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• City of Falcon Heights Planning Commission Workshop Notes -October 28, 2003 Present: Commissioners Lageson, DeLeo, Lukermann, Maher, Ryan, Tracy, Council Member Lindstrom, Staff Liaison Jones. The workshop commenced at approximately 7:18 p.m. Summary: Commissioners are reading and discussing the City's zoning code in preparation for a revision expected next year. This evening's discussion revolved around restrictions imposed on residents by provisions such as setback, height limits and lot coverage. Why do we have these restriction? And are the Falcon Heights rules reasonable, looking into the future? How should we adjust to increasing population in the Metro area, scarcity of land, and evolving needs of residents and businesses? Discussion: Commissioner DeLeo began the discussion by bringing up the height restrictions that exist in every zone. He said he was reading the code with an eye to the next ten to fifteen years, in context of the future development of the entire metro area. What will be the impact of all additional population expected. In fully-developed communities such as ours, there is only one direction to build: up! Therefore, he wonders if we shouldn't think about our height restrictions. Perhaps some study is needed. Could our infrastructure - streets, water, storm sewers - handle this change? One thing he wouldn't want is to recommend something that would change • the character of the town. Would allowing an additional story be too much of a change to our neighborhoods? Commissioner Lageson said he had talked to a resident, an architect, who told him that it wasn't possible to modify the character of a home without undue restrictions imposed by the City. There should be a clause in the code for preserving "architectural integrity." Commissioner Tracy asked how our setback requirements unduly restrict people. Jones pointed out that the home in question was the one that initiated the Commission's lengthy study on lot coverage in 2002, which resulted in an amendment to the code. That particular project "pushed the envelope" of zoning and aroused much concern among neighbors. It significantly exceeds the lot coverage now allowed. De Leo said he would not like to see the Commission back off on the 20021ot coverage work. The height issue is really acity-wide concern, not just in R-1. Tracy asked how tall is the T.I.E.S. building; what if someone wants to redevelop, say, the northwest corner of Snelling and Larpenteur and wants to exceed existing height limit? The B-3 height limit will be exceeded in the new Town Square development on the SE Corner. In response to a question from Commissioner Lukermann, Jones said that the SE Corner was rezoned as a PUD; it is not an overlay. Lukermann suggested there may be room for adjustment of height restrictions in B-3. Commissioner Maher said we should make sure our zoning limitations are there for a good reason. People are not moving; they are remodeling, trying to find more living space on the property they have. We must consider individual properties and allow people to get variances. Tracy pointed out that we do grant variances when the need is clear and the case is exceptional, citing the example of the garage on Summer Street last year, which worked out very well. • Falcon Heights Planning Commission Workship, October 28, 2003 Page 1 of 2