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City of Falcon Heights • Planning Commission Minutes March 26, 2003 Chair Tom Lageson called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. PRESENT: DeLeo, Lageson, Lukermann, Maher, Heideman, Ryan. Also present were Heather Worthington, City Administrator, and Deb Jones, Zoning and Planning Coordinator. ABSENT: Harris, Ziebarth, Tracy, Alternate Commissioner Middleton, Council Liaison Lindstrom The minutes of the February 26, 2003, meeting were approved. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE S.E. CORNER REDEVELOPMENT P.U.D. Chair Lageson opened the public hearing. City Administrator Worthington presented the proposal for the P.U.D. Noting that the City has been working on this project for three years, Ms. Worthington said that this evenings object is to seek Planning Commission approval of the rezoning ordinance for the whole SE Corner parcel. The Commissioners have reviewed the site plan plus preliminary plans for the multi-family unit and the senior unit; plans for the townhomes will be reviewed in April. The Planning Commission had also had the opportunity to review an evaluation by consultant Dan Cornejo and a report from the CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) department of St. Paul. No members of the public were present to speak. Commissioner Lukermann asked if the idea of reorienting the front porch steps on the Arona side of the senior building came from the City or the developer. Ms. Worthington said the idea was Dan Cornejo's, and that the City could suggest it. She said it is within the City's purview to make such recommendations. Sherman Associates has been very cooperative on the changes. Commissioner Maher pointed out that the floor plan for the multi-family building shows the largest apartments, which are most likely to house children, are the farthest from the elevator. Ms. Worthington said Staff will bring this up with the developer. In response to a related question from Commissioner Lageson she confirmed there is only one set of elevators, but they are closer to the midpoint of the building than one end. The City did ask that the lobby be reoriented to improve traffic flow and security. Commissioner Lukermann wanted to know if there would be chutes for rubbish disposal, or will tenants have to carry their trash down to the basement. Staff will find out. Commissioner Lageson asked if there are sufficient fire exits. Ms. Worthington said that is part of the building code review, which is not yet complete. Commissioner Ryan asked if a discrepancy concerning surface materials mentioned in Mr. Cornejo's report had been resolved. If not, said Ms. Worthington, it will be worked out. Staff will proceed on the basis of the two reports and any concerns brought up by the Commission. Commission Ryan also brought up something that had been mentioned in an earlier public meeting, the possibility of charging a fee (in addition to rent) for parking space in the multi- family. He and other commissioners expressed concern that this would encourage tenants to park 03_0326.doc Falcon Heights Planning Commission, March 26, 2003 Page 1 of 3