HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril_Packet_2018_SACK_CompPlan
City of Falcon Heights
Planning Commission
City Hall
2077 W. Larpenteur Avenue
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
7:00 p.m.
A G E N D A
A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL: Chair Larkin ____ Samatar ____
Murphy ____ Stemper ____
Williams ____ Kotelnicki ____
Sunderland ____
Council Liaison Miazga ____ Staff Liaison Moretto ____
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES for March 27rd, 2018
D. AGENDA
1. WBS Update
E. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
F. ADJOURN
If you have a disability and need accommodation in order to attend this meeting,
please notify City Hall 48 hours in advance between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30
p.m. at 651-792-7600. We will be happy to help.
City of Falcon Heights
City Hall
2077 W. Larpenteur Avenue
Minutes - Planning Commission
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
7:00 p.m.
A: CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Commission Vice Chair
Stemper at 7:00 pm.
B: ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners: Sunderland, Stemper, Williams, Murphy
Staff Liaison: Moretto
Council Liaison: Miazga
Absent: Larkin, Samatar, Kotelnicki
C: APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
The minutes of February 27, 2018 meeting of the Planning Commission were
approved.
D. HEARINGS
1. Variance Request – 1454 Roselawn
a. The owners of the property located at 1454 Roselawn request a variance
from the city of Falcon Heights zoning code to tear down and rebuild the
detached garage on the existing foundation, for front setback and
impervious surface. The current garage setback is out of compliance at 20
feet but has been grandfathered due to the pre existence of the garage prior
to the establishment of the current setback code. The front setback code
requires a 30 foot setback.
b. The City of Falcon Heights staff has determined based upon a
calculation of impervious surface of the existing structures, and hard
surfaces that the property is in compliance with city code.
c. The Planning Commission heard arguments from the owners John and
Kris Robertson-Smith who presented a well prepared, thorough and
thoughtful presentation detailing the replacement of the garage with a
similar structure.
d. Commissioner Murphy introduced a motion to approve the variance
request as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Sunderland and approved by unanimous vote.
2. PUD Amendment request– 1750 Larpenteur (The Hendrickson)
a. An updated amendment request was introduced to the Planning
Commission by Paul Moretto to allow for revised plans on file. Moretto
stated that it is hoped that this current amendment marks a final iteration
of the PUD application and that documents on file include: site plan,
elevations plan, grading, drainage, utility plan, and landscaping plan. The
application request calls for a public hearing on the requested amendment
to the PUD at 1750 Larpenteur Ave W and a request for approval of the
CODE TEXT AMENDMENT (PUD) to the city Council. (plans and
documents are available for review at the Falcon Heights City office.
b. The public hearing notification announcement letter was drafted and
sent as required to all owners within 500 feet of the proposed development
and was published in the Roseville Review.
c. The hearing for the amendment request was opened by the Commission
Vice Chair Stemper. Paul Moretto introduced the amendment request and
the key issues to be addressed by the Planning Commission.
Representatives from project consultants Jeff Shuller, Firm Ground
Architects and engineers, Peter Austin from Kelly Brothers, Trevor Gruys,
Civil Loucks Engineers, Chris from Weiss, discussed the important points
of the project concerning the amendment request.
Paul Moretto stated that city staff held a meeting with The Fire marshal,
the building inspector and the architect for the Hendrickson. In reference
to a letter dated March 9, 2018, the City of Falcon Heights Fire Marshal
Michael Poeschl outlined three concerns for the Hendrickson project:
1. that the eastern access road be expanded and the turning radius
be increased from the current 20 ft to 30 feet to allow greater access
from Larpenteur
2. that the fresh air intake vault currently located on the east wall
of the southeast corner of the building be moved to allow for secure
access to the east location of the property.
3. that a fire hydrant be located somewhere in a southeast location
of the property to provide for a secure supply to the underground
garage and the rear half of the structure.
d. The commissioner questions following the closing of the open hearing
were:
where will the vent on the southeast corner be located
problems concerning running a water line to the back of the building
for an additional fire hydrant.
how important is the rear fire hydrant in the Fire Marshall’s
approval.
are there any other properties in Falcon Heights with similar issues
can the commission approve the proposed amendment without
satisfying the Fire Marshal’s request for a southwest located fire
hydrant
Paul Moretto introduced the idea of a 5% variance for additional future
requests so that a hearing not be required before the commission.
e. Paul Moretto restated the amendments under consideration for
commission approval and to be passed by the Planning Commission to
include:
1. The expansion of the drive turning radius and access road to 30
feet
2. The fresh air intake be moved to the south wall of the structure
on the southeast corner of the building
3. That the issue of locating the fire hydrant in the southeast corner
of the property not be required and be deferred to the city council.
Commissioner Stemper moved that the council approve the amendments as
introduced, and seconded by Commissioner Williams. The motion failed
by a vote of two in favor (Williams, Stemper), one apposed (Sunderland),
and one abstention (Murphy).
f. Commissioner Murphy requested discussion of the fit of the four story
Hendrickson project into the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Falcon
Heights.
g. The proposed request for approval was re-introduced and discussion
followed . A new motion was made providing for satisfaction of items 1,
2, and 3 as stated above which suggested that this approval and
recommendation be sent to the city council for approval with the
recommendation that additional information be gathered from the Fire
Marshall to provide needed clarity on the installment of the fire hydrant in
the southeast area of the property.
Commissioner Sunderland offered a motion to approve the requested
amendment as stated above. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Williams. The commission approved the motion by a vote of three in favor
(Stemper, Williams and Sunderland) and one abstention (Murphy)
* Commissioner Sunderland has included with the minutes a copy of the
relevant Minnesota State Building Code reference for fire hydrant access
for fire sprinkled buildings without discussion. This was not available or
referenced at the time of the Planning Commission hearing.
E. AGENDA
No agenda items introduced.
E. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Paul Moretto introduced the idea of creating sub-committees within the Planning
Commission for the purpose of looking at grant opportunities that benefit Falcon
Heights future projects and interests.
F: ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
* 507.5.1 Where required.
Where a portion of the facility or building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the
jurisdiction is more than 300 feet (91.5 m) from a hydrant on a fire apparatus access road, as
measured by an approved route around the exterior of the facility or building, on-site fire hydrants
and mains shall be provided where required by the fire code official.
Exceptions:
1. For Group R-3 and Group U occupancies, the distance requirement shall be 400 feet (122
m).
2. For buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed
in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, the threshold for requiring on site fire
hydrants and mains shall be increased to 400 feet (122 m).
3. For Group R-3 buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler
system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2, or 903.3.1.3, the
threshold for requiring on site fire hydrants and mains shall be increased to 600 feet
(183 m).
507.5.1.1 Hydrant for standpipe systems.
Buildings equipped with a standpipe system installed in accordance with Section 905 shall have a
fire hydrant within 100 feet (30 m) of the fire department connections.
Exception: The distance shall be permitted to exceed 100 feet (30 m) where approved by the fire
code official.
FALCON HEIGHTS
2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
GOALS, LAND USE, & REDEVELOPMENT
Planning Commission Meeting
April 24, 2018
WSB & Associates
REDEVELOPMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
Map shows changes
from 1998 –2008
What has changed
from 2008 –2018?
REDEVELOPMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
Are these still the
areas?
REDEVELOPMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
Is this corridor the
same?
REDEVELOPMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
Have there been any
changes to the City’s
neighborhoods?
GOAL SECTIONS
•Guiding Values
•General Land Use
•The Larpenteur & Snelling Corridors
•Housing & Neighborhoods
•Highway & Roadway
•Aviation
•Community Facilities & Services
GUIDING VALUES
•Preserving and enhancing the urban/rural character valued by our residents.
•Building connections and community identity on the Larpenteur and Snelling
Avenue corridors
GENERAL LAND USE
•To build community identity along the main thoroughfares, especially
Larpenteur and Snelling Avenues.
HOUSING & NEIGHBORHOODS
•To improve the quality, appearance and maintenance of housing in
neighborhoods and the health of residents.
•To encourage the availability of housing for a population of diverse ages and
income levels.
•To protect open space and natural resources, preserving the urban/rural
aesthetic that Falcon Heights residents value.
THE LARPENTEUR & SNELLING
CORRIDORS
•To encourage the evolution of the Snelling/Larpenteur hub, especially between
Arona Street and Fairview Avenue, into an extended "city center" connecting,
rather than dividing, the community.
•To promote the redevelopment of properties in a manner that enhances the
values and aesthetics of the surrounding community.
•To provide opportunities for forecast housing needs to be met, including the
forecast need for at least 21 units of affordable housing, in proximity to public
transportation, commercial services and recreational facilities.
COMMUNITY FACILITIES & SERVICES
•To continue cooperation among the City and other governmental units
including the School District, the County and neighboring cities.
MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNITY
CONCERNS
•Make improvements to outreach and communications
•Encourage civic engagement, involvement, and activity
•Explore how arts and cultural can make residents feel more connected to the
community
•Increase racial & economic diversity
•Enhance diversity relations
•Join the U of M in the review of their Master Plan
•Increase transparency and build trust between city and residents
TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Transportation Plan now includes:
•Freight section describing heavy commercial
vehicle traffic in the city
TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Transportation Plan now includes:
•New Regional Bicycle Transportation
Network –2 RBTN “corridors” and 1 RBTN
“alignment” in Falcon Heights
TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Transportation plan now includes:
•A Line now in operation –how can the city
take advantage?
HIGHWAY & ROADWAY
•To promote safety on all streets.
•To avoid unnecessary street congestion and the resulting negative effects on air
quality.
•Add a Freight Goal???
•Recommend Removing Techniques (Too Specific)
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PLAN
•Nothing about Safety and Convenience
PUBLIC TRANSIT
•Continue to coordinate with the County Regional Railroad Authority in the
implementation of LRT plans.
AVIATION
•To regulate and ensure compatibility of land use with aviation.
NEXT STEPS
•Draft Plan
•May 22nd Public Hearing
City of Falcon Heights
Comprehensive Plan
Public Draft
January, 201808
MAP DISCAIMER: The maps in this document are neither legally recorded map nor surveys and are not intended to be used as
such. These maps are compilations of records, information and data located in various city, county, regional,
state and federal offices and other sources regarding the area shown, and is to be used for reference
purposes only. The City does not warrant that the Geographic Information System (GIS) Data used to
prepare these maps are error free, and the City does not represent that the GIS Data can be used for
navigational, tracking or any other purpose requiring exacting measurement of distance or direction or precision in the depiction of geographic features. If errors or discrepancies are found please contact (651)
792-7613. The preceding disclaimer is provided pursuant to Minnesota Statutes §466.03, Subd. 21 (2000), and
the user of this document acknowlegesacknowledges that the City shall not be liable for any damages, and
expressly waives all claims, and agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmlssharmless the City from any
and all claims brought by User, its employees or agents, or third parties which arise out of the user's access or use of data provided.
Table of Contents
I. Background 1. Purpose and Scope
2. Vision and Objectives
3. The City of Falcon Heights
4. Demographics, Assumptions and Projections
5. Community Input and Plan Process
II. Land Use and Housing
1. General Land Use in Falcon Heights
2. The Larpenteur and Snelling Corridors
3. Housing and Neighborhoods 4. Commercial/Business Areas
5. Agricultural and Institutional Lands
III. Physical Systems: Transportation, Utilities, Storm Water Management
1. Introduction 2. Transportation
3. Sanitary Sewer System
4. Storm Water Management
IV. Community Systems and Services 1. Parks and Open Spaces
2. Other Community Facilities and Services
V. Natural and Historic Resources
1. Natural Resources 2. Historic and Cultural Resources
VI. Economic Development
VII. Implementation 1. Land Use
2. Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances
3. Housing
4. Storm Water Management Plan
5. Capital Improvements Program
Appendices
A. Falcon Heights: Population Profile
B. Falcon Heights: Housing Profile
C. Capital Improvement Program
I. Background
1. Purpose and Scope
The purpose of a comprehensive plan is to guide the City in all of its decisions relating to
land use, transportation, community facilities, public improvements/investments and
intergovernmental relations. It is a body of general public policy that defines and promulgates the community’s vision for the future, a dynamic and multidimensional
guidebook that articulates the concepts, principals relationships, patterns and general
expectations which support that vision.
A clear, broadly supported comprehensive plan is a valuable tool and resource to guide
all stakeholders in the City’s future. The comprehensive plan is an especially critical tool
for the city’s Planning Commission, which is charged by statute with evaluating all
public and private land use, transportation systems, community facilities and investment proposals for their consistency with the plan’s goals, objectives and policies. For the City
Council, the plan is a foundation for decision-making and further visioning. The city's
staff is guided in day-to-day city business by the zoning code, which is a tool to
implement the City's plan, one of many such tools. To residents and property owners, the
plan describes the community’s expectations for land use and all public systems and indicates directions for future change.
The comprehensive plan is a decision-making framework that can be interpreted rather
broadly. However, if too loosely interpreted, it loses its value. The challenge to a dynamic community is to make sure public policy is consistently and universally applied
and that response to changing circumstances and regional systems is undertaken with
careful consideration. If a proposal does not adhere to the city’s goals and policies as
embodied in the comprehensive plan, the City may either deny the proposal or consider
amending its plan. Amendment to the comprehensive plan is not undertaken lightly and must be demonstrated not to be detrimental to the City, its neighborhoods or the
environment or to require substantial increase in the need for publicly financed
improvements. The burden of that proof falls to the party proposing change.
The important thing to remember is that no decision can be made independently of all
others. The elements of this Comprehensive Plan are intertwined and interdependent.
Although the published plan is organized into sections with separate sets of policies and
goals, it must be kept in mind that each element remains related to all others. In implementation, the vision, values and objectives of the whole will always be applied.
Because Falcon Heights is part of the seven-county Metropolitan Area, it is required to
update its Comprehensive Plan every ten years in accordance with the Mandatory Land Planning Act of 1976. This is the third generationfourth generation plan to be completed
by the City since enactment. enactment. The last major update of theThe Falcon Heights
Comprehensive Plan was completed in 1991; a minor update was submitted in 1999. The
last major update was formally adopted in June, 2009 as the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
This 2040 Comprehensive Plan will now serve as the City’s planning document until year 2028.
This plan was prepared in consultation with the Comprehensive Plan Steering
Committee in concert with the Planning Commission and City Council and with
assistance from city staff and consultants.
2. Vision, Values and Objectives
“People who live here are proud of Falcon Heights and take care of it.” Falcon Heights resident, 2007
The City of Falcon Heights’ chief goal is to create and maintain a high quality of life in a
community that is an aging, inner ring, fully developed suburb adjacent to St. Paul and
within two miles of Minneapolis. By funding good public services and investing
prudently in rebuilding and maintaining infrastructure, the City seeks not only to keep those qualities valued by today’s residents but to be attractive for future reinvestment,
redevelopment and renewal by residents, businesses and public institutions. This
comprehensive plan is about shaping that future: a well-balanced community for all age
groups to grow and prosper and to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
Preserving and enhancing the urban/rural character valued by our residents.
Of all responses Falcon Heights residents made when asked what they value about living
in the city, “open space” was by far the leader. Falcon Heights is uniquely advantaged
among fully developed inner ring Twin Cities suburbs in that it includes a high
proportion of open space, thanks to the University of Minnesota’s extensive agricultural
research land and golf course. Future redevelopment should honor this history by finding creative ways to maintain the rural/urban character of the city while accommodating the
expected growth in households and population. Future development should also embrace
every opportunity to build connections between the open spaces and the City’s
neighborhoods, commercial areas and public spaces, so that this valued open space is not
just a “view” but a living part of the community.
Maintaining our traditional neighborhoods in this central Metro location, with
opportunities for all our generations to stay in the City.
Falcon Heights residents delight in their convenient location close to both central St. Paul
and Minneapolis and their proximity to so much of what the Metro area has to offer.
Residents prize their attractive, well-maintained neighborhoods, each of which has a distinct identity and some of which are on the threshold of becoming historically
significant. Reinvestment in these neighborhoods must be sensitive to the style and
character of these older homes and respectful of the green space and urban forest
surrounding them and the open land adjacent to them. Finally, residents have also
expressed a hope that they can remain in Falcon Heights as they age and that the City can continue to be home to the young people who grow up here as they form households of
their own.
Building connections and community identity on the Larpenteur and Snelling
Avenue corridors
“Where is Falcon Heights?” Many residents said their acquaintances from other cities
do not know where Falcon Heights is located, even when they drive through it every day. In fact, even some residents themselves did not have a very clear idea of the city
boundaries. The two major traffic arteries that quarter the City, Larpenteur and Snelling
Avenues, serve a vital local role in giving residents easy access to nearby St. Paul,
Minneapolis and Roseville for work and shopping. Built to encourage vehicle rather than
pedestrian traffic, Larpenteur and Snelling also function as significant barriers between neighborhoods, fragmenting city identity. Yet these major thoroughfares offer enormous
potential to become the keys to a stronger civic identity, a sense of arrival and welcome,
connection and community. In-depth study of these corridors is needed in order to
formulate corridor framework plans to guide public and private development aimed at
realizing this potential.
Becoming a healthier, more active and livable community.
The open agricultural research fields in Falcon Heights contribute to the community’s
rural feel that residents have cited as one of its most prized qualities. This asset offers
high motivation and potential for active living and for implementing a number of healthy
community “best practices”. On the other hand, the two busy highways constitute major obstacles to pedestrian and bicycle travel and offer a considerable challenge to the city in
implementing some changes that could make the community a healthier place to live.
Another challenge is lack of essential neighborhood retail businesses residents would
walk to if they could. It has been years since Falcon Heights has had a grocery store or
deli within its boundaries. Small businesses that provide necessities close to home – this is the only kind of business expansion residents said they would like to see in the
community.
Becoming a sustainable, energy efficient community
“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” – The United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development.
The climate crisis and rising cost of energy present all cities with an extraordinary
challenge. Local action is a critical part of global solutions to these problems.
Individuals, businesses, public institutions and local governments all have an important
role to play in making wise choices that ensure the health and viability of our communities for future generations. By establishing policies that balance social,
economic and ecological needs, encourage wise stewardship of natural resources and
incorporate environmental responsibility into future development, Falcon Heights can
remain a community where people want to live and work for generations to come.
Maintaining the property tax base.
Falcon Heights’ geographic boundaries include the east portion of the University of
Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus and the Minnesota State Fair. This unique land use composition creates an interesting community that is appreciated by residents and visitors
alike. However, it results in 66% of the city’s land area being both tax-exempt and
statutorily out of the City’s land use control. In addition, one quadrant of Falcon Heights
central commercial core, the Snelling/Larpenteur business district, was acquired in 2000
by TIES (formerly Technology Information Education Services), a non-profit corporation, taking another 6.3 acres out of the City’s tax base, although city land use
controls still apply.
Unlike many university cities, Falcon Heights tax base does not reflect the commercial or
private research facilities that many university communities enjoy. Given the city’s
location by the university and within a few minutes of both downtowns, the city is increasingly attractive to tax exempt property owners. Since maintaining the tax base is
critical to being able to pay for services that continue to make Falcon Heights an
attractive community, the city must evaluate all land use proposals for their relationship
to the tax base as well as their planning value to the community.
Celebrating and developing the relationship with the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Fair.
The city works very hard to develop and maintain good communication with its two
major landholders and institutions, the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State
Fair. The City is a participant in the University of Minnesota Master Plan Steering
Committee, which is currently developing a plan for both Twin Cities campuses. The City is also represented on the Campus Coordinating Committee, which includes
members of the University administration and representatives from Falcon Heights,
Lauderdale and St. Anthony Park. The expected move of the Bell Museum of Natural
History to a site across Larpenteur Avenue from the Gibbs Museum will be an
opportunity to promote the growing civic, cultural and recreational precinct in the Larpenteur/Cleveland area, within walking distance of City Hall and two of the City’s
parks and to re-imagine the campus entry and the Larpenteur streetscape between
Fairview and Cleveland.
3. The City of Falcon Heights
Figure 1: Metropolitan Council 20430 Planning Areas.
LIMIT ON LIABILITY: This map is neither a legally recorded map nor a survey and is not intended to be used as one. This map is a compilation of records, information and data located in various city, county, regional, state and federal offices and other sources regarding the area shown, and is to be used for reference purposes only. The City does not warrant that the Geographic Information System (GIS) Data used to prepare this map are error free, and the City does not represent that the GIS Data can be used for navigational, tracking or any other purpose requiring exacting measurement of distance or direction or precision in the depiction of geographic features. If errors or discrepancies are found please contact (651) 792-7613. The preceding disclaimer is provided pursuant to Minnesota Statutes §466.03, Subd. 21 (2000), and the user of this map acknowledges that the City shall not be liable for any damages, and expressly waives all claims, and agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City from any and all claims brought by User, its employees or agents, or third parties which arise out of the user's access or use of data provided.
Regional Setting
The City of Falcon Heights is currently classified as an “Urban” community geographic planning area under the Metropolitan Council’s Thrive MSP 2040 plan (Figure 1). Thrive MSP 2040 was adopted by the Metropolitan Council on May 28, 2014 to guide
the region over the next 30 years. Reflects concern and aspiration, anticipates future
needs in the region, and addressed responsibilities towards future generations.
Located between St. Paul and Roseville, Urban communities, as defined by the Metropolitan Council, developed on the outskirts of central business districts as mobility options like freeways increased residential development opportunities. Falcon Heights
lies between St. Paul and Minneapolis. Metropolitan community designations support
regional policy implantations a the local level, with urban areas prioritizing reinvestment,
infill and revitalization to increase economic competitiveness and enhance quality of life standards. Growth strategies in relation to this urban communities regional setting face challenges of redeveloping in ways that accommodate greater mix of uses and better
accessibility for pedestrians.
Falcon Heights is within the Developed Communities area of the metropolitan region
(Figure 1). The Developed Communities are the cities where more than 85% of the land is developed and infrastructure is well established, according to the Metropolitan Council's 2030 Regional Development framework. Within this area the Metropolitan
Council supports and, in fact, gives priority to, reinvestment, infill and revitalization to
increase the economic competitiveness of these communities and to enhance their quality
of life.
Unique Attributes
“I feel as though I’m living in a small town” Falcon Heights resident
Falcon Heights is a very small but truly unique community. With virtually no privately
owned vacant land for development, it is an urban community very much like its
neighbors, St. Paul and Roseville, and yet it has a distinctive rural appearance due to the
wide expanses of University of Minnesota research fields which border Larpenteur Avenue. Falcon Heights has an urban/rural identity, unlike any other first tier suburb of
the Twin Cities.
Falcon Heights is an inner suburb with a small town character: It has a well-defined
retail core, two major traffic arteries crossing and dividing it, and a dominating
agricultural presence – albeit in the core of the city instead of the surrounding land. On one hand, it is residentially fragmented by the separation created by University of
Minnesota lands, Snelling Avenue and elementary school boundaries. On the other, it is a
community that is connected by some of these same factors. It is a stable community
where the housing is of good quality, the location is convenient, and changes have been
slow and relatively small in scale over the last ten years.
Falcon Heights is the host city for one of the State's largest and most important outdoor events, the Minnesota State Fair (288 acres), which attracts more than one and one-half
million people per year to the city and inundates city streets and parking lots with a flood
of automobiles for twelve days each summer. Falcon Heights is also home to the Les
Bolstad University Golf Course, which frames the western entrance to the city.
History
The City of Falcon Heights was originally part of Rose Township, established in 1850 in
Ramsey County and named after early settler Isaac Rose. Rose Township also included
the Cities of Lauderdale, Roseville and parts of Minneapolis, St. Paul and St. Anthony.
Heman Gibbs settled just west of Cleveland Avenue in 1849 on lands situated north and south of Larpenteur Avenue. There he built a sod house that was replaced in 1854 by the present Gibbs Farm. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is
currently owned by the Ramsey County Historical Society.
Heman Gibbs also built the first schoolhouse in Rose Township. It operated until 1959
and still occupies the southwest corner of Larpenteur and Cleveland Avenues. Owned by the University of Minnesota, the old school was extensively remodeled in 1930 by the WPA. The schoolhouse site is expected to become the home of the Bell Museum of
Natural History in the next ten years. The fate of the schoolhouse building is undecided.
Figure 2: Future Falcon Heights in Rose Township. 1940 Aerial Photo, Ramsey County GIS User Group
The Minnesota State Fair has occupied the land west of Snelling and north of Como
Avenue since 1885 and draws over two million people to Falcon Heights each year. The
University of Minnesota School of Agriculture, established in 1888 southwest of
Cleveland and Larpenteur, has conducted continuous agricultural experimentation and research for more than 100 years at this location.
Once dominated by farms and nurseries, Falcon Heights got its name in the 1930s from a
subdivision that was platted by John Cable and named by and for his real estate agent, a
man named Faulkner. Falcon Heights was incorporated as a village in 1949 and as a city
in 1973 by mandate of the State Legislature. The community grew rapidly after 1940, reaching a population of nearly 6,000 in 1960.
In the 1920s the Snelling and Larpenteur intersection was the site of Curtiss Field, one of
the Twin Cities’ earliest air fields. The only remaining trace of Curtiss Field, where
Northwest Airlines is said to have “gotten off the ground,” is in the name of the nearby
neighborhood park. Commercial development began at Snelling and Larpenteur and on Hamline between Hoyt and Iowa Avenues in the 1940s. The distinctive Harvest States
Co-op building at the southwest corner of Snelling and Larpenteur, now occupied by
TIES, was built in 1949.
In 2003 the aging shopping center at the southeast corner of Snelling and Larpenteur was razed to make way for the City’s largest development project in many years. The new
complex, Falcon Heights Town Square, provides a mix of commercial and residential
space, including owner-occupied townhomes, senior apartments and affordable
apartments for families.
Worthy of note is the University Grove subdivision, developed by the University of Minnesota beginning in 1929. Each resident owns the structure but leases the lot from the
University. All dwellings, structures additions must be individually architect-designed.
The University reviews all plans and imposes an additional layer of restrictions which
apply only to University Grove.
The 45th parallel runs just north of Falcon Heights in Roseville. A marker at the northeast corner of Cleveland and Roselawn Avenues denotes its location.
Sources:
Falcon Heights New Resident Handbook, author unknown.
City of Falcon Heights Comprehensive Plan, October 1991, author unknown
Table 1: Population Growth, 1860 to Present
Census Year Population
Rose Township * 1860 499
1940 4777
Village of Falcon Heights 1950 3884
1960 5927
1970 5770
City of Falcon Heights 1980 5291
1990 5380
2000 5572
(Estimated) 201006 5321776
(Estimated) 2016 5534
(Forecast) 2020 5300
(Forecast) 2030 5300
(Forecast) 2040 5300
* Rose Township included portions of Ramsey County outside the present boundaries of Falcon Heights.
Table 2: Population, Households, Employment Historical Summary: 1970 – 201000
Year Population Employment Households Group
Housing
Household
Size
1970 5,530 3,1608 1,766 N/A 2.98
1980 5,291 3,120000 1,894 478 2.54
1990 5,380 2,6003180 2,016 441 2.45
2000 5,572 3,6984190 2,103 505 2.41
2010 5321 5298 2131 462 2.28
Falcon Heights Comprehensive Plan 2000 with 2000 2010 U.S. Census data
Major Changes Since Falcon Heights’ Last Comprehensive Plan
Since the last major update (1991) of the Falcon Heights Comprehensive Plan, the City has experienced the following land use and employment changes:
• A major redevelopment (2003 – 2006) of the block at the southeast corner of Snelling
and Larpenteur Avenues into a mixed use complex incorporating:
o 119 rental apartments, of which 25 are permanently designated affordable o 57 rental apartments for senior citizens o 14 owner-occupied townhomes
o 12,000 square feet of commercial space, occupied by a pediatric clinic, a
restaurant and two other businesses.
• The development of 24 additional owner-occupied townhome units and one single-family home
• The construction of the University of Minnesota women’s intercollegiate soccer
stadium in 1999 on the west side of Cleveland Avenue between Larpenteur and
Roselawn Avenues.
• The relocation of 450 Harvest States employees from Falcon Heights to Cenex
headquarters in Inver Grove Heights in 1999. The facility is now owned by TIES, a
non-profit serving school districts, which leases part of the space to other
organizations. Approximately 140 people now work in the building.
• The closing of the Hewlett Packard facility and relocation of 260 employees in 2001,
replaced by Twin Cities Cooperative Federal Credit Union’s corporate offices with 86
employees.
• In 2003 a farmer’s market began operating weekly, May through October, on the grounds of Twin Cities Cooperative Federal Credit union. The market is the only venue for purchacingpurchasing groceries in the City since the small convenience
store at Snelling and Larpenteur closed in the 1990s. The farmer’s market is a
convenient pedestrian destination for residents west of Fairview and has proved to be
wildly popular, both with Falcon Heights residents and people who live outside the City.
MORE UPDATES ??? –
Figure 3: Major changes since 1991
4. Demographics, Assumptions and Projections
The populatonpopulation of Falcon Heights has been relatively stable since 1960,
following rapid growth after World War II. A decline in the 1970 and 1980s had reversed by 2000, and the number of residents continued to grow until 2010. Forecasts
reveal that beyond the year 2020 Falcon Heights population and household size will not
grow. Thecontinues to grow slowly, though the average household size has not increased
significantlyhas not increased and will stabilize year 2020 and beyond.. This stabilization
and lack of growth can be attributed to the fact there is no new development opportunities in the community of Falcon Heights for additional housing to be built.
According to United States Census data, the population in 2010 was 5,321. By 2020, the
Metropolitan Council estimates the population of Falcon Heights will decrease by -3.9%
to 5,300. By year 2020, the number of households in Falcon Heights is to reach 2,200 whereas no new growth is expected afterwards.
The population increase can be attributed to added housing and some turnover in housing
from older households to younger families with children. In 2006, the population of
Falcon Heights was estimated by the Metropolitan Council to be 2776, an increase of
3.7% above the 2000 U.S. Census count. The number of households was estimated at 2247, a 6.9% increase since 2000.
Demographic Trends: Summary
• The City’s 201006 population included a University of Minnesota population of approximately 2,131 1200 in owner occupied units family housing and 455505 residents in a dormitory. Residents on campus make up over one fifth fourth of the
population housing occupancyof Falcon Heights.
• The ratio of minority residents in Falcon Heights has continued to increase since 1990
but is lower than that of Ramsey County and of the United States as a whole. However, Falcon Heights has a higher proportion of foreign born residents than the
county or United StatesU.S. as a whole and a higher proportion of residents who
speak a language other than English at home.
• The University of Minnesota remains the City’s largest employer and, since the departure of Harvest States and Hewlett Packard, the only employer of significant size. Due to the departure of these large organizations, employment in Falcon Heights
has declined since 2000. . New trends indicate increases in employment.
• As of 2016, tThe percentage of residents 25 years old or older with a bachelor’s degree or higher is 33.3% in Falcon Heights compared to 24.7% in Ramsey County.
• about twice as high in Falcon Heights as in Ramsey County in general and
significantly higher than the general population of the United States.
• Though more economically diverse than in past decades, the City remains somewhat more affluent than the County as a whole and has higher value housing stock.
Between 2012-2016 the median value of Falcon Height’s owner-occupied housing
units was $283,200, which is drastically higher than Ramsey County’s median housing value of $199,200.
• According the the 2000 Census, the census tract that includes both the University of
Minnesota student housing and the affluent University Grove neighborhood had
19.2% of households living in poverty. The rate in the rest of the City was 11.7%.
• Although the proportion of the population aged 65 and over declined slightly in
Falcon Heights between 1990 and 2000, the City will almost certainly see the same
dramatic increase in this age group expected nation-wide in the next two decades.
• Due to the large number of university students in the community, the City is generally younger than the County as a whole (and the nation). In 2016, nearly 27.5% of Falcon
Height’s population was aged between 20-34 years old in comparison to Ramsey
County at 24.1% and the United States at 20.7%
• Falcon Heights hand has a higher proportion of renter-occupied housing. The year 2010 revealed that of the 2,131 total occupied housing united in Falcon Heights, 44.5% is renter-occupied.
• Of the growth expected between 2000 and 2010, Falcon Heights Town Square added
184 housing units by 2006. The estimated increase of a lower number of households (146) reflects an estimated vacancy rate in the City over all.
• Beyond the year 2020, Falcon Heights is not expected to experience growth in
households or population size.
See Appendix A: Falcon Heights Population and Housing Profile for detailed tables.
FH Comp Plan 2040007 Draft – January, 201808 Page 18 of 138
See Appendix A: Falcon Heights Population and Housing Profile for detailed tables.
FH Comp Plan 2040007 Draft – January, 201808 Page 19 of 138
Assumptions and Projections: Population/Households/Employment
The City’s population is expected to remain relatively stable between 20210 and 20430 following a slight decreaseincrease (just under 510%) between 20100 and 20210. A
decline in household size will be offset by an increase in the number of households. No
additions to population or households is expected to occur past 2020. In addition to the
189 new units constructed in Falcon Heights Town Square (and included in the projection for 2010), the City will need to provide housing for an additional 250 households by 2030.
The only way the City can experience appreciable growth is if the University of
Minnesota substantially increases its supply of student housing or sells some of its agricultural land for private development. Although both options are considered unlikely, the City must take them into account when planning future land use in case the
University’s plans change.
Due to the lack of vacant land that can be developed, the City will concentrate on the maintenance of neighborhoods and redevelopment as means to maintain the City as a viable community. Unless the University makes part of its land available for
development, the expected need for additional housing units will be accommodated
through redevelopment of existing multi-family and commercial properties along the
Larpenteur Corridor. Because of the lack of privately owned vacant land for commercial development,
employment is unlikely to show much net change by 20430. The decrease caused by the
departure of Harvest States and Hewlett Packard will be offset by a slow growth of jobs
on the University campus. Limited employment growth may also occur through redevelopment or more intense use of the larger commercial properties west of Snelling.
Historically, Falcon Heights has found it cost effective to contract cooperatively with
other municipalities and with Ramsey County for many of its services. Due to the City's
relatively small population base and limited resources, it will continue to satisfy many of its needs through service sharing arrangements with other units and levels of government. The City will take advantage of new technologies to make services more readily available
without staffing increases.
FH Comp Plan 2040007 Draft – January, 201808 Page 20 of 138
Table 3: Population, Household, Employment Forecasts
Falcon Heights Population
Year Forecast Change %change
2000 5572 n/a n/a
2006 (est.) 5776 204 3.7%
2010 61005321 -251324 -4.5%5.8%
2020 6100 0 0.0%
2020 5300 -21 -3.9%
2030 61005300 0 0.0%
2000-
20302040 5300
0528
90.0.5%
Falcon Heights Households
Year Forecast Change %change
2000 2103 n/a n/a
2006(est) 2249 146 6.9%
2010 21312350 101 4.51.3%
2020 22400 5069 3.22.1%
20302030 22500 0100 4.20.0%
2040 00-
2030 2200 3970 18.90.0%
Falcon Heights Employment
Year Forecast Change %change
2000 4190 n/a n/a
2010 39005298 1108-290 26.4%-6.9%
2020 40505800 502150 3.9.58%
2030 42006100 300150 5.23.7%
2000-
20302040 6400
300
10 4.90.2%
Metropolitan Council, Revised January, 2007April, 2018
• Of the growth expected between 2000 and 2010, Falcon Heights Town Square added 184 housing units by 2006. The estimated increase of a lower number of households
(146) reflects an estimated vacancy rate in the City over all.
• The expected growth in households from 2006 to 2030 is 251, or approximately 11.2%
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Traffic Analysis Zone Forecasts
Falcon Heights overlaps seven of the Traffic Analysis Zones defined by the Metropolitan
Council. Only one of the zones is mostly contained within the city. Of the rest, Falcon Heights occupies no more than half of each zone.
Figure 4: Traffic Analysis Zones. Data: Metropolitan Council Datafinder
As the TAZ forecasts are not subdivided by municipality the tables below represent a “best
guess” of the growth Falcon Height can assign to each zone, based on the forecasts for the City as a whole, expectations of declining household sizes in established neighborhoods, and the location of sites likely to be redeveloped. As some share – in most cases the major share – of
forecast change for each zone is likely to occur outside Falcon Heights, there are necessarily
some mismatches. A number that increases for the zone as a whole may decrease in the Falcon
Heights portion during the same period, and vice versa.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
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Table 4: Forecasts for Traffic Analysis Zones
2000 - 2010
TAZ #
2000 2010 Change Estimated FH
Change
Pop HH Emp Pop HH Emp Pop HH Emp Pop HH Emp
870 7259 3011 2822 7449 3137 2702 190 126 -120 380 189 10
916 3444 1387 691 3606 1447 874 162 60 183 0 0 0
917 2047 619 2380 2244 692 2214 197 73 -166 50 53 -140
971 2171 943 337 2243 968 405 72 25 68 0 0 0
972 1931 814 1319 2083 881 1274 152 67 -45 20 0 -160
973 1222 557 631 1314 600 674 92 43 43 10 0 0
974 2034 780 1222 2206 857 1303 172 77 81 60 0 0
City of FH 5572 2103 4190 6100 2350 3900 528 242 -290 528 242 -290
2010 - 2020
TAZ #
2010 2020 Change Estimated FH
Change
Pop HH Emp Pop HH Emp Pop HH Emp Pop HH Emp
870 7449 3137 2702 7678 3213 2224 229 76 -478 -30 0 0
916 3606 1447 874 3786 1523 958 180 76 84 0 0 25
917 2244 692 2214 2244 706 2300 0 14 86 80 50 25
971 2243 968 405 2367 1028 420 124 60 15 0 0 0
972 2083 881 1274 2118 906 1329 35 25 55 -10 0 0
973 1314 600 674 1341 616 709 27 16 35 -10 0 0
974 2206 857 1303 2230 877 1369 24 20 66 -30 0 0
City of FH 6100 2350 3900 6100 2400 4050 0 50 150 0 50 50
2020 - 2030
TAZ #
2020 2030 Change Estimated FH
Change
Pop HH Emp Pop HH Emp Pop HH Emp Pop HH Emp
870 7678 3213 2224 7879 3344 2329 201 131 105 -30 0 0
916 3786 1523 958 3854 1563 1002 68 40 44 0 0 0
917 2244 706 2300 2244 736 2385 0 30 85 25 25 145
971 2367 1028 420 2396 1039 455 29 11 35 0 0 5
972 2118 906 1329 2164 937 1376 46 31 47 100 125 0
973 1341 616 709 1376 638 731 35 22 22 -20 0 0
974 2230 877 1369 2261 911 1412 31 34 43 -75 0 0
City of FH 6100 2400 4050 6100 2500 4200 0 150 150 0 150 150
Metropolitan Council Datafinder
Given the lack of vacant land in Falcon Heights and limited sites that are likely candidates for
redevelopment, any residential growth (Population and Households) in Falcon Heights is
expected to be concentrated along Larpenteur Avenue, primarily on the south edge of zone 972
(Cleveland to Fairview) and the north edge of zone 917 (Fairview to Snelling). Small net
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
increases (zero to ten residential units) are also possible along Larpenteur in the Falcon Heights
portions of zones 870, 973 and 974, if smaller multi-family properties are redeveloped. While the population forecast for the City is projected to increase between 2000 and 2010 and
not at all between 2010 and 2030, 2006 estimates and the state of the housing market in 2007
indicate it is more likely that at least one third of this projected growth will happen after 2010.
Most of the growth between 2000 and 2010 for both population and households is accounted for by the Falcon Heights Town Square development at Snelling and Larpenteur, constructed between 2003 and 2006.
Because (1) net employment in the city is expected to do little more than recover 2000 levels by
2030, and (2) there is no land in the city for new commercial development, employment changes in Falcon Heights should have little or no net impact on any of the seven zones by 2030. The
new Bell Museum will move jobs to Zone 916 in the 2010-2020 decade. Expansion of the
Ramsey County Historical Society operation will result in a small employment gain in Zone 971,
assigned to the 2020-2030 decade.
Most of the remaining expected net employment increase between will most likely take place on
the University Campus. The University of Minnesota master plan, when complete, may require
a reassessment of all of these forecasts. It should also be noted that moving the Bell Museum of
Natural History to Falcon Heights will bring thousands of new visitors and their vehicles,
including school buses, to Falcon Heights year round. This could have more of an impact on traffic, especially in Zones 916, 917, 971 and 972, than all employment changes expected in the
next twenty years.
Please see the Land Use and Transportation sections of this plan for additional discussion.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
5. Comprehensive Plan Update Process
To be updated. In order to gather community input for the comprehensive plan update, the City
of Falcon Heights created a 14 member steering committee to lead neighborhood focus groups.
Each of the city’s five commissions (planning, park and recreation, environment, human rights, and neighborhood) were represented as well as several at-large members. Mayor Sue Gehrz chaired the steering committee and staff members included City Administrator Justin Miller and
Plan and Zoning Administrator Deb Jones.
During the month of February 2007, nine focus group style meetings were held throughout the community. Letters were sent to all residents inviting them to attend and participate. In total, almost 100 residents attended and provided input in small, roundtable settings. Members of the
steering committee led the discussions with a list of standard questions aimed at soliciting
answers to questions about the future of Falcon Heights. Meetings were also held with major
business and non-profit landowners in the city. The most common themes that arose out of these meetings included:
• Residents like living here due to the quality of our neighborhoods and the central location
between both downtown areas.
• Open spaces, mainly the University of Minnesota research fields, are a key component to
our quality of life.
• More pedestrian and non-motorized avenues of transportation are needed.
• A mix of housing styles is important so that residents can spend their entire lives in the
city.
• Any new retail or commercial business should be small in scale and serve the needs of
the surrounding neighborhood.
From May through September, the plan was extensively reviewed by the following groups:
• Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee
• Park and Recreation Commission
• Neighborhood Commission
• Environment Commission
• Planning Commission
• City Council
Copies of the draft plan were sent to the following neighboring jurisdictions in April 2008:
• City of Lauderdale
• City of St. Paul
• City of Roseville
• University of Minnesota
• Minnesota State Fair
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
II. Housing
Even in a fully-developed city like Falcon Heights, where land uses are long established, change
will come. The purpose of this land use plan is to provide public policy to guide that change, to
serve the needs of all sectors of the community and to build a safe, healthy, sustainable, secure and prosperous environment in the city. The Falcon Heights comprehensive land use plan seeks
to identify both opportunities and constraints, to identify and take into consideration the land use
preferences of residents and landowners, and to establish community planning and design
priorities for private development and public facilities for the next twenty years.
“Home is where safety begins. Home is where self-respect begins.
Home is where our connections to our community,
our city, and our nation begin.”
- Henry G. Cisneros
former Secretary of HUD
Introduction
Communities are often characterized by the quality of their residential neighborhoods and housing
stock. Falcon Heights prides itself on maintaining a high quality of life and providing its residents with
long-term housing opportunities. Retaining Falcon Heights’ reputation as a highly desirable place to live
is important to the ongoing vitality of the community.
Housing Diversity
Life-cycle housing is a common term used to
describe the provision of housing types for all
stages of life. Life-cycle housing is based on the
premise that as people go through life, their
housing needs change. A young person getting
out of school and just starting out usually cannot
afford to own a home so they often begin by
renting. As a person grows older, they often
establish a family and buy their first home,
sometimes either a starter home or townhome.
As a family’s income grows, they may move up
to a larger home. Once the children leave and
the family size decreases, parents often move
back to a smaller home with fewer
maintenance needs or to one of the growing
Figure 2.1 - Life CYCLE Housing
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
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number of either single-family or multi-family housing options that has an association that take care of
home and property maintenance. Eventually, as a person ages, there is often a need for assisted living
or an extended care facility.
Existing Housing Tenure & Type
In US Census terms, a housing unit is the physical structure while a household refers to a housing unit
occupied by at least one resident. Falcon Heights’ housing stock consists of 54 percent ownership units,
and 46 percental rental units. Roughly 57 percent of housing units are single family (attached and
detached), and 43 percent are multi-family. This high percentage of multi-family units is due in part to
the large college student population (23 percent) that resides within the City. Roughly three percent of
the City’s units are publicly subsidized. See Table 2-1 for further details.
Housing Tenure
Ownership Units Rental Units
1223 1031
Housing Type
Single-Family Multi-Family Manufactured homes Other housing units
1291 963 0 0
Publicly Subsidized Units
All publicly
subsidized units
Publicly subsidized
senior units
Publicly subsidized units for
people with disabilities
Publicly subsidized
units: All others
65 0 8 57
TABLE 2.1 – FALCON HEIGHTS HOUSING TENURE & TYPE
SOURCE: METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Age of Existing Housing Stock
Analyzing the age and value of a city’s housing stock provides meaning insight into future needs. Falcon
Heights has an aging housing stock with 53 present of housing units being built prior to 1960 indicating
that maintenance needs will become more prevalent.
FIGURE 2.2 – YEAR STRUCTURE BUILT
SOURCE: AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 2015
Housing Affordability
Affordable housing is an issue in every Twin Cities area community. With housing costs outpacing many
wages, it is becoming increasingly important to focus on affordable housing. According to the
Metropolitan Council, housing is considered affordable if it is priced at or below 30 percent of the gross
income of a household earning 50 percent of the Twin Cities median family income. In 2015, the area
median income (AMI) for the seven-county Minneapolis-St. Paul area adjusted by the Department of
Housing and Urban Development for a family of four was $86,600. Therefore, in 2015, housing was
considered affordable if annual housing costs for a family of four did not exceed 30 percent of $43,300,
which translates to $12,990 per year or $1,083 per month for housing.
Existing Affordable Housing Need
The Metropolitan Council breaks affordability into three bands based on AMI percentages. Table 2.2
illustrated these bands and the number of affordable units within each. This table also provides the
number of cost burdened households within each band. A household paying over 30 percent of their
9%
3%
8%
11%
16%
22%
17%14%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
Built 2000
to 2009
Built 1990
to 1999
Built 1980
to 1989
Built 1970
to 1979
Built 1960
to 1969
Built 1950
to 1959
Built 1940
to 1949
Built 1939
or earlier
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
annual income on housing costs is considered cost burdened. Falcon Heights’ lowest affordability band
contains 25 housing units and 283 cost burden households.
2015 Affordable Units
Cost Burdened Households
Affordability Units
30% AMI and Below 25 283
30% to 50% AMI 631 205
50% to 80% AMI 788 66
TABLE 2.2 – AFFORDABLE UNITS & COST BURDENED HOUSEHOLDS
SOURCE: METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
While the Census Bureau does not report household incomes in the ranges identical to the affordable
income limits of the Metropolitan Council, Tables 2.3 includes an approximation of the number of Falcon
Heights households that fall within the three AMI ranges. On a pro-rated basis, there were 410
households with incomes at 30% of AMI and below, 336 households with incomes between 30% and
50% of AMI, and 266 households with incomes between 50% and 80% of AMI.
Affordability Income Limits ($86,600 AMI) Households (Pro-Rated Census)
30% AMI and Below $26,000 410
30% to 50% AMI $43,300 336
50% to 80% AMI $65,800 266
TABLE 2.3 – HOUSEHOLD INCOME LIMITS
SOURCE: AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 2015, WSB & ASSOCIATES
As indicated in the previous tables, there are 25 units available for the 410 Falcon Heights households
making $26,000 or below. The 283 cost burdened households within this affordability band are having to
live in more expensive housing units. The City has 1,419 units affordable for households making 30% to
80% AMI and there are 602 households making this level of income, yet there are 271 cost burdened
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
households. This is an indication that there are wealthier households occupying the affordable housing
units. This is a free market condition outside the control of local municipalities.
As previously stated, roughly a quarter of Falcon Heights’ population attend higher education
institutions.
Total Population Population Attending Higher Education Percent of Population
5,484 1,252 23%
TABLE 2.4 – STUDENT POPULATION
SOURCE: AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 2015
Initially, the cost burdened households listed in Table 2.2 would indicate that Falcon Heights needs more
affordable housing units. However, Table 2.5 illustrates that this only holds true for affordability at 30%
AMI and below, which has an apparent 385-unit deficit. Further, the Census does not include student
dormitories in housing unit count. The University of Minnesota’s Bailey Hall contains 241 units that can
be considered affordable to individuals making 30% or below AMI, reducing the deficit within this
affordability to 144 units.
Affordability Households
(Pro-Rated Census)
Units Units Surplus/Deficit
30% AMI and Below 410 25
(266 with Bailey Hall)
-385
(-144 with Bailey Hall)
30% to 50% AMI 336 631 (+)295
50% to 80% AMI 266 788 (+)522
TABLE 2.5 – AFFORDABLE HOUSING SURPLUS/DEFICIT
SOURCE: METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
The deficiency in housing within the 30% AMI and below band is likely for higher education student housing.
The University of Minnesota will need to address that need for additional student housing. It is also likely that
the deficiency is currently being meet by students through other financial means such as student loans.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Figure 2.3 illustrates estimated market values for owner-occupied housing units above and below 80
percent of the area median income.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Future housing needs
In Falcon Heights, 18 percent of the City’s land is dedicated to residential use. There is currently very
little land available for new housing units. Land would either need to be redeveloped or rezoned for
housing development to occur. The Metropolitan Council has forecasted no population or household
grown for the City, and is not requiring affordable housing allocation. If future development was to
occur, the City would need to work in coordination with the University of Minnesota to determine
whether the new housing units would need to be made affordable for college students.
Programs
Numerous programs are available to help cities meet their housing goals and policies. Cities can
consider utilizing certain programs such as fee waivers and/or adjustments to facilitate affordability. In
addition, cities may also consider encouraging and working with potential developers who plan to use
federal low income housing tax credits to construct affordable rental housing. Other options include:
affordable housing assistance or development and preservation programs available through the local,
county, state, and federal government. Cities may consider the following programs in order to meet its
housing goals:
Minnesota Housing Consolidated Request for Proposals: The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
provides a once annually request for proposal (RFP) where affordable housing developers can apply for
funding to construct affordable housing. Developers can apply to the Consolidated RFP to provide
affordable housing for those Falcon Heights residents in need. The RFP is a useful tool to support the
development of rental housing units affordable at 50% AMI or below.
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) provides CDBG funds to communities with over 45,000 residents for the use of
providing and maintaining affordable housing. Ramsey County Community and Economic Development
(CED) administers these CDBG funds for the City of Falcon Heights. Ramsey County CED can use CDBG
funds to provide affordable housing for those Falcon Heights residents in need. CDBG is a useful tool to
preserve both rental and ownership units affordable at 80% AMI and below.
HOME Funds: The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) is a flexible federal grant program
that allows Ramsey County to fund affordable housing activities for very low and low-income families or
individuals, homeless families, and persons with special needs. Ramsey County CED can use HOME funds
to provide affordable housing for those Falcon Heights residents in need. HOME funds are a useful tool
for both the preservation and development of both rental and ownership units affordable at 50% AMI
and below.
Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) Grants: The NSP was established by HUD for the purpose of
stabilizing communities that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment. The focus of this
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
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program is the purchase, rehabilitation and resale of foreclosed and abandoned properties. NSP is
currently not funded. NSP funds were a useful tool to preserve ownership units affordable at 80% AMI
and below.
Homebuyer Assistance Programs: Homebuyer assistance programs funded directly by Ramsey County
CED are available to first time homebuyers. Falcon Heights residents can contact the Minnesota
Homeownership Center regarding homebuyer assistance programs that are currently available.
Homebuyer assistance funds are a useful tool to preserve ownership units affordable at 80% AMI and
below.
Repair and Rehabilitation Support: Ramsey County offers a residential rehabilitation deferred loan
program to assist homeowners with home repair projects. Repair and rehabilitation support is a useful
tool to preserve ownership units affordable at 80% AMI and below.
Foreclosure Prevention: The Housing Crisis Response in Ramsey County provides foreclosure counseling
to Falcon Heights residents. The Minnesota Home Ownership Center and Lutheran Social Services may
also be resources to the residents of Falcon Heights. Foreclosure prevention funds are a useful tool to
preserve ownership units affordable at 80% AMI and below.
Energy Assistance: Ramsey County offers an energy conservation deferred loan program to Falcon
Heights residents. EnergySmartsPays.com is also an energy conservation program that is available.
Energy assistance is a useful tool to preserve both rental and ownership units affordable at 80% AMI and
below.
Rental Assistance: Renters interested in suburban rental housing assistance can contact the Metro
Housing and Redevelopment Authority, which is the program that administers the Section 8/Housing
Voucher program to Falcon Heights residents. Rental assistance is a useful tool to preserve rental units
affordable at 80% AMI and below.
Livable Communities Grants: Falcon Heights is a participating community in the Metropolitan Council’s
Livable Community Act (LCA) programs. Falcon Heights can consider applying for livable communities
grant on behalf of developers who are provide level of affordable housing and the guaranteed length of
affordability that generates a public benefit greater than the resources required to apply for and
administer the livable community grants. LCA grants are a useful tool for the development of both rental
and ownership units affordable at 80% AMI and below.
Local Fair Housing Policy: Ramsey County works with the Twin Cities Metro Area Fair Housing
Implementation Council to stop discrimination and promote integration. Any Falcon Heights residents
that feel they have been subjected to unfair housing practices should contact this organization. Ramsey
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
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County CED can continue the implementation of its fair housing policy. Local fair housing policy is a
useful tool for the preservation of both rental units affordable at 80% AMI and below.
Land Trusts: There is no established Land Trust serving the City of Falcon Heights currently. Should a
Land Trust be established, the Rondo Community Land Trust in St. Paul would be a good model to use. A
land trust can be a useful tool for both the development and preservation of ownership units affordable
at 80% AMI and below.
Fiscal Devices
Fiscal devices, such as revenue bonds, tax increment, financing, or tax abatement can be used to help
ease the construction and availability of affordable housing in the City of Falcon Heights.
Development Authorities: Falcon Heights does not have its own Housing and Redevelopment Authority
(HRA) and depends on Ramsey County Coordinate HRA for affordable housing and redevelopment
services. Ramsey County can construct, finance and/or partner with private developers to provide
affordable housing for those Falcon Heights residents in need. Development authorities are a useful tool
to support the development of both rental and ownership housing units affordable at 50% AMI or
below.
Housing Bonds: Minnesota State Statute allows HRAs the ability to issue housing bonds to provide
affordable housing. Ramsey County HRA can issue housing bonds to provide affordable housing for
those Falcon Heights residents in need. Housing bonds are a useful tool to support the development of
both rental and ownership housing units affordable at 50% AMI or below.
Tax Abatement: Cities may issue bonds to be used to support the construction of affordable housing
and use a portion of the property tax received (tax abatement) from the development to finance these
bonds. This removes this property taxes revenue from paying for the services needed for this property,
its residents and the community in general. Tax abatement is a useful tool to support the development
of both rental and ownership housing units affordable at 80% AMI or below.
Tax Increment Financing: Cities may create a housing district to create a tax increment financing (TIF)
district. The TIF bonds issued on this district are to be used to support the construction of affordable
housing and entire property taxes received above the original tax value (increment) from the
development to finance these bonds. This removes this property taxes revenue from paying for the
services needed for this property, its residents and the community in general. TIF is a useful tool to
support the development of both rental and ownership housing units affordable at 50% AMI or below.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Official Controls
Official controls and land use regulation can be used to assist in the construction of affordable housing
units. Controls and regulations can also be used to simplify the process of expanding local housing
options also.
Fee Waivers or Adjustments: Cities may waive or reduce fee to reduce the cost of construction of
affordable housing. Conversely, State rules require that the fee that a city charges be related to the cost
of providing the services for which the fee are collected. This waiver or reduction could create a
deficiency in the funding for services which would be required the use of general funds to resolve. Cities
can develop a fee waiver or reduction policy to determine when the level of affordable housing and the
guaranteed length of affordability provide a public benefit great enough to justify the reduction or
waiver of development fees. Fee waivers or adjustments are a useful tool to support the development
of both rental and ownership housing units affordable at 80% AMI or below.
Zoning and Subdivision Policies: Cities have the ability to adjust their zoning and subdivision regulations
through a planned unit development (PUD). Zoning and subdivision regulation are created in part to
mitigate the impacts that a development may have on adjoining properties. When considering a PUD
for affordable housing, cities should determine when the level of affordable housing and the guaranteed
length of affordability provide a public benefit great enough to justify the potential impacts that would
result from a deviation in the zoning or subdivision regulations. PUD is a useful tool to support the
development of both rental and ownership housing units affordable at 80% AMI or below.
4(d) Tax Program: The 4(d) tax program provides a 4% tax credit to affordable housing developers. This
program is administered through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. Minnesota Housing Finance
Agency can continue administer the 4(d) tax program to provide affordable housing for those Falcon
Heights residents in need. 4(d) tax bond funds are a useful tool to support the development of rental
housing units affordable at 50% AMI or below.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Table 7.14 – Affordable Housing Tools
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City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
1. General Land Use
Falcon Heights is a fully developed inner-ring suburb. Over half of the City’s land is occupied by large public institutions not subject to the City’s land use controls. The City
is otherwise largely residential, with clearly defined neighborhoods and limited business
and commercial areas.
• Approximately two-thirds of Falcon Heights 1,433 acres is comprised of University
of Minnesota lands and the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. A substantial portion (267
acres) of the University's property is used for agricultural research.
• The City of Falcon Heights has no industrial development.
• The City contains no lakes, streams, wetlands or protected waters except those found
on University property.
Figure 5 shows 2018 existing land use, using Metropolitan Council categories, for Falcon
Heights and adjacent portions of Roseville, Lauderdale and St. Paul. Falcon Heights’ zoning is shown in Figure 6.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
II. Land Use and Housing
“Planning” means the scientific, aesthetic and orderly disposition of land, resources, facilities and services with a view to securing the physical, economic and social efficiency, health and well-being of urban and rural communities.”
– Canadian Institute of Planners
Even in a fully-developed city like Falcon Heights, where land uses are long established,
change will come. The purpose of this land use plan is to provide public policy to guide that change, to serve the needs of all sectors of the community and to build a safe,
healthy, sustainable, secure and prosperous environment in the city. The Falcon Heights
comprehensive land use plan seeks to identify both opportunities and constraints, to
identify and take into consideration the land use preferences of residents and landowners,
and to establish community planning and design priorities for private development and public facilities for the next twenty years.
1. General Land Use
Falcon Heights is a fully developed inner-ring suburb. Over half of the City’s land is
occupied by large public institutions not subject to the City’s land use controls. The City is otherwise largely residential, with clearly defined neighborhoods and limited business and commercial areas.
• Approximately two-thirds of Falcon Heights 1,433 acres is comprised of University
of Minnesota lands and the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. A substantial portion (267 acres) of the University's property is used for agricultural research.
• The City of Falcon Heights has no industrial development.
• The City contains no lakes, streams, wetlands or protected waters except those found on University property.
Figure 5 shows 2018 land use, using Metropolitan Council categories, for Falcon Heights
and adjacent portions of Roseville, Lauderdale and St. Paul. Falcon Heights’ zoning is
shown in Figure 6.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Figure 5: Existing land use in Falcon Heights, 200168.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Table 5: Falcon Heights Land Use Data – Metropolitan Council
Falcon Heights Land Use Data: 2016
Source: Metropolitan Council
Land Use Categories
2016 Total
(acres) Percent of Total
Residential Total 436
Single Family Detached 363 25%
Single Family Attached 45 3%
Farmsteads 0 0%
Multifamily 28 2%
Mixed Use 17 1%
Commercial or Other 13 0%
Residential 4 1%
Commercial 19 2%
Industrial Total 0 0%
Industrial & Utility 0 0%
Extractive 0 0%
Railway 0 0%
Institutional (5) 474 33%
Parks, Recreation & Preserves 31 2%
Golf Course 162 11%
Major Vehicular Rights-of-Way (7) 2 0%
Airports 0 0%
Agriculture & Undeveloped Total 305 20%
Agriculture 287 20%
Undeveloped Land (9) 5 0%
Agricultural & Vacant N/A N/A
Industrial Parks not Developed N/A N/A
Public & Semi-Public Vacant N/A N/A
Open Water 0 0%
Total 1,433 100%
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Table 6: Falcon Heights Land Use, 2018 – Ramsey County GIS parcel data
Land Use Categories
2028 Total
(in acres)
Residential Total 436.25
Single Family Residential 408.33
Farmsteads 0
Multi-family Residential 27.92
Mixed Use 17.09
Commercial 19.02
Industrial Total 0
Industrial and Utility 0
Extractive 0
Railway 0
Institutional 473.83
Parks, Recreation & Preserves 30.96
Golf Course 162.15
Major Vehicular Rights of Way 2.48
Airports 0
Agriculture and Undeveloped Total 291.48
Agriculture
286.56
Undeveloped Land
4.92
Open Water 0
Total 1433.27
Table 7: Existing Zoning Designations in Falcon Heights
R-1 Single Family Residential
R-2 One and Two Family Residential
R-3 Residential: Medium Density Multiple
Family and Apartment Buildings
B-1 Business: Neighborhood Convenience
B-2 Limited Business
B-3 Snelling/Larpenteur Business District
P-1 Public Land
P-1/R-1 Public Land; R-1 if reused
PUD Planned Unit Development
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Figure 6: Existing zoning in Falcon Heights
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Existing Land Use
Residential Neighborhoods Of the non-institutional land in Falcon Heights, the majority is residential, mostly single
family homes. The single family residential district is divided into six distinct
neighborhoods by the University of Minnesota fields and by Snelling and Larpenteur
Avenues. Most of the housing was constructed between 1940 and 1990. Multi-family buildings are distributed along portions of Larpenteur Avenue, most between Fairview and Pascal, and there is a large complex of attached single-family homes on the
University campus at the southwest corner of the City. Housing is discussed in detail in
the Housing section of the plan.
Commercial Land With the exception of a small neighborhood business center at the northwest corner of Hamline and Hoyt Avenues, all of the land zoned for commercial and business uses in
Falcon Heights is located along Larpenteur Avenue, a major east-west thoroughfare.
Most of this land is concentrated at the four corners of the Snelling-Larpenteur
intersection, the City’s central business district. Two other business zones of significant size are the Twin Cities Cooperative Credit Union/Stanford Office Park area on Prior Avenue near City Hall and Hermes Nursery, the last survivor in Falcon Heights of the
flower nurseries for which Larpenteur Avenue was once known. The remaining business
properties are small parcels on the edges of residential neighborhoods, intended to be
used for local neighborhood businesses. Falcon Heights has no land zoned for industrial use. Further discussion is located in the Business and Commercial chapter of the Land Use section.
Mixed Use
The most significant change in land use in Falcon Heights in the last 15 years is the
conversion of 4.9 acres from commercial to mixed residential and commercial use, with the redevelopment of the southeast corner of Snelling and Larpenteur Avenues. Falcon Heights Town Square includes 119 rental apartments, 76 senior rental apartments, 14
owner-occupied townhomes and 12,000 square feet of commercial space.
Another large commercial property, the corporate offices of Twin Cities Cooperative
Federal Credit Union, has also been designated “Mixed Use Commercial” by the Metropolitan Council (2005) because of the establishment of a weekly farmer’s market, operating from May through October. A popular and busy destination during the summer,
this market is the first opportunity for City residents to purchase food within Falcon
Heights since the City’s last small grocery/convenience store closed in the 1990s. The
market is a convenient pedestrian destination for residents west of Fairview.
Parks, playgrounds and public open space Park and playground acreage increased slightly between 1991 and 2005, due to the
closing of a portion of the east Snelling Drive frontage road and the incorporation of that
land into Curtiss Field, one of the City’s two neighborhood parks. Although the City’s
park acreage is low for its population, it should be noted that the University of Minnesota’s Les Bolstad Golf Course, as well as the campus and the grounds and
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
facilities of the State Fair, provide significant additional recreational opportunities for City residents.
Vacant Land
While the City has a significant inventory of unbuilt public land, that land is owned and
used for agricultural research by the University of Minnesota and therefore not
considered vacant. The volume of privately owned vacant land decreased from 9 acres in 1990 to about 4 acres in 2005. The only significant consumer of vacant land between
1991 and 2005 was Questwood, a semi-detached residential development of 3.5 acres
served by a private street, built in 1994. That which remains consists of relatively small
disassociated parcels under one acre in size. Most of these parcels are landlocked, with
no street access, and all but one are owned by the owner of the adjoining residential property. With the exception of these parcels, which are popularly – though not yet
officially – considered a natural resource, there is no vacant privately held land remaining
in the City for new residential development except for one quarter-acre lot on Tatum
Street. There are no vacant properties zoned for commercial use.
Public and Institutional Land The City has been given no reason to anticipate that any of the University of Minnesota
or State Fair land will be made available for private development within the time frame
of this plan. Therefore, the City must plan to accommodate expected housing, business
and community needs by redevelopment on land that is now privately owned. However,
the City must also be prepared to provide for the best use of what is now public land, in the event that these public institutions change their plans.
Future Directions
Areas of Potential Change In addition to the demographic and environmental challenges that will confront all cities in the next twenty years, Falcon Heights faces the particular challenge of finding space to
meet the housing needs projected by the year 2040. Except for one vacant residentially
zoned parcel, Falcon Heights is fully developed. The City’s unique composition includes
the University of Minnesota's agricultural research fields. This land is not considered vacant by the City or the University.
Therefore, it is not in new development, but in redevelopment where Falcon Heights will
see changes over the next twenty years. Redevelopment is expected to follow two
general directions: Adding transit-oriented housing, especially for older citizens and
students, and creating more opportunities for residents to meet their needs for purchasing life’s necessities closer to home.
Vacant land
The only vacant land for development in the city's land use controls is a 1/4 acre vacant
lot on Tatum Street, zoned R-4, and a site of approximately 4 acres that is in a single-
family residential zone. At the present time, this vacant land is divided into seven separate parcels, all but one belonging to the adjacent homeowners who use them for
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
gardening or landscaped space. None of these parcels have street access. Although these and other constraints make it unlikely that this site will be developed in the next ten or
even twenty years, the City evaluated this area's development potential in the past and
determined some minimal criteria that must be addressed by any future developer to
guarantee that it would be developed according to sound land use planning practices.
These criteria included developing the site as a whole rather than on a lot-by-lot basis and only after receiving the consent of the property owners to the sale of their land. Present
property owners have requested that the area be identified and preserved as a natural
resource. As the City has no plans to create a municipal preserve or park on this site,
present owners will be encouraged to combine these back lots with their street-front
parcels. At this time, other properties closer to Larpenteur are considered far more suitable for development and more likely to be redeveloped to accommodate anticipated
housing needs.
Redevelopment: The Larpenteur Corridor
As of the last comprehensive plan, the largest potential site for redevelopment was the
southeast corner of Snelling and Larpenteur. Now that this project has been completed, there are no immediate candidates for redevelopment in 2007. However, several of the
larger commercial properties are underutilized, and the existing apartment buildings are
aging, so it is likely that opportunities for redevelopment will arise during the next twenty
years. All of these sites are on, or near, Larpenteur Avenue, an important bus transit
route, so a chief focus of the City’s planning will be the “Larpenteur Corridor.”
Given the unlikelihood of University of Minnesota land being made available for
development, it will be redevelopment of properties in the Larpenteur Corridor that will
provide the additional housing and business development Falcon Heights is expected to
need by 20430. Please see the Larpenteur Corridor section for detailed discussion.
Changes to Public Lands The construction of a new Bell Museum of Natural History on the southwest corner of
Larpenteur and Cleveland Avenues (scheduled to open in 2010) will bring many visitors
to Falcon Heights. Intramural recreational fields presently occupying the site will be
moved, the northeast corner of Cleveland and Larpenteur being discussed as a possible
site.
With Gibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life (Ramsey County Historical Society)
across Larpenteur Avenue to the north, and the proximity to University recreational
facilities, two City parks and existing or planned trails, the Cleveland/Larpenteur area
could become the nucleus of a new cultural and recreational hub in Falcon Heights and an important element of the Larpenteur Corridor, complimenting the commercial and
business core at Snelling Avenue. To allow for a proposed expansion of Ramsey County
Historical Society operations at the Gibbs Museum, the Public Land (P-1) designation
will be extended to the adjacent residential property, which the Historical Society now
owns and plans to use for its institutional operations.
Demand for student housing being very strong, the University has communicated a
possible need for additional student housing, including corporate housing, south of
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Commonwealth Avenue on campus. In the event that any of this housing is built and operated by private entities, this development could come under the City’s land use
jurisdiction, and the City would need to create appropriate land use controls both to meet
the needs of the University and to ensure compatibility with the City’s goals and best
interests.
Although no further change to public lands, and no sale to the private sector, is
anticipated during the time frame of this plan, the City acknowledges that provision must
be made if University of Minnesota or State Fair plans change. The City’s previous
comprehensive plan called for all public land not permanently reserved for public use to
revert to single-family residential use if it should be sold for private development. Given the health and sustainability objectives of this plan, restricting this land to single family
residential use is not necessarily in the best interest of the community. Therefore, the City
will adopt a more flexible approach, creating overlay districts to guide any future
development of public lands in coordination with the other parts of this plan, while
acknowledging the present public use in the base zoning designation. Portions of these lands, such as Community Park, may be candidates for permanent reservation as public
land. Corridor studies of Larpenteur and Snelling will be undertaken before the extent of
the new zones can be determined. This plan will be amended when those studies have
been completed.
Figure 7: Areas of Potential Change
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
General Land Use: Goals and Policies
General Land Use Goals
1. To protect open space and natural resources, preserving the urban/rural aesthetic that
Falcon Heights residents value.
2. To improve connections between districts of the City, between City neighborhoods
and the public institutions and within neighborhoods.
3. To build community identity along the main thoroughfares, especially Larpenteur and Snelling Avenues.
4. To minimize land use and traffic intrusions that adversely impact established
neighborhoods.
5. To enhance access and safety for pedestrians and non-motorized transportation.
6. To encourage practices that conserve energy and lower the City’s over-all carbon emissions, making Falcon Heights a healthier, more sustainable community.
General Land Use Policies
1. Adopt and encourage “best practices” to promote public health and encourage an active lifestyle for residents. Require a health impact assessment for new development/redevelopment.
2. Adopt and encourage “best practices” to promote a more energy efficient and
environmentally sustainable community.
3. Continue to protect solar access by enforcing existing city ordinances (Section 113-393) and by strengthening the ordinance, if appropriate.
4. Continue to eliminate zoning code violations and nuisance conditions that adversely
affect the appearance and value of properties and the health of residents.
5. On transit routes, where appropriate, allow the redevelopment of multi-family and
commercial properties for mixed use or higher density housing, incorporating best practices for conserving green space and promoting active living. (See Larpenteur Corridor section.)
6. Enhance and upgrade the value of all properties through street maintenance and
improvement programs that complement and enhance both residential neighborhoods
and the City’s business districts.
7. Establish design guidelines and standards to ensure that any new development promotes good health and preserves public open space.
8. Permit only compatible businesses adjacent to residential uses and in mixed
commercial-residential development, and place special conditions upon business uses
to assure compatibility when appropriate.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
9. Require that any re-subdivision of existing lots on developed blocks in residential areas conform to other lots within surrounding blocks, and be accessed in a similar
manner.
10. Continue to build the Neighborhood Liaison program, Community Emergency
Response Team and other community organizations for communication and security.
11. Build community identity and encourage neighborhood connectivity by installing sidewalk systems, decorative street lighting and landscaping to make streetscapes
more welcoming.
12. Continue to implement an aggressive shade tree program and replace removed trees
as quickly as possible.
13. Encourage landscaping practices that reduce water consumption and minimize runoff.
2. The Larpenteur and Snelling Corridors
Because there is almost no vacant private land in Falcon Heights and the public land is unlikely to be available for future development, the City must identify those private properties which are possible candidates for redevelopment by the year 20430 to meet
projected housing and business needs.
Next to its central location, the two characteristics of Falcon Heights that residents value most are:
• The agricultural open spaces that give the city its unique rural-in-urban character
• The high quality traditional single-family neighborhoods and the importance of
preserving their value and vitality
With these values in mind, City staff looked at all private properties that are not presently
zoned for single-family residential use. All but a handful of these properties are on or
very close to Larpenteur Avenue, the City’s primary east-west thoroughfare. Therefore,
the City will consider the future of the Larpenteur Corridor as a whole in creating the City’s updated comprehensive plan.
The Larpenteur Avenue and Snelling Avenue corridors have long functioned as divisions
within Falcon Heights, separating the city north from south, east from west. The primary
function of these highways is to conduct motorized traffic as quickly as possible from one end of the City to the other. Larpenteur and Snelling have imposed barriers to pedestrian
traffic and an impediment to retail cohesiveness, separating neighborhoods and
encouraging residents to orient their lives outward toward surrounding cities.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
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Snelling Avenue
Snelling Avenue is a State highway that crosses Falcon Heights from north to south. It is
the most heavily traveled traffic artery in the City. South of Hoyt Avenue, Snelling is the
boundary between the Minnesota State Fair and St. Paul’s Como neighborhood. North of
Crawford Avenue, Snelling is a residential boulevard, with frontage streets and medians separating homes from the highway. On the west side, deep lots backing up to the
University fields hint at the original rural character of this section of the avenue.
No significant change is expected on Snelling Avenue in Falcon Heights outside the
Larpenteur Corridor for the life of this plan. Therefore, this section will focus on the opportunities on Larpenteur Avenue. However, because Snelling passes through the heart
of the City and the central commercial district and borders three large neighborhoods, it
is a vital component in the City’s objectives of building connections within the City,
encouraging healthy, active living and enhancing community identity. Certain general
goals and policies in this section will also be applied to Snelling, and any corridor study undertaken for Larpenteur Avenue will include Snelling.
The Larpenteur Corridor in Falcon Heights Today
Figure 8: The Larpenteur Corridor in Falcon Heights
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Assets and Characteristics of the Larpenteur Corridor
• Existing higher density housing. Most existing multi-family housing in the City is on or near Larpenteur
• Existing business zones. Of the City’s existing business districts, all but one are on,
or just off, Larpenteur. The City’s central business district surrounds the intersection
of Larpenteur and Snelling.
• Transit. Larpenteur Avenue is a public transit route between downtown Minneapolis
and downtown St. Paul. It crosses Snelling Avenue, a major north-south transit route
that connects Roseville’s commercial center with St. Paul’s Midway (and the future
Central Corridor LRT) and the Hiawatha LRT line
• Cultural Assets. Gibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life is located at the
northwest corner of Cleveland and Larpenteur Avenues, across the street from the site
of the new Bell Museum, scheduled to be built by 2010.
• Recreational Amenities. The Les Bolstad University of Minnesota Golf Course and women’s soccer stadium are both located in the vicinity of Larpenteur/Cleveland. The
City’s three largest parks are all directly connected to Larpenteur Avenue by walks or
trails.
• Community Amenities and Services. Falcon Heights City Hall and fire station are both on Larpenteur, just east of Cleveland. In summer, the popular Farmers Market opens once a week on the grounds of Twin City Co-ops Federal Credit Union, just
east of City Hall.
Existing Land Uses on Larpenteur Avenue Properties on Larpenteur Avenue fall into into four broad categories:
• Business and commercial properties or groups of properties, including the
Snelling/Larpenteur commercial core
• Existing multi-family residential properties
• Existing single-family homes and duplexes
• Public and institutional land, including land used for agriculture research Of these, the last two categories are considered improbable candidates for redevelopment.
In addition there are sites which have been redeveloped within the last 25 years and
which are not considered likely redevelopment candidates by 20430.
• 1666 Coffman – senior condominium apartments
• Falcon Heights Town Square (SE corner of Snelling/Larpenteur)
• Falcon Crossing – NE corner of Snelling/Larpenteur
• Stratford Professional Office Park – Prior Avenue, north of Maple Court and City Hall
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Existing Multi-Family Residential Properties in the Larpenteur Corridor
The existing multi-family residential properties in the proposed Larpenteur Corridor
planning area occupy a total of 24.7 acres, with 703 units of housing for an average
density of 28.4 units per acre, as shown in Table 8. The density ranges from just over 14
units per acre at 1666 Coffman, an owner-occupied condominium residence for University of Minnesota retirees, to more than 50 units per acre at 1496 Larpenteur, an
older 8-unit apartment building. The new multi-family and senior buildings at Falcon
Heights Town Square are approximately 45.9 and 42.4 units per acre, respectively.
Table 8: Multi-family Residential Properties in Larpenteur Corridor, West to East
Property Present Acres Existing
Existing
Density
Zoning units (Units/Acre)
1666 Coffman R-4 6.50 93 14.3
1707 Tatum R-4 0.41 11 26.8
1707 Lindig R-4 0.52 12 23.1
1845-1855 Larpenteur R-4 1.11 34 30.6
1830 Larpenteur R-4 0.59 17 28.8
1800-1818 Larpenteur R-4 1.56 36 23.1
1710-1740 Larpenteur R-4 4.83 144 29.8
1687-1717 Fry R-4 2.43 68 28.0
1561 Idaho/1534-1642 Snelling R-4 0.88 32 36.4
1550 Larpenteur PUD 2.59 119 45.9
1530 Larpenteur PUD 1.32 56 42.4
1510 Larpenteur R-4 0.28 10 35.7
1511 Larpenteur/1688 Arona R-4 0.39 20 51.3
1504 Larpenteur R-4 0.28 10 35.7
1496 Larpenteur R-4 0.13 8 61.5
1490 Larpenteur R-4 0.13 5 38.5
1486 Larpenteur R-4 0.28 10 35.7
1472 Larpenteur R-4 0.28 10 35.7
1466 Larpenteur R-4 0.28 8 28.6
All Multi-family properties 24.79 703 28.4
All of these properties exceed the 12 unit-per-acre cap defined in the City’s existing zoning code. Most are at least twice as dense as the code calls for. This suggests that the
12-unit-per-acre limit is not realistic and should be revised upward for multi-family
properties in the city.
Lack of parking, on and off-street, and the need to limit impervious covering may dictate lower densities on the smaller multi-family parcels if they are redeveloped, resulting in a
net loss of housing units. This loss will have to be made up by adding housing elsewhere
in the City or by consolidating multiple lots and developing as a whole.
Falcon Heights used to have two multi-family zones, R-3 and R-4. The 12-units-per-acre limit for R-3 was adopted when the two zoning districts were combined since the last
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
comprehensive plan. The R-3 designation was originally intended for medium density single-family attached residences and small multi-family buildings. It would be
appropriate for Falcon Heights to restore this zoning category in this comprehensive plan
for its original purpose and redefine the R-4 zone to accommodate both the existing
multifamily densities and expected future development. Areas where a new R-3 zone
might be appropriate include the present R-2 properties on the north side of Larpenteur and the block of older multi-family buildings on the south side of Larpenteur east of
Arona Street.
Commercial/Business Properties in the Larpenteur Corridor
Existing private commercial land occupies 30.46 acres in the Larpenteur Corridor. As
shown in Table 9, these properties range in size from just over a quarter of an acre at the
northeast corner of Larpenteur and Lindig to over 12.5 acres at Larpenteur and Prior
(now occupied by Twin City Co-op Federal Credit Union).
Table 9: Non-Residential Properties in Larpenteur Corridor, West to East
Property Present Acres
Zoning
2025 Larpenteur (TCCU) B-2 12.54
1871 Larpenteur B-1 0.29
1750-1790 Larpenteur (Hermes) B-2 3.44
1639 Larpenteur (Buck’s) B-3 1.16
1644 Larpenteur (TIES west) B-3 2.58
1667 Snelling (TIES) B-3 3.73
1611 Snelling (Chianti Grill) B-3 0.58
Warner center B-3 2.1
BP B-3 0.38
Dino’s B-3 0.54
Falcon Crossing (including north parking) B-3 1.66
1407 Larpenteur (Martinizing) B-1 0.5
1347 Larpenteur (Awad Clinic) B-1 0.58
1350 Larpenteur (SuperAmerica) B-1 0.38
All non-residential private land on the Larpenteur Corridor 30.46
If the City allows residential or mixed use in-fill development at the City’s present
average of 28 units/acre, then 8.9 acres, or approximately 30% of the existing commercial
acreage, will be needed to accommodate the expected demand for housing in the
community by 20430. If higher densities are allowed, less land will be needed. (See Table 10.)
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Table 10: Acreage needed to meet projections for housing increase
Acreage needed for 250 units Acres
% of existing commercial
property on Larpenteur
At 12/acre (present limit) 20.83 68.4%
At 20/acre 12.50 41.0%
At 28/acre (existing average) 8.93 29.3%
At 30/acre 8.33 27.4%
At 40/acre 6.25 20.5%
Not all of the sites presently zoned for business are likely candidates for multi-use
redevelopment by 20430. The northeast and southeast quadrants of the
Snelling/Larpenteur core are comparatively new and in good condition. The northwest
quadrant has been recently upgraded; it also presents some vehicle access challenges due to its proximity to the Snelling/Larpenteur intersection. The B-1 properties are unlikely to attract residential redevelopment because of their small size and constraints imposed by
proximity to existing residential properties. They are more likely – and more needed – to
continue serving neighborhood retail needs, with or without rebuilding.
In any case, there is sufficient private land to accommodate the forecast housing need to
20430, if the City provides in its land use controls for additional housing or mixed
residential/commercial use on some or all of the land that is presently zoned for business.
Where this redevelopment actually will occur will depend on the plans of individual
property owners and market forces. Market conditions in 2007 suggest it is likely that the increase in households may lag behind the forecast for 2010.
Larpenteur/Cleveland Hub
Though decidedly less congested with traffic and more rural in character than the Snelling/Larpenteur commercial core, the intersection of Larpenteur and Cleveland is as
important a center and gateway to the City of Falcon Heights as Snelling and Larpenter.
The area is home to a number of the community’s assets and public attractions.
• Falcon Heights City Hall
• Les Bolstad University of Minnesota Golf Course
• University of Minnesota women’s soccer stadium
• University Grove Park (a neighborhood park)
• Community Park
• St. Paul Farmer’s Market (located seasonally behind TCCU)
Cleveland and Larpenteur has also been identified by in the University of Minnesota’s master planning process as an important gateway to the campus.
The Cleveland/Larpenteur hub, extending to Gortner Avenue on the east, Fulham Avenue
on the west, and to Community Park on the north, has the potential to become a
significant precinct of civic, cultural and recreational activity, balancing and complimenting the commercial center at Snelling and Larpenteur
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Future Directions
Axis of Redevelopment: The Larpenteur Corridor
Larpenteur and Snelling have the potential to become vital arteries within the community,
connecting rather than dividing neighborhoods and commercial areas. It is the City’s
intention to focus on that potential over the lifetime of this plan and to aim future development in the City toward realizing that vision of connection. Higher density, transit-oriented housing, including life-cycle housing, along Larpenteur Avenue will be
part of that vision. Commercial development will be integrated with the
Snelling/Larpenteur commercial core and must contribute to a viable community oriented
city center. Above all, development must be balanced with preservation of the open landscapes that residents value so highly.
The City intends to give priority to development along Larpenteur Avenue that provides
homes, destinations and necessities for local residents and incorporates strong pedestrian and local traffic connections both to surrounding residential neighborhoods and to existing commercial districts. Highway-oriented “strip-mall” type development will not
serve this vision and will not be considered appropriate for Larpenteur Avenue within
Falcon Heights. A comprehensive corridor study of both Snelling and Larpenteur, with
ample opportunity for public participation, is recommended as part of the implementation of this plan, before any significant redevelopment is initiated along the Larpenteur Avenue corridor in Falcon Heights.
Larpenteur/Cleveland Civic, Cultural and Recreational Precinct Finally, it is the City’s intention to promote the evolution of the Cleveland/Larpenteur
district as a precinct of civic, recreational and cultural activity for both the City and the
wider metropolitan community, in partnership with the public and non-profit institutions
that own the surrounding lands. With the planned construction of the new Bell Museum of Natural History at the
southwest corner of Larpenteur and Cleveland, and a proposed expansion of the Ramsey
County Historical Society’s operations at the northwest corner, including Gibbs Musum
of Pioneer and Dakota Life, the City of Falcon Heights will be home to two popular metropolitan area musums in 2010.
The City intends to encourage compatible improvements on public and private land in
this growing recreational and cultural nexus surrounding the Cleveland/Larpenteur
intersection. The City intends to work with the surrounding property owners, adjacent cities and Ramsey County to improve pedestrian safety and access, to maintain and expand trail and bikeway access among the amenities in the area, and to meet the parking
needs of the expected visitors to the area.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
The Larpenteur Corridor: Goals and Policies
Larpenteur Corridor Goals
1. To respect the heritage of open agricultural landscapes along Larpenteur and preserve
this community asset as much as possible.
2. To encourage the evolution of the Snelling/Larpenteur hub, especially between Arona Street and Fairview Avenue, into an extended “city center” connecting, rather than
dividing, the community.
3. To promote the redevelopment of properties in a manner that enhances the value and
aesthetics of the surrounding community.
4. To provide opportunities for forecast housing needs to be met, in proximity to public transportation, commercial services and recreational facilities.
5. To encourage the evolution of the Cleveland/Larpenteur hub into a well-designed
civic, cultural and recreational precinct and an attractive gateway to both the City of
Falcon Heights and the University of Minnesota.
Larpenteur Corridor Policies
1. Conduct in-depth corridor studies of both Larpenteur and Snelling Avenues in Falcon heights to determine the design priorities for these arteries and to determine the best ways to meet the City’s objectives.
2. Establish mixed-use overlay districts to encourage infill and redevelopment of
existing commercial and multi-family properties along the Larpenteur corridor. Exact
location of these districts would be determined by the results of the corridor studies; this plan will be amended to recognize those results.
3. Allow flexibility in development standards on Larpenteur to recognize the challenge
of redeveloping small properties on a scale similar to surrounding residential
development
4. Require pedestrian and local traffic connectivity between new development and surrounding portions of the City. Discourage plans that restrict vehicular access to new developments to Larpenteur Avenue only.
5. Require appropriate tranzitional zones of open space between existing single-family
neighborhoods and any new development of institutional or agricultural land.
6. Employ the health impact assessment and other tools to ensure that new development along Larpenteur Avenue is safe, attractive and walkable and enhances the quality of life for residents of the City.
7. Work with the University of Minnesota to improve the streetscape along Larpenteur
west of Fairview.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
3. Housing and Neighborhoods
The City of Falcon Heights is primarily a residential community dominated by modest,
well-maintained single family homes built in the mid-20th century. Slightly less than a third of the total residential units are apartments, for which there is a constant demand
because of proximity to the University of Minnesota. About 15% of the City’s housing is
in a student housing cooperative on the university campus.
Falcon Heights Neighborhoods
The geographical barriers of major roads, open fields, fairground and campus give the
neighborhoods of Falcon Heights clearly defined identities. The neighborhoods are also
distinguished by age and type of housing, and by typical lot size.
Figure 12: Falcon Heights Residential Neighborhoods
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
North of Larpenteur and east of Snelling. This neighborhood, sometimes called the “Northeast Quadrant,” is the largest in the city. It is characterized by ramblers and ranch-
style homes built from the 1930s to about 1960, on deep lots of typically about 10,000
square feet. Streets are straight and connected, primarily north/south; most blocks do not
have sidewalks or alleys. Older homes on deeper, more heavily wooded lots are
concentrated along Hamline and the east end of Larpenteur.
South of Larpenteur and east of Snelling. Traditionally called Northome, this
neighborhood is characterized by one-and-a-half story homes built before the end of
World War II and, west of Arona Street, ramblers built between 1945 and 1952. Most lots
are under 7,000 square feet. The houses face east-west streets laid out in a grid pattern. Most blocks have alleys and sidewalks. The neighborhood is similar to St. Paul’s Como
neighborhood to the south. Recently two large apartment buildings and fourteen
townhomes were added to this neighborhood at Falcon Heights Town Square at the
southeast corner of Larpenteur and Snelling.
North of Larpenteur and west of Snelling. This diverse neighborhood adjacent to
university agriculture fields has a broad range of housing, including older homes on large
lots facing Snelling Avenue, a 1950s development of suburban ramblers, and a small
complex of up-scale townhomes built in the 1990s. Lot sizes vary from about 10,000
square feet to over 25,000 square feet. There are no alleys and few sidewalks. A four-building apartment complex is located at Fry and Larpenteur.
South of Larpenteur, Snelling to Fairview. Three apartment complexes, interspersed with
commercial properties and public land, stand on the south side of Larpenteur, west of
Snelling and adjacent to the State Fairground and University fields. Hollywood Court, a tiny single-street, one block neighborhood of homes built before 1950 on lots of about
7,000 square feet, is tucked in between the State Fair and the TIES building at the
southwest corner of Snelling and Larpenteur. Access to all of these residences is from
Snelling or Larpenteur only. These residents are largely cut off from the other City
neighborhoods by these busy streets.
Fairview, Lindig and Tatum Streets. This area reflects the same kind of diversity seen in
the neighborhood along the west side of Snelling: individually built homes on large lots
(10,000 – 53,000 square feet) on Fairview, Roselawn and Lindig and a development of
post-World War II ramblers on 9,000 – 10,000 square foot lots along Tatum. The absence of sidewalks, the quiet location, and the “common back yard” identity of the
unbuilt back lots north of the end of Lindig street reinforce the semi-rural character these
residents prize.
Falcon Woods. With access only from Roselawn Avenue on the north, winding streets and wedge-shaped lots, this neighborhood has the most “suburban” character in the city.
The homes were built in two stages, the northern portion in the 1950s and the southern in
the 1980s. Typical lots are about 10,000 square feet. Maple Court, a complex of 24
attached condominium townhomes built in 1993, stands just to the south of Falcon
Woods off Prior Avenue north of City Hall. Although this neighborhood has no
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
sidewalks along the residential streets, it is well provided with pedestrian connections to Prior and Larpenteur to the south and to Community Park on the west.
University Grove. Located between Hoyt Avenue and the University golf course, west of
Cleveland Avenue, University Grove is a distinctive neighborhood originally intended for
University faculty and staff. The Grove is adjacent to St. Anthony Park, one of St. Paul’s most desirable neighborhoods. Homes in the Grove were built between the 1920s and the
1970s in a myriad of styles, each individually architect-designed. Homeowners are
lessees of their lots, which remain the property of the University of Minnesota, and
properties are subject to neighborhood association governance as well as City zoning
code. The neighborhood features common green areas in the interiors of blocks, plenty of sidewalks and pedestrian paths, and a small neighborhood park. 1666 Coffman, a 92-unit
condominium apartment building for retired University employees stands at the north
side of the neighborhood at Coffman and Larpenteur
Existing Housing in Falcon Heights
Falcon Heights Housing: Density, Condition, Value and Age
• The City is fully developed with single-family housing at net densities ranging from 2 to 6 units per acre. Existing multi-family housing ranges from 12 to 46 units per acre
and is primarily located along Larpenteur Avenue. Overall, Falcon Heights exceeds
the Metropolitan Council’s 3 unit per acre benchmark. There is almost no private
vacant land available for the development of new housing.
• The City's housing mix has remained remarkably stable but home ownership has
decreased from 59.5% in 1990 to 54.0% in 2007, primarily due to the addition of 175
rental apartments in Falcon Heights Town Square.
• Anecdotal evidence, mostly through discussions with rental property owners, reflects a consistently low vacancy rate among rental properties.
• Housing quality is very good. According to the Ramsey County Department of
Records and Revenue, all housing was rated “Average” or better in 2006, except for
12 properties which were rated “Fair.” None were rated “Poor.”
• Housing values remain strong. In 2000, median value of a single-family, owner-
occupied home was $161,400 compared to a median value of $126,400 in Ramsey
County. In 2006, the median value was $273,100, with 90% of owner-occupied
housing valued above $214,500.
• Nearly half of the housing stock (45.5%) was built between 1950 and 1969. Only
17.7% has been built since 1974.
• Approximately 15% of the City's housing stock (excluding dormitory or group
housing) is located on the University of Minnesota campus in Commonwealth Terrace. It is entirely under the jurisdiction of the University.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
• Approximately one third of the City's total housing is comprised of multi-family
units.
• The City has 33 existing Section 8 subsidized housing units and no public or
subsidized seniors housing. In addition, students in Commonwealth Terrace must meet low income guidelines to qualify for student housing.
• Falcon Heights has two apartment buildings for senior citizens: 1666 Coffman Street
(condominium, 93 units) and 1530 Larpenteur Avenue (rental, 56 units).
• If there are constituencies whose housing needs are not being met, they are likely to be students or senior citizens who want to remain in the community after they sell their homes.
Table 11: Housing Unit Mix - 2007
Number of
units
% of total
Single-family, detached 1145 50.9%
Single-family, attached * 71 3.2%
Multi-Family 702 31.2%
U of M Student Housing 331 14.7%
TOTALS 2249 100%
* Duplexes, triplexes and townhomes Table 12: Housing Tenure
1980 1990 2000 2006 2012
Percent Owner Occupied 56.4% 59.5% 58.3% 54.0% 56.2%
Percent Renter
Occupied
43.6% 40.5% 41.7% 46.0% 43.8%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Please see Appendix B: Falcon Heights Housing Profile for additional detailed tables.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Table 13: Residential Density in Falcon Heights
Land Use
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A B C D E F G H
Agricultural 0 0 0 0
Single Family Residential 1145 270.34 270.34 4.236
Multi-Family Residential 0 985 59.21 59.21 16.64
Retail and Other
Comercial 0 0 0
Office 0 0 0
Mixed Use 0 119 2.59 2.59 45.95
Institutional 0 0 0
Park, Recreational or
Preserve 0 0 0 0
Undeveloped 0 0 0 0
TOTAL 1145 1104 332.14 0 0 0 0 332.14 6.77
Acreage figures are from City GIS parcel data, not Metropolitan Council Land Use map; thus,
land in categories D, E, F, and G is already eliminated from the gross residential acreage.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Figure 9: Housing Density by Parcel
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Home Values in Falcon Heights, 2007 (Houses, Townhomes and Condominiums)
Figure 10: Home Values 2007 (Houses, Townhomes and Condominiums)
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
Falcon Heights Housing by Year of Construction
Figure 11: Housing by year of construction
Future Directions
Metropolitan Council forecasts predict the need for approximately 250 additional housing
units by 2040. The challenge for Falcon Heights will be to find room for this housing in a
community that is fully developed with no significant vacant land and limited land appropriate for redevelopment and infill. The City’s strategy to meet this challenge will
be to support redevelopment that adds medium to high density housing in the Larpenteur
corridor as opportunities arise. (Please see the Larpenteur Corridor section for detailed
discussion.)
The other significant challenge for Falcon Heights is looking will be to preserve the
quality and character of its mid-20th Century neighborhoods. The well-maintained
cottages, ramblers and ranch-stye dwellings behind green lawns on tree-lined streets have
a "retro" charm that, with with the convenient location of the City, makes Falcon Heights a desirable place to live. However, by post-1990 suburban standards, the lots, homes and garages are relatively small, and today's residents desire more living space. The City's
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
challenge is to encourage reinvestment and home improvement that respects the style and character of the existing housing and the proportion of landscaped space, while creating
more usable space and convenience.
This plan establishes four broad categories of residential use as follows:
Traditional Neighborhoods (R-1 and R-2)
These areas correlate with established single-family residential neighborhoods
(University Grove, Falcon Woods, Northome, Northeast and Maple Knoll) where only
very limited in-fill residential development is possible due to the absence of vacant land.
These are neighborhood conservation areas where it is the City's intent to preserve neighborhood values and aesthetic character, encourage the continual upgrading of the
housing stock and maintain existing development densities of six or fewer units per gross
acre. At neighborhood edges, it is the City's intent to consider compatible residential
redevelopment at higher densities.
Traditional Medium Density Residential (R-3 and R-4)
These long-established multi-family buildings are generally located along Larpenteur and
Snelling Avenues in close proximity to areas of higher activity such as the Snelling and
Larpenteur Commercial Core and to the two main bus transit routes that cross the City.
Densities range from 12 to 46 units per gross acre. Off-street parking is limited. The City’s policy for the last 20 years has been to limit new medium density residential
development from 6 to 12 units per gross acre. As this is unlikely to meet projected needs
for housing by 20430, the City will consider compatible redevelopment at higher
densities, should opportunities arise, especially in the Larpenteur Corridor.
Where medium or lower density redevelopment is proposed for these zones and other
transitional areas, the City will require that rebuilding not reduce the amount of available
housing in the City overall. To provide for attached townhome development and other
medium density housing, the City will reinstitute the R-3 zoning district discontinued
since the last comprehensive plan,.
Transit-Oriented/Multi-Use Residential
The new Falcon Heights Town Square at the southeast Corner of Snelling and Larpenteur
Avenues is an example of a kind of housing that is becoming more common in the inner
suburbs of the Twin Cities. Retail space may occupy the ground floor, while upper floors are residential. Buildings are set forward toward the street, and parking is moved
underground or to the interior of the property. Densities range from 12 to 46 units per
gross acre with mixed-use structures requiring at least 25% of building occupancy to be
residential use.
Falcon Heights Town Square’s largest building, the closest to Snelling, is one story taller
than any other multi-unit building in the city. To meet projected housing needs, the City
intends to consider similar multi-use development, with increased height limits and
housing densities similar to comparable properties in the City, along the Larpenteur
corridor, should any of the larger properties, presently zoned for business or medium
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
density residential, become available for redevelopment. Substantial green spaces will be preserved between future development and existing neighborhoods to provide
connectivity between neighborhoods (pedestrian, motorized and non-motorized traffic)
and to preserve natural resources prized by Falcon Heights residents, including open
space, views and access to natural light.
New Neighborhoods (P-1/R-1 P-1)
Although it is unlikely that the University of Minnesota will release any of its agricultural
land for private development, it is the City’s responsibility to take that remote possibility
into account in its planning. If land should become available, future neighborhoods in
these areas will be designed to conserve public open land, especially adjacent to existing neighborhoods, to include pedestrian and bicycle paths and access to transit, to provide
connected street plans compatible with existing Ramsey County street names and address
numbering, and to provide a variety of housing types and prices, including multi-family
and compact single family residential use. Until that time, it is in the City’s interest to
designate these lands as reserved for public use and establish overlay districts to ensure that any future changes in use meet the objectives of this plan.
Housing and Neighborhoods: Goals and Policies
Housing/Neighborhood Goals
1. To improve the quality, appearance and maintenance of housing in neighborhoods and the health of residents.
2. To enhance access and safety for pedestrians and non-motorized transportation.
3. To minimize land use and traffic intrusions that adversely impact established
neighborhoods.
4. To continue the well-maintained residential character of existing neighborhoods.
5. To encourage the availability of housing for a population of diverse ages and income levels.
6. To protect open space and natural resources, preserving the urban/rural aesthetic that
Falcon Heights residents value.
7. To meet the needs of the projected growth in households to 20430.
Housing/Neighborhood Policies
1. Adopt and encourage “best practices” to promote public health and encourage an
active lifestyle for residents. Require a health impact assessment for new
development/redevelopment.
2. Enforce the housing chapter of the city code to assure the maintenance of existing housing stock. Pursue improvements to this chapter such as adoption of a uniform
standard, such as the International Housing Maintenance Code.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
3. Pursue and encourage housing rehabilitation programs, such as the Housing Resource Center.
4. Continue to support rental assistance programs through the Metropolitan Housing and
Redevelopment Authority Section 8 Program.
5. Encourage home ownership by participating in community land trust programs, as
opportunities and funding allow, to keep a proportion of homes affordable.
6. Monitor and maintain the quality of rented single-family housing by requiring
registration and regular inspection of rental housing.
7. Space group homes in residential districts with not less than 1/2 mile between homes, as allowable by state statutes.
8. Continue to eliminate zoning code violations and nuisance conditions that adversely
affect neighborhoods.
9. Maintain the single-family character of the existing residential neighborhoods and
discourage redevelopment that may be considered a change in use unless irreversible blight can be demonstrated.
10. Allow the remodeling of existing residential structures and accessory uses without adversely affecting the character of the neighborhood or substantially reducing required open space.
11. On transit routes, allow the replacement of existing medium-density multi-family
structures at equal or higher density, incorporating best practices for conserving green
space and promoting active living.
12. Enhance and upgrade the value of residential properties through street maintenance
and improvement programs that complement and enhance the residential character of neighborhoods, including the addition of walkways and lighting.
13. Maintain the present mix of housing but consider a variety of housing types and cost
ranges if existing business or multi-family properties are redeveloped or if University
of Minnesota property becomes available. Establish design guidelines and standards
to ensure that any new development promotes good health and preserves public open space.
14. Permit only compatible businesses adjacent to residential uses and in mixed
commercial-residential development, and place special conditions upon business uses
to assure compatibility when appropriate.
15. Require that any re-subdivision of existing lots on developed blocks in residential areas conform to other lots within surrounding blocks, and be accessed in a similar
manner.
16. Continue to build the Neighborhood Liaison program, Community Emergency
Response Team and other community organizations for communication and security.
17. Encourage neighborhood connectivity by installing sidewalk systems and decorative street lighting to make streetscapes more welcoming.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
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18. Continue to implement an aggressive shade tree program and replace removed trees as quickly as possible.
19. Encourage landscaping practices that reduce water consumption and minimize runoff.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
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4. Business and Commercial Districts
Although Falcon Heights is primarily a residential City outside of its large public
institutions, it possesses a small but important business community distributed along Larpenteur Avenue. (Please see the Larpenteur Corridor section for additional
information about business and commercial lands in Falcon Heights.) It is vital to the
sustainable future of Falcon Heights and to the health and well-being of its residents that
the City retain and improve the existing viable businesses and encourage businesses that
offer goods and services to the nearby neighborhoods.
Existing Business Land Use in Falcon Heights
The City is served by a central business district at the intersection of Snelling and
Larpenteur Avenues, a limited business district (offices and professional services) at Prior and Larpenteur, and a number of smaller businesses along Larpenteur, mostly oriented
toward local retail and service needs. The third largest business zone, also on Larpenteur,
is occupied by Hermes Nursery, the last of the flower and nursery businesses for which
Larpenteur Avenue was once famous. A retail cluster on Hamline Avenue between Hoyt
and Idaho has been a valued neighborhood retail center for generations. Presently this location is occupied by a pharmacy, a coffee shop, a dental clinic, a recording studio,
offices and an auto repair business.
Snelling Larpenteur Commercial Core
The Snelling/Larpenteur commercial core was originally developed in the 1940s and is
the only large retail area in Falcon Heights. By the 1980s, due to outdated design and
amenity standards and access limitations imposed by the high traffic volumes on Snelling
and Larpenteur Avenues, it was no longer functioning well in its original use as an auto-
oriented shopping center. As presently configured, the Snelling and Larpenteur thoroughfares impose severe limitations on the extent to which the area can accommodate
pedestrian traffic or function as an integrated retail center. As a result the four quadrants
of the district have evolved somewhat independently over the last several decades.
The northeast quadrant, known as Falcon Crossing, was redeveloped in the mid 1980s utilizing tax increment financing for public improvements in support of private
investment. The redevelopment replaced retailer Flower City, which was destroyed by
fire in 1982, and a row of older neighborhood businesses. An aging restaurant was
replaced by Dino’s Gyros in 2004 as part of the redevelopment on the southeast corner.
Dino’s and Falcon Crossing share parking and access. Falcon Crossing has a history of full occupancy. The quadrant is expected to remain relatively stable, although traffic,
parking and pedestrian safety will continue to be a challenge.
The northwest quadrant, occupied by a small shopping center, a restaurant, furniture store
and gas station, underwent some significant cosmetic upgrades in between 2003 and 2006. Since 1990, small businesses catering to neighborhood needs have somewhat given
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way to larger “destination” retailers, though these locally owned businesses are still in scale with the limited space and parking available on the site. These limits, along with
proximity to a residential neighborhood and access issues imposed by the highways, pose
challenges for any future redevelopment. None is anticipated at this time.
Falcon Heights’ last Comprehensive Plan characterized the southeast quadrant of the Snelling/Larpenteur core as the best opportunity for redevelopment. The redevelopment
of this site was accomplished between 2003 and 2007 with the construction of Falcon
Heights Town Square by Sherman Associates, Inc. The new mixed-use development
provides 175 apartments: 56 in a senior apartment building and 119 in a multi-family
building, of which 25 are designated affordable. Fourteen owner-occupied town homes are also part of the complex. The multi-family building contains 12,000 square feet of
commercial space on the first floor. Parking is removed from the streetscape into the
interior of the block and underground.
In the next two decades, the most likely quadrant of the Snelling/Larpenteur Core to see redevelopment is the southwest. Preserving the original art deco building would be a high
priority in any future re-purposing or redevelopment of the southwest quadrant. The
property, long the home of Harvest States Cooperative, is now owned by TIES, a non-
profit corporation serving technological needs of school districts. Although TIES leases
out space to other entities for office use, the site as a whole is underutilized, and the western portion of the property, still occupied by the building that once served as Falcon
Heights fire station and city hall, is used for little besides overflow parking.
General improvements to the Snelling/Larpenteur commercial district since 2000 include:
• Increase in landscaped area, container plantings and trees
• Elimination of billboards and replacement of unattractive and disorganized signage
by new, less intrusive signage at all three commercial corners
• New bus shelters
• Refurbished street lights
Remaining issues:
• Street and walkway configuration that is hazardous to pedestrians
• Minimal landscaping separating walkways and streets from parking lots
• Visually obtrusive overhead electrical and telephone lines and utility structures
• Difficult vehicle access from public streets due to street improvements that have
improved traffic flow at the expense of retail accessibility.
• High proportion of paved surface contributing to storm water run-off and detracting
from the visual attractiveness of the area. Based on its size limitations and fragmentation, the Falcon Heights commercial core will
not be able to compete successfully with nearby retail centers in Roseville for specialty
retail and “mall” shopping. Its primary role will be that of satisfying the neighborhood
convenience retail needs of a relatively small market area consisting of Falcon Heights and parts of Roseville and St. Paul. Its secondary role will be to function as a specialty retail/service and office center with particular emphasis given to the retention of existing
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businesses at Snelling and Larpenteur. Additional housing should be considered as an element of any future redevelopment, to take advantage of this location at the intersection
of two important transit routes.
Future Directions
Retaining viable businesses and maintaining commercial properties, while improving the mix of local goods and services, is a high priority for the City of Falcon Heights. Based
on the lack of a vacant land resource and the adequacy of commercial services in the
general market area, the City of Falcon Heights does not intend to create additional
commercial areas on land that is under the City’s land use controls in 2007. Instead, the City intends to encourage improvement and redevelopment of existing commercial business areas in a manner that is in keeping with competitive contemporary retail/service
standards of design and quality for a community-oriented business district. It is also the
intent of the plan to
• create an attractive, easily accessible, walkable and visually secure commercial area for retail customers.
• minimize adverse impacts on adjacent residential areas.
• Where appropriate, consider additional housing as an element in any redevelopment of existing commercial property, in order to meet projected
housing needs by 20430.
Given the limited land area for commercial use in the city, 1.8% of the total land use, it is
the intent of the city to attract businesses that serve the people who live and work in Falcon Heights and nearby, rather than a broader consumer base. The broader consumer
base is served by the larger, more diversified and readily accessible commercial areas in
the adjacent cities of St. Paul and Roseville as well as nearby Minneapolis.
The plan also intends to include only businesses that are compatible and complementary
to the adjacent residential areas, and to exclude uses that are not fully compatible with adjacent residential uses or are not consistent with the community focus of the city's
commercial districts. This is especially important because, given the limited land supply
and corresponding limited transitional areas, all commercial structures are within 270 feet
of residential structures; and many commercial buildings are within 40 to 50 feet of
residential buildings and homes.
An exception may include the expansion of the Snelling/Larpenteur core west of Snelling
Avenue, should the University or State Fair choose to divest themselves of the
agricultural and fairground lands north and south of Larpenteur, east of Fairview. It is the
City’s intent to guide these areas toward medium to high density residential use mixed
with compatible businesses that serve the local area
The City’s existing Land Use Plan establishes three categories of commercial/business
use including the Snelling/Larpenteur Commercial Core, Neighborhood Convenience and
Limited Business as follows:
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Snelling/Larpenteur Commercial Core (B-3) It is the intent of the City to see all four quadrants of the intersection of Larpenteur and
Snelling Avenues maintained and improved as the community’s only major
commercial/shopping center as well as a junction of vibrant neighborhoods. It is intended
that the core maintain its mixed use character, including transit-oriented housing, that it
be upgraded and redeveloped, as appropriate, to improve its accessibility and its commercial viability as a community retail area, while meeting standards of design that
are consistent with the City's goals.
It is the intent of the City that the core continue to provide limited retail trade, business
services and offices to satisfy the needs of the immediately surrounding community and
complement the adjacent residential areas. Some uses which draw from a larger market area are permissible provided they do not have the potential for negative impacts on
adjacent residential property. (Warner Stellian Appliances, The Source Comics and
Games and Central Pediatric Clinic are existing examples of “destination” uses in scale
with this location.)
It is further intended that each individual quadrant of the core be planned and developed as an integrated unit or cluster of shops, businesses, and – where appropriate – residences
that are capable of functioning as a unit and sharing parking to the maximum degree
possible. The City will consider housing-only redevelopment in the southwest quadrant
as long as it is compatible with the transit-oriented, urban character of the other three
quadrants, preserves the historic TIES building and provides a significant share of the City’s housing needs projected by 20430.
Activities and improvements that will be considered for the Snelling/Larpenteur
Commercial core include:
• Establishment of sign and design guidelines for improvements throughout the core.
• Placement of electrical and telephone utilities underground.
• Planning and implementation of parking, circulation, lighting and landscaping improvements.
• Improvements that increseincrease pedestrian safety.
Neighborhood Convenience Commercial (B-1)
Located at the extreme eastern boundary of the City of Falcon Heights and on small parcels scattered along Larpenteur Avenue, these existing retail goods and service areas
are intended to continue to provide only limited service to relatively small market areas.
They are not intended to expand beyond their present boundaries and any changes in use
are intended to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. These centers generally consist of
freestanding buildings which function independently of one another.
Limited Business (B-2)
These areas are primarily intended to accommodate a limited array of service
establishments including governmental, professional and general office and studio uses
and banks and financial institutions. It is the City’s intention to consider mixed use including housing and neighborhood convenience retail businesses (as in B-1), in
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addition to the present uses, should these areas become available for redevelopment, in which case these properties will be eligible for reclassification.
Mixed Use Commercial/Residential
These areas are comprised of both residential and commercial used, either in horizontal
or vertical mixture. The density will be a minimum of 10 units per acre and a maximum of 30 units per acre with an anticipated minimum of 25% comprised of housing. The
reaming 75% shall be a variety of commercial and office space. These areas provide
buildings that are closer to the street, with a focus on providing a pedestrian-friendly
environment.
The newA multi-use complex at Falcon Heights Town Square in the southeast quadrant of the Snelling/Larpenteur Commercial Core is the first mixed use commercial/residential
structure of its type but it is unlikely to be the only such development in Falcon Heights.
Recognizing the projected need for approximately 250 additional housing units in Falcon
Heights in the next twenty years, it is the City’s intent to encourage additional residential
capacity combined, as appropriate, with commercial use, if redevelopment is proposed for any properties in the Larpenteur Corridor. In addition to the existing categories of
commercial/business use, the City intends to establish a new flexible multi-use category
as an overlay district where infill development is likely to be proposed.
Commercial/Business Districts Goals and Policies
Commercial/Business Goals
1. To allow an appropriate range of businesses that satisfy the convenience goods and service needs of residents.
2. To ensure maximum compatibility with adjacent neighborhoods.
3. To ensure access and safety for pedestrians and those using non-motorized
transportation
4. To improve the image and function of the Larpenteur Corridor and the commercial core at Snelling/Larpenteur.
5. To improve access, traffic circulation and on-site parking for the Commercial Core at
SneIling/Larpenteur.
6. To provide convenient parking in sufficient amounts to meet parking demand.
7. To provide high density mixed use development close to bus transit routes when larger sites are redeveloped.
Commercial/Business Policies
1. Guide development toward existing neighborhood/ convenience commercial areas in clusters rather than in strip developments along major streets.
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2. Require health impact assessments and environmental impact assessments for new development or redevelopment.
3. Require sufficient parking but encourage shared parking with other land uses to
minimize hard surface coverage and improve the visual appearance of parking areas.
4. Promote attractive parking areas and infiltration by requiring landscaped traffic
islands and setback areas.
5. Encourage and facilitate aesthetic improvements to building facades, parking,
signage, landscaping and lighting throughout the Larpenteur Corridor and
Snelling/Larpenteur commercial core.
6. Encourage building and sign designs to be in scale with the small town character of
the City.
7. Maximize land use compatibility by requiring buffering, screening and landscaping
between new commercial uses and residential areas and, wherever possible, between
existing commercial uses and residential uses to minimize conflicts.
8. Require that any redevelopment project that may logically extend beyond the area
already zoned for commercial use have a straight boundary that generally correlates with a public street line or the rear lot lines of residences and take all of the property
to the project boundary. Further, where such extension of a project takes place,
extraordinary setbacks and landscaping be required to mitigate neighborhood impacts
and storm water runoff and to conserve open land.
5. Agricultural and Institutional
Comprising two-thirds of the City's total area, the University of Minnesota St. Paul
campus/golf course/museum/soccer fields and the State Fair are the uses that have the
potential to most influence growth over the next 20 years. Both institutions are
autonomous which means that the City has no regulatory authority so long as land is used
for its intended public purposes. While both institutions provide most of their own services, continuing close communication is essential to minimize conflict and coordinate
public service deliveries. Particular attention needs to be given to transit and sanitary
sewer coordination/ cooperation and to emergency preparedness. Additional institutional
facilities include the City of Falcon Heights City Hall and Elementary School.
University of Minnesota
The St. Paul campus, comprising 452 acres, houses the University's Colleges of
Biological Science, Veterinary Medicine, Food/Agriculture/Natural Resources and part of
the College of Design, as well as the Raptor Center. The campus had a 2007 enrollment
of approximately 6000 students and a dormitory population of 505 students (Bailey Hall). (The University no longer separates enrollment statistics for the two Twin Cities campuses, counting them as one.) Additionally, Commonwealth Terrace, a married
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student apartment complex, contains 464 housing units, of which 331 are in Falcon Heights and 133 are in St. Paul.
Following a decline in the 1980s and 1990s, enrollment has increased significantly since
2000 on the Twin Cities campuses. Demand for student housing near campus has also
increased. Private development of new student housing on University land could come under the City’s land use jurisdiction. Only one such project is under consideration at this
time within Falcon Heights, a proposed fraternity house at the southeast corner of
Commonwealth and Cleveland adjacent to Commonwealth Terrace.
Though it is within the City's limits, the University is autonomous. The University provides its own police, fire, public utility and bus services. The City bills it for sewer
service.
The University les Bolstad Golf Course occupies 204 acres of land along Larpenteur
Avenue between Cleveland and Fulham. No major improvements are proposed which would cause it to grow beyond present boundaries. Although not under the City’s
jurisdiction, the golf course is considered a valuable community asset. The University
also operates the Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium at 17415 Cleveland Avenue just north
of Larpenteur Avenue.
The University has conducted agricultural experimentation and research at this site for
over 100 years. It is not known to be interested in selling any of its land for private
development, an action that would bring such lands under the City's regulatory control.
Nevertheless, plans can change, and the City is prepared to incorporate these public lands
into its updated comprehensive plan should the University decide to sell or repurpose any of the campus in the future.
Opening in July 2018, the University of Minnesota will be operating the Bell Museum
which includes science, art, and a planetarium all with a unique Minnesota perspective.
High-tech exhibits, wildlife dioramas, outdoor learning experiences and more will draw tourists to Falcon Heights. The Museum occupies 21.28 acres of land on Larpenteur
Avenue West.
State Fairgrounds
The Fairgrounds property comprises 288 acres. It is the site of the State's largest outdoor event, drawing people from all over the State to Falcon Heights. Like the University of Minnesota, the State Fair is autonomous which means that the City has no regulatory
control over Fairgrounds lands.
Periodically, there have been discussions about moving the State Fair to a different location where traffic could be better handled. The City does not favor relocation of the Fairgrounds but would entertain the use of some land in the vicinity of Snelling and
Larpenteur Avenues for non-fair commercial or mixed-use development provided it does
not exacerbate parking problems during the State Fair. Any non-fair use of land would
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fall within the City's regulatory jurisdiction and the City should make sure that any land use change is compatible to the objectives outlined in this plan.
City Hall
The City of Falcon Heights currently occupies 3.83 acres of land where their City Hall is
located along West Larpenteur Avenue. Within City Hall, administration and operations occur
Elementary School
The Falcon Heights Elementary is a K-6 neighborhood school serving approximately 48
students. The school functions under the Roseville Area School system.
Future Directions
It is the current policy of the University to retain ownership of all of its land and that of
the State Fair to continue to operate in Falcon Heights. It is the City's intent to encourage
both but, recognizing that circumstances change, the City wishes to influence future
institutional policy directions to reflect the City's best interests. To that end, the City intends to recognize the present and likely future use of these lands by designating them
as public lands, discontinuing the dual P-1/R-1 zoning continued in the 2009last
comprehensive plan. Institutional land operated by the City of Falcon Heights including
the City Hall, Soccer Fields has not future anticipated change. The Elementary School
should continue to operate into future years.
Agricultural and Institutional Lands: Goals and Policies
Agricultural and Institutional Lands: Goals
1. To encourage the State Fair, as it currently operates, to remain in Falcon Heights.
2. To encourage the University of Minnesota to retain its agricultural research lands in Falcon Heights.
3. To continue to communicate and cooperate with University of Minnesota and State
Fairground staff in planning considerations which include traffic and pedestrian
circulation, conflict avoidance with nearby business and residential areas, visual appearance and drainage considerations.
4. To promote the evolution of a vital civic, cultural and recreational precinct around the
Cleveland/Larpenteur intersection that serves both the City and the institutions and
provides an attractive gateway to the area.
Agricultural and Institutional Lands: Policies
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1. Work with the University of Minnesota and the State Fairground staff to keep informed of any significant changes in long-range development plans.
2. Encourage the University of Minnesota physical plant to expand south of Larpenteur
in areas adjacent to the built campus rather than in agricultural lands and open spaces.
3. Encourage the University of Minnesota to formulate future plans for the
Larpenteur/Cleveland area to be compatible with nearby cultural and recreational resources, planned and existing.
4. Regulate all non-university development/use of University owned lands.
5. Create a university housing overlay district to establish design guidelines and
standards for privately owned university group housing (such as dormitories or
fraternities) developed on University owned land that may come into the City’s jurisdiction.
6. Regulate non-State Fair development on the State Fair property.
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6. Future Land Use
The Future Land Use Plan identifies several categories to guide development and
redevelopment in the City of Falcon Heights. These generally include residential uses, commercial uses, mixed use, parks, playgrounds, open space, and institutional. Large
acreages of the City are owned by the University of Minnesota or are the State Fair
Grounds. In summary, the City of Falcon Heights does not expect large scale changes in
land use by 2040. In fact, no new growth is projected to occur past 2020. Therefore,
future land use will most likely feature little change. Redevelopment will be market-driven and is most likely to be concentrated along Larpenteur Avenue on sites that are
presently zoned for either business or multi-family residential use. The mapThe map
(Figure 13) below is based on assumptions that have been outlined in this section.
• The University of Minnesota including the Golf Course, Agricultural Research, and
Museum will not convert any of its land to private use and developmentdevelopment.
• The State Fair Grounds will continue to operate as-is and not convert any of their land
for private use or development.
• OwnersOwners of residential properties on Tatum Street will combine their back lots
north of Lindig street, now designated as “vacant,” with their street front parcels, and
those parcels will be reclassified as single family residential.
• The market will encourage redevelopment of larger commercial properties along Larpenteur Avenue
• Existing single-family neighborhoods in Falcon Heights will continue to be highly
valued places to live.
• There will be demand for additional transit-oriented housing close to Larpenteur Avenue.
• There will be increasing public demand for redevelopment that supports pedestrian
and non-motorized access to shopping and public amenities in the city.
• Additional institutional uses including the Elementary School, City Hall and Soccer
Fields will remain as they stand and will not switch to private development or use.
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FIGURE 12: Future Land Use – 2040
Land Use Acres Percent of
Total Acres
U of M Agricultural Research 263.36 18.41%
Commercial Core 18.94 1.32%
State Fair Grounds 272.70 19.06%
City Hall 3.83 0.27%
U of M Golf Course 162.76 11.38%
U of M Bell Museum 21.28 1.49%
Elementary School 9.62 0.67%
U of M Soccer Fields 7.77 0.52%
University of Minnesota 222.73 15.57%
Limited Business 19.66 1.37%
Low Density Residential 366.80 25.64%
Medium Density Residential 25.40 1.78%
Mixed Use Residential 6.45 0.45%
Multi-Family Residential 7.91 0.55%
Neighborhood Commercial 2.70 0.19%
Park and Recreation 18.93 1.32%
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City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
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III. Physical Systems:
Transportation, Utilities, Storm Water Management
1. Introduction
Falcon Heights is currently a City of approximately 5,600 residents located in Ramsey
County, Minnesota bordered by the cities of Roseville to the north, St. Paul to the south, and Lauderdale to the west. The Minnesota State Fairgrounds and the University of
Minnesota –St. Paul Campus make up over half of the City’s total incorporated area.
Figure 14, below, provides the general location map for the City.
Figure 14 – General Location Map
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Purpose of Plan Update
This report summarizes the results of a comprehensive plan update for the City of Falcon Heights. The plan update included a review and evaluation of the following:
• Transportation system.
• Sanitary sewer system.
• Storm water management.
Water service is provided to Falcon Heights by St. Paul Regional Water Service. The
system is already in place, and no expansion is anticipated over the life of this plan.
The main purpose of the plan update was to evaluate the existing and future
transportation and the sanitary sewer system needs of the City, as well as the
infrastructure improvements and expansions necessary to serve the current and future residents. Also, a review and evaluation of the City’s storm sewer system was completed and a storm water management plan was developed.
The City’s present and future needs have been evaluated and recommendations made for
necessary improvements to maintain adequate service levels for the transportation, sanitary sewer, and storm water systems. This plan update will serve as a guide for future
infrastructure improvements for these three systems.
Scope of Plan Update
The approach used for this plan update started with an assessment of existing
transportation, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer system condition and an evaluation of the
City’s needs. Current and future needs were evaluated over a 20+-year planning period extending to the year 20430.
A review and evaluation of the existing transportation system is provided in Section 2. A
review and evaluation of the existing sanitary sewer system is provided in Section 3,
which also includes a summary of recommended sanitary sewer system improvements. A review and evaluation of the existing storm sewer system is provided in Section 4. A
recommended storm water management plan is also provided in this section. Section 5
provides the recommended Goals and Policies for the City.
As a result of needs changing over time, the City’s planning process for the transportation, sanitary sewer, and storm water management will be continuous. Long-
term projections and improvements provided in this plan update should be reviewed, re-
evaluated, and revised, as needed, to assure effective future planning efforts. Proper
future planning will help assure that infrastructure improvements are coordinated and constructed in the most effective manner.
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2. Transportation System
The transportation plan is a key part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan as it covers all modes of transportation, including highways and roads, bicycles and pedestrians, transit,
and aviation. This plan expresses the location, limits, function, and capacity of all
facilities in the City of Falcon Heights.
Highways and Roadways
The City of Falcon Heights is a fully-developed suburban community with a well-
established roadway network. MnDOT has jurisdiction over Snelling Avenue (TH 51),
Ramsey County has jurisdiction over the County State Aid Highways (CSAH) and the
county roads, and the City has jurisdiction over the rest of the roadways in the city.
Functional Classification System
The existing functional classification system as defined by the Met Council is reported in
Figure 15, on the following page. Snelling Avenue, Larpenteur Avenue, and Cleveland Avenue are “A” minor arterial roadways. Fairview Avenue, north of Larpenteur Avenue
and Hamline Avenue, north of Larpenteur and Como Avenues are “B” minor arterial
roadways. Roselawn Avenue and Hamline Avenue, south of Larpenteur Avenue are
collector roadways. All other streets in the City are local roadways. No changes to the
“A” minor arterial system are recommended as part of this transportation plan update.
The primary function of minor arterials is mobility. “A” minor arterials are classified by
the Met Council as “reliever” routes, which provide direct relief to congested principle
arterials. “B” minor arterials provide important connections through the City and region.
Collector roadways provide access to adjacent land by connecting the local street network and the arterial roadways. Collectors may need to accommodate higher speeds traffic and
also serve direct property access. Local roadways are intended to serve direct property
access. Local streets are characterized by short blocks and a grid system.
2030 Traffic Forecasts
The Metropolitan Council guidance provides two options for developing traffic forecasts.
One option is to use the regional model and the second option is a historical trend
analysis, which is recommended for developed communities. The City of Falcon Heights
is considered a developed community. Redevelopment may occur during the planning time frame, but none that would be expected to result in traffic growth significantly
different than the historical growth.
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City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
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Historical traffic volumes have been collected from MnDOT’s traffic flow maps for the period between 1980 and 2005. Historical growth rates were projected to 2030 along a
linear trendline to determine the 2030 traffic volumes. For instances where the trendlines
indicated a historical decrease, it was assumed that no growth would occur and the 2005
ADT would remain the same through 2030. See Figure 14 for the existing and 2030
traffic volumes on collector and arterial roadways.
Most roadways are expected to experience minimal growth in the City with the exception
of Snelling Avenue, which, as a regional facility, is expected to experience the greatest
amount of growth.
Future roadway capacity deficiencies have been identified based upon the future daily
traffic forecast. The existing numbers of through lanes on the collector and arterial
roadways are also displayed in Figure 14 as well as the number of through lanes
anticipated to serve future demands. The existing roadway network should serve the
2030 traffic volumes with the exception of Snelling Avenue. Options for increasing capacity will need to be evaluated in light of proposed 2030 traffic volumes along
Snelling Avenue
Access Management
The primary goal of managing access locations in any corridor is to improve safety and
flow. Different roads serve different purposes. Arterials provide movement for through
traffic. Local roads provide access to local land uses. Conflict occurs when a roadway is
forced to perform unintended functions. A local street that serves too much through
traffic creates issues for the neighborhood it serves. Conversely an arterial roadway that serves too much local access creates safety and flow issues for the through traffic.
Therefore, guidelines have been established for access spacing for each type of facility.
See the table below which highlights access management guidelines.
According to MnDOT, Snelling Avenue is categorized as an Urban Core Minor Arterial south of Larpenteur Avenue. The urban core designation recognizes that the arterial
roadway traverses through a mature portion of the local street system where existing
block lengths and land uses have established a more frequent access condition. North of
Larpenteur Avenue, Snelling Avenue is categorized as an Urban Minor Arterial.
The recommended access spacing for these types of arterials, and also the other types of
roadways in the City, are described in Table 14 below.
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Table 14 – Access Management Guidelines
Functional Class Minimum Access Spacing
Urban Core Minor Arterial 1 block
Urban Minor Arterial 1/4 mile (1/8 mile for a conditional
secondary intersection)
Urban Core Collector 1 block
Urban Collector 1/8 mile
Local 1 block
As the Snelling Avenue corridor and other arterial roadways evolve, opportunities to limit and reduce access should be undertaken to address safety and capacity issues.
Roadway Safety
Roadway crash data related to the City of Falcon Heights were obtained using the Minnesota Crash Mapping Analysis Tool (MnCMAT). Locations of reported crashes
during 2003 through 2005 are displayed graphically in Figure 16, on the following page.
During this period a total of 331 crashes were reported. Of these, 82 percent occurred on
minor arterials traversing the City including Cleveland Avenue, Larpenteur Avenue, and
Snelling Avenue. The highest frequency of crashes generally occurred at the highest volume intersections.
Intersections that experienced an average of five or more crashes per year are:
• Snelling Avenue at Larpenteur Avenue.
• Snelling Avenue at Roselawn Avenue.
• Larpenteur Avenue at Cleveland Avenue.
• Larpenteur Avenue at Hamline Avenue.
A more rigorous investigation of crash rates, types, and severity is suggested prior to
drawing conclusions regarding appropriate corrective measures. As improvements in these corridors are considered, these safety concerns should be explored more thoroughly.
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Operational and Facility Concerns
An assessment of the existing and forecast operational concerns through the community
have been completed using the traffic forecast data, crash data, and coordination with
Ramsey County and MnDOT.
• Existing and Forecast Congestion Issues
Capacity deficiencies are identified in Figure 15, on page 61. Snelling Avenue is the
only minor arterial with a projected deficiency. Snelling Avenue crash history indicates a relatively high frequency of crashes. Many of these are suspected to be
related to congestion experienced in the corridor.
• Planned Improvements For the “A” minor arterial roadways, Figure 14 shows existing and proposed number
of lanes. Basing the additional lanes needed in the future condition on the 2030
forecast Snelling Avenue is the only roadway that may require some capacity
improvements. Generally, the existing road network through the City should adequately serve traffic demands in the City to 2030.
There are no planned improvements to the City’s roadways that would increase the
capacity. The City does have an aging roadway network that will require
maintenance and some neighborhood roadways may be reconstructed in the planning timeframe.
Special Use Areas
The State Fairgrounds are located in the southeast part of the city. In March of 2007 they were contacted to discuss this comprehensive plan update. At that time they did not foresee any major changes in land use or their transportation network.
The University of Minnesota is located in the northwest section of the city. They were
contacted in April of 2007 to discuss this comprehensive plan update. At that time the University said that they are in the process of constructing a 140,000 square foot museum in the southwest quadrant of Cleveland and Larpenteur Avenues. Primary access for this
building will be on Larpenteur Avenue.
Connection Between Land Use and Transportation The connection between land use and transportation requires integrated strategies that
advance regional economic land use and growth management goals. Achieving goals for
regional growth with limited ability to expand the transportation system requires strategic
investment in facilities coupled with encouragement to broadly implement travel demand management techniques.
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Below are some techniques for connecting land use and transportation:
• Plan and invest in multi-modal transportation choices based on the full range of
costs and benefits.
• Make more efficient use of the regional transportation system.
• Encourage travel demand management strategies, including flexible work hours
and telecommuting.
• Focus highway investments first on maintaining and managing the existing system, and second on slowing the growth of congestion.
• Implement a system of fully interconnected arterial and local streets, pathways,
and bikeways.
• Promote the development and preservation of various freight modes.
• Support airport facilities investments.
• Serve the region’s economic needs.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
The trail system consists of on and off-street bikeways and exclusive pedestrian
sidewalks. Off-street bikeways are intended to be separated from pedestrian ways or sidewalks where possible. Off-street bicycle/pedestrian trails are generally intended to be eight feet wide with paved surfaces and signs. The existing trail system is shown in
Figure 17 on the following page.
The City is investigating a potential bike/pedestrian route along Fairview Avenue, part of Larpenteur Avenue and south down Gortner Avenue. This route can be seen in Figure 18 on page 68. The bicycle and pedestrian trail network provides adequate accessibility to
the transit corridors and transit facilities, which can be seen in Figure 19 on page 69.
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Transit
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Existing Transit Routes
The existing transit routes and facilities are shown in Figure 19 on page 69. Six bus
routes currently serve the City, routes 3, 61, 84, 87, 121 (Campus Connector), and 124
(St. Paul Circulator).
Transit Market Area
The City is the Market II Transit Service Area. Market Area II has a moderate
concentration of jobs, housing and activities. Typically Market Area II has a population density of 9-14.9 persons / acre augmented by contiguous High Transit Dependency
areas. Typical service options in this market area are regular route locals, all day
expresses, small vehicle circulators, special needs paratransit (ADA, seniors) and
ridesharing. Area II has a primary emphasis on big bus / regular route service. The
frequencies of service are typically 15-30 minutes or 30-60 minutes depending on land use patterns and time of day. The span of service is typically 12-20 hours per day, seven
days a week. The access is typically spaced .5–1.0 miles apart with six to eight stops per
mile.
Future Transit Facilities
The Central Corridor is an 11-mile Light Rail Transit (LRT) route planned between
Minneapolis and St. Paul running along University Avenue. There is a planned stop at
Snelling Avenue. Bus service connecting Falcon Heights, including the University of
Minnesota and State Fair, will connect to the LRT stop at Snelling.
The Red Rock Corridor is a 30 mile transportation corridor starting in Hastings and
running along Highway 61 and then west along I-94 through St Paul and then to
Minneapolis. Planned stops are not defined at this time, but like the Central Corridor
there would be stops that could be serviced to Falcon Heights via bus service.
Aviation
The nearest airports to Falcon Heights are the Anoka County (12 miles north) and
Downtown St. Paul (9 miles southeast) reliever airports which provide general aviation access while reducing congestion at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, which is 10 miles south of the City. Falcon Heights is not within the airspace protection zones of
these facilities. The City will work as a contributing community with the Metropolitan
Airports Commission. The City will monitor progress and participate as appropriate in
the public process of improving the MSP International Airport.
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Transportation System: Goals and Policies
This section provides recommended goals and policies for the City’s Transportation Plan.
Highways and Roadways
Highway and Roadway Goals
• To promote safety on all streets.
• To avoid unnecessary street congestion and the resulting negative effects on air
quality.
• To develop and maintain efficient hierarchy of streets to move larger volumes of
traffic safely on relatively few through streets and discourage high volumes of
traffic on residential streets.
• To maintain the transportation infrastructure of the City.
Highway and Roadway Policies
• Coordinate all City street planning and design with County, Metropolitan and
State agencies.
• Require adequately spaced driveways along arterial streets when access cannot be
limited to cross streets.
• Maintain roadbeds and curb and gutter on City Streets.
• Prevent parking on residential lots (other than driveways) especially during State Fair activities.
• Enhance the appearance and image of major roadway entry points to the City.
Right of Way Preservation The City is responsible for identifying and preserving right-of-way for transportation uses
such as roads, transit, bikeways and walkways. Below are some techniques to identify
and preserve right of way:
• Prepare an Official Map for corridors planned for expansion
• Possible early acquisition of properties prior to environmental study, as specified
in the Transportation Efficiency Act (TEA-21)
• Purchase of development rights
• Purchase options
• Letters of agreement with developers
• Right of first refusal
• Donations of property
• Contributions, exchanges of property
• Access management
• Use of local government land use tools
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Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
Trails Goals
• To provide an interconnected park and open space system that provides pedestrian and bicycle linkages throughout the City.
• Continue coordination between the University of Minnesota and the City
regarding the trail network.
Parks and Trails Policy
• Build trails as an integral part of the upgrading of collector and arterial streets.
Transit
Public Transit Goals
• To improve the quality of and increase the emphasis on public transit, non-motorized and pedestrian travel.
• To encourage planning and design that increases and complements transit use.
Public Transit Policies
• Continue to work with the Metropolitan Council to determine future transit
services consistent with the City’s transit market area and its associated service
standards and strategies.
• Reduce overall travel demand by cooperating with the University of Minnesota in
developing a Travel Demand Management (TDM) strategy and encouraging
programs that provide alternatives to single occupant automobiles.
• Evaluate the need for and the location of transit services in conjunction with surrounding communities.
• Coordinate public transit with all transit planning and delivery agencies to
improve transit services (MTC, RTB, Ramsey County Regional Railroad
Authority).
• Continue to coordinate with the County Regional Railroad Authority in the
implementation of LRT plans.
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Aviation
Aviation Goals
• To protect the City’s airspace from vertical obstructions that could impede air traffic.
• To regulate and ensure the compatibility of land use with aviation.
Aviation Policies
• Require that heliports comply with the licensing requirements of MnDOT, the
approach and altitude standards established by the FAA and the noise standards
established by the MPCA as requirements of Conditional Use Permit Approval.
• Require that no tall towers (obstructions over 500 feet tall) be built within the
City.
• Monitor the progress and participate, as appropriate, in the public process of
enhancing or replacing MSP International Airport.
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3. Sanitary Sewer System
The City of Falcon Heights owns and maintains a sanitary sewer system which also
serves the University campus. The City discharges all sanitary flows to the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) interceptor system. The State Fair operates and
maintains its own sanitary sewer system separate from the City’s system. The City’s
sanitary sewer system facilities include:
• One small sanitary sewer lift station
• Forcemain associated with the lift station
• A network of gravity sewer piping and manholes
Existing Sanitary Sewer System
The City’s sanitary sewer collection system has been in operation in excess of 50 years
and consists of approximately 68,800 LF of gravity sewer. A lift station serves a small
area near Larpenteur Avenue and Coffman Street. The existing sanitary sewer system
facilities are illustrated on Figure 20, on the following page. This figure shows the City’s existing collection and trunk sewer system. The extents of the existing sewer service area is not expected to increase through 2030.
The system is constructed of various pipe materials including vitrified clay pipe (VCP)
and polyvinylchloride pipe (PVC). The collection system ranges in pipe size 8” to 18” in diameter.
Sewer flows generated in the City are collected and conveyed to number of discharge
points into the St. Paul sanitary sewer system. A MCES metering station is located by
the intersection of Hamline Avenue North and Hoyt Avenue West and measures sanitary sewer flow entering the MCES interceptor system. All other discharge points are estimated by MCES for billing purposes and are based on water consumption rates. In
2004 MCES re-evaluated this method to consider significant irrigation use by the
Fairgrounds and university resulting in a lower and more accurate sewer flow entering
the MCES system.
Existing Sanitary Sewer Condition
The evaluations provided in this report are based on field inspections, construction as-built drawings, and discussions with city staff. The condition of the sewer collection system was evaluated using previous closed circuit televised (CCTV) inspection records.
The lift station was evaluated for pumping performance. A pump down test was
performed at the site to estimate the pumping capacities. This data was then compared to
the rated capacities. Based on this information, the lift station has the capacity to continue serving its area where it is located.
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Sewer Flow Quantification
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Projected flows for the sanitary sewer system were estimated using historical sanitary
sewer flows and population projections provided by MCES. The amount of sanitary
sewer measured by MCES in 2005 was recorded as 240.85 MG. The population of the
City in 2005 was estimated by MCES to be 5800.
Table 15 summarizes the project sanitary sewer flows for the City for up to the year
2030.
Table 15 - Sanitary Sewer Flow Projections
Year 2010 2020 2030
Sewered Population 6,100 6,100 6,100
Sewered Households 2,350 2,400 2,500
Sewered Employment 3,900 4,050 4,200
Average Annual Wastewater Flow
(MGD)
0.91 0.89 0.88
Allowable Peak Hourly Flow
(MGD)
2.91 2.85 2.82
Existing and Potential Sanitary Sewer Related Issues
Sanitary Sewer Collection System
Previous CCTV inspection documents were reviewed to determine the condition of the
sanitary sewer at the time of the inspections. It is possible that additional deficiencies
exist in the system today would need to be addressed in the short-term. The City is currently televising the entire sanitary sewer collection system. This section should be updated following completion and review of data from the CCTV effort.
Deficiencies and defects identified include mid-segment sags in excess of 4-inches, offset
pipe joints, and significant joint separation. These types of defects can severely impact the capacity and structural integrity of the collection system and should be addressed. The locations of these defects are shown in Figure 21, on the following page.
While some of these types of defects can be resolved cost effectively using trenchless
technology, the sever sags and offset joints should be corrected using conventional open trench methods and should be, if possible, coordinated with the City’s street reconstruction program.
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Inflow and Infiltration Reduction
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The City of Falcon Heights, like the majority of the communities in the metropolitan
area, has spent considerable time and energy managing inflow and infiltration (I/I) within
their sanitary sewer collection system. The Metropolitan Council Environmental
Services (MCES) has implemented a surcharge program which is designed to encourage
metro communities to reduce I/I entering their portion of the sanitary collection system. While the City has not exceeded the pre-determined maximum peak level established by
MCES the City should continue its effort to minimize I/I and should prepare and
implement an I/I reduction program.
The I/I reduction program would be used to isolate and prioritize sewer rehabilitation in the sanitary sewer collection system, both on the public and private side of the system.
The City should continue with the cleaning and closed circuit television inspection,
conducting a sewer rehabilitation program, including conducting follow-up inspections in
neighborhoods with significant I/I potential.
Sanitary Sewer System: Goals and Policies
This section provides recommended goals and policies for the City’s Sanitary Sewer
System.
Maintain Operational Efficiency
Maintain Operational Efficiency Policies
• Initiate reconstruction or rehabilitation program for sanitary sewer to repair or replace segments of system in distressed condition or determined to be over
capacity.
• Initiate and continue a closed circuit television (CCTV) inspection program to
provide updated condition observations of the collection system at a minimum of every five years.
• Complete annual inspections and cleaning of lift station.
Inflow and Infiltration
Inflow and Infiltration Reduction Plan Policies
• The City should implement an I/I reduction program to isolate and prioritize sewer rehabilitation in their sanitary sewer collection system.
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Sanitary Sewer System Recommended Improvements
This section discusses recommended improvements to address existing sanitary sewer system deficiencies. The improvements are shown in Figure 8 and are summarized
below. This section should be updated following the completion and review of data from
the City’s current CCTV effort.
Correction of Deficiencies
Pipe Settlement
Review of CCTV video footage has revealed a number of pipe settlements in excess of 4-inches. The dip that is created by these settlements cause low velocities and sedimentation of solids which results in on-going sewer maintenance problems. These
pipe segments are difficult to repair without removing and replacing the settled sections
of pipe. It is recommended that the entire segment from manhole to manhole be replaced
for each settled location identified. If possible, the timing of these improvements should be incorporated into the City’s street reconstruction program.
Root Intrusion
The review of CCTV video footage also revealed a significant amount root intrusion in the sanitary sewer system. Roots can cause flow restrictions and require continuous sewer monitoring and maintenance. It is recommended that the City implement an on-
going sewer rehabilitation program to address this problem. The program would include
rehabilitation of the sanitary sewer using trenchless methods for sections identified
through CCTV inspections. CCTV Inspection
It is recommended that the City implement a CCTV inspection program for the sanitary
sewer collection system. This program will allow the City to monitor the system and respond to problems in a proactive manner.
Capital Improvement Plan
This section summarizes the recommended sanitary sewer system improvements and presents a capital improvements plan that prioritizes the improvements and provides a schedule for the timing of implementation. Budget cost estimates are also summarized.
Budget cost estimates are based on 2007 dollars and adjusted annually at 3%. (See
Appendix C. )
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Table 16 Cost Estimates for Short-range Sanitary Sewer Improvements (0-5 years)
Project Estimated Cost
CCTV Sanitary Sewer Inspection* $60,000
Reconstruct Sanitary Sewer** $275,000
Rehabilitate Sanitary Sewer*** $310,000
*Includes CCTV of entire city in 2007 **Includes all segments shown in Figure 8
***Assumes 10% of sanitary sewer to be rehabilitated every CCTV cycle. Table 17
Cost Estimates for Medium -range Sanitary Sewer Improvements (5-10 years)
Project Estimated Cost
CCTV Sanitary Sewer Inspection* $134,000
Rehabilitation of Sanitary Sewer** $385,000
*Includes CCTV of entire city in 2012 & 2017
**Assumes 10% of sanitary sewer to be rehabilitated every CCTV cycle.
Table 18
Cost Estimates for Long-range Sanitary Sewer System Improvements (10-20+ years)
Project Estimated Cost
CCTV Sanitary Sewer Inspection* $152,000
Rehabilitation of Sanitary Sewer** $720,000
*Includes CCTV of entire city in 2022 & 2029 **Assumes 10% of sanitary sewer to be rehabilitated every CCTV cycle.
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4. Storm Water Management
Purpose of Storm Water Management Plan
The City has developed this Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) section of the City’s Comprehensive Plan to meet regulatory requirements, and to plan for future alterations in the existing drainage system due to redevelopment activities. The City is
within the Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD), the Mississippi Watershed
Management Organization, and the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD), as shown on
Figure 22, on the following page. The CRWD completed its Stormwater Management Plan in 2000, and the RCWD completed its Water Resource Management Plan in 1997. Since the City is located entirely within two watershed districts that implement extensive
surface water management programs, and the lack of surface water features within the
City, the City wishes to use this section to serve as its local water plan.
The City will continue to work to ensure the City’s Goals and Policies and Development Standards are consistent with both Watershed Districts as the plans and rules are revised.
Most of the City is located within the Capital Region Watershed District, and the City
uses their plan and rules as a guide to implementing stormwater management policies
within the City. The City is completely developed with a mix of commercial, residential, public, and open space uses. The public space consists of the University of Minnesota – St. Paul Campus and the State Fairgrounds.
Water Resource Management Agreements
Storm sewer maintenance agreements are in-place between the City and both MnDOT and Ramsey County.
The agreement with MnDOT is for the Snelling Avenue reconstruction project through
Falcon Heights, and states that the City is responsible for storm sewer facilities located outside the Snelling Avenue rights-of-way. The City is therefore only responsible under this agreement for the Snelling Avenue East and West Frontage Road storm sewer
systems and their connections to the Snelling Avenue trunk line.
The agreement with Ramsey County states that the City has a responsibility for maintaining the trunk storm sewer lines and connections from City storm sewer systems for all County Road segments throughout the City.
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Land and Water Resources Inventory
The land and water resources inventory is a summary of information provided in the
Capital Region Watershed District Plan and the Rice Creek Watershed District Plan.
Climate and Precipitation The climate of the City of Falcon Heights is similar to the overall Seven County
Metropolitan Area. The climate consists of fairly short summers with an average
temperature of 70 degrees F, and snowfall covers much of the ground from late fall to
early spring, with an average winter temperature of 17 degrees F. Average annual precipitation is 28.32 inches, including approximately 46 inches of snowfall.
30-year average temperature and precipitation for the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport
Weather Station are summarized in Table 19, below. Data obtained within the CRWD
Plan are available from the University of Minnesota – St. Paul Campus Weather Station and the Office of the State Climatologist.
Table 20, on the following page, illustrates the probability of a rainfall event occurring in
any given year. The recurrence interval is a measure of the probability of occurrence of
the storm event. For example, a rainfall event of 5.9 inches has a 1% probability of occurring in any given year which is expressed as once in every 100 years, the 3.6-inch rainfall event has a 20% probability of occurring in any given year, which is expressed as
once in every five years.
Table 19 - Minneapolis-St. Paul Weather (30 Year Record) Average Temperature and Precipitation
Temperature (F) Precipitation (in)
January 12.2 0.95
February 18.2 0.88
March 31.0 1.94
April 46.4 2.42
May 58.5 3.39
June 68.2 4.05
July 73.6 3.53
August 70.5 3.62
September 60.5 2.72
October 48.8 2.19
November 33.1 1.55
December 17.9 1.08
Year/Mean 44.8 28.32
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Table 20 - Storm Events
Recurrence Interval Probability of Exceedance(%) 24-hour Rainfall Amount (in)
1 100 2.4
2 50 2.8
5 20 3.6
10 10 4.2
25 4 4.8
50 2 5.3
100 1 5.9
Additional description of the climate of the area is provided in the CRWD Water Resources Management Plan.
Topography
The City of Falcon Heights is part of the Anoka Sand Plain. This is a glacial outwash plain and consists generally of fine sand with small depressions.
Geology Geologic maps of the City area are published in the Geologic Atlas of Ramsey County,
Minnesota (Minnesota Geological Survey, 1992).
The uppermost geologic formation is quaternary deposits. Figure II-1 in the CRWD Plan shows the extent of these deposits. The quaternary deposits are associated with the Des Moines Lobe (Grantsburg Sublobe) and Superior lobe of the Wisconsin Glaciation. In the
District, these consist mainly of meltwater deposits. In the central portion of the
watershed, quaternary deposits consist of meltwater stream sediment, generally coarse
sand with pebbles. As mentioned above, the Anoka Sand Plain extends into the northwest part of the District. In the north central and northeast portion of the watershed are deposits of till, consisting of loamy sand and clay.
Figure II-2 in the CRWD Plan shows the bedrock for the District. Bedrock geology in the
City of Falcon Heights consists of Decorah Shale, which acts as a confining layer. The Decorah Shale is green calcareous shale with thin limestone interbeds.
The Platteville and Glenwood Formations underlie the Decorah Shale. The Platteville
consists of fine-grained dolostone and limestone. The Glenwood consists of thin green
sandy shale (3-5.5 feet thick).
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Soils
The soils of the City of Falcon Heights are found in Figure 23 on the following page. The
main soil classification groups are based on hydrologic features of the soils. Hydrologic
soils groups are used to estimate runoff from precipitation. Vegetation, soils composition,
and slope area are all used to determine the soils runoff potential. There are four hydrologic groups, Table 21, below, provides a summary of the four hydrologic soil
groups.
Table 21 – Soil Classification
Hydrologic
Group
Description
A Soils having high infiltration rates when thoroughly wet (low runoff
potential). Deep, well drained to excessively drained sand or gravelley
sand.
B Soils having a moderate infiltration rate when thoroughly wet.
Moderately deep or deep, moderately well drained or well drained with moderately to moderately coarse texture.
C Soils having a slow infiltration rate when thoroughly wet. Soils that have a layer that impedes the downward movement of water or soils of moderately fine texture or fine texture.
D Soils having very slow rates of infiltration when thoroughly wet (high runoff potential). Soils consists of clays with high shrink-swell potential, soils that have a permanent high water table, soils that have a
claypan or clay layer at or near the surface and soils that are shallow
over nearly impervious materials.
Urban
Land
Areas of development that are covered by asphalt, concrete, and
buildings.
Data from SCS, 1977.
Groundwater
Groundwater needs protection because it is a source of drinking water for the metropolitan area. The Ramsey County Soil and Water Conservation District has written
two documents for the County that describe both the status of groundwater in the county
as well as the anticipated role of each local government in the protection of groundwater
resources.
Ramsey County adopted the Groundwater Quality Protection Plan in May 1996. This
plan outlines the roles and responsibilities of county and local governments, including
watershed management organizations, in groundwater management in the County. The
main responsibility assigned to the WMO (now the CRWD) is to adopt the County plan
and amend or incorporate this plan into the CRWD Watershed Management Plan. There
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are several recommendations outlined in the county plan that include participation in wellhead protection programs, sensitive geologic area programs, well sealing programs,
and aquifer protection programs.
Ramsey County also conducted a Well and Contamination Source Inventory in March
1996. This report’s purpose is to show locations of wells in Ramsey County that are active, and those wells that are inactive and unsealed. The CRWD has 18 public water
supply wells, approximately 850 active wells, and over 11,000 inactive and unsealed
wells. The report also includes information on known sources of contamination from
hazardous waste generators and sites, landfills, leaking tanks, above and below ground
storage tanks, and old dump sites. There is also information on Superfund sites, Brownfields, Voluntary Investigation and Clean-up (VIC) sites, Toxic Release Inventory
(TRI), and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Information System (CERCLIS).
Surface Water Resources
There are no lakes located within the City of Falcon Heights, but a portion of the storm
water runoff from the City discharges to Como Lake. Most of the City’s stormwater is
conveyed through the City by an existing storm sewer system.
There is one Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) Protected Waters
and Wetland (MNDNR No. 62-223W) within the City as shown in Figure 24 on the
following page. There are a few storm water ponds in the City that also provide water
quality and quantity protection. The City’s existing storm sewer is shown in Figure 25 on
page 89.
Hydrology
The City of Falcon Heights is a highly urbanized area. A significant portion of the City
that the City has jurisdiction over is impervious and an extensive series of pipes is in place to collect and to convey storm water downstream. The University of Minnesota
owns a golf course and agricultural land within the City, but the City does not have
jurisdiction over these areas. The conveyance system in the City is mostly man-made.
The City is divided into two subwatersheds within the CRWD. The northeast portion of
the City discharges to the Como Lake subwatershed, and the central and western portions of the City discharge to the St. Anthony Park subwatershed. A small portion of the north
part of the City discharges to the Rice Creek Watershed District. All subwatersheds
within the CRWD ultimately discharge to the Mississippi River. The subwatersheds in
the RCWD discharge to Rice Creek, which ultimately discharges to the Mississippi
River.
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Land Use
There are two large state owned lands within the City of Falcon Heights: State
Fairgrounds and University of Minnesota – St. Paul Campus. The CRWD has
summarized the existing storm water systems for both properties. Figure 26 on page 91
provides the current Land Use Map.
State Fairgrounds
Stormwater drainage from most of the Fairgrounds property flows to the University of
Minnesota-St. Paul Campus. The storm sewer system for the exhibit area in the south and east portions of the Fairgrounds discharges to a 42-inch pipe connected to an open ditch
on University property at a point south of Commonwealth Avenue and north of Como
Avenue. The north and west portions of the Fairgrounds, mainly parking lots and a
portion of Machinery Hill, flows to pastureland on University property. A storm water
detention basin south of Larpenteur Avenue receives flow from two large, unpaved Fairgrounds parking lots and a portion of Larpenteur Avenue. As part of reconstruction of
a section of Larpenteur Avenue in 1998, roadside ditches were replaced by a piped outlet
to the Fairgrounds basin. During the project, additional basin excavation was completed.
Pond size and outlet characteristics are available from Ramsey County Public Works.
The flow from Larpenteur drains a total of 123 acres, which also includes runoff from the University agricultural fields north of Larpenteur and east of Fairview as well as other
city runoff. Outflow from the basin enters a ditch to the University Animal Science
pastureland. Water infiltrates in the pastureland over time. Very high water conditions
(not reported by Fairgrounds staff) would result in surface runoff down Randall Avenue
to the ditch south of Commonwealth referenced above.
At the request of the MPCA, the Fairgrounds initiated a multi-year combined sewer
separation program in 1995. All of the animal exhibit buildings were separated early in
the program. The sewer separation program was completed in 2002. Two additional
areas have been identified since 2002 and are scheduled to be completed in 2007.
University of Minnesota-St. Paul Campus
Drainage from University property south of Larpenteur Avenue flows to a DNR
Protected wetland located in the southeast corner of the campus. The agricultural fields have an extensive drainage tile system which is connected to the University storm sewer
system. Piped flow from Falcon Heights crosses Larpenteur Avenue at Gortner Avenue
and joins the University storm sewer system at Folwell Avenue. An agreement was
executed in the 1980’s between the City of Falcon Heights and the University related to
these flows. The pipe system from the northern portion of the campus (discussed above) outlets to the open ditch at Commonwealth Avenue, which also receives the flow from
the Fairgrounds. University staff indicates that a parking lot near this junction is flooded
following larger storm events. The University wetland outlets to the Saint Anthony
Tunnel system.
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Existing and Potential Water Resource-Related Issues
Como Lake
Part of the storm water runoff from the City discharges to Gottfried’s Pit, which is
located upstream of Como Lake and has a pumped outlet to Como Lake. The CRWD has defined an Issue Statement for Como Lake. The key issues the District wishes to resolve
include:
• Articulate the importance of Como Lake to the Community and the District.
• Define a vision for Como Lake that includes economic, political, and social
considerations. Public and agency input and evaluation is not currently
coordinated. There is a need to develop realistic expectations based on currently
best available science.
• Evaluate available data for Como Lake to determine how best to address and
manage stormwater pollutant loads to Como Lake.
• Develop a clear public education and information program to serve as a link in
establishing a realistic public expectation for the Lake and promote implementation of citizen-based activities to protect Como Lake.
• Encourage implementation of housekeeping BMP’s by citizens, cities, county,
and agencies within the watershed of Como Lake.
• Consider the costs relative to improvements of the quality of Como Lake beyond that accomplished under the EPA Clean Lakes projects implemented by Ramsey
County in the 1980’s.
Trout Brook Stormwater System
Como Lake discharges to the Trout Brook Stormwater System, which carries the
stormwater flow from several communities within the CRWD, including Falcon Heights.
The CRWD has defined an Issue Statement for the Trout Brook Stormwater System. The
key issues that are associated with this system that make it a relevant matter include:
• The interceptor is an important piece of storm water infrastructure that carries
intercommunity flows from St. Paul, Maplewood, Falcon Heights, and Roseville.
• Much of the interceptor is fairly old and likely in need of maintenance and repairs in the near future.
• There is no other governmental entity willing to take responsibility for the
interceptor at this time.
• The financial implications of assuming ownership, in the context that ownership of the system may be transferred to the CRWD from the Metropolitan Council
and the City of St. Paul under conditions satisfactory to the CRWD Board of
Managers.
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Urban Redevelopment and the Utilization of Urban Best Management Practices and retrofitting
Urban redevelopment in the City of Falcon Heights offers an opportunity to develop
green spaces, preserve and restore historical natural resources, and provide for
environmentally sensitive urban planning approaches. Often redevelopment projects have potential water quantity and quality components that can provide environmental and
amenities to the site. Retrofitting and using BMPs in redevelopment is one of the main
opportunities to improve water quality at sites. The CRWD and RCWD require the use of
BMPs on development and redevelopment sites, and also encourage infiltration practices
where feasible.
Wetland Restoration and Protection
The CRWD has also defined an Issue Statement for wetland restoration and protection.
According to the Issue Statement, the CRWD could address the following items regarding wetlands:
• Identification of the wetland functions and values within the watershed. This
information is critical to the planning process.
• Identify priority waterbodies such as lakes or large wetlands and wetlands
tributary to District lakes.
• Identify opportunities for wetland restoration or improvement projects.
• Improve wetland habitat of the wetlands within the watershed that are severely
degraded due to non-native vegetation.
• Educate watershed community on the functions and values of wetlands in the
urban setting. Curtiss Field Pond
Curtiss Field pond is located within a park in the City of Falcon Heights. The pond is
designed as an infiltration basin and adequately handles normal to slightly higher rainfalls, but excessive rainfalls can result in flooding of the neighboring park. The City has identified flooding problems with this pond, and should review the issue further.
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Storm Water Management: Goals and Policies
This section provides recommended goals and policies for the City’s Storm Water Management Plan. The City of Falcon Heights will reference and adopt the Capitol
Region Watershed District’s goals and policies that are applicable to the City. These
goals and policies are consistent with the Rice Creek Watershed District’s goals and
policies. Intergovernmental Cooperation
Intergovernmental Cooperation Goals
• Coordinate with the CRWD and RCWD to pursue partnerships to provide effective, efficient and consistent water management activities.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Policies
• Policies WM1a and WM1b: Participate in CRWD and RCWD water management forum(s) and committees.
• Policy WM1c: Coordinate preparation and updates of local water management plan
and regulatory programs with CRWD and RCWD.
Integrated Resource Management
Integrated Resource Management Goals
• When planning and implementing water resource management activities, evaluate the
effects on other natural resources and strive for a balanced approach.
Integrated Resource Management Policies
• Policies WM2a and WM2b: Coordinate and cooperate with the CRWD and RCWD
when establishing unique and high value natural resources associated with water resources. Coordinate with CRWD and RCWD when identifying water resources
related projects in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
Financing
Financing Goals
• Utilize long-term planning, education and partnerships to minimize capital
expenditures to address water resource management issues.
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Financing Policies
• Policy WM3a: Utilize appropriate financing mechanisms for the finance of capital
improvements to the storm water system in Falcon Heights.
Water Body Management Water Body Management Policies
• Policy WQUAL1a: Cooperate with the CRWD to establish water quality standards
for the wetlands within the CRWD and the City of Falcon Heights.
• Policy WQUAL1b: Cooperate with the CRWD to establish target pollutant loads for
subwatersheds within the City.
• Policy WQUAL1e: Cooperate with the CRWD to set performance standards for the
management of aquatic and terrestrial habitats within and adjacent to water bodies. Standards shall maximize the recreational opportunities as well as fish and wildlife habitat.
• Policy WQUAL1g: Fulfill NPDES permit requirements for City owned storm sewers.
Non-Point Source Reduction
Non-Point Source Reduction Goals
• Reduce non-point source pollution loads to City water bodies.
Non-Point Source Reduction Policies
• Policy WQUAL2a: Require adherence to the Ramsey County Soil Erosion and
Sediment Control Handbook for all construction sites within the District. Revise
Storm Water Ordinance to reference this handbook.
• Policy WQUAL2d: Require on-site detention basins or alternative effective BMPs on
all new development sites and redevelopment sites as required by the City’s Storm
Water Ordinance.
• Policy WQUAL 2e: Require NURP or similar criteria for wet detention ponds.
• Policy WQUAL2f: Require the use of effective nonpoint source pollution reduction
BMPs in development projects.
• Policy WQUAL 2h: Create and provide education to residents and business on nutrient reduction, sediment reduction and other sources of non-point source pollution, as consistent with City’s MS4 Permit.
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Retrofitting Existing Systems and BMPs
Retrofitting Existing Systems and BMPs Goals
• Require retrofitting of existing storm water management facilities and BMPs where
necessary to achieve the CRWD’s water quality standards.
Retrofitting Existing Systems and BMPs Policies
• Policy WQUAL3a: Look for retrofitting opportunities with public improvement
projects.
• Policy WQUAL3b: Incorporate the use of BMPs in redevelopment initiatives.
• Policy WQUAL3d: Inspect and maintain all components of the storm water
management system.
Flood Control
Flood Control Goals
• Preserve existing flood levels on City water bodies at or below the 100-year flood elevations.
Flood Control Policies
• Policy WQUAN1b: Restrict the construction of structures within the 100-year flood
elevation of water bodies within the City.
• Policy WQUAN1c: Require water quantity control practices on all new development
and redevelopment to preserve existing 100-year elevation.
• Policy WQUAN1d: Evaluate the feasibility of retrofitting existing storm water management systems to achieve water quantity standards.
• Policy WQUAN1e: Inspect and maintain City owned storm sewers.
Runoff Rate Control
Runoff Rate Control Goals
• Reduce runoff rates to levels that allow for stable conveyance of flow throughout the water resources of the City.
Runoff Rate Control Policies
• Policy WQUAN2a: Require rate control practices on all new development and
redevelopment to maintain existing runoff rates for the 2-, 10-, and 100-year storm events.
• Policy WQUAN2b: Protect the stability and integrity of City managed conveyance
systems.
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• Policy WQUAN2c: Create and provide education to residents, community groups,
redevelopment planners and project designers on the importance of rate control, as
consistent with the City’s education component of the MS4 Permit.
• Policy WQUAN2d: Create and provide education to contractors on proper BMP installation, as consistent with the MS4 Permit.
Protection of Existing Wetlands
Protection of Existing Wetlands Goals
• Coordinate wetlands management with CRWD and RCWD standards and
requirements.
Groundwater Protection Groundwater Protection Goals
• Protect groundwater resources and recharge areas consistent with the responsibilities
identified in the Ramsey County Groundwater Quality Protection Plan.
Groundwater Protection Policies
• Policy GWQP1a: Adopt the Ramsey County Groundwater Quality Protection Plan.
• Policy GWQP1b: Work with CRWD and county to develop policies that encourage
groundwater recharge and discourage over-pumping of aquifers.
Infiltration
Infiltration Goals
• Encourage the infiltration of properly treated surface water into the groundwater
system, where appropriate.
Infiltration Policies
• Policy GWQP2a: Incorporate infiltration techniques into City storm water
management projects.
• Policy GWQP2b: Encourage infiltration on development and redevelopment sites in
the District. Stewardship
4.4.12.1 Stewardship Goals
• Cooperate and coordinate with the CRWD to implement ‘Major Area VI – Stewardship’ of the CRWD Water Resources Management Plan.
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IV. Community Systems and Services
1. Parks and Open Spaces
The character and function of parks shown on the land use plan are described in greater
detail in the 2008 Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan. (When complete, the Park and Recreation Plan will be appended to this comprehensive plan.) The mission of the
City’s Parks and Recreation Department is to provide quality parks and recreation
programs that promote healthy and active lifestyles to benefit residents and foster a sense
of community. Providing convenient access to parks and open spaces is considered part
of this mission.
Existing Parks and Open Spaces
Falcon Heights has four developed parks totaling 24.65 acres, equivalent to
approximately 4.3 acres per 1,000 population. This is significantly less than the National
Park and Recreation Association standard of 25 acres per 1000 residents. The City does, however, embrace the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, the University of Minnesota agricultural fields and the public University Golf Course, none of which are included in
the calculation of park needs. (The University recreation areas are, however, counted in
the “Parks, Recreation and Preserves” category in Table 5, page ___, and on the
Metropolitan Council 2005 Land Use data, Figure 5.) Of the 24.65 acres, the City owns less than 2.0 acres of park property. The City leases
16.5 acres of land for park use from the University of Minnesota. Falcon Heights
Elementary School provides an additional 6.25 acres of park land. Four small open
“commons” areas, 2.1 acres in all, are located in the University Grove neighborhood. These are not maintained by the City and are not counted in total park acreage.
Of the four existing parks, one is classified as a community park, two as neighborhood
parks and one as a mini-neighborhood park. Curtiss Field, which serves one of the largest
neighborhoods, underwent expansion and major renovation during the summer of 2004, when a portion of the former Snelling Drive frontage road was incorporated into the park.
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Table 22: Falcon Heights Parks and Open Spaces
Name Size (acres) Land Ownership Park Classification Facilities
Community
Park
14.5 20 year lease
(to 2008)
Community
Park
Community building, ball
fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, skating, hockey,
fitness, course, horseshoes,
play equipment, picnic
shelter, community garden,
trails
Curtiss Field 1.9 City of Falcon
Heights
Neighborhood Hard court, skating/hockey,
tennis bang board, warming house, ball field, play equipment
University Grove 2.0 Yearly lease renewal Neighborhood Hard court, skating/hockey, tennis bang board, play
equipment, picnic tables
Falcon Heights Elementary
School
6.25 Roseville School District
#623
Neighborhood/ School Play equipment, basketball courts, ball field, skating,
hockey, hard court
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Future Directions
The City completed a Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan in 1989 and is undergoing a similar process in 2007, parallel to, but independent of, this Comprehensive
Plan. When complete, the new plan will be appended to this comprehensive plan.
There are no existing or proposed metropolitan park facilities within Falcon Heights.
However, Como Regional Park is less than half a mile from the City’s easternmost neighborhood, and the proposed Mississippi Como Trail will, if constructed, pass near the City’s southern border. Roseville parks are also nearby. Connections among these
parks and trails would benefit all communities concerned.
Parks and Open Spaces: Goals and Policies
Parks and Open Space Goals
1. To develop a park system to serve both neighborhood and community needs.
2. To provide a variety of recreation programs and events for all ages, abilities and
economic groups in a cost-effective manner that best serves the needs of the
community.
3. To promote healthy and active lifestyles for residents and visitors through quality
leisure programs and well-maintained parks and trails.
4. Provide and maintain convenient access to city parks, businesses, and neighborhoods
to encourage people to be mobile and active.
Parks and Trails Policies
1. Upgrade and improve existing parks.
2. Offer park/recreation programs to residents that complement recreation programs
available from surrounding cities and the school district, and duplicate programs only
when necessary.
3. Cooperate with the University of Minnesota and the State Fairgrounds in shared use of recreation and open space lands.
4. Acquire additional park land through the City's land acquisition and park dedication
program if land is sold and developed.
5. Include park accessibility in design of new and upgraded parks.
6. Provide space for community gardens.
7. Pursue opportunities to expand trail and sidewalk facilities throughout the City.
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2. Other Community Facilities and Services
City Hall/Community Room
The City has a staff of eight full-time employees and one part time employee housed in a 15,104 square foot City Hall/Community Center located on Larpenteur Avenue just east of Cleveland Avenue. Departments at City Hall include Administration (5 employees),
Public Works (3 employees), and Parks (1 employee). The structure was built in 1982
and contains a large multi-purpose meeting room which functions both as a community
room and a Council Chambers. There are currently no plans for expansion; the existing facility is considered sufficient to serve the population growth forecast to 20430. Unless substantial residential growth occurs on University of Minnesota property north of
Larpenteur, there will be no need to do more than maintain and remodel the present
facility.
Technical Services
The City contracts with the City of Roseville for engineering and information technology
services. The City’s staff computers and internet-based telephone are connected by cable
modem to a network that covers 14 local units of government, managed by the City of
Roseville. The City is represented on the North Suburban Communications Commission, which provides cable televising of City Council and Planning Commission meetings to the community and cable TV service to City Hall.
The City is a member and active participant in the Ramsey County GIS User Group, a
consortium of cities, school districts, soil and water conservation districts and other agencies that share costs for acquiring and maintaining geographic data. Through the efforts of this group, public property information and maps are now available to residents
on the Internet for free.
Since 2001, the City has provided information and online services to residents through its website, now named www.falconheights.org. The City website received a major upgrade in 2006 with a move to GovOffice hosting, enabling online recreation program
registration and business licensing. In 2007 the newly recodified City ordinances were
added to the website.
Police, Fire and Rescue Services and Emergency Readiness
The City has a fire department that includes a paid on-call Chief, a part-time Fire
Marshall and a force of 20 volunteer fire fighters. The department has one station located
at City Hall, which serves the entire City within a five-minute response time. The City
has a very good ISO or fire insurance rating of 5. The adjacent City of Lauderdale contracts with Falcon Heights for fire department services. The City contracts with St.
Paul for ambulance service.
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Even if the population continues to grow, there will be no need for additional fire stations. Continuing improvements to the present facility plus new equipment will be
required as set forth in the Capital Improvements Program.
The City has contracted for police services from the Village of St. Anthony since 1999
and before that with the City of Roseville, an arrangement that has proven to be a cost effective way to deliver this important service. The University of Minnesota provides its
own police, fire and rescue service.
Following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, the City of Falcon Heights, under the
leadership of Mayor Susan Gehrz, undertook a community-wide evaluation of local readiness for disasters and emergencies and developed an action plan for preparation.
Out of this effort came the founding of a new City Neighborhood Commission and an
innovative Neighborhood Liaison program. Over 40 local residents and workers have
been trained through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program to
supplement government emergency services in case of a local disaster or emergency.
Schools
Falcon Heights belongs to Roseville School District No. 623. Falcon Heights Elementary
School is located in the City. Elementary students residing east of Snelling Avenue attend Falcon Heights Elementary School while those west of Snelling attend Brimhall Elementary School in Roseville. All Falcon Heights public school students attend
Roseville Area Middle School and Roseville Area High School.
Falcon Heights Elementary was temporarily closed from 1982 to 1985 due to declining enrollment. The school was reopened in September 1985 in response to growing numbers of elementary aged children, drawn from Roseville as well as Falcon Heights. Current
enrollment is 425.
Future Directions
Police, Fire and Emergency Preparedness
The City intends to continue to contract for police and ambulance services. It intends to
maintain the volunteer fire department at current levels but will continue to evaluate the
potential for the sharing/consolidating of fire services with adjacent communities as
appropriate to maximize efficiency and minimize costs. The City will continue to participate
actively in countywide and metro-wide efforts to develop a coordinated emergency response system.
Schools
The City intends to cooperate with the Roseville School District to foster the neighborhood
school concept.
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City Administration
If the City's population increases according to Metropolitan Council forecasts, there will be
no need to expand City Hall. If, on the other hand, substantial new development takes place
on University of Minnesota or State Fair properties, there may be a need for the expansion of
City Administration office space on the present site.
Community Facilities and Services: Goals and Policies
Community Facilities and Services Goals
1. To assure maximum efficiency and economy in the delivery of public services.
2. To provide municipal services equitably to all residents.
3. To provide adequate space for municipal administration and related services.
4. To continue cooperation among the City and other governmental units including the School District, the County and neighboring cities.
Community Facilities and Services Policies
1. Provide emergency services including police, volunteer fire and rescue services
comparable to surrounding communities.
2. Continue to replace and upgrade equipment as necessary to maintain the present levels of local service.
3. Provide adequate levels of police protection.
4. Provide adequate and efficient snow plowing service.
5. Provide meeting facilities for civic groups at City Hall and park buildings.
6. Continue to evaluate options for the least duplicative and most effective and efficient delivery of municipal services including direct service, private contracts and cooperative agreements with other governmental units.
7. Encourage the Roseville area schools to keep Falcon Heights Elementary School and
Brimhall Elementary School open and functioning as elementary schools.
8. Continue to expand the availability of City services over the internet.
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V. Natural and Historic ResourcesProtecting Special
Resources
As required by state statute, a munipalitiy’s comprehensive plan must also include
strategies for protection of special resources, including preservation, aggregate, and solar access. These strategies are discussed below.
1. Natural Resources
The City of Falcon Heights has no lakes, streams or protected wetlands and only a
relatively few manmade ponding areas, many of which are located on University owned
lands. It has no woodlots other than residential street trees and it has relatively little
topographic relief. This is not to say that the City is devoid of character, only that its most significant resources are not water based thus requiring considerably less regulation. The
City also has virtually no privately owned vacant land that is environmentally sensitive or
possessing aesthetic character to warrant consideration for public acquisition for public
use. Certain privately owned lands, however, may require protective action, such as the
garden lots north of Lindig Street.
2. Historic and cultural resources
The City's most important and meaningful resources are manmade or man-shaped and
they include huge expanses of permanent open space, wooded residential areas with tree
lined streets and historical sites as manifested in the Gibbs Farm, the Gibbs schoolhouse
and the University of Minnesota agricultural research lands.
Gibbs Farm is the only site in Falcon Heights in the National Register of Historic Places. The farmstead was settled in 1849, and the farmhouse built in 1854, making Gibbs Farm
one of the oldest non-native settlements in the area. The site was registered in 1975 and is
now owned by the Ramsey County Historical Society, which operates it as a museum,
featuring the 1854 farmhouse, the 1910 barn and an old one room school moved from another site. The museum property is designated public land and will incorporate the adjacent parcel that has previously been used as a single-family residence and bed and
breakfast inn.
Although they have not been added to the National Register, there are a number of
historic structures on the grounds of the University of Minnesota campus and the Minnesota State Fair. The City encourages efforts by these public institutions to preserve those buildings that have a historic value to the community. The City is home to a
number of architecturally significant structures, most notably the TIES building at the
southwest corner of Snelling and Larpenteur. The unique University Grove neighborhood
between Cleveland and Fulham is a district of individually built architect-designed homes constructed from the 1920s through the 1970s for the use of University faculty and staff.
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3. Solar Access
Minnesota Statutes require an element for the protection and development of access to
direct sunlight for solar energy systems. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent solar collectors from being shaded by adjacent structures or vegetation and to ensure that
development decisions do not preclude the possible future development and use of solar
energy systems. To ensure the availability of solar access, the City of Falcon Heights
will, whenever possible, protect access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems on the
principle structure’s. The City of Falcon Heights will consider solar access in the review of site plans and planning decisions.
The gross solar potential and gross rooftop potential are expressed in megawatt hours per
year (Mwh/yr). The calculations below Table 15 reveal potential solar resource before
removing areas unsuitable for solar development or factors related to solar energy
efficient.
Table #15: Solar Resources
Gross Potential
(Mwh.yr)
Rooftop
Potential
(Mwh/yr)
Gross
Generation
Potential
(mwh.yr)^2
Rooftop
Generation
Potential
(Mwh/yr)62
3,880,915 377,546 388,091 37,754
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FIGURE 16: City of Falcon Heights Gross Solar Potential
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3. Goals and Policies
Environmental Protection Objectives
1. To conserve unique and essential natural resources.
2. To protect people and property from excessive noise, pollution and natural hazard.
3. To improve the health of residents and those who work within the city.
Environmental Protection Policies
1. Minimize runoff velocities from newly developed sites.
2. Require stormwater management and erosion control plans for all new developments.
3. Encourage retention of precipitation as practicable by providing additional storage either on-site or through the construction of a comprehensive retention area with new
development or redevelopment.
4. Minimize storm water run-off from single-family residential properties by limiting
impervious coverage and encouraging practices and technologies that retain
precipitation on site.
5. Encourage the removal and replacement of diseased trees on street rights-of-way and
on private property.
6. Identify and encourage preservation of trees in excess of 50 years old, whenever
possible.
7. Maintain wildlife populations.
8. Monitor air quality at Snelling/Larpenteur Avenues and upgrade the intersection to
assure that ambient pollution levels are not substantially increased.
9. Consider solar access protection and the use of vegetation to facilitate summer
shading and winter solar gain when reviewing plans for existing development, new
development and redevelopment.
10. Provide for open transitional space between new development and existing
neighborhoods, to preserve the urban/rural character of the City and to improve
opportunities for active living.
11. Encourage “green building” practices in new development by providing regulatory
incentives to develop in environmentally friendly ways.
12. Support a metropolitan-wide integrated waste management program comprised of
waste reduction, resource recovery, recycling and limited landfilling.
13. Continue to promote a curbside recycling program and encourage on-site
management and/or recycling of yard wastes.
14. Maintain open space views especially along the south side of Larpenteur Avenue as a means to protect the urban/rural character of the City.
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Historical Resource Protection Objectives
1. To conserve historical resources in the community.
2. To protect architecturally significant structures of all ages within the City.
Historical Resource Protection Policies
1. Require the protection of properties designated as historically and architecturally
significant by the National Register of Historic Places and the State Historical Society.
2. Identify properties and neighborhoods that may be candidates for designation as
historically and architecturally significant by national or state agencies.
3. Identify properties that possess historical or architectural significance within the
Falcon Heights community but which may not be candidates for state or national designation.
4. Support and encourage community efforts to protect properties that have been
identified as having historic or architectural significance in the community.
Solar Access Resource Protection Objectives 1. To conserve solar accessibility in the community.
2. To protect areas that have high gross solar potential
Solar Access Resource Protection Policies 1. Consider solar access in the review of site plans
2. While reviewing planning processes provide, evaluate and allow for solar
resource access and installation. 3. Allow for solar in all zoning districts in accordance to City Code.
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1.4. VI. Economic Development/Redevelopment
The City of Falcon Heights has virtually no privately owned vacant land available for
development. Already small in population, size and geographic area and having limited
tax base, it is prudent for the City to continue taking advantage of opportunities to collaborate with and create partnerships with other government entities to provide a full
range of high quality public services.
If University of Minnesota policies change so as to allow the sale of land for private
development, there could be a substantial opportunity for the development of
approximately 102 acres between Larpenteur and Roselawn Avenues east of Fairview. In this case it will be the City’s intent to assume regulatory authority and encourage
developments that are consistent with the goals and policies of this Comprehensive Plan.
Such development will be designed to be a walkable, vibrant urban neighborhood,
incorporating housing, business and retail areas, parks and trails, accessible to transit and
respecting the urban/rural open space character that is highly valued by the City's residents, especially adjacent to existing neighborhoods. The same principles will apply
to any State Fair land south west of the Snelling and Larpenteur intersection, should this
land be sold for development.
Economic Development Goals and Policies
Economic Development Goals
1. To continue the growth of the City's tax base by maintaining and upgrading the existing housing stock, redeveloping blighted areas, rehabilitating deteriorating
buildings and properties, retaining businesses and improving aesthetics.
2. To guide any future private development of University of Minnesota lands and the
State Fairgrounds lands west of Snelling Avenue according to the values and objectives of this comprehensive plan.
Economic Development Policies
1. Encourage growth in tax base through upgrading of retail centers and small business
zones
2. Encourage high quality urban design that incorporates attractive, safe and walkable/bike-able spaces.
3. Plan for the possible expansion of limited and neighborhood business and mixed
business and residential use along Larpenteur Avenue, west of Snelling Avenue as
designated on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
4. In the event that a portion of the State Fairgrounds property becomes available for development over the life of the plan, allow mixed use development near the Snelling/Larpenteur commercial core that provides services to residents and to the
University of Minnesota and State Fairground users.
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5. In the event that the University of Minnesota lands north of Larpenteur Avenue east of Fairview Avenue become available for development over the life of the plan, allow
neighborhood related uses such as housing, parks, open space, neighborhood scale
commercial development and limited business use. (See The Larpenteur Corridor
section.)
6. In the event that the University of Minnesota lands north of Larpenteur Avenue east of Cleveland Avenue become available for development over the life of the plan,
allow and encourage uses complementary to the Gibbs and Bell museums and to the
parks and other recreational amenities in the Cleveland-Larpenteur area.
7. Pursue the dedication of the Community Park to the City prior to the sale and
redevelopment of the University property north of Larpenteur and east of Cleveland Avenues.
8. Carefully evaluate the City's potential financial exposure and seek guarantees from
developers where public financial assistance is to be provided in support of
redevelopment.
9. Collaborate with the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Fair to produce a land design framework making Falcon Heights a place of enduring quality and
character.
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VII. Implementation
1. Land Use
In pursuit of the goals and vision outlined in this plan the City will need to take the
following actions:
1. Conduct a detailed corridor study of the Larpenteur and Snelling Avenue corridors in
Falcon Heights. The University of Minnesota has developed useful tools for enlisting public participation in this process and providing public education about what is economically feasible. It is recommended that this study be done before any major
redevelopment project is undertaken along Larpenteur.
2. Use corridor study findings to define the extent of new special development districts
or overlays in anticipation of redevelopment to meet forecast housing and business needs over the lifetime of this plan.
2. Zoning And Subdivision Ordinances
The City will need to make a number of adjustments to the zoning and subdivision
ordinances to bring the chapters into conformance with this Comprehensive plan. At a
minimum the following ordinance amendments will be required:
1. Extend exclusively public designation to all public/institutional lands, eliminating dual zoning
2. Create a new multi-use zoning designation for the Larpenteur corridor areas that have
been identified as candidates for multi-use redevelopment by 20430.
3. Restore the R-3 Medium Density Residential District to the zoning ordinance to accommodate town-home development where lot sizes are too small to accommodate high density redevelopment
4. Revise the R-4 zoning designation to more accurately characterize the multi-family
housing existing in the city, to update design standards and to guide redevelopment of
existing R-4 sites.
5. Revise off-street parking requirements for commercial and multi-family properties to provide for a safer, more attractive and pedestrian-friendly environment; also, to
reduce the amount of impervious surface on private property.
6. Create a new single-family residential zoning district to be appied as an overlay,
where appropriate, to land presently owned by the University of Minnesota, incorporating the principles and objectives in this plan.
7. Re-examine and revise the purpose statements for all districts
8. Revise the Zoning Map to reflect new districts.
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3. Housing
Since the City has virtually no private vacant land available for the development of new
housing, it will emphasize the maintenance of the existing housing stock and encourage
the construction of additional housing in the Larpenteur Corridor if opportunities for redevelopment arise. If that occurs, the City will make every effort to satisfy unmet needs
for affordable housing. Measures that may be considered include:
1. Provision that at least 10 percent of multi-family rental projects be affordable
housing, if housing assistance is available.
2. Continuation of support for Section 8 rental assistance vouchers for low and modest income residents.
To encourage home ownership and rehabilitate affordable housing, the City will also
1. Implement some form of licensing and safety inspection program for rentals in
single-family homes, duplexes and triplexes.
2. Participate as appropriate in Federal and State housing programs as may be made available
3. Seek partnerships with non-profit community land trust organizations that
promote affordable home-ownership and rehabilitation of housing.
4. Continue to participate in partnerships with non-profit community organizations
which provide home maintenance and rehabilitation resources to both home-owners and owners of rental residential properties.
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4. Storm Water Management Plan Implementation
Implementation Priorities and Cost
The implementation plan includes information on plan amendments and financing
alternatives. At this time the City does not have any storm water issues included in their
capital improvement plan. The City will continue to cooperate and coordinate capital
improvement projects with the Capitol Region and the Rice Creek Watershed Districts as the Districts add projects within the City to their Plans. At this time no specific projects
have been identified in their Plans.
Paying for water management projects and administrative activities has become more
complex in recent years. In the past, special assessments against benefited properties
financed most of the necessary improvements. However, the financial options have broadened considerably. The question is, which method(s) best suits the needs of the
City. The major categories of possible funding sources are:
• Ad Valorem Tax
• Special Assessments
• Trunk Storm Sewer/Development Fees
• Storm Water Utility Fees
• Grants
Amendment Procedures
The Falcon Heights WRMP is intended to extend through the year 2017. For the plan to
remain dynamic a means must be available to implement new information, ideas,
methods, standards and management Amendment proposals can be requested any time by any person or persons either residing or having business within the City.
• Request for Amendments
Written requests for plan amendment are submitted to the City staff. The request shall
outline the need for the amendment as well as additional materials that the City will
need to consider before making its decision.
• Staff Review
A decision is made as to the validity of the request. Three options exist, 1) reject the
amendment 2) accept the amendment as a minor issue, with minor issues collectively
added to the plan at a later date 3) accept the amendment as a major issue, with major issues requiring an immediate amendment. In acting on an amendment request, staff shall recommend to City council whether or not a public hearing is warranted.
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• Council Consideration
The amendment and the need for a public hearing shall be considered at a regular or
special Council meeting. Staff recommendations should also be considered before
decisions on appropriate action(s) is made.
• Public Hearing, Council, CRWD and RCWD Approval
This step allows the public input based on the public sentiment. Council shall
determine when the public hearing should occur in the process. Based on the Public
hearing, Council could approve the amendments, and if necessary, refer the
amendments to the Watershed District Boards for comment and approval.
• Council Adoption
Final action on an amendment following approval by the CRWD and RCWD is
Council adoption. However, prior to the adoption, an additional public hearing could
be held to review the plan changes and notify the appropriate stakeholders.
• Annual Report to Council
A brief annual report should be made by City staff summarizing development
changes, capital improvements and other water management-related issues that have
occurred over the past year. The review should also include an update on available
funding sources for water resource issues. This annual report is also part of the City’s MS4 Program. Grant programs are especially important to review since they may change annually. These changes do not necessarily require individual amendments.
The reports can, however, be considered when the plan is brought up to date. The
report should be completed by July 1st to allow implementation items to be
considered in the normal budget process. Copies of the report should be filed with the CRWD and the RCWD. The annual update can also serve as an important public
information tool. A summary could be published in the City's newsletter.
The plan will remain in effect through 2017. The plan should then be reviewed for
consistency with current water resources management methods. At that time, all annual reports and past amendments can be added to the document. Depending on the
significance of changes, a new printing of the plan may be appropriate. At a minimum,
the Capital Improvement Program should be amended every five years.
City of Falcon Heights – 2040 Comprehensive Plan
4-24-18 Draft
5. Capitol Improvement Plan
General Capital
Programmed office and council chambers improvements are minor and include
furniture and audio visual upgrades. Also included are continuous
improvements to our online services and computer equipment.
Public Safety
The City intends to refurbish our Telesquirt fire engine in 2011, which will
extend the life of the equipment for another 10-15 years. A utility vehicle is also
budgeted for response issues that do not require a full fire truck to respond. Fire
department equipment is replaced annually based on a set schedule.
Parks and Recreation/Public Facilities
Major improvements budgeted include resurfacing of tennis and basketball
courts, streetscaping along Larpenteur Avenue, and new public works vehicles
and maintenance equipment.
Infrastructure
Ongoing expenses include sidewalk and curb repairs as well as tree removal and
trimming. Sealcoating of the streets is a two year project that occurs every seven
years. The next time this project will be completed is in 2011 and 2012. Also
budgeted are repairs to the city hall parking lot.
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-1
Adopted XXXXXXX XX, 2017
Chapter X: Transportation
Introduction
The transportation system in Falcon Heights generally operates well today. The city’s
multimodal transportation system includes facilities for vehicles, freight, walking, bicycling and
transit. Facilities are operated by a number of agencies, including the City of Falcon Heights,
Ramsey County, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).
This transportation chapter has been prepared in compliance with State of Minnesota Statutes
and applicable Metropolitan Council guidelines. As part of this Plan, the city has reviewed
existing and future conditions for each mode and identified safety, operations, and network
improvements that will be important to address over the 2040 planning horizon. The city has
also developed goals and strategies to preserve and improve the transportation system.
This transportation plan includes the following information:
1. Summary of Regional Strategies
2. Existing Roadway System
3. 2040 Traffic Forecasts and Roadway Network Planning
4. Existing and Planned Non-Motorized Transportation Network
5. Freight Network
6. Transit
7. Aviation
8. Goals and Multimodal Strategies
9. Proposed Short and Long-Range Roadway Projects
10. Public Comments
11. Conclusion and Next Steps
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-2
Adopted XXXXXXX XX, 2017
Transportation Glossary
CIP: Capital Improvement Plan – five-year plan for capital investments in the transportation
system and in other capital assets owned by the city (equipment, buildings, etc.).
CR: County Road – county-owned roadway that does not receive State funding.
Critical Crash Rate: Statistical indicator of a safety problem at a location. If crash rates at a
location are above the critical crash rate, it indicates that the location has a crash rate that is
statistically significant compared to similar roadways.
CSAH: County State Aid Highway – county-owned roadway that receives State Aid funding.
MnDOT: Minnesota Department of Transportation.
RBTN: Regional Bicycle Transportation Network – existing and planned regional bicycle
network established by the Metropolitan Council.
TH: Trunk Highway – State highway owned and operated by MnDOT.
TPP: Transportation Policy Plan – Regional transportation plan for the Twin Cities
metropolitan region, developed by the Metropolitan Council.
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-3
Adopted XXXXXXX XX, 2017
1. Summary of Regional Strategies
This Plan has been prepared to be consistent with the regional transportation strategies outlined
in the Metropolitan Council 2040 Transportation Policy Plan (TPP). Similar to this Plan, the TPP
evaluates the existing transportation system, identifies transportation challenges to the region,
and sets regional goals, objectives, and priorities to meet the transportation needs of current
residents while accommodating the region’s anticipated growth. The TPP also guides local
agencies in coordinating land use and transportation and establishes regional performance
measures and targets.
The TPP is guided by the following goals:
• Transportation system stewardship: Sustainable investments in the transportation
system are protected by strategically preserving, maintaining, and operating system
assets.
• Safety and Security: The regional transportation system is safe and secure for all users.
• Access to Destinations: People and businesses prosper by using a reliable, affordable, and
efficient multimodal transportation system that connects them to destinations throughout
the region and beyond.
• Competitive Economy: The regional transportation system supports the economic
competitiveness, vitality, and prosperity of the region and State.
• Healthy Environment: The regional transportation system advances equity and
contributes to communities’ livability and sustainability while protecting the natural,
cultural, and developed environments.
• Leveraging Transportation Investment to Guide Land Use: The region leverages
transportation investments to guide land use and development patterns that advance the
regional vision of stewardship, prosperity, livability, equity, and sustainability.
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-4
Adopted XXXXXXX XX, 2017
Funding is a key constraint that is acknowledged in the TPP. Current transportation revenue
will not meet the region’s transportation needs through 2040. As a result, the TPP includes two
long-term investment scenarios: a fiscally-constrained scenario that identifies projects
anticipated to be funded based on current revenue projections, and an increased revenue
scenario that identifies project priorities should additional transportation funding become
available.
Under the current revenue scenario, the TPP is focused on operations and maintenance of the
existing transportation system. Investments in highway mobility and access are limited to those
projects that address multiple TPP goals and objectives. The increased revenue scenario would
allow additional investments in operations and maintenance, as well as regional mobility,
access, safety, and bicycle/pedestrian improvements. However, congestion cannot be greatly
reduced under the increased revenue scenario. Under both scenarios, proposed investments are
focused on areas of the metro with the greatest existing and future challenges and anticipated
growth.
The Metropolitan Council classifies Falcon Heights under the Urban Community Designation.
Based on Thrive MSP 2040, Urban areas are expected to plan for forecasted population and
household growth at average densities of at least ten units per acre for new development and
redevelopment. These communities are also expected to target opportunities for more intensive
development near regional transit investments.
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-5
Adopted XXXXXXX XX, 2017
2. Existing Roadway System
The sections below provide information about the existing roadway system in Falcon Heights,
including existing number of lanes, existing roadway jurisdiction, existing functional
classification, existing traffic, existing safety, and access management. This chapter also includes
summary recommendations from recent plans and corridor studies.
2.1. Functional Classification
The functional classification system groups roadways into classes based on roadway function
and purpose. Functional classification is based on both transportation and land use
characteristics, including roadway speeds, access to adjacent land, connection to important land
uses, and the length of trips taken on the roadway.
Four classes of roadways are included in the seven-county metropolitan area functional
classification system: principal arterials, minor arterials, collector streets, and local streets.
Figure 1 shows the existing functional classification of each road in the City of Falcon Heights
and Figure 2 shows the existing roadway jurisdiction. The following sections describe each
functional class in greater detail and indicate which roadways fall into each classification.
The functional classification system organizes a
roadway and street network that distributes traffic from
local neighborhood streets to collector roadways, then
to minor arterials and ultimately the principal arterial
system. Roads are placed into categories based on the
degree to which they provide access to adjacent land
and mobility for through traffic. Functional classification
gives an indication of the relative hierarchy of roadways
in the transportation network.
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Existing Functional Classification
A Minor Augmentor
A Minor Reliever
Other Arterial
Major Collector
Figure 1: Existing Functional Classification
Falcon Heights Comprehensive PlanCity of Falcon Heights, Ramsey County
City Boundary
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Roadway Jurisdiction
County State Aid Highway
County Road
Municipal State Aid Street
Trunk Highway
City Street
Figure 2: ExistingRoadway Jurisdiction
Falcon Heights Comprehensive PlanCity of Falcon Heights, Ramsey County
City Boundary
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-8
Adopted XXXXXXX XX, 2017
2.1.1. Principal Arterials
Principal arterials are roadways that provide the greatest level of mobility and access control.
Within the metropolitan area, the great majority of principal arterials are under MnDOT
jurisdiction. Principal arterials are typically Interstate highways or other State or US freeways or
expressways. These facilities are intended to serve trips greater than eight miles and express
transit trips. Spacing of principal arterials varies within developing areas of the metropolitan
area. Typically, these facilities are spaced between two and six miles apart. These facilities
connect regional business and commercial concentrations, transportation terminals, and large
institutions within the metropolitan area. Principal arterials also connect to other cities, regions,
and states outside of the metropolitan area.
Principal arterials are intended to maintain average speeds of 40 mph during peak traffic
periods. To maintain mobility and speeds on principal arterials, land access and transportation
system connections are limited. There is little to no direct land access from principal arterials.
Intersections are limited to interstate freeways, other principal arterials, and “A” Minor
arterials. Access points are typically grade-separated or controlled with a signal and are spaced
one to two miles apart.
Falcon Heights does not contain any principal arterials and the 2040 Transportation Policy Plan
does not propose any new principal arterials within the city.
2.1.2. Minor Arterials
Minor arterials maintain a focus on mobility, but provide more land access than principal
arterials. Within Falcon Heights, the minor arterials are under the jurisdiction of MnDOT or
Ramsey County. Minor arterials are intended to serve trips of four to eight miles in length.
Within developing areas of the metro, these facilities are spaced between one and two miles
apart. Minor arterials connect cities and towns within the region and link to regional business
and commercial concentrations. Access points along minor arterials are generally at-grade and
typically controlled with signals or stop signs.
During peak traffic, minor arterials in developing areas are intended to maintain 30 mph
average speeds. As a result, transportation system connections are limited to interstate
freeways, other principal arterials, other minor arterials, collectors, and some local streets. Land
access is limited to concentrations of commercial and industrial land uses. The Metropolitan
Council has established a system of “A” Minor and “B” Minor arterials. “A” Minor arterials are
eligible for federal funding administered by the Metropolitan Council.
The Metropolitan Council has further split “A” Minor arterials into four types, described below:
• Relievers: Arterials located parallel to congested principal arterials. The purpose of “A”
Minor Relievers is to provide additional capacity in congested corridors.
• Augmenters: Arterials that supplement the principal arterials system within urban
centers and urban communities.
• Expanders: Arterials that supplement principal arterials in less-densely developed areas
of the metro area.
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-9
Adopted XXXXXXX XX, 2017
• Connectors: Arterials that provide connections between rural towns and connect rural
areas with the principal arterial system.
There are two “A” Minor Augmenters and one “A” Minor Reliever within the city. The “A”
Minor Augmenters are TH 51 (Snelling Avenue) and CSAH 30 (Larpenteur Avenue), and the
“A” Minor Reliever is CSAH 46 (Cleveland Avenue).
“B” Minor arterials have a similar focus on mobility above land access. These roadways connect
major traffic generators in the region. “B” Minor arterials are not eligible for federal funding.
There are three “B” Minor arterials within the city: CSAH 48 (Fairview Avenue), CSAH 50
(Hamline Avenue), and CSAH 75 (Como Avenue).
No additional minor arterials are proposed within the city.
2.1.3. Major and Minor Collectors
Major and minor collector roadways provide linkages to larger developments and community
amenities. They generally do not link communities to one another. Collector roadways
generally favor access to the system over mobility, but try to balance the two competing needs.
Collector roadways are generally lower speed than the principal or minor arterial routes.
Collector roadways are often owned and operated by cities, although counties operate some of
these facilities. Within Falcon Heights, collector roadways are owned and operated by the city.
Collectors are intended to serve trips of one to four miles in length. Collectors link minor
arterials, other collectors, and local streets.
Major collectors typically serve higher density residential areas and concentrations of
commercial and industrial land uses. These facilities tend to serve longer trips than minor
collectors. Major collectors within the city include Roselawn Avenue and Hamline Avenue
(south of Larpenteur Avenue).
There are no minor collectors within the city, and the 2040 Transportation Policy Plan does not
propose any additional collector roadways within the city.
2.1.4. Local Roadways
The primary function of local roadways is land access. Local roadways connect individual land
parcels with other local roadways and collectors. Trips on local roadways are typically under
two miles. Speeds on local roadways are typically low. Longer trips are facilitated by local
roadway connections to the collector and arterial systems. Local roadways are under the
jurisdiction of the City of Falcon Heights. Local roadways are all roadways that are not arterials
or collectors.
2.1.5. Planned Functional Classification
No functional classification changes are currently recommended in the city.
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-10
Adopted XXXXXXX XX, 2017
2.2. Existing Roadway Capacity and Safety
Roadway capacity and roadway safety are two key indicators of how well the roadway system
is meeting the city’s transportation needs. The sections below provide information to better
understand capacity and safety issues within Falcon Heights.
2.2.1. Existing Roadway Capacity
A roadway’s capacity indicates how many vehicles may use a roadway before it experiences
congestion. Capacity is largely dependent upon the number of lanes. Table 1 below lists
planning-level thresholds that indicate a roadway’s capacity (measured in annual average daily
traffic, AADT). Additional variation (more or less capacity) on an individual segment is
influenced by a number of factors including: amount of access, type of access, peak hour
percent of traffic, directional split of traffic, truck percent, opportunities to pass, and amount of
turning traffic, the availability of dedicated turn lanes, parking availability, intersection spacing,
signal timing and a variety of other factors.
Table 1: Planning-level Urban Roadway Capacities
Facility Type
Daily Two-way Volume
Lower
Threshold
Higher
Threshold
Arterials
Two-lane Undivided 10,000 12,000
Two-lane Divided or Three-lane Undivided 15,000 17,000
Four-lane Undivided 18,000 22,000
Four-lane Divided or Five-lane Undivided 28,000 32,000
Four-lane Expressway 32,000 40,000
Freeways
Four-lane Freeway 60,000 80,000
Six-lane Freeway 90,000 120,000
Eight-lane Freeway or Higher Calculated on a
segment-by-segment basis
2.2.2. Existing Capacity Problems on Arterial Roads
At the planning level, capacity problems are identified by comparing the existing number of
lanes with current traffic volumes. Table 2 and Figure 3 illustrate the existing (and future)
number of lanes on arterial roadways within the city. Figure 4 illustrates existing traffic
volumes on A-Minor Arterials and other significant roadways within the city.
All arterial roadways within the city have four or fewer lanes. Many of the arterials in Falcon
Heights currently exhibit traffic volumes below or within the range of the planning-level
capacity thresholds shown in Table 1; however, existing volumes of 36,000 (AADT) on Snelling
Avenue (TH 51) exceed the lower threshold for a four-lane expressway and existing volumes of
10,400 (AADT) on Cleveland Avenue (CSAH 46) exceed the lower threshold for two-lane
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-11
Adopted XXXXXXX XX, 2017
undivided facilities. This indicates that these roadways may be experiencing some levels of
congestion during peak travel periods.
Table 2: Existing and planned number of lanes on arterial roads
Functional
Classification
Roadway Name Location Number of
Lanes
“A” Minor
Augmenter
TH 51
(Snelling
Avenue)
Como Avenue to Roselawn Avenue 4 (divided)
CSAH 30
(Larpenteur
Avenue)
Fulham Street to Hamline Avenue 4 (divided)
“A” Minor
Reliever
CSAH 46
(Cleveland
Avenue)
Scudder Street to Roselawn Avenue 2
“B” Minor
Arterial
CSAH 8 (Fairview
Avenue) Larpenteur Avenue to Roselawn Avenue 2
CSAH 50
(Hamline
Avenue)
Larpenteur Avenue to Roselawn Avenue 3
CSAH 75 (Como
Avenue)
Falcon Heights-St. Paul border to Snelling
Avenue 4
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Figure 3: Existing and Planned Roadway Lanes
Falcon Heights Comprehensive PlanCity of Falcon Heights, Ramsey County
City Boundary
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Figure 4 - Existing Traffic
Falcon Heights Comprehensive PlanCity of Falcon Heights, Ramsey County
* 2012 - 2016 Counts From MnDOT Web SiteXXX- Existing AADT*
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-14
Adopted XXXXXXX XX, 2017
2.2.3. Existing Safety and Operational Issues
There are several locations within Falcon Heights where safety and operational issues have
been identified for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. In particular, speeds experienced along
Larpenteur Avenue have been raised as a concern for all roadway users, along with the
visibility and safety of bicyclists along the roadway. Pedestrian crossings along Larpenteur
Avenue and Snelling Avenue (where crossings are not grade separated) have also been raised
based on the speeds and crossing distances experienced at those roadways. Despite the large
areas of agricultural and open space land uses in Falcon Heights, there is a relatively high
volume of pedestrians based on the presence of the University of Minnesota Campus, the State
Fair, and the A Line Rapid Bus Line. The State Fair poses unique operational challenges due to
the large volumes of traffic for a relatively short period of the year.
A note on transportation plan strategies:
Throughout this Plan, locations associated with numbered mode-specific strategies are
identified on corresponding maps. These strategies are listed and described in further detail
in Table 8.
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-15
Adopted XXXXXXX XX, 2017
2.3. Access Management
The purpose of access management is to provide adequate access to adjacent land development
while maintaining acceptable and safe traffic flow on higher level roadways. Access
management consists of carefully controlling the spacing and design of public street
intersections and private access points to the public roadway system. Because they are designed
for higher speed, longer distance trips, arterials generally have restricted access, while local
streets can accommodate much greater access. Collector roadways fall in between arterials and
local roadways regarding the amount of access that is permitted.
The agency with jurisdiction over a roadway sets access management guidelines. Access to
TH 51 (Snelling Avenue) must meet MnDOT access management guidelines. See Table 3 for
MnDOT Access Management Guidelines pertaining to TH 51.
Table 3: MnDOT Access Management Guidelines
(Table 3.2, Summary of Recommended Street Spacing for Non-IRCs, from MnDOT Access
Management Manual)
Category Area or
Facility Type
Typical
Functional
Class
Public Street Spacing
Signal Spacing Primary
Full-Movement
Intersection
Secondary
Intersection
4 Principal Arterials in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area
and Primary Regional Trade Centers (Non-IRCs)
4AF Non-Interstate
Freeway
Principal
Arterials
Interchange Access Only
(see Section 3.2.7 for interim spacing) Interim
4A Rural 1 mile 1/2 mile See Section 3.2.5
4B Urban/Urbanizing 1/2 mile 1/4 mile 1/2 mile
4C Urban Core 300-660 feet dependent upon block length 1/4 mile
5 Minor Arterials
5A Rural
Minor
Arterials
1/2 mile 1/4 mile See Section 3.2.5
5B Urban/Urbanizing 1/4 mile 1/8 mile 1/4 mile
5C Urban Core 300-660 feet, dependent upon block length 1/4 mile
6 Collectors
6A Rural
Collectors
1/2 mile 1/4 mile See Section 3.2.5
6B Urban/Urbanizing 1/8 mile Not Applicable 1/4 mile
6C Urban Core 300-660 feet, dependent upon block length 1/8 mile
7 Specific Area Access Management Plans
7 All All By adopted plan
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-16
Adopted XXXXXXX XX, 2017
Ramsey County has developed a draft set of access management policies. Rather than a set of
specific standards, Ramsey County’s draft policies “are intended to apply accepted access
management principles in a context-sensitive manner to maximize the possible benefits as
development occurs or as existing properties are modified.” The draft policies are as follows:
• A parcel has the legal right to one access from a public street. If access can be obtained
from an adjacent street, access from a County Road or County State Aid Highway
should be directed to the minor street.
• Opportunities to combine or eliminate accesses shall be considered when new accesses
are proposed.
• Where feasible, the access spacing standards of the MnDOT Access Management
Manual shall be met.
• Where possible, new driveways shall be aligned with existing driveways or streets.
• Any proposed new access or modification of an existing access to a Ramsey County
Road or County State Aid Highway requires a County access permit, with approval
subject to review by the County Engineer.
• Any change in land use of a property with access to any County Road or County State
Aid Highway, requires review of the access, in accordance with Minnesota Rules
8810.5200. Existing access is not automatically perpetuated.
• Unless no other option for access to a property exists, access will not be allowed within
the functional area of a street intersection, or within the functional area of another
existing access. As defined by MnDOT, the functional areas of intersections are defined
as follows:
o On roadways with posted speed limits less than 45 MPH, 435 feet.
o On roadways with posted speed limits of 45 MPH or greater, 650 feet.
The interpretation of the functional area of an intersection shall be made by the County
Engineer and adjustments to these distances shall be made, as appropriate to the
particular situation. Diagrams of intersection functional areas are shown below:
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-17
Adopted XXXXXXX XX, 2017
• If no access to a parcel can be obtained, except from a County Road or County State Aid
Highway, Ramsey County acknowledges that a parcel has the right to one access,
subject to approval by the County Engineer. More than one access may be approved, but
should not be assumed.
• The need for turn lanes, bypass lanes, medians or median improvements, signage, or
any other accommodations necessary for safe operation of an access shall be determined
by the County Engineer and incorporated into access permit provisions. All
construction costs shall be paid for by the permit applicant. Ramsey County will not
contribute to the costs of necessary improvements.
• The need for a Traffic Impact Study for any proposed access shall be determined by the
County Engineer. The County Engineer may require installation of any mitigation
measures recommended by a Traffic Impact Study.
• The County Engineer may require dedication of access control over the remainder of a
parcel as a condition of granting access in a particular location.
It should be noted that there are existing access points within the city that are inconsistent with
Ramsey County’s draft access management policies. In many cases these access points were
established prior to agency access spacing guidelines/policies. In other cases, the agency has
granted an exception to the existing guidelines. As roadways are reconstructed and as
development or redevelopment occurs, each of these agencies generally works to modify
and/or relocate access points that do not meet current access spacing guidelines, recognizing
that this may not be feasible in all instances. In addition to the MnDOT and Ramsey County
access management guidelines, the City of Falcon Heights also has access management
guidelines. These guidelines are summarized below in Table 4.
Table 4: Existing and planned number of lanes on arterial roads
Functional Classification Minimum Access Spacing
Urban Core Minor Arterial 1 block
Urban Minor Arterial 1/4 mile (1/8 mile for a conditional secondary intersection)
Urban Core Collector 1 block
Urban Collector 1/8 mile
Local 1 block
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-18
Adopted XXXXXXXXX XX, 2017
2.4. Recommendations from Other Plans and Studies
A number of recent planning efforts have been completed that identify potential improvements
to the Falcon Heights transportation system. This section describes these studies and
summarizes their recommendations.
2.4.1 University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus Master Plan
In 2009, the University of Minnesota completed a master plan for the Twin Cities Campus,
including the portion of the campus that lies within Falcon Heights. This plan included
recommendations for additional areas of development and identified several locations where
new buildings could be constructed as part of the campus within Falcon Heights. However,
most of the current agricultural fields and open spaces will remain in those uses in the long
term. The plan identifies three transportation-related recommendations for this area of the
campus:
• Transportation conflicts along Cleveland Avenue, between transit, pedestrians, bikes
and parked cars, will be managed at key crossing locations between Larpenteur Avenue
and Folwell Avenue.
• A future north-south bicycle route will be considered on several candidate locations,
including Cleveland, Raymond and Gortner Avenue.
• Pedestrian, transit and bicycle facilities along Larpenteur Avenue will be improved
through coordinated streetscape projects undertaken with adjacent municipalities in
Falcon Heights and Lauderdale.
2.4.2 Snelling Avenue Multi-Modal Transportation Plan
MnDOT, in partnership with Ramsey County and the City of St. Paul, completed the Snelling
Avenue Multi-Modal Transportation Plan in 2013. The northern portion of the project study
corridor between Como Avenue and Midway Parkway/Dan Patch Avenue lies on the Falcon
Heights-St. Paul border. For this segment, the plan recommends the addition of bike lanes along
the Snelling Avenue ramps at Como Avenue and along Snelling Avenue north of the ramps;
reduced speed limits to 40 mph or less along Snelling Avenue; streetscape enhancements such
as pedestrian-scaled lighting, street trees, benches, and trash/recycling receptacles; and
improved pedestrian and bicycle accommodations at the ramp terminal intersections.
Recommended intersection improvements include:
• High-visibility crosswalks and ADA-compliant curb ramps
• Extended medians with pedestrian crossing refuges
• Intersection signals and pedestrian countdown heads with accessible pedestrian signals
• Bike boxes and green pavement markings
• Bicycle parking near major bus stops
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-19
Adopted XXXXXXXXX XX, 2017
2.4.3 Grand Round Design and Implementation Plan
The City of St. Paul developed the Grand Round Design and Implementation Plan in 2016. This
plan sets forth a vision to complete the St. Paul Grand Round, which would develop an
approximately 27-mile loop of continuous pedestrian and bicycle facilities connecting the
Mississippi River, downtown St. Paul, Phalen Regional Park, and Como Regional Park. The
Grand Round would include a segment of Como Avenue that comprises the municipal border
between Falcon Heights and St. Paul.
For the segment of Como Avenue between the Intercampus Transitway and Snelling Avenue,
the Plan proposes reconstructing the roadway to 48-feet-wide (the roadway currently varies
from 50- to 58-feet-wide), adding a two-way off-road bike trail, and adding a sidewalk on the
northern side of Como Avenue. During non-State Fair periods, the roadway would be striped
for two travel lanes, a center turn lane, and wide shoulders. During the State Fair, the roadway
would be restriped to accommodate four travel lanes. As part of the Grand Round corridor, the
bike trail would also include landscaped boulevard areas and could provide areas for public art,
improved lighting, and wayfinding/placemaking features.
3. Future Roadway System
This section addresses future roadway improvement needs and roadway design guidelines.
3.1. Roadway Capacity – Traffic Forecasting
To determine future roadway capacity needs, year 2040 traffic forecasts were prepared using
the Metropolitan Council travel demand model. The 2040 projections were compared against
the assumed 2040 roadway network to see where roadway segment capacity deficiencies may
result. The 2040 roadway network assumed for this analysis is the same as the current roadway
network, as the city and county Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) do not include any projects
that add significant capacity to the roadway network.
While the travel demand model is a valuable tool for identifying future traffic based on the
proposed land use impacts, it is not meant for use in detailed traffic operations studies. For a
more accurate representation of the transportation impacts from specific developments, detailed
traffic studies should be conducted to determine the operational impacts on adjacent roadways
and intersections.
A central concept of travel demand forecasting is the use of Transportation Analysis Zones
(TAZs). Each forecast study area, in this case, the City of Falcon Heights, is divided into a series
of TAZs. Each TAZ has population, employment, and household data that is used by the model
to assign trips to the various network roadways. Figure 5 displays Metropolitan Council TAZs
within Falcon Heights.
The results of the Falcon Heights modeling process are summarized in Figure 6, which displays
Metropolitan Council 2040 projected average daily traffic volumes compared to the existing
traffic volumes.
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Figure 5: Traffic Analysis Zones
Falcon Heights Comprehensive PlanCity of Falcon Heights, Ramsey County
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Figure 6: Existing and 2040 Forecasted Traffic
Falcon Heights Comprehensive PlanCity of Falcon Heights, Ramsey County
* 2012 - 2016 Counts From MnDOT Web Site** 2040 Forecasted Traffic From Metropolitan Council Trip Based Travel Demand Model No Improvement Assumed
XXX- Existing AADT*XXX- 2040 Forecasted AADT**
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-22
Adopted XXXXX XX, 2017
Table 5 provides a summary of existing and forecasted demographic growth by TAZ for Falcon Heights through the year 2040. As a
fully developed community, the Falcon Heights population is forecasted to remain around 5,300 through the year 2040, with
households increasing slightly to 2,200 and employment increasing by approximately 1,100. For more information about the
demographic allocation and associated land use forecast, please refer to the Falcon Heights Land Use Plan.
Table 5: Falcon Heights 2040 Land Use Plan TAZ Growth Allocation
TAZ POP2010 HH2010 EMP2010 POP2020 HH2020 EMP2020 POP2030 HH2030 EMP2030 POP2040 HH2040 EMP2040
1892 1,199 464 144 1,114 469 220 1,090 467 241 1,079 470 265
1893 337 156 305 354 160 324 351 158 312 351 157 301
1894 657 289 118 630 297 424 623 294 516 626 295 585
1895 1 1 0 0 0 16 0 0 15 0 0 16
1899 372 182 2 397 193 3 403 193 5 402 186 8
1900 1,554 510 4,627 1,666 535 4,686 1,718 547 4,844 1,739 555 5,017
1920 1,201 529 101 1,137 547 125 1,116 541 166 1,104 537 209
2040 Land Use
Plan Totals 5,321 2,131 5,297 5,300 2,200 5,800 5,300 2,200 6,100 5,300 2,200 6,400
Chapter 5 – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-23
Adopted XXXXXX XX, 2017
3.2. 2040 Future Roadway Capacity Improvement Needs
To identify the need for potential future capacity improvements, Metropolitan Council 2040
forecasts were compared to planning-level roadway capacities for A-Minor Arterial Roadways.
Planning-level roadway capacities used for this analysis are illustrated in Table 6 below
(measured in AADT).
Table 6: Planning-Level Roadway Capacity
Facility Type
Lower
Threshold
Higher
Threshold
(daily two-way volume)
Arterials
Two-lane Undivided 10,000 12,000
Two-lane Divided or Three-lane Undivided 15,000 17,000
Four-lane Undivided 18,000 22,000
Four-lane Divided or Five-lane Undivided 28,000 32,000
Four-lane Expressway 32,000 40,000
Freeways
Four-lane Freeway 60,000 80,000
Six-lane Freeway 90,000 120,000
Eight-lane Freeway or Higher Calculated on a
segment-by-segment basis
Based on these planning-level roadway capacities, portions of Snelling Avenue (TH 51) and
Cleveland Avenue (CSAH 46) are expected to exceed capacity in 2040. Snelling Avenue is a
four-lane expressway with a planning-level capacity of 32,000–40,000 and a forecasted 2040
volume of 40,250. However, A Line service increases the capacity of the corridor by providing
frequent transit service along Snelling Avenue. The forecasted 2040 volume for Cleveland
Avenue north of Larpenteur Avenue would surpass the higher planning-level capacity
threshold for a two-lane undivided roadway of 12,000 (this segment of Cleveland Avenue is
forecasted to have a 2040 volume of 12,430). Accordingly, motorists will likely experience some
congestion along these roadways during the 2040 planning horizon.
Chapter 5 – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-24
Adopted XXXXXX XX, 2017
4. Existing and Planned Non-Motorized Transportation
Network
This section addresses network needs for walking and bicycling within Falcon Heights. This
section also addresses the needs of people using wheelchairs and assistive mobility devices such
as mobility scooters, as they are considered pedestrians.
Enhancing the non-motorized elements of the Falcon Heights transportation system is a key
goal in terms of improving transportation sustainability in the city and in the region. This
approach gives residents an alternative to driving, supports transportation options for people
who do not have consistent access to a personal vehicle, and encourages healthy activities and
lifestyles.
This section includes information on the existing non-motorized transportation network within
Falcon Heights, connections to land use planning, the planned local non-motorized
transportation network, and the planned regional non-motorized transportation network. This
section also includes recommendations for intersection improvements and design best practices.
4.1. Existing Non-Motorized Transportation Network
The non-motorized transportation network in Falcon Heights is comprised of sidewalks, multi-
use trails, and several on-street bicycle lanes. As shown in Figure 7, multi-use trails are present
along Roselawn Avenue between Fulham Street and Snelling Avenue, Fairview Avenue
between Larpenteur Avenue and Roselawn Avenue, and Como Avenue between Liggett Street
and Snelling Avenue. On-street bicycle lanes are present along segments of Larpenteur Avenue,
Gortner Avenue, Folwell Avenue, and Commonwealth Avenue. Bicycles are also allowed to use
the University of Minnesota Transitway, which connects Commonwealth Avenue to the
University’s Minneapolis campus. There is existing sidewalk along one or both sides of many
major roadways in the city. Longer corridors with continuous sidewalk facilities within the city
include Como Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, Hoyt Avenue, Larpenteur Avenue, Cleveland
Avenue, Gortner Avenue, and Hamline Avenue. Additionally, there are paved paths that
connect many of the buildings within the University of Minnesota campus and the Minnesota
State Fairgrounds. These facilities add to the non-motorized transportation network within
Falcon Heights. There is also a “Nice Ride” bikeshare station located at the University of
Minnesota St. Paul Campus Student Center (however, there are plans for this bikeshare system
to transition to a dockless system in future years). Additionally, the city has partnered with the
University of Minnesota to fund the installation of “Fix-It Stations” to encourage bicycling in
the city.
As four-lane, higher-volume roadways that cross Falcon Heights, Snelling Avenue and
Larpenteur Avenue can create barriers to non-motorized users under existing conditions. Long
crossing distances and high vehicle speeds can create uncomfortable conditions for some
non-motorized users. Additionally, due to the location of these roadways in relation to the rest
of the community, users cannot always avoid crossing these busier streets. For example, even if
bicyclists prefer to use parallel streets with lower volumes to move around the community,
Chapter 5 – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-25
Adopted XXXXXX XX, 2017
many will still need to cross Snelling Avenue and/or Larpenteur Avenue at some point during
their trip.
4.2. Connections to Land Use Planning
Falcon Heights hosts a unique set of development patterns for an Urban community due to the
presence of the University of Minnesota campus and the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. These
institutions include a mix of developed and open space land uses including large areas of
agricultural fields associated with University of Minnesota research activities. However, the
areas of residential and commercial land uses within Falcon Heights are at a density and design
largely consistent with its designation as an Urban community. Existing residential
development is higher in density compared with suburban areas, but reflects the transition
toward development patterns influenced by the rise of the automobile, with some commercial
land uses separated from largely single-family residential land uses. In these areas, people
walking and bicycling must cover greater distances to reach commercial areas from their
homes. However, the development patterns in some areas of the city are well-suited to bicycling
and walking, due to a regular street grid, relatively short blocks, and convenient connections to
destinations including the University of Minnesota campus, the State Fairgrounds, and parks or
other recreational facilities. There are also commercial businesses within Falcon Heights that lie
within walking or biking distance of many city residents, including those located at the
Larpenteur Avenue/Snelling Avenue intersection.
The city’s land use planning and coordination with developers can help improve opportunities
for walking and bicycling for transportation. The city can encourage mixed-use redevelopment
that situates residents within a short walk of commercial destinations. The city can also work
with developers to construct sidewalks and trails within developments. Additionally, the city
can require pedestrian and bicycle connections in areas where the roadway network does not
connect, such as connector trails that provide shortcuts for people walking and bicycling.
4.3. Planned Local Non-Motorized Transportation Network
The planned network focuses on filling gaps that exist in the sidewalk and trail network, adding
sidewalk and trail facilities in areas where the network is not as extensive, adding on-road
bicycle facilities, and improving safety conditions and the comfort or convenience of non-
motorized facilities through intersection design, streetscape improvements, and other design
considerations. When the network is complete, it will provide safe, convenient linkages between
residential areas and commercial, institutional, and recreational areas within the city. The
network will improve options for people to walk and bicycle for transportation within the city,
and facilitate regional connections (described in greater detail in the following section). Existing
and proposed local facilities are shown in Figure 7.
Corridors identified for improved bicycle and/or pedestrian facilities include Cleveland
Avenue, Como Avenue, Larpenteur Avenue, Roselawn Avenue, Snelling Avenue, Hamline
Avenue, and Garden Avenue.
Locations identified for potential improved bicycle/pedestrian crossings include the
intersections of Snelling Avenue at Roselawn Avenue, Garden Avenue, Larpenteur Avenue,
Chapter 5 – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-26
Adopted XXXXXX XX, 2017
Hoyt Avenue, and Dan Patch Avenue and the intersections of Larpenteur Avenue at Cleveland
Avenue, Gortner Avenue, Fairview Avenue, Fry Street/Underwood Street, Arona Street, and
Hamline Avenue. Crossings of Cleveland Avenue have also been identified for further
evaluation due to higher volumes of pedestrian traffic associated with the University of
Minnesota campus.
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City Boundary
Falcon Heights Comprehensive PlanCity of Falcon Heights, Ramsey County
Chapter 5 – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-28
Adopted XXXXXX XX, 2017
4.4. Planned Regional Non-Motorized Transportation Network
The Metropolitan Council 2040 TPP encourages the use of bicycles as a mode of transportation
and establishes a Regional Bicycle Transportation Network (RBTN) to establish an integrated
network of on-street bikeways and off-road trails that complement each other to improve
conditions for bicycle transportation at the regional level. The RBTN identifies Tier 1 and Tier 2
alignments where existing regional or other trails exist or where a specific alignment has been
identified. The RBTN also identifies Tier 1 and Tier 2 corridors where specific alignments have
not yet been defined.
Within Falcon Heights, the RBTN identifies one Tier 1 RBTN alignment and two Tier 1 RBTN
corridors. The Tier 1 alignment is located along Como Avenue at the city’s southern border
from Stevens Street to Snelling Avenue, connecting to the State Fairgrounds, which is identified
as an RBTN regional destination. There are bicycle lanes along Como Avenue to the west of
Canfield Street and to the east of Snelling Avenue; however, there is a gap for dedicated bicycle
facilities along Como Avenue within the City of Falcon Heights—the planned segment of the St.
Paul Grand Rounds will fill this gap. One Tier 1 corridor runs north-south through the city and
including the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus, which is identified as an RBTN
regional destination. The other Tier 1 corridor also runs north-south and is centered on Hamline
Avenue, which currently has a striped shoulder.
The city proposes the following alignments for the RBTN corridors identified within the city:
• Along Cleveland Avenue from Como Avenue to Roselawn Avenue and along Roselawn
Avenue from Cleveland Avenue to Fairview Avenue
• Along Hamline Avenue from Hoyt Avenue to Roselawn Avenue
The existing and proposed regional network is shown in Figure 8.
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Existing Bicycle Facilities
Multi-use Trail
Bike Lanes
Transitway (Buses & Bikes Only)
Parks
#*School
RBTN Destinations
#*College & Universities
")Sports & Entertainment Complex
City Boundary
Figure 8: Regional Bicycle Transportation Network (RBTN)
Falcon Heights Comprehensive PlanCity of Falcon Heights, Ramsey County
Chapter 5 – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-30
Adopted XXXXXX XX, 2017
4.6. Non-Motorized Transportation Design Considerations
Design dimensions for sidewalks are recommended to be five-feet or wider, with a minimum of
a four-foot-wide boulevard between the sidewalk and the curb. Increased separation improves
pedestrian comfort and provides space for street signs and snow storage.
Design considerations for bicycle facilities are somewhat more complicated due to the hierarchy
of facility types. In order of their ability to provide a comfortable bicycling environment from
largest improvement to smallest, facilities include: off-street facilities, protected bikeways,
buffered bicycle lanes, conventional bicycle lanes, bicycle boulevards, and wide paved
shoulders. Figure 9 shows examples of these facility types.
Multi-use trails are recommended to be a minimum of eight-feet wide. Regional trails are
recommended to be a minimum of ten-feet wide due to higher use and the design requirements
to comply with federal funding. Trails must have a two-foot wide clear zone on either side to
reduce hazards for bicyclists and provide a recovery zone if a bicyclist leaves the edge of the
trail. The clear zone can be paved or turf surface. No signs, furnishings, trees, or other
obstructions can be in the clear zone.
Paved shoulders should be a minimum of four-feet wide if intended for bicycle and pedestrian
use. Four-foot wide shoulders are adequate on streets with traffic volumes below 1,000 vehicles
per day. Six- to eight-foot shoulders are recommended when traffic volumes exceed 1,000
vehicles per day. A wider shoulder improves pedestrian and bicyclist safety and comfort when
vehicle traffic speeds and volumes are higher.
As non-motorized facilities are planned and designed, the city should consult additional
planning and design resources, including:
• Minnesota’s Best Practices for Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety, MnDOT
• Bikeway Facility Design Manual, MnDOT
• Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, MnDOT
• Urban Bikeway Design Guide, Second Edition, National Association of City
Transportation Officials (NACTO)
• Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, American Association of State Highway
and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
• Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities, AASHTO
• Complete Streets Implementation Resource Guide for Minnesota Local Agencies,
MnDOT
• Public Rights of Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG), US Access Board
A Complete Streets approach to planning and implementing non-motorized facilities, as
described in the MnDOT Complete Streets Implementation Resource Guide, can provide a
helpful framework for creating a community-supported, safe, comfortable, and convenient
transportation network that serves all modes. A Complete Streets policy or process is intended
to provide design guidance and implementation clarity, allowing the community and project
designers to advance individual projects in a collaborative and cost-efficient manner.
Chapter 5 – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-31
Adopted XXXXXX XX, 2017
Accessibility is a very important consideration for non-motorized design. All new pedestrian
and bicycle facilities must meet the ADA accessibility guidelines established in PROWAG. The
guidelines in PROWAG address the design needs of people with physical and/or visual
impairments. Accessibility will become increasingly important over the next 20 years due to
demographic changes. Baby boomers are aging and the population over age 65 is increasing.
People over 65 are more likely to have physical and/or visual impairments that affect their
ability to get around.
Figure 9:
Example Bicycle Facilities
Falcon Heights Transportation Plan
Falcon Heights, MN
Off-street Facility
Source: www.pedbikeimages.org / Laura Sandt
Conventional Bicycle Lane
Source: www.pedbikeimages.org / Jennifer Compos
Buffered Bicycle Lane
Source: www.pedbikeimages.org / Lyubov Zuyeva
Protected Bikeway
Source: NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide
Bicycle Boulevard
Source: NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide
Wide Paved Shoulder
Source: www.pedbikeimages.org / Laura Sandt
Chapter 5 – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-33
Adopted XXXXXX XX, 2017
5. Freight
Freight transportation in Falcon Heights is primarily served by TH 51 (Snelling Avenue) and
other major roadways. Figure 10 shows the city’s freight system and heavy commercial average
annual daily traffic (HCAADT).
There are no large freight traffic generators within the city. Most truck traffic is passing through
Falcon Heights on trips to, from, and through the Twin Cities. The BNSF Midway Intermodal
Facility is a rail/truck intermodal terminal that lies just south of the city in St. Paul. Freight
traffic generators within Falcon Heights are limited to facilities associated with the University of
Minnesota, the State Fairgrounds, and commercial businesses along Larpenteur Avenue.
Figure 10 shows HCAADT within Falcon Heights. TH 51 carries the greatest number of heavy
commercial vehicles (approximately 1,200 vehicles per day). Larpenteur Avenue (CSAH 30) and
Cleveland Avenue (CSAH 46) also carry a substantial amount of heavy commercial traffic
within the city.
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Figure 10: Freight System and Heavy Commercial Average Annual Daily Traffic (HCAADT)
Falcon Heights Comprehensive PlanCity of Falcon Heights, Ramsey County
XXX - MNDOT 2012 Heavy Commercial Average Average Daily Traffic (HCAADT)*
XXX - Estimated 2018 Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)
* Buses and Multi-Axle Trucks; FHWA Class Groups 4-13.
Chapter 5 – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-35
Adopted XXXXXX XX, 2017
6. Transit
Falcon Heights is located within the Transit Capital Levy District as shown in the Metropolitan
Council 2040 TPP. The TPP further classifies the metropolitan area into transit markets based on
demographic and urban design factors. Falcon Heights is located within Market Area II. Market
Area II generally supports fixed-route transit, but at lower frequencies or shorter service spans
than provided in Market Area I. General public dial-a-ride services are available where fixed-
route service is not viable.
Many of the transit routes that serve Falcon Heights provide connections to downtown St. Paul.
Fixed route bus service in Falcon Heights is described below and shown on Figure 11.
• A Line: Rapid bus service between the 46th Street Blue Line LRT station in Minneapolis
and Rosedale Transit Center.
• Route 3: Daytime and evening service between downtown Minneapolis and Downtown
St. Paul via Como Avenue
• Route 61: Daytime and evening service between downtown Minneapolis and
Downtown St. Paul via Larpenteur Avenue
• Route 83: Daytime and evening service between HarMar Shopping Mall in Roseville
and West 7th Street in St. Paul
• Route 84: Daytime and evening service between Rosedale Center in Roseville and West
7th Street in St. Paul
• Route 87: Daytime and evening service between Rosedale Center in Roseville and the
Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul
• Route 272: Limited stop commuter service (two trips per weekday) between Maplewood
and the University of Minnesota West Bank Campus
The bus routes that serve this area have a mix of frequencies and types of service that they
provide. Some routes operate every 30 minutes or every hour during the day while others
operate only during peak commuting times (see Table 7). As a rapid bus route, the A Line
operates every 10 minutes during most of the day with fewer stops to allow faster trips. Within
Falcon Heights, A Line stations are located along Snelling Avenue at Como Avenue, Hoyt
Avenue/Nebraska Avenue, and Larpenteur Avenue. It should also be noted that during the
State Fair, Metro Transit operates express buses from up to 20 park-and-ride locations
throughout the metropolitan area and operates a free shuttle service from up to 34 parking lots
surrounding the State Fair.
In addition to the routes operated by Metro Transit, the University of Minnesota operates
several additional transit services including the Campus Connector, the St. Paul Campus
Circulator, and paratransit. The Campus Connector (Route 121) connects the St. Paul, East Bank,
and West Bank campuses and operates at headways of 5-20 minutes between 7:00 am and 2:00
am on weekdays. The St. Paul Campus Circulator (Route 124) provides service to many
destinations around the St. Paul campus and provides weekday service with 15-minute
headways between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm. These routes are shown in Figure 12.
Chapter 5 – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-36
Adopted XXXXXX XX, 2017
Table 7: Bus Route Frequencies in Falcon Heights
Route
Number
Approximate Frequency (Headway), minutes
Rush
Hours Midday Evening Saturday
Sunday/
Holiday
A Line 10 10 10–30 10–30 10–30
3 5–15 10–15 15–30 15–30 30–60
61 15–30 30 60 60 NA
83 30 30 30–60 30–60 30–60
84 30 30 30 30 30
87 20 30 30–60 30–60 30–60
121 10–15 10–15 10–15 10–15 10–15
124 15 15 NA NA NA
272 Two Trips NA NA NA NA
In addition to the fixed-route transit options, the city is also served by Anoka County Transit
Link, a dial-a-ride service for the general public (Ramsey County is served by Anoka County
Transit Link). Transit Link provides connections to destinations within Ramsey County and
connects to regular route transit for trips within the metro area, including outside of Ramsey
County. Falcon Heights residents also have opportunities to participate in the Metro Vanpool
program. This program provides financial assistance for vanpools to serve areas with limited
regular-route transit service.
Metro Transit’s 2015 Service Improvement Plan indicates several proposed changes/additions
to existing bus service in Falcon Heights. Routes 3 and 61 are identified for longer service hours
and increased frequency as a high or medium priority. The Plan also identifies increased
frequency for Route 83 as a medium priority and longer service hours for Route 84 as a low
priority. Additionally, Metro Transit has prepared a study exploring a potential extension of the
A Line to the City of Arden Hills. While this extension would not provide additional transit
coverage within Falcon Heights, residents would be able to access additional destinations in
portions of Roseville and Arden Hills.
There are no formal park-and-ride lots located within Falcon Heights and it is not anticipated
that future demand will require a formal park-and-ride facility within the city.
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!(Bus Stop
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n£A Line Rapid Bus Stations
Bus Route Type
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Figure 11: Transit Facilities
Falcon Heights Comprehensive PlanCity of Falcon Heights, Ramsey County
Figure 12: University of Minnesota Transit FacilitiesFalcon Heights Comprehensive PlanCity of Falcon Heights, Ramsey County
Chapter 5 – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-39
Adopted XXXXXX XX, 2017
7. Aviation
There are currently no existing or planned aviation facilities within Falcon Heights. However,
like all cities, the city is responsible for airspace protection in order to reduce hazards to air
travel within the region. The closest public use airport to Falcon Heights is the St. Paul
Downtown Airport (Holman Field), approximately six miles southeast of Falcon Heights.
Based on the distance to the nearest airports, there are no radio beacons or other air navigation
aids located in off-airport locations in Falcon Heights. The city is not within the area of
influence of any airports, and is therefore not subject to associated land use restrictions.
Any person or organization who intends to sponsor the construction or alteration of a structure
affecting navigable airspace as defined in Federal Regulation Title 14; Part 77 needs to inform
the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) of the project. This notification is accomplished through the
completion and submittal to FAA of Form 7460-1, Notice of Proposed Construction or
Alteration. In Falcon Heights, this requirement applies to any construction or alteration
exceeding 200 feet above ground level. The city’s zoning code allows a maximum structure
height of 110 feet; therefore, it is unlikely that any structures in the city will require FAA
notification.
There are currently no heliports in Falcon Heights or any known plans to construct one. The
University of Minnesota Hospitals and Clinics Heliport is located on the University’s East Bank
Campus in Minneapolis, approximately two miles southwest of Falcon Heights. There are no
surface waters within the city that are identified by MnDOT as an authorized landing site for
seaplanes.
Chapter 5 – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-40
Adopted XXXXXX XX, 2017
8. Goals and Multimodal Strategies
This Plan, and the city’s actions over the next 20 years, will be guided by the following
transportation goals and strategies.
8.1. Goals and Policies
The list below displays the goals and policies of the Falcon Heights Transportation Plan. These
goals and policies represent the city’s overall vision for transportation over the next 20 years.
The strategies listed in the following section provide guidance that the city can use to reach the
transportation goals and policies.
[Placeholder – to be completed following Falcon Heights Planning Commission Review of
Goals and Policies]
8.2. Multimodal Strategies
The multimodal strategies listed in this section are specific, actionable steps that the city can
take in support of the goals of this Plan. These strategies are based upon existing and future
transportation needs as described in detail in the previous sections of this Plan.
Each strategy is tied to one or multiple goals. Table 8 on the following pages describes each
strategy, notes which goal(s) is/are related to each strategy, and identifies the lead agency for
the strategy. Figure 13 following the tables illustrates the strategies geographically with
reference numbers tied back to the table information.
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-41
Adopted XXXXXXXX XX, 2017
Table 8: Transportation Implementation Strategies
Location Type of
Improvement Strategy Map
Reference
Lead
Agency(ies) Goal(s)
CSAH 46 (Cleveland Ave.)
between Como Ave. and
Larpenteur Ave.
Reconstruction Coordinate with Ramsey County on
reconstruction of Cleveland Avenue
Figure 13,
#1 Ramsey County
CSAH 48 (Fairview Ave.)
between Larpenteur Ave.
and Roselawn Ave.
Mill and Overlay Coordinate with Ramsey County on mill
and overlay of Fairview Avenue
Figure 13,
#2 Ramsey County
Various locations Street
Maintenance
Maintain streets consistent with the city’s
10-year Capital Improvement Plan NA Falcon Heights
TH 51 (Snelling Ave.) at
Hoyt Ave. and Dan Patch
Ave.
Signal System
Replacement
Coordinate with MnDOT on signal system
replacement at intersections along
Snelling Avenue
Figure 13,
#3 MnDOT
CSAH 30 (Larpenteur Ave.) Speed Study
Coordinate with Ramsey County
regarding a potential study to evaluate
speed limits along Larpenteur Avenue
Figure 13,
#4
Ramsey
County/Falcon
Heights
CSAH 30 (Larpenteur Ave.)
and TH 51 (Snelling Ave.)
Safety/
Operations
Explore opportunities for improving
operations and managing access
to/from Larpenteur Avenue and Snelling
Avenue, including the Snelling Avenue
Service Road
Figure 13,
#5
MnDOT/Ramsey
County/Falcon
Heights
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-42
Adopted XXXXXXXX XX, 2017
Location Type of
Improvement Strategy Map
Reference
Lead
Agency(ies) Goal(s)
Garden Avenue and
CSAH 50 (Hamline Ave.)
Safety/
Operations
Explore opportunities to improve
operations and safety related to student
pick-up and drop-off at Falcon Heights
Elementary School
Figure 13,
#6 Falcon Heights
Various locations Freight/
Operations
Explore opportunities to stagger the
scheduled operations of refuse haulers in
the city
NA Falcon Heights
TH 51 (Snelling Ave.)
Bicycle/
Pedestrian
Improvements
Implement recommendations from the
Snelling Avenue Multi-Modal
Transportation Plan
Figure 13,
#7 MnDOT
CSAH 75 (Como Ave.)
Bicycle/
Pedestrian
Improvements
Implement recommendations from the
Grand Round Design and
Implementation Plan, including
construction of off-street multiuse trail on
Como Avenue
Figure 13,
#8
St. Paul, Ramsey
County, Falcon
Heights
CSAH 50 (Hamline Ave.)
Bicycle/
Pedestrian
Improvements
Designate Hamline Avenue as RBTN
alignment
Figure 13,
#9
Falcon Heights,
Ramsey County
CSAH 30 (Larpenteur Ave.)
and CSAH 48 (Fairview
Ave.)
Bicycle/
Pedestrian
Improvements
Designate Cleveland Avenue and
Roselawn Avenue as RBTN alignments
Figure 13,
#10
Falcon Heights,
Ramsey County
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-43
Adopted XXXXXXXX XX, 2017
Location Type of
Improvement Strategy Map
Reference
Lead
Agency(ies) Goal(s)
Various locations
Bicycle/
Pedestrian
Improvements
Evaluate potential bicycle/pedestrian
improvements along identified corridors
and at identified crossing locations
Figure 13
Falcon Heights,
Ramsey County,
MnDOT
Citywide
Bicycle/
Pedestrian
Improvements
Develop complete streets policy or
sidewalk master plan to guide future
non-motorized improvements
NA Falcon Heights
Citywide Streetscape
Improvements
Continue partnerships to fund
streetscape improvements such as fix-it
stations, wayfinding signage, and bicycle
parking
NA Falcon Heights
Various locations Streetscape
Improvements
Explore opportunities to activate alleys in
residential neighborhoods where they
are present
NA Falcon Heights
Citywide Transit
Improvement
Support policies and programs that
encourage use of transit services and
discourage parking in residential
neighborhoods for events at the State
Fairgrounds or University of Minnesota
campus
NA
Falcon Heights,
Metro Transit,
University of
Minnesota
Citywide Transit
Improvement
Support urban design and land use
policies that encourage transit use,
particularly along the A Line corridor and
University of Minnesota Campus
Connector/Campus Circulator routes
NA
Falcon Heights,
University of
Minnesota
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Falcon Heights Comprehensive PlanCity of Falcon Heights, Ramsey County
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Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-45
Adopted XXXXXXXX XX, 2017
9. Proposed Short and Long-Range Roadway Projects
The sections below identify proposed short and long-range roadway projects identified in the
city and county capital improvement plans and based on potential future changes in land use
described in previous sections of this Plan.
9.1.1. Proposed Projects from Capital Improvement Plans
The city and county capital improvement plans identify several planned projects within Falcon
Heights. The 2018-2022 Ramsey County Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) includes
reconstruction of CSAH 46 (Cleveland Avenue) between Como Avenue and Larpenteur
Avenue, scheduled for construction in 2020-2021. The TIP also includes a mill and overlay
project on CSAH 48 (Fairview Avenue) between Larpenteur Avenue and Roselawn Avenue,
scheduled to take place sometime between 2020 and 2022. The city’s 2018-2027 Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP) identifies resurfacing projects to take place on various city streets,
including Tatum Street, Arona Street, Asbury Street, Simpson Street, Ruggles Street, Crawford
Avenue, Pascal Street, Holton Street, Albert Street, and Sheldon Street.
In addition to the projects identified at the city and county levels, MnDOT’s 2018-2021
Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) identifies two signal system
replacement projects along TH 51 (Snelling Avenue) within the city. Signal system replacement
is planned at the intersections of Snelling Avenue with Dan Patch Avenue and Hoyt Avenue.
9.1.2. Proposed Projects based on Special Use Areas
As described above, as large landowners within the City of Falcon Heights, the University of
Minnesota St. Paul campus and the State Fairgrounds create unusual transportation issues. The
City of Falcon Heights will continue to coordinate closely with both entities to ensure that the
city’s transportation system can accommodate additional development and/or special events
that are planned for these areas of the city. Consideration of roadway modifications,
intersection traffic control improvements, and non-motorized facilities will continue as
individual proposals for development or special events move forward.
10. Public Comments
The city has gathered public input through a community visioning session focused on the
comprehensive plan update. At this event, members of the public identified issues and
opportunities related to transportation, with a strong focus on improving the connectivity and
safety of non-motorized transportation options within the city. Many comments were received
relating to making the city more walkable and bikeable by investing in sidewalk and trail
network, adding infrastructure such as bike lanes, and addressing crossings at intersections.
Several participants identified vehicle speed as an issue, particularly along Snelling Avenue and
Larpenteur Avenue. Other comments received related to enforcement of traffic laws, signal
timing and operations at intersections, and discouraging heavy vehicle volumes in residential
areas.
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-46
Adopted XXXXXXXX XX, 2017
11. Conclusion and Next Steps
The purpose of this Transportation Plan is to set a multimodal transportation vision for the City
of Falcon Heights through the year 2040. Goals and specific strategies have been identified
collaboratively by the city, Ramsey County, and members of the public within the framework of
Metropolitan Council requirements. The vision and associated strategies outlined in this Plan
were established by considering existing and forecasted conditions, Falcon Heights priorities,
regional travel patterns and a variety of other factors.
As the owners of the transportation network in Falcon Heights (i.e. City of Falcon Heights,
Ramsey County, and MnDOT) advance their respective Capital Improvement Programs (CIPs),
this Plan is intended to serve as an important resource and reference in establishing priorities
and advancing transportation projects for implementation. Advancing these projects from a
planning to implementation phase will require collaborative discussions among facility owners,
adjacent communities, the Metropolitan Council, residents and others to conduct traffic studies,
finalize designs, preserve rights-of-way, obtain environmental clearances and leverage
necessary financial resources. Figure 14 on the following page outlines the entire planning and
project development process required for transportation projects from concept plans to
construction implementation.
Chapter X – Transportation (DRAFT) Page X-47
Adopted XXXXXXXX XX, 2017
Figure 14
Transportation Planning Process