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Meeting Date: 5/12/93 <br /> Agenda Item: P 3 <br /> CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS <br /> REQUEST FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION <br /> ITEM DESCRIPTION: Request for administrator to proceed with <br /> additional legal and planning studies for <br /> commercial uses with possible secondary <br /> impacts- <br /> SUBMITTED BY: Susan Hoyt, City Administrat <br /> REVIEWED BY: Peter Bachman, City Attorney <br /> Fred Hoisington, Planning Consultant <br /> EXPLANATION /SUMMARY <br /> Planning for a fully developed, inner -ring suburb has its <br /> challenges because the land uses that were established at the <br /> time development occurred must adapt to changing markets and <br /> lifestyles. When the city adopted 'a new comprehensive plan in <br /> 1991, it recognized the need to maintain and enhance the quality <br /> of its neighborhoods which includes both residential and <br /> commercial uses. <br /> To partially accomplish this goal the city contracted with the <br /> Hoisington /Koegler planning group to begin a comprehensive review <br /> of its commercial zones in October, 1992. The study's purpose <br /> is to update the current commercial zoning code to reflect the <br /> activity that is appropriate in these zones now and for the <br /> future. The council further assured the significance and <br /> integrity of this study by adopting a development moratorium in <br /> March, 1993 on the advice of the new city attorney who <br /> specializes in land use law. <br /> As this plannng study proceeds some commercial uses may be <br /> identified as having potential secondary impacts on the city's <br /> business district and adjacent neighborhoods. Because Falcon <br /> Heights residential neighborhoods are within 300 feet or less of <br /> a commercial zone, it is important to evaluate all commercial <br /> retail uses for their impact on these neighborhoods. <br /> Therefore, staff recommends that the commercial zoning study take <br /> a two tract approach toward completion to assure prompt removal <br /> of most commercial retail uses from the moratorium, yet maintain <br /> the integrity and thoroughness of the review by continuing to <br /> study those uses identified for potential secondary impacts. <br /> (No impacts have been determined to date). <br /> Staff asks for approval of up to $10,000 for additional planning <br /> and legal research associated with the second tract of this <br /> study. These services would be charged an hourly rate and <br /> monitored carefully. This approach is useful because the extent <br /> and depth of required legal and planning studies is not known at <br /> this time. <br />