HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMinutes_12-0228.pdfCity of Falcon Heights - Planning Commission Meeting of February 28, 2012 - Page 1 of 3 City of Falcon Heights Planning Commission Minutes February 28, 2012 PRESENT: Commissioners Black, Brown, Gust afson, Minns, Noble, Wartick, Council Member Harris, Staff Liaison Jones. ABSENT : Commissioners Fite and Minns The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by the 2011 Chair, Commissioner Black, who noted that a quorum was present. The minutes for January, 2012, were approved by acclamation with one correction. The extraneous words “elected Commissioners” were struck out of the sentence on chair and vice-chair election. Staff Liaison Jones introduced new City Admini strator Bart Fischer, who was attending the Planning Commission for the first time. Public Hearing on the proposed front porch amendment Ms. Jones introduced the topic by giving the audience some background on the terms and concepts addressed in the or dinance. Front porches had gone out of fashion in home architecture during the period when most Falc on Heights homes were built. Styles have changed again, and now people approach the c ity about adding front porches or covered entries. However, most houses were built up ve ry close to the front setback line, which means that any functional front entry or porch wo uld have to encroach into the front setback. The city code allows certain specific encro achments into the setbac k, but front porches are not included. Jones explained that front porch es are not prohibited. Th ey can be built behind the setback line. They’re simply not included among the things that are allowed to extend into the front setback area. The proposed code amendment would add ce rtain kinds of front porches as allowed encroachments. Commissioner Black reminded the audience th at the City Council will make the final decision; the Commissi on makes a recommendation to the Council. He stated that the Commission had several workshops in 2011 to revi ew research on ordinances in other cities regarding front porches. Commissioner Black opened the hearing. Three pe ople were in attendan ce: Melanie Leehy of 1800 Larpenteur; Kris Grangaard of 1727 Simp son; Diane Ross of 1825 Simpson. All three spoke enthusiastically in favor of allowing front porch encroach ments. They cited the social benefits to neighborhoods and the added value to homes. In response to a question from Ms. Grangaard re garding uncovered porches or decks in front of houses, Jones said that those are handled separately in our c ode and require a variance to encroach into the front setback. This seems to be a hold over from a time when the standards for granting a variance were much less strict, so this is something the Commission should
City of Falcon Heights - Planning Commission Meeting of February 28, 2012 - Page 2 of 3 look at fixing. However, decks are not under consideration in the amendment under consideration. Planning Commission Discussion Commissioner Black opened the discussion by poin ting out that are two conflicting goals in operation here. He feels comm issioners agree that porches are a good thing, but front setbacks exist for a reason. Allowing these struct ures could make our streetscapes narrower visually, in effect extending houses forward. This would definitely have an impact on the neighborhood that might not be so positive. Commissioner Wartick expressed a similar con cern about the impact on the streetscape. He raised an additional concern that front porch es might be “filled in” as in many St. Paul neighborhoods, becoming an additional clos ed room at the front of the house. Commissioner Brown said he favors the idea of front porches. He does not think six feet would be enough of an encroachment to have a negative impace on th e streetscape. Views are already obscured by trees a nd bushes. If porches are requi red to remain open, not walled in, they can be an inviting amenity. Commissioner Noble asked how many houses are up close to the front setback line. Jones said she didn’t have an exact count but a look at aerial photos shows that “most” homes are lined up along the setback line. They might be back a few feet but not far enough to add anything “useful” between the existing front wall and the setback line. There are a few houses that are farther back, particular ly on some of the very deep lots. Commissioners then got into an inolved discussion regardi ng whether or not the proposed amendment grants more scope for encroachment into side setback than the Commission perhaps intended. Commissioner Brown said he would prefer that the amendment not allow any encroachment into side setbacks. Commissioner Wartick said he does not favor allowing extensi on of houses into the setback and he feels this is what will happen with this amendment. He felt covered entries could be allowed but the amendment as proposed is t oo broad. Commissioners Noble and Gustafson and Council Member Harris also expressed rese rvations with the la nguage as stated. As discussion continued, Commi ssioners realized that they were returning to questions that they should have addressed in the workshop pro cess. Noble moved that the matter be tabled to allow the Commission more time to wo rk on these questions. The motion passed. Jones reminded the Commission and the audience that the required public hearing has been held and another public hearing would not be required as long as the Commission does not end up recommending something substantially di fferent. Several Commissioners expressed thanks to the people from the community who showed up to speak at the hearing.
City of Falcon Heights - Planning Commission Meeting of February 28, 2012 - Page 3 of 3 Information and Announcements: Council Member Harris announced the upcoming women’s safety workshop at City Hall. She said she attended a similar workshop and what she learned allowed her to avoid an assault. Jones reminded people to call and register. City Administrator Fischer said he ha d enjoyed meeting the Planning Commission. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Deborah Jones, Staff Liaison