HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes 6.27.2023 APPROVEDCITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Workshop of the City Planning Commission
City Hall
2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
MINUTES
June 27th, 2023 at 7:00 P.M.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 P.M.
B. ROLL CALL:
Scott Wilson _X_ Jim Mogen X__
Laura Paynter _X_ Jacob Brooks _X_
Joel Gerich _X_ VACANT
Jake Anderson _X_
Council Liaison Gustafson _X_
City Administrator Linehan _X_
Staff Liaison Lynch _X_
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Paynter motion, approved 4-0
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. Regular Meeting – May 23, 2023
Anderson motion, approved 4-0
E. PUBLIC HEARING
N/A
F. NEW BUSINESS
1. Informal Review – 1407 Larpenteur Avenue W, Townhome Proposal
Staff Liaison Lynch gave an overview of the information that the property owner
had provided, and reminded attendees that is a workshop format, no action will
be taken, and there will be no approval or denial of any proposals, nor will any
recommendation be provided to city council. There have been no official
applications received for development at 1407 Larpenteur.
1407 Larpenteur Avenue west is currently a vacant dry-cleaning business,
among other things, dating back to a Shell Oil station in the early years of Falcon
Heights. It is currently zoned B1 – Neighborhood Convenience Business. It was
noted that if the property owner decided to move forward with a business listed in
the B1 zoning code, a public hearing would be held but if the applicant met the
requirements they would be entitled to a permit. Anything outside the list of the
B1 permitted uses would require a change to zoning and/or code to make it
feasible.
The draft proposal showed a total of two separate buildings running north-south
on the site, with five townhome units in each building. Access would be from
both Larpenteur and Albert Street.
Lynch noted the issues with the current plan as it relates to City Code. Among
them:
• Residential uses not permitted; R4 would be likely zone required
• PUD would be required for multiple buildings
• Building height and setbacks
• Access from Larpenteur must be removed
• Various engineering plans would be required for environmental and utility
concerns
• Comprehensive Plan update would be required
The Commissioners held an initial discussion on the suitability of the proposal.
The developer then spoke, addressing some of the initial concerns raised by the
Commissioners, along with providing additional information around his vision for
the property and constraints that drive the draft proposal to its current state.
The meeting was then opened to feedback from community members. Feedback
was generally consistent and included:
• Concern about not following setback requirements and setting precedent
for future development
• Traffic and street parking concerns
• Safety concerns as Albert Street leads north to Falcon Heights Elementary
School, and many people use it as a pedestrian thoroughfare to the
school.
The Commission had a closing discussion, with feedback to the developer that
the while a residential proposal would be suitable for the site, it would need to
closely align with current residential code requirements, including setbacks, to
have a reasonable chance of approval.
G. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Staff Liaison Report
Staff Liaison Lynch noted that the grant for the Larpenteur Corridor study has
been approved, with more information to follow.
2. Council Liaison Report
Mayor Gustafson noted several events, including the Ice Cream Social on
July 27th and the Night to Unite on Tuesday, August 1st. On July 17th, the
Community Engagement Commission will hold a briefing on Night to Unite,
Neighborhood Watch and Public Safety.
H. ADJOURN 8:15 PM