HomeMy Public PortalAbout08.03.2016 City Council Special Meeting PacketMEDINA
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
CONCURRENT CITY COUNCIL AND
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
5:00 P.M.
Medina City Hall, 2052 County Road 24
I. Call to Order
II. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Review
III. Adjourn
Posted: July 29, 2016.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Mitchell and Members of the City Council
Planning Commission
FROM: Dusty Finke, City Planner; through City Administrator Scott Johnson
DATE: July 28, 2016
MEETING: August 3, 2016 Concurrent City Council/Planning Commission Meeting
SUBJ: 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Background
The Steering Committee has continued work on the Comprehensive Plan and have put together
drafts of the Vision/Goals, Housing, and Land Use chapters, which make up the meat of the Plan.
The Park Commission is working on the Parks/Trails/Open Space Plan and there more technical
chapters (demographics, infrastructure) which are being finalized as well.
The Committee and staff seek feedback from the Planning Commission and Council on the
attached chapters before finalizing a draft of the Plan. The text of the chapters were amended
from the existing Comprehensive Plan, and red -line versions showing the changes are available
if you are interested.
The City's Comp Plan is required to be consistent with the System Statements and the
population/employment projections of the Metropolitan Council. This document has been
previously provided to the Commission and Council and is available on the City's website.
Please let me know if you would like to see a copy.
Following are the Metropolitan Council projections for the City:
2010 (actual) 2014 (est.) 2020 2030 2040
Population 4.892 5,831 6,300 7,300 8,400
Households 1.702 1,961 2,300 2,840 3,400
Employment 3.351 4,823 4,980 5,300 5,500
Essentially, the City is projected to see an additional 950 households beyond those which
currently exist or have been approved. Of these 950 households, 253 are required to be higher
density residential units greater than 8 units/acre (apartments, dense townhomes, etc.).
The DRAFT land use map provides opportunity for approximately 1000 future households, 269
of which are planned at densities greater than 8 units/acre. This would be consistent with Met
Council forecasts and would leave some flexibility to reduce planned residential land uses if the
Planning Commission and Council desired to do so.
2040 Comprehensive Plan Page 1 of 2 August 3, 2016
City Council/Planning Commission Meeting
Community Involvement
The City held Community Meetings on May 14 and 16 related to the Comprehensive Plan. We
had good attendance and there was a lot of great discussion.
Attached is a summary of the responses to the various activity boards at the community
meetings. Staff has summarized the post -it notes on the attached sheets, but they are not linked
to the locations on the map.
The City has also been receiving comments through the process on the mySidewalk page.
Attached is a print out of the comments, or you can access them from the site.
Staff also received a number of emails following the community meetings. These are attached
for reference.
Feedback Requested
The Steering Committee and staff seek feedback on the policy matters within the chapters. In
general, you are strongly encouraged to concentrate on concepts, not language. Because of the
limited amount of time to discuss and the large amount of information, staff would suggest that
members concentrate on the following:
1) Vision Statement
2) Community Goals
3) Land Use Policy and Principles
4) Land Use Map
5) Land Use Descriptions and Objectives
6) Staging Plan
Attachments
1) DRAFT Vision and Goals Chapter
2) DRAFT Housing Chapter
3) DRAFT Land Use Chapter
4) Community Meeting Feedback Summary
5) mySidewalk Comments
6) Emails Received
7) Land Use Map (from Land Use Chapter)
8) Staging and Growth Map (from Land Use Chapter)
2040 Comprehensive Plan
Page 2 of 2 August 3, 2016
City Council/Planning Commission Meeting
Chapter 2: VISION & COMMUNITY GOALS
The Vision and Community Goals chapter is the heart of the Comprehensive Plan and provides
the foundation from which City officials make consistent and supporting land use decisions.
This chapter includes a set of general community goals that guided the creation of this Plan.
The concepts in this chapter are some of the few static elements of the Comprehensive Plan. If
land uses change or other infrastructure varies from the Plan, decisions will be founded in the
goals set forth below. The Vision and Goals were created with the involvement of the
Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee (the "Steering Committee'), City officials, and
residents of Medina and are broadly supported.
Land use designations are subject to strong social and economic pressures to change.
Accordingly, it is appropriate that such systems be periodically evaluated in light of changing
social and economic conditions. As development evolves, the Vision and Goals will provide the
guidance for accomplishing the vision for the future of the community even when changes are
necessary to the land use plan.
Detailed objectives and recommendations are contained within each of the subject chapters of
this plan.
Creating Goals and Strategies
The residents, the Steering Committee, City officials and staff participated in the planning
process for the Plan. A series of public participation meetings were conducted to introduce and
solicit information from the residents of Medina. The Steering Committee held work sessions
that focused on integrating the concerns and desires of the community together with
accommodating growth and regional impacts. An online forum provided additional
opportunity for residents to impact the Vision and Community Goals as they were formulated.
In addition to land use and growth planning, the City implemented open space, natural
resources, and infrastructure planning. The goals which guided this process are integrated into
this chapter.
Each element of this plan was developed with assistance from city officials and a diverse group
of community stakeholders producing a truly representative plan. The City made a conscious
decision to emphasize natural resources and open space conservation.
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Community Vision
The following statement provides a vision of the community for the future and the resultant
goals and strategies.
Medina is a community united by a common goal: to sustain and enhance the quality of life of
its residents. Medina will protect its significant natural resources and open space throughout the
City, while honoring its rural heritage and fostering safe and well -designed neighborhoods,
places of recreation and destinations for citizens to gather. Development within the City will be
commensurate with available transportation systems, municipal services and school capacity.
Community Goals
The following Community Goals are derived from the Vision Statement and inform objectives
and strategies throughout the various aspects of the Comprehensive Plan.
Preserve rural vistas, open spaces, and wetlands in all parts of the community to promote the
rural character of Medina.
Protect and enhance the environment and natural resources throughout the community.
Encourage and incent innovative and environmentally friendly approaches to planning,
engineering and development.
Expand urban services only as necessary to accommodate regionally forecasted residential
growth, desired business opportunities and achievement of other Community Goals.
Develop at a sustainable pace proportionate with capacity of schools and transportation, water
supply and wastewater infrastructure available to the City.
Spread development so that it is not geographically concentrated during particular timeframes.
Promote public and private gathering places and civic events that serve the entire community.
Preserve and expand trails and parks to provide community recreational facilities, connect
neighborhoods, and encourage healthy lifestyles of its residents.
Provide opportunities for a diversity of housing at a range of costs to support residents at all
stages of their lives.
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Encourage an attractive, vibrant business community that complements the residential areas of
the City.
Maintain its commitment to public safety through support of the City's police department and
coordination with its contracted volunteer fire departments.
Manage the City through prudent budgeting processes, retaining a skilled and efficient staff and
long-range planning and financial management.
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Chapter 4: Housing and Neighborhoods
Introduction
Medina is a growing community that provides a variety of housing types and neighborhood
styles while protecting and enhancing the City's open spaces and natural environment. Natural
resources form the green infrastructure around which all housing and neighborhoods in the City
will develop. The availability of land in proximity to existing urban services provides an
opportunity for a range of housing types and neighborhoods, while maintaining and protecting
the existing ecological integrity of Medina's extensive natural areas. The following sections will
provide general background information regarding housing trends, analysis and
recommendations for diversifying neighborhoods and accomplishing the City's housing and
neighborhood goals.
Housing Inventory
The following section provides a summary of the existing housing conditions in Medina and the
foundation for developing the housing plan. This information has been obtained from a
number of sources including the 2010 US Census, the 2015 Annual Housing Market Report from
the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors, and City Building Permit Information.
Housing supply
The table below indicates that there were a total of 2,016 housing units in the City in 2014
consisting of 1,722 single family homes,110 townhomes and 184 multi -family units (multiplexes
and apartments).
Table 4-A Tvpes of Housing Units
Housing Type
Number
Percent
Single Family detached
1,722
85.4%
Townhomes (single-family attached)
110
5.5%
Duplex, triplex and quad (2-4 units)
23
1.1 %
Multifamily (5 or more units)
161
8.0 %
Mobile homes
0
0%
Total Housing Units
2,016
100%
Source: American Community Survey 2010-2014
The City has issued building permits for approximately 379 single family units, 67 townhomes,
and no multi -family units from 2010 to 2015.
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Housing Tenancy
The table below indicates that in 2010 93 percent of the housing units in Medina were owner -
occupied and 7 percent were renter -occupied.
Table 4-B Housing Tenure
Housing Type
Number of Units
Percent
Owner -occupied housing units
1,581
92.9%
Renter -occupied housing units
121
7.1 %
Total Occupied Units
1,702
100%
Source: Census 2010
Housing Conditions and Age
The table below shows that nearly 20 percent of Medina's housing stock was built between 2010
and 2015. Approximately 31 percent of the City's housing stock in the City was built before
1980.
Table 4-C Housin r Aye
Year
Total Units
Percent
2010-2015
446
19.9 %
2000-2009
401
17.9 %
1990-1999
364
16.2%
1980-1989
332
14.8 %
1970-1979
245
10.9 %
1960-1969
242
10.8 %
1950-1959
83
3.7%
1949 or earlier
132
5.9%
Source: City of Medina
Housing Costs
Table 4-D describes the existing housing values in the City. A majority of housing cost within the
City currently exceeds $405,500. Table 4-D indicates affordability by showing the percentage of
the area median income (AMI) that a particular valuation reflects. 21 percent of owner occupied
housing units would be considered affordable in the City of Medina (below 80% AMI).
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Table 4-D Owner Occupied Housing Values
Housing Values
Parcels
Percent
$1- $153,000 (50% and below AMI)
80
4%
$153,001 - $240,500 (50% - 80% AMI)
303
17%
$240,500 - $300,500 (80% - 100% AMI)
182
10%
$300,501 - $405,500 (101% - 135% AMI)
219
12%
$405,501 - $601,000 (136% - 200% AMI)
402
22%
$601,001 and above (Greater than 201% AMI)
634
35%
Total Owner Occupied Housing Units
1,820
100%
Source: Hennepin County 2015
Median home sale price hit a peak in 2005 at $625,400 prior to the national housing market
decline of 2007-2012. The table below shows that the average single family home price has been
steadily increasing since 2011, recovering significantly from the decline.
Table 4-E
Housing Sales
Year
Number of Home
Sales
Median Sale Price
2011
53
$485,000
2012
88
$457,985
2013
119
$521,623
2014
134
$527,500
2015
118
$555,047
Source: 2015 Annual Housing Market Report (Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors)
According to the Metropolitan Council, housing is considered "affordable" to buyers if it costs
30 percent or less of the total income of a family earning 80% of the metropolitan area median
income. A household earning this income could afford to buy a home costing approximately
$240,500 in 2015.
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Housing Needs
According to Metropolitan Council projections, Medina will need housing for an additional 951
households by 2040. As described above, existing housing supply is generally high quality. The
City seeks to preserve and enhance this quality while planning for projected growth.
Housing Objectives
The following objectives are consistent with the goals and strategies identified in section 2 of this
Comprehensive Plan.
1. Preserve and enhance the quality of life currently enjoyed by the residents.
2. Provide opportunities for a diversity of housing at a range of costs to support residents at
all stages of their lives.
3. Provide housing that will maintain the open space and natural resources of Medina.
4. Preserve and protect single family housing and the neighborhoods in which they are
located; encourage rehabilitation where necessary; require platting and design of new
housing to be high quality and consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; and encourage
conservation design in new housing stock.
5. Promote high quality multi -family development in appropriately zoned areas.
6. Encourage construction of various life cycle housing in and around Medina's Uptown
Hamel Area.
7. Establish new and existing housing design standards which will:
(a) require quality building and site design;
(b) provide for recreation;
(c) require open space and trails including links to adjacent neighborhoods;
(d) respect and protect the natural environment, especially the lakes, wetlands, steep
slopes, and the woodlands.
8. Require lots in new subdivisions to have frontage roads allowing for direct access on a
local street and not on a county road or a state highway.
9. Allow the use of conservation subdivision design to preserve rural character, preserve
ecologically significant natural resources and retain open space
10. Require new urban residential development to be consistent with the City's Growth
Strategy.
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Affordable Housing Plan
The Metropolitan Council has identified affordable housing needs for all cities and townships in
the region for 2021-2030. The housing element of local comprehensive plans is required to
reflect each community's share of this regional need for affordable housing. The Metropolitan
Council calculation for the City of Medina's share of the 2021-2030 regional affordable housing
need is 253 total units. The table below indicates the expected need for affordable units in
Medina by specific affordability level, with affordability based on percentage of Area Median
Income (AMI).
Table 4-G
Affordable Housing Need Allocation (2021-2030)
At Or Below 30 % AMI
From 31 to 50 % AMI
From 51 to 80 % AMI
147
106
0
Total Units 253
Source: Metropolitan Council forecasts
Consistent with Metropolitan Council policy, the City has met affordable housing requirements
by planning for higher -density residential development. Specifically, three sites are identified in
this plan for higher -density residential development:
• A minimum of 186 units are planned at a minimum of 12 units per acre at Highway 12
and Baker Park Road
• A minimum of 57 units are planned at a minimum of 8 units per acre at Highway 55 and
Tamarack Drive
• A minimum of 30 units are planned at a minimum of 8 units per acre at Medina Road
and Brockton Lane
The City supports creating a livable community through addressing the life cycle housing needs
of area residents and local workforce. Implementing an Affordable Housing Policy and
Program in Medina is influenced by:
• socioeconomic demographics of the workforce population desiring to live in Medina
• growing number of senior citizens in Medina
• current land costs and/or availability of land in Medina and surrounding regions
• lack of infill opportunities in Medina
• zoning regulations and fees
• eligibility for supportive grants, programs, and partnerships
• capability to maintain long-term affordability
• strength of the current housing market
• defining appropriate design standards for the affordable housing market
• education of residents, city officials and staff concerning affordable housing
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Affordable Housing Programs
Various programs and actions are available to support the development of affordable housing.
The City already partners in a number of the programs in order to support affordable housing.
Medina has established a goal of providing opportunities for a diversity of housing at a range of
costs to support residents at all stages of their lives. In order to support this goal, the City will
evaluate opportunities depending on circumstances to employ additional programs or to
partner with other agencies in these programs.
Development Authorities: Medina does not have its own Housing and Redevelopment
Authority (HRA) and depends on the Hennepin County HRA for affordable housing and
redevelopment services.
Housing Bonds: Minnesota State Statute allows HRAs to issue housing bonds to provide
affordable housing.
Tax Abatement: Cities may issue bonds to be used to support the construction of affordable
housing, using a portion of the property tax received (tax abatement) from the development to
finance these bonds. This removes this property from paying taxes for the services needed for
this property, its residents and the community in general. The City should develop a tax
abatement policy to determine if and when the level of affordable housing and the guaranteed
length of affordability provide sufficient public benefit to justify the use of tax abatement.
Tax Increment Financing: Cities may create a housing district to create a tax increment financing
(TIF) district. The TIF bonds issued on this district are to be used to support the construction of
affordable housing and entire property taxes received above the original tax value (increment)
from the development to finance these bonds. This removes this property tax revenue from
paying for the services needed for this property, its residents and the community in general.
The City should develop a TIF policy to determine if and when the level of affordable housing
and the guaranteed length of affordability to provide a public benefit is great enough to justify
the use of tax abatement
Minnesota Housing Consolidated Request for Proposals: The Minnesota Housing Finance
Agency provides a once annually request for proposal (RFP) where affordable housing
developers can apply for funding to construct affordable housing.
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) provides CDBG funds to communities with over 45,000 residents for the
use of providing and maintaining affordable housing. Hennepin County HRA administers
these CDBG funds for the City of Medina.
HOME Funds: The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) is a flexible federal grant
program that allows Hennepin County to fund affordable housing activities for very low and
low-income families or individuals, homeless families, and persons with special needs.
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Affordable Housing Incentive Funds(AHIF): The AHIF operates under the Hennepin County
HRA. This loan program funds the development of affordable housing units for very low-
income households.
Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) Grants: The NSP was established by HUD for the
purpose of stabilizing communities that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment. The
focus of this program is the purchase, rehabilitation and resale of foreclosed and abandoned
properties. The NSP operates under the Hennepin County HRA.
Homebuyer Assistance Programs: Homebuyer assistance programs funded directly by
Hennepin County HRA are currently not available. Medina encourages residents to contact the
Minnesota Homeownership Center regarding homebuyer assistance programs that are
currently available.
Repair and Rehabilitation Support: The Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin
(CAPSH) provides home repair and rehabilitation assistance to Medina residents.
Foreclosure Prevention: The Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin (CAPSH)
provides foreclosure counseling to Medina residents.
Energy Assistance: The Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin (CAPSH)
administers the energy assistance program for Medina residents.
Livable Communities Grants: Medina is a participating community in the Metropolitan
Council's Livable Community Act (LCA) programs. Medina may, when applicable, apply for
livable communities grant on behalf of developers who are providing a level of affordable
housing and the guaranteed length of affordability that generates a public benefit greater than
the resources required to apply for and administer the livable community grants.
Local Fair Housing Policy: The Hennepin County HRA has a fair housing policy, which applies
to the City of Medina. Therefore, Medina has not developed a local fair housing policy.
Fee Waivers or Adjustments: Cities may waive or reduce fee to reduce the cost of construction
of affordable housing. Conversely, State rules require that the fee that a City charges be related
to the cost of providing the services for which the fee are collected. This waiver or reduction
could create a deficiency in the funding for services which could be require the use of general
funds to resolve. The City should develop a fee waiver or reduction policy to determine when
the level of affordable housing and the guaranteed length of affordability provide a public
benefit great enough to justify the reduction or waiver of development fees.
Zoning and Subdivision Policies: The City has the ability to adjust its zoning and subdivision
regulations through a planned unit development (PUD). Zoning and subdivision regulation are
created in part to mitigate the impacts that a development may have on adjoining properties.
When considering a PUD for affordable housing, the City should determine when the level of
affordable housing and the guaranteed length of affordability provide a public benefit great
enough to justify the potential impacts that would result from a deviation in the zoning or
subdivision regulations.
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4(d) Tax Program: The 4(d) tax program provides a 4% tax credit to affordable housing
developers. This program is administered through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.
Land Trusts: A land trust achieves affordable home ownership by the resident by the house on a
property, but the trust owns the land under the house therefore reducing the amount of the
mortgage. The advantage of a land trust is that the trust can control the future sale of the
property to ensure that affordability can be maintained and have the ability to scatter the land
trust sites throughout the community. The disadvantage of a land trust is that it will take
significant financial resources to purchase the land rights and those resources are never
recovered during the period that the property remains affordable. Medina may evaluate if
joining the West Hennepin Affordable Housing Land Trust is the most efficient way to use its
resources to provide affordable housing.
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Chapter 5: LAND USE & GROWTH
Introduction
Medina has significant natural resources, high -quality neighborhoods and areas for commercial
and retail development. The City's extensive wetlands and limited infrastructure availability
together with past community planning have contributed to its rural character. The metropolitan
area is a high growth area. Medina's rural charm makes it an attractive alternative to the more
intensely populated areas found closer to Minneapolis and St. Paul.
This chapter discusses existing and future land use patterns in the City.
TABLE 5-A
ng 1 and l leee
Land Use Designation
Area
Acrcr,
Percent
Agricultural
Rural Residential
Single Family Large Lot
Single Family Small Lot
Multi Family Residential
Commercial
industrial
Public Semi Public
Parks and Recreation
Open Space
Private Recreation
Undeveloped Land
Right of ways
Lakes/Open Water
4,490
477-01-
,4
4i8
48
245
472
260
2
208
357
620
882
25 %
2,7%
1.5°X,
1_5,14
4,244
214
3.6%
3.9%
128,3
7.4%
Total -City 17,335
wetlands in the City.
Agricultural Use includes farms and other parcels greater than five acres in size used primarily
for agricultural, pasture and rural purposes. A large percentage of the City is designated as
agricultural.
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Residential Use is divided into four designations:
Rural Residential consists of large tracts of land and homesteads, including hobby farms
and horse stables on parcels greater than five acres in size without City sewer and water
service.
Single Family Large Lot includes residential properties between 0.5 acres and 5 acres in size.
This designation does not differentiate between sewered and unsewered lots but does
include larger lot subdivisions.
Single Family Small Lot includes single-family residential properties less than 0.5 acres,
sewered.
Multi -Family includes apartment buildings, fourplexes, duplexes, condominiums and
townhouses and attached single-family homes.
Industrial Use is primarily in the TH 55 corridor and includes light industrial, office, warehouse
and manufacturing facilities.
Commercial Use is primarily in the TH 55 corridor. Businesses tend to be clustered in and
around the Uptown Hamel area and become more dispersed west of Uptown Hamel along the
existing sanitary sewer system. A large commercial/retail development north of TH 55 and west
of CR 101 anchored by a Target retail store opened in 2006.
Park and Recreation Use includes parks and public recreational open space. Baker Park Reserve
has a significant impact on planning due to its size and regional attraction, its effect on the City's
tax base and use.
Private Recreation Use includes areas used for recreational purposes held under private
ownership, including golf courses and a campground, but could be expanded to include other
recreational uses not publicly maintained.
Open Space Use identifies areas that are public or privately held including known conservation
easements, important preserved natural resources such as Wolsfeld Woods (SNA) and other areas
that are protected through active measures.
Public and Semi -Public Use includes City, county, or state owned property, churches,
cemeteries, and other similar uses. Most of these properties are community oriented and blend
into other land uses permitted in the supporting zoning districts.
Undeveloped Use identifies areas that are currently described as vacant. There are no known
agricultural uses or residential uses on parcels with this designation. This land is considered
available for development or is currently on the market. These areas also include unknown land
uses, or uses that do not fit into the land use designations identified.
Lakes comprise approximately 10.2 percent of the City and are identified in the land use
designations because of the obvious impact on surrounding development and land uses.
Wetlands are not identified on the existing land use map. However, wetlands and lakes play an
important role in the City because together they affect 35.4 percent of the City land and
significantly impact the City's ability to develop.
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Natural Features and Areas
The City contains many ecologically significant natural resource areas that provide value to all
residents by providing natural beauty and wildlife habitat, improving water quality and adding
to land values. These natural areas are described in further detail in the Open Space Report but
merit discussion from a land use and development perspective.
The City has an extensive network of wetlands and lakes that significantly impact the developable
areas in the City. The community has made conscious choices to preserve and protect the natural
areas and to improve their quality. Because 35.4% of the land area in Medina is comprised of
lakes and wetlands and many of these areas are under private ownership, it is critical for the City
to educate residents about the importance of maintaining healthy wetlands, woodlands and lakes.
These natural features comprise the City's green infrastructure system: the City's natural support
system that promotes healthy sustainability of the community. As the City grows, the natural
areas will be a critical element of every decision -making process. The City undertook an
extensive natural resource and open space planning effort that will be the foundation for land use
decisions. The Open Space Report indicates the ecologically significant areas that require
protection and the areas that will be maintained as a part of the City's conservation network.
Solar Access Protection
Medina is committed to encouraging and promoting solar energy as a clean, alternative form of
energy production and reducing carbon -based emissions. Protecting solar access means
protecting solar collectors (or the location of future collectors) from shading by adjacent structures
or vegetation. Existing structures and buildings in the city generally do not present significant
shading problems for solar energy systems. Most single family attached and detached homes are
one or two stories and most multi -family, commercial, and industrial buildings are two stories or
less.
Solar energy systems and equipment are generally a permitted use if attached to structures and
freestanding solar arrays are permitted with a conditional use permit in most districts. The
zoning ordinance provides standards for the protection and establishment of these solar energy
systems.
While these ordinance standards help protect solar access, it is not possible for every part of a
building or lot to obtain unobstructed solar access. Mature trees, topography, and the location
of structures can limit solar access. However, on most properties the rooftop of the principal
building would be free of shading by adjacent structures. Therefore, the majority of property
owners in the city could utilize solar energy systems, if they so desired, as a supplement or
alternative to conventional fuels.
Historic Preservation
The City of Medina currently does not have any sites or structures listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. The City of Medina has a strong interest in preserving
representative portions of its history. The City previously worked with the West Hennepin
Pioneer's Museum to restore the Wolsfeld Family cabin which was originally built in 1856. It is
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thought to be one of the original homes in Medina. The city further commits to providing the
following general guidelines related to historical preservation:
• Partner with organizations that want to preserve historically significant areas, landmarks,
and buildings in Medina;
• Modify zoning regulations as necessary to help preserve areas that may be historically
significant.
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Future General Land Use Policy Direction
As described in the Vision Statement, the City of Medina strives to promote and protect its open
spaces and natural environment. The City has historically been and intends to continue to be
primarily a rural community.
The City has planned for a limited amount of future development consistent with regional
forecast and consistent with Community Goals.
Future Land Use Plan Principles
The Future Land Use Plan guides the development of Medina through 2040, and will be used to
implement the City's goals, strategies and policies. The Plan is guided by the Vision and
Community Goals as furthered by the following principles:
Development Patterns and Neighborhood Form
• Encourage open spaces, parks and trails in all neighborhood development. The
survey indicated that a high quality of life is found when residents have visual access
to green spaces.
• Create neighborhoods with a variety of housing types that are well connected with
roads, trails or sidewalks.
• Maintain the integrity of rural neighborhoods and promote development patterns
consistent with existing rural residential development.
• Recognize neighborhood characteristics and promote new development compatible in
scale, architectural quality and style with existing neighborhoods.
• Guide density to areas with proximity to existing infrastructure and future
infrastructure availability.
• Concentrate higher density development near service oriented businesses to help
promote walkability.
Road Patterns
• Establish collector streets with good connections through the community's growth
areas.
• Promote trails and sidewalk access near roads and thoroughfares to encourage multi -
modal transportation choices.
Open Spaces and Natural Resources
• Preserve natural resources throughout the community and provide educational
opportunities to residents to help them understand the value of natural areas.
• Preserve open spaces and natural resources.
• Support the guidelines identified in the Open Space Report to preserve the City's
natural systems.
Business Districts and Commercial Areas
• Focus service businesses and development near urban residential densities and along
primary transportation corridors.
Chapter 5 - Land Use & Growth
T Y O D
MEDINA
Page 5- 5
" P r o v i d e c o n n e c t i o n s b e t w e e n r e s i d e n t s a n d c o m m e r c i a l a r e a s a n d p r o m o t e b u s i n e s s e s
w i t h i n m i x e d - u s e a r e a s .
" W o r k t o c r e a t e j o b o p p o r t u n i t i e s i n t h e c o m m u n i t y f o r M e d i n a r e s i d e n t s t o r e d u c e
t r a f f i c a n d c o m m u t i n g d e m a n d s .
" E m p h a s i s s e r v i c e a n d r e t a i l u s e s w h i c h s e r v e t h e n e e d s o f t h e l o c a l c o m m u n i t y a n d
p r o v i d e o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r t h e c o m m u n i t y t o g a t h e r .
" S u p p o r t b u s i n e s s d e v e l o p m e n t w i t h a c o r p o r a t e c a m p u s s t y l e w h i c h p r o v i d e s o p e n
s p a c e s a n d p r o t e c t s n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s .
C h a p t e r 5 - L a n d U s e &