were in attendance. A narrative summarizing the outcomes of the workshop identified three objectives for the area: 1. Preserve the small-town atmosphere of Navarre 2. Creation of community area around the lakeshore 3. Encourage a functional, thriving business district DSU also conducted a joint City Council and Planning Commission meeting to present the workshop findings and assist the City in determining next steps for planning to support reinvestment in the Navarre area. This included a presentation of concept renderings depicting various improvements within the public right-of-way, including pedestrian amenities such as decorative sidewalk, seating areas, public art, enhanced landscaping, and signage. One concept explored the possibility of a roundabout at the intersection of Shoreline Drive and Shadywood Road. Comprehensive Plan Discussion — 2010 In 2010, following the completion of the City's comprehensive plan, City staff and the City Council discussed options for updating the City's zoning map and ordinances for properties guided for higher density or mixed use. In the case of Navarre, the discussion included the possibility of developing a Mixed -Use Overlay District; however, this was never implemented. Navarre Community Initiative — 2011 The Navarre Community Initiative (NCI) is a group formed in late 2011 made up of residents and business owners of the Navarre area intended to provide input to the City Council regarding potential improvements for the area. In addition, the intent of the group is to enhance Navarre's quality of life with special emphasis on public safety, beautification, and preservation. The group's work includes defining short-term and long-term projects and enlisting the support of a variety of community partners to assist in their implementation. A City staff member serves as a liaison to the committee for communication purposes between the committee and City Council. In early 2012, NCI and the City sent a letter and questionnaire to Navarre businesses soliciting their thoughts and ideas for the area. Out of 58 questionnaires, only six responses were received. In the spring of 2012, NCI presented a petition to Navarre residents, which read "Agreeing with concerns that current traffic conditions in Navarre are a clear and present danger, I support safety improvements that affect pedestrians, bikers and autos as the number one priority in our Navarre community." The petition received approximately 200 signatures On July 16, 2012, members of NCI, city staff, and the Mayor conducted a walking tour of Navarre to identify issues and opportunities for the neighborhood. Hennepin County / Community Design Group — Hennepin County Pedestrian Plan 2012 On August 28, 2012, a group meeting was held at the Freshwater Institute as part of a series of meetings conducted by Hennepin County and Community Design Group to gather local input regarding the Hennepin County pedestrian plan and to identify issues with safe walking along county roads. Approximately 50 participants attended the meeting. The outcome of this process Page 3