HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-06-01 TPC Memorandum TPC3601 Thurston Avenue N, Suite 100 ENC„LOSU
Anoka, MN 55303
Phone: 763.231.5840
Facsimile: 763.427.0520
TPCQPIanningCo.corn
MEMORANDUM
TO: Eric Johnson
FROM: Scott Richards
DATE: June 1, 2017
RE: Oak Park Heights— Comprehensive Plan 2018
TPC FILE: 226.10
At the June 8, 2017 meeting, the Planning Commission will discuss the following related
to the Comprehensive Plan 2018:
Issues
The Planning Commission, at their April 13, 2017 meeting reviewed the list of issues
that were identified as part of the Comprehensive Plan 2008 process. The City Council
reviewed the issues at their May 9, 2017 Work Session. The City is in the process of
gathering issues from residents and business owners through the Community Survey.
Community Survey
Please find attached the final Community Survey. The survey will be distributed at the
Party in the Park on June 8, 2017 and will be made available on the City website. From
the survey, the Issues Identification section of the plan can be developed.
Social Inventory
Please find attached the Introduction and Social Inventory sections of the draft
Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission should review and comment.
Pc: Julie Hultman
City of Oak Park Heights
Community Survey
The Oak Park Heights City Council would like your input, ideas
and thoughts to help it plan for the future.
1. Are you a: Resident 0 Business Owner 0 Both 0 Visitor 0
2. If you are a resident or business owner, how long have you lived or worked here?
Less than 5 years 0 6-10 years 0 11 years+ 0
3. Are you: Under 18 0 18-24 0 25-34 0 35-45 0 45-54 0 55+ 0
4. Do you have children in your home who are under 18?
Yes 0 No 0 If so, how many children?
5. Are you a care provider for seniors in your home that are part of your family?
Yes 0 No 0 If so, how many seniors?
6. From your point of view is Oak Park Heights a better place to live and work today than it
was when you first moved or began to work here?
Yes 0 No 0 Unsure 0
What might make you believe the City is better or worse that when you moved or begin to
work here?
7. Please list in order the top three things you like about Oak Park Heights
(with#1 being the most important).
The St. Croix River _ Engaged residents _Other (please list):
City parks and trails _Schools
The people _Community events
_Small town feel _ Retail businesses
_ Restaurants _Location
8. In your opinion what is the general condition of our streets?
9. Understanding that most of the funds for our streets come from our property taxes,are
there any specific roads that you think need to be improved? If so, please list them below.
10. In your opinion what is the general condition of our parks and trails?
Pour below e'geExcellent
Amer r AoodY
11. Are there any specific park or trail improvements that you would recommend?
If so, please list them below.
12. Rank the most important challenges that you see facing the City:
Least Important Most Important
• Traffic congestion 1 2 3 4 5
• Improving pedestrian and bicycle access and 1 2 3 4 5
safety
• Increase retail and other type of businesses 1 2 3 4 5
• Maintain and enhancing municipal services 1 2 3 4 5
(snow removal, permitting, refuse collection)
• Improving mass transit (bus) service 1 2 3 4 5 j
• Tax rates 1 2 3 4 5
• Reducing crime and enhancing public safety by 1 2 3 4 5 1
adding investment in police and fire services
• Quality development design and construction 1 2 3 4 5
• Capital investments in community facilities, 1 2 3 4 5
parks
• Storm water and other capital investments
• Utility rates 1 2 3 4 5
• Protecting the St Croix River and other bodies 1 2 3 4 5
of water
• Loss of affordable housing 1 2 3 4 5
• Other (please list) 1 2 3 4 5
13. Do you have any other input, ideas or thoughts you would like the Oak Park Heights' City
Council to consider as it plans for the future?
Thank you for taking your time to complete the survey. If you would prefer to fill out this
survey online, please visit the City website at:
www.citvofoakparkheights.com
If you would like a summary of the results of the survey, please provide your name and
mailing address, email address or phone number.
Name: Phone:
Mailing Address: Email:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The development of the Oak Park Heights Comprehensive Plan would not have been
possible without the hard work and dedication of the Comprehensive Plan Update
Committee. Their courtesy, cooperation, and contribution is greatly valued and
appreciated.
City Council: Mary McComber, Mayor
Mike Liljegren
Chuck Dougherty
Mike Runk
Mark Swenson
Planning Commission: Jim Kremer, Chair
Robin Anthony
Timothy Freeman
Beth Nelson
Parks Commission: Aaron Bye, Chair
Anthony Weyer
David Johnson
Jimmy Norton
Judith Chirhart
Staff/Consultants: Eric Johnson, City Administrator
Scott Richards, City Planner, TPC, Inc.
• Comprehensive Plan 2018
,'`" City of Oak Park Heights
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Introduction and Community Background 1
Social Inventory 5
Issues Identification 13
Mission Statement, Values and Community Goals
Land Use
Physical Profile
Goals and Policies
Land Use Plan
Transportation
Physical Profile
Goals and Policies
Transportation Plan
Community Facilities
Physical Profile
Goals and Policies
Community Facilities Plan
Administration
Goals and Policies
Administration Plan
Parks and Trails
Physical Profile
Goals and Policies
Parks and Trails Plan
Neighborhood Planning Districts
Planning District 1
Planning District 2
Planning District 3
Planning District 4
Planning District 5
Planning District 6
Comprehensive Plan 2018
¶ City of Oak Park Heights
s.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Implementation
Appendix A—Anticipated Capital Improvement Program
Appendix B — Draft Proposed Parks and Trails Map
List of Maps:
Oak Park Heights Base Map
Land Use Issues Map
Transportation Issues Map
Community Facilities Issues Map
Parks and Trails Issues Map
Natural Environmental Features Map
Existing Land Use Map
Zoning Map
Future Annexation Plan Map
Proposed Land Use Map
Roadway Jurisdiction Map
Functional Classification Map
Traffic Volumes Map
St. Croix River Crossing and Highway 36 Alternative Map
Transit Map
Transportation Plan Map
Traffic Analysis Zones Map
Community Facilities Map
Existing Parks and Trails Map
Washington County Park and Trail Map
Planning Districts— Proposed Land Use Map
Planning District 1 Map
Planning District 2 Map
Planning District 3 Map ...
Planning District 4 Map
Planning District 5 Map
Planning District 6 Map
Comprehensive Plan 2018
o City of Oak Park Heights
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
List of Tables:
Population Growth
1990-2004 Oak Park Heights Household Information
Oak Park Heights 1990 and 2000 Household Type
Oak Park Heights Population Growth by Age Group
1990 and 2000 Occupations
2005 Washington County Employment
2000 Educational Attainment
1989 and 1999 Income
Oak Park Heights 1989 and 1999 Household Income
Existing Land Use
2007 Zoning Breakdown
Summary of Zoning District Classifications and Requirements
Household and Population Growth
Population, Households and Employment Projections
Functional Classification of Streets
Minnesota Department of Transportation —Access Control
Allocation of Forecasts to Traffic Analysis Zones
School District Enrollment
Existing Park Components
4L.„ Comprehensive Plan 2018
City of Oak Park Heights
INTRODUCTION AND COMMUNITY BACKGROUND
The City of Oak Park Heights is located in Washington County, Minnesota, on the banks
of the lower St. Croix Scenic Riverway, which is the state border between Minnesota
and Wisconsin. Situated between the Cities of Stillwater and Bayport and 20 miles east
of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area, the City's population has increased in the
last 10 years to almost 5,000 persons. The City is surrounded by the City of Stillwater
to the north, the City of Bayport to the southeast, Baytown Township to the south and
Lake Elmo/Stillwater Township to the west. The area was first platted in the late 1800s.
Oak Park Heights was incorporated as a village in 1938 and became a City by State
Statute in 1972. The City has been designated as a freestanding urban growth area (for
expansion of water and sewer) by the Metropolitan Council, the regional planning
agency in the area.
As a component of the St. Croix Valley, Oak Park Heights offers an attractive quality of
life with excellent educational, health care, and cultural facilities. Oak Park Heights is a
very diversified community, being home to a large commercial/retail area with many
national businesses and local enterprises, including the Highway 36 and Highway 5
commercial areas, Xcel Energy power generation plant, the Sunnyside Marina, and the
State of Minnesota Correctional Facility.
Housing in Oak Park Heights is both attractive and diverse and features starter homes,
bluff line river view homes, riverfront condominiums, and the Boutwells Landing senior
community. The City currently has over 100 acres of designated park space comprised
of five municipal park facilities. The parks consist of skating/hockey rinks and warming
houses, softball/baseball fields, picnic shelters, tennis courts, and general playground
equipment. The City has been awarded the "Tree City USA" award for the past 36
years.
The City operates under a "Plan A, Council-Administrator" form of government,
consisting of a Mayor and a four-member Council. The Mayor and Council are elected
at large on a non-partisan basis, the Mayor for a four-year term and the Council for four-
year staggered terms. The Council is responsible for adopting policies affecting City
affairs, approving the annual budget, enacting ordinances and resolutions, and
providing policy direction for City departments and activities. The City Council currently
serves as the Economic Development Authority. The City has a Planning Commission
and a Parks Commission.
The Comprehensive Plan was last updated in 2008. The Metropolitan Land Planning
Act requires communities to review and update their Comprehensive Plans every 10
years, with the next update for Oak Park Heights due in December 2018. The City will
also be updating its utility plans, Comprehensive Park and Trail System Plan, and
amend its Zoning Ordinance and map, as necessary.
Comprehensive Plan 2018
''" City of Oak Park Heights Page 1
INTRODUCTION AND COMMUNITY BACKGROUND
The City of Oak Park Heights Mayor, City Council, Planning Commission, and staff have
recognized the need for the update of the 2018 Comprehensive Plan as it is outdated
with the current growth and change over the past 10 years. The Planning Commission
and Parks Commission have been tasked with developing the draft Comprehensive
Plan and the Parks and Trails Plan.
The Comprehensive Plan document will be divided into specific sections, as found in
the Table of Contents, located in the beginning of this document. The process by which
the plan has been developed can be divided into five sections including issues
identification, inventory, policy planning, plan development, and implementation. Each
portion of the process will involve citizen participation and involvement of City officials.
Issues identification involves a Community Survey, and opinion gathering process to
determine a specific set of issues that must be addressed by the Comprehensive Plan.
The inventory consists of documenting the City's existing conditions at a particular point
in time. The results of gathering inventory information will provide a basis of text,
charts, and maps illustrating the most relevant collected information.
The next stage, policy planning, will determine future directives for Oak Park Heights
through the identification of goals and policies. The City will also develop its vision
statement at this time. The policies that are created will promote direction for the
subsequent planning sections of the document. The stage that follows consists of
development of the physical plans and programs which will lay out the City's proposed
land use, transportation, and community facilities plans. The final stage,
implementation, will involve a discussion on how the plan will be used and brought into
action. It will also provide the opportunity for the City to prioritize the plans and projects
that result from the planning efforts of the Comprehensive Plan.
On the following page, a base map of the City is represented. The map illustrates the
corporate boundaries of the City at the beginning of 2017. This will be used throughout
the plan as the basis for mapping the City of Oak Park Heights.
Comprehensive Plan 2018
City of Oak Park Heights Page 2
INTRODUCTION AND COMMUNITY BACKGROUND
INSERT BASE MAP HERE
•
Comprehensive Plan 2018
4.' City of Oak Park Heights Page 3
SOCIAL INVENTORY
INTRODUCTION
The City of Oak Park Heights has recognized the need to develop a Comprehensive
Plan as a means of addressing and accommodating the community's future growth and
development. The purpose of the Social Inventory is to identify past trends, to
document the current conditions and to help identify issues for establishing a hierarchy
of planning policies. These policies will help the community address a broad base of
land use and development issues. With the help of a solid information and policy base,
decision makers can evaluate and prioritize proposals for the community while fulfilling
the City's long term goals and objectives.
Additional inventory information will be included in each of the individual sections of this
plan. Population trends and projections will be included within the Land Use section.
Oak Park Heights as well as Washington County population projections will be
evaluated to show the overall growth, as well as detailing change by age groups.
POPULATION GROWTH
The statistics in the following table illustrate the trends in population within Oak Park
Heights, surrounding cities, and Washington County. Between 2000 and 2015, the City
grew at a rate of 20 percent, and Washington County grew at the same 20 percent rate.
The populations of the surrounding communities of Stillwater and Lake Elmo have been
growing at a similar pace since 2000, while the City of Bayport has seen a slower rate of
population growth at 14 percent.
The population increases in the City have been attributed to job growth, and a continued
increase in senior residential development in Oak Park Heights. The 2015 estimate and
the projections of population reflected in the chart below is from the Metropolitan
Council. The Metropolitan Council numbers are generally regarded as being accurate
population estimates during non-census years.
POPULATION GROWTH
2000 2010 2015 2020 2030 2040 2000-2015
Projection Projection , Projection %Change
Oak Park
Heights 3,777 4,445 4,706 4,800 5,300 5,700 20%
Bayport 3,162 3,471 3,675 3,970 4,340 4,640 14%
Stillwater 15,323 18,277 19,754 19,100 21,800 22,800 20%
Lake Elmo 6,863 8,061 8,643 10,500 14,100 18,200 21%
Washington Co. 201,130 238,136 251,015 268,410 299,130 330,200 20%
Source: U.S. Census 2000/2010 Estimates from Metropolitan Council
•
Comprehensive Plan 2018
.1. k ' City of Oak Park Heights Page 5
SOCIAL INVENTORY
HOUSEHOLD GROWTH AND TYPES
In looking at the data for Oak Park Heights since 2000, the number of households has
steadily increased, while the number of persons per household has slightly declined.
This is likely reflective of an increase in persons age 65 and over. It also reflects the
natural trend of people having fewer children and the dynamics of the modern family.
The 2015 estimate of population and households reflected below is from the
Metropolitan Council.
2000-2015 OAK PARK HEIGHTS HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION
Year Population Households Persons Per
Household
2000 3,777 1,528 2.26
2010 4,445 1,911 2.05
2015 4,706 2,178 1.93
Source: U.S. Census 2000, 2010 Metropolitan Council 2015
The 2000 and 2010 Census provides a demographic profile of the households in Oak
Park Heights as illustrated in the following table. As the table indicates, the households
of married families with children decreased significantly from 21.7 percent in 2000 to
14.4 percent in 2010. The number of unmarried families with children also decreased.
The percentage of households where people lived alone or where in non-family
households increased.
Household Type Household
Percentage
2000 2010
Lived Alone 34.6% 43.4%
Families Without Children 28.7% 30.3%
Married Families with Children 21.7% 14.4%
Unmarried Families with Children 9.9% 4.04%
Non-Family Households 4.3% 8.08%
Source: U.S. Census
Comprehensive Plan 2018
"�„ Y City of Oak Park Heights Page 6
SOCIAL INVENTORY
AGE CHARACTERISTICS
The following table illustrates Oak Park Heights' population by age group. The table
utilizes information from the 2000 and 2010 Census as well as a projection for 2015
from the Metropolitan Council. In 2000, the labor force (ages 20-59) represented the
largest age group, at 59.4 percent. In 2000, this age group was again the City's
largest, accounting for 52.1 percent of the total population. By 2015, that age group had
fallen to 49.9 percent of the population. At 24.2 percent in 2000, the next largest age
group for this Census year was school age children. By 2000, this population group had
fallen to 19.6 percent and 16.3 percent in 20.15. Population growth over these 15 years
has been in the retired persons category with the persons over 80 years old increasing
from 4.0 percent in 2000 to 17.2 percent in 2015. Changes in the demographics of the
City and surrounding area will have significant planning implications for the future.
OAK PARK HEIGHTS POPULATION GROWTH BY AGE GROUP
Ade Group2000 2000% 2010 2010% 2015 2015%
':: ''''' -mg- l''''''T
Under 19 960 24 2 852 19•6 775 136.31.
20-39 1,277 32.2 1,008 23.2 1,097 23.1
40-59 1,076 27.1 1,255 28.9 1,270 26.8
60-64136 3.4 225 5.2 141 2.9
Sub-Total 2,489 62.9 2,488 57.3 2,508 52.9
a
65-69 122 3.1 158 3.6 198 4.1
70-79 225 5.6 304 7.0 437 9.2
80+ 161 4.0 537 12.3 819 17.2
Sub-Total 508 12.8 999 23.0 1,454 30.7
TOTAL 3,957 100% 4,339 100% 4,737 100%
Source: U.S. Census 2000/2010 Metropolitan Council 2015
s� Comprehensive Plan 2018
City of Oak Park Heights Page 7
,
SOCIAL INVENTORY
OCCUPATION
Information from the 2010 and 2014 Census regarding employment demographics for
Oak Park Heights and Washington County are depicted in the table below. The majority
of those employed in the City both in 2000 and 2014 were in retail. The second largest
category was health care. Employment demographics for Washington County follow a
similar pattern with health care being the largest and retail second. The numbers
indicate the recovery of certain industries following the economic downturn.
2010 AND 2014 OCCUPATIONS
Oak Park Heights Washington County
2010 % 2014 % 2010 % 2014 %
Accommodation and Food 285 7 237 6 6,365 10 7,273 10
Services
Administrative 32 - 24 - 3,183 5 2,697 4
Agricultural, Forestry, 1 _ 1 - 500 1 529 1
Fishing and Hunting
Arts and Entertainment 41 1 34 1 1,257 2 1,329 2
Construction 184 5 311 7 2,700 4 3,450 5
Educational Services 278 7 255 6 7,647 12 8,076 11
Finance and Insurance 11 - 47 1 2,267 4 3,517 5
Health Care 775 19 790 19 9,363 15 10,950 15
Information 8 - 13 - 548 1 488 1
Management companies 500 12 495 12 1,011 2 1,373 2
and Enterprises
Manufacturing and Mining 65 2 55 1 6,938 10 7,314 10
Other services 219 5 171 4 2,409 4 3,035 4
Professional and Technical 65 2 77 2 2,642 4 3,229 4
Public Administration 352 9 353 9 3,384 5 3,676 5
Real Estate 47 1 44 1 678 1 701 1
Retail Trade 899 22 958 23 8,533 13 10,200 14
Transportation and 243 6 237 6 2,366 4 1,745 2
Warehousing
Utilities 0 - 1 - 29 - 8 4
Wholesale Trade 58 2 77 2 1,814 3 2,528
TOTAL 4,063 100 4,180 100 63,634 100 72,118 100
Source: U.S. Census 2010/2014
Comprehensive Plan 2018
City of Oak Park Heights Page 8
SOCIAL INVENTORY
The following table represents the overall employment numbers for Oak Park Heights,
projections to 2040 and the percent of change from one year to the next.
1990-2040 Employment
Oak Park Heights
Number Percent
Change
1990 2,200
2000 2,713 18.9
2010 4,358 37.8
2015 4,524 3.7
2020 5,900 23.3
2030 6,800 13.2
2040 7,500 9.3
Source: U.S. Census 1990, 2000, 2010 Estimates
from Metropolitan Council
Comprehensive Plan 2018
City of Oak Park Heights Page 9
SOCIAL INVENTORY
EDUCATION
The following table illustrates education levels for residents ages 25 and over in 2010
and 2015. As indicated for 2010, 93.1 percent of the population has attained a high
school diploma or higher degree, while 31.1 percent of the population has attained a
Bachelor's degree or higher. For 2015, 94.8 percent of the population has obtained a
high school degree or higher and 33.5 percent have been awarded a Bachelor's degree
or higher.
2010/2015 OAK PARK HEIGHTS
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT (Ages 25 and over)
Level Attained 2010 2010 % 2015 2015 %
Did Not Graduate High School 224 6.9 193 5.2
High School Graduate 966 29.7 1,018 27.1
Some College (no degree) 720 22.2 934 24.9 _
Associate Degree 328 10.1 350 9.3
Bachelor's Degree 742 22.8 895 23.9
Graduate/Professional Degree 269 8.3 360 9.6
TOTAL 3,249 100% 3,750 100%
% of High School Grad + 93.1% 94.9%
% of Bachelor's Degree + 31.1% 33.5%
Source: U.S. Census 2010 Metropolitan Council 2015
a
Comprehensive Plan 2018
y City of Oak Park Heights Page 10
SOCIAL INVENTORY
INCOME
The 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2015 data regarding income for Oak Park Heights and
Washington County is illustrated in the following tables. The first column indicates per
capita income; the second, median family income; third, percent below poverty level and
forth, individuals below poverty level. The per capita income and median family income
levels for the City are below that of Washington County. A higher percentage of people
are below the poverty level in Oak Park Heights than Washington County. Oak Park
Heights has experienced a decrease in median family income from 2010 to 2015.
1990, 2000, 2010, 2015 INCOME
Per Capita Median Percent Individuals
Income Family Below Below Poverty
Income Povert Level Level
iti m"'.:.
Oak Park Heights $15,200 $33,200 7.9% 275
Washington County $17,400 $44,100 4.4% 6,419
Oak Park Heights $23,300 $48,400 3.4% 128
Washington County $28,100 $66,300 2.9% 5,833
.�
Oak Park Heights $28,600 $50,400 11.0% 489
Washington County $36,200 $79,100 5.2% 12,383
Oak Park Heights $30,600 $49,800 10.0% 470
Washington County $38,500 $83,700 5.4% 13,555
Source: U.S. Census 1990, 2000, 2010 Metropolitan Council 2015
Comprehensive Plan 2018
! City of Oak Park Heights Page 11