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19 March 1990 A PLANNING REPORT ON T:~E LAND USE CONTROLS GOVERNING THE UNIVERSITY GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD INTRODUCTION The University of Minnesota has proposed a change in the land tenure system of the University Grove Neighborhood from entirely leasehold with University ownership to a mixture of leasehold with University ownership and private property. As lessor, the University maintains a policy of approving all major property improvements and restricting some land uses. Therefore, the absence of the University's ownership of some property may remove these land use controls. This report provides information on the role of the City in this issue. And it details the Universgityaof use controls placed upon the neighborhoood by Minnesota and the City of Falcon Heights zoning code. THE CITY'S ROLE Commons Areas and Vacant Lots Any isue affecting a City neighborhood is important to the City as a whole. Nevertheless, the University proposal to sell the land to Grove residents is primarily a neighborhood issue with the • residents and the University being the key players. The University did approach the City on two questions related to the land sale issue. In a letter dated September 19, 1989, the University inquired about the City 's interest in 1) releasing an easement on the property at the northeast end of Folwell Avenue to expand the area of the vacant lot "Lot C" (see Figure 1) so the University could sell it for the construction of a residential home; and 2) the City's interest in purchasing the commons areas and "Lot B", a vacant lot on the eastern edge of Coffman Street (see Figure 1). A copy of this letter was sent to the President of the Grove Homeowners Association. After review by the Planning Commission and a public hearing, the City Council approved the release of a portion of the easement adjacent to "Lot C". The City Council also declined the opportunity to purchase the commons a-yeas and/or "Lot B". The City Council based its decision on the fact that the commons areas serve the adjacent property owner-s and do not function as a neighborhood park. The City has~made an on-going commitment to the Grove Park. Therefore, it was decided that limited City funds should not be spent on the purchase and maintenance of these areas. The Zoning Code The City administers the zoning code that covers the University Grove Neighborhood. The University Grove is zoned R-1, single . family residential. It is possible to amend the zoning code to.