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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMin_94Nov28MINUTES • REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING November 28, 1994 PRESENT ABSENT ALSO PRESENT Lee Barry {Chair) Sam Jacobs, Council Liaison Carla As eson~Plannteator Tom Brace Paul Kuettel Lisa Lampi Ken Salzberg Wendy Treadwell Meeting was called to order 7 p.m. by Chair Barry. Minutes of October 24, 1994 minutes approved as written. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOS ONPO NT SOURCE POLLUT ONECONT OL FOR AN INTERIM STRATEGY FOR N Susan Hoyt, city administrator, explained that the Metropolitan Council is requiring cities to adopt an interim strategy for nonpoint source pollution control for future development. She said the proposed interim strategy basically adopts • two standards, Statewide Standards for Mana ement of Shoreiand Areas and Protectinca Water Quality in Urban Areas related to nonpoint source pollution control. David Nyberg, an engineer specializing in water quality issues, was introduced. He described the regulations and the impact of this proposed amendment to the city's comprehensive plan. He explained that the strategy has three basic requirements. The first requirement is that focal governments must adopt design standards for new storm water ponds that will reduce the contaminant loadings from the surface runoff; second, local governments must follow Best Management Practices as outlined in MPCA and MNDOT publications; and three, local governments must adopt the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources shoreland regulations. Since Falcon Heights is fully developed, these standards have little impact on the city but they are still a required element in the city's comprehensive plan. Mr. Nyberg requested that the commission recommend adopting a resolution approving this comprehensive plan amendment to be consistent with the Metropolitan Council requirements. Public Hearing opened at 7:10. There being no one wishing to be heard, the public hearing closed at 7:1 1. • Salzberg moved to recommend to the city council to approve a comprehensive plan amendment for an interim strategy for nonpoint source pollution control. . Seconded by Lampi. Passed unanimously. REQUEST FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING PARKING RESTRICTIONS ON TATUM Hoyt gave a brief background on the parking situation on Tatum. She said because Tatum is a through street and a major university access point, the residents have complained that it has become a free parking location for university employees and students. She explained that an increase in the number of non-residential cars parked along Tatum may be the result of the elimination of parking along Cleveland since its reconstruction in 1993. It also may be due to the elimination of parking during warm weather at Gibbs Farm and the lot adjacent to the University playing fields. She said that more consistent enforcement of parking restrictions is anticipated in 1995 with the addition of a 24 hour police officer. There have been no recorded vehicle accidents along Tatum Street in the past two years. Hoyt also mentioned that because Tatum is a public street, parking cannot be reserved for the exclusive use of residents only. Asleson explained the current parking restrictions on Tatum and surrounding streets. She said parking is restricted to two hours during weekdays on the southern 1 /2 of the west side and the southern 1 /3 of the east side. These restrictions were authorized by the city council in 1979 after receiving a petition from 1 1 Tatum Street residents. Asleson said a survey showed that the majority of cars parked on Tatum on a regular basis between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays belong to non-Tatum Street residents and that there is an average of 1 1 cars parked on the street during the day. Very few cars park in the two hour parking area in the southern half of Tatum probably because they are looking for a longer term parking arrangement. She mentioned that when cars are parked on both sides of the street, two passing cars have very little room to get by, but that this is typical for a residentially designed street. Asleson said a letter had been sent to all property owners on Tatum and Lindig informing them of the planning commission meeting. A resident of Tatum had also distributed a form to Tatum Street residents, asking for input on the parking situation. Asleson gave a brief summary of the responses as submitted by Tatum residents. Ten responses were received prior to the meeting and many were turned in during the meeting. Four available options were outlined: 1 . Determine that the increased Tatum Street parking is not enough of an • inconvenience at this time to need a change in the parking restrictions. 2. Extend the two hour parking zone north on the east side of Tatum to • approximately 1804 Tatum Street to make the parking restrictions parallel on both the east and west sides of the street. If long-term parking is perceived to be a problem only by those residents living in the middle of Tatum, this option would eliminate their particular concerns while reserving open parking to the north. The planning commission would have the opportunity to extend the two-hour zone at a later date should the need arise. 3. Expand the two hours parking, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, along both sides of Tatum Street. If long term parking during the weekdays is perceived as a problem by most Tatum Street residents, this should eliminate this problem on weekdays. 4. Restrict the two hour parking to one side of Tatum Street only, extended from Roselawn to Larpenteur. This would lessen "bottlenecking" but would not increase vehicle turnover. Asleson commented that if two hour parking from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. became a problem for residents along Tatum Street, residential permit parking would be an option. This option would require that 75% of property owners in the neighborhood petition for permits to allow the residents to park without regard • to the two hour posting. The permits cost S 10 a year to offset administrative costs. Lindig Street could potentially become a problem if new parking restrictions are imposed on Tatum Street. One answer to this problem would be to also sign Lindig to two hour parking. However, staff would recommend leaving Lindig Street unregulated. Lindig is a narrower, less visible street that may not attract parkers. The planning commission would have the option of regulating Lindig if the need arose. Chairperson Barry asked for comments from the Tatum Street residents attending the meeting. Jim Colten, 1760 Tatum, felt that safety was a big issue. He said Tatum carries a lot of bicycle traffic and the good condition of Tatum encourages high speeds. Frank Irving, 1745 Tatum, agreed that the parking situation on Tatum is a safety issue. He said with the traffic light on Larpenteur and Fairview, some come down Tatum to avoid Fairview. Also, pedestrians and bicyclers are out in the morning and afternoon hours with small children running out between the parked cars. • Sarah Gregerson, 1890 Tatum, felt the speed of cars on Tatum and cars parked on both sides is a definite hazard. She thought single side parking would help • with safety issues. Lisa Lovedahl, 1823 Tatum, favored two hour restrictions on the entire street with perhaps speedbumps. She said there is no place for the children to walk safely. Joe Jancsek, 1808 Tatum, said many students have vans or pickup trucks and it is very difficult to see around them. He questioned why the city hall property couldn't be used for the student parking. Administrator Hoyt responded that the city does not furnish parking for the university. Warren Fall, 1837 Tatum, questioned who exactly is parking on Tatum. Asleson said a check of license plate numbers showed that non-Tatum Street residents are parking there. He asked why Prior Avenue is designated as no parking. Hoyt said it must be kept open because it is a turn around for fire and emergency vehicles. Meredith Stockford, 1804 Tatum, was concerned about safety issues. She said cars are being parked in front of mailboxes and often garbage trucks and UPS trucks cannot get up to the homes. Bicycles and rolierblades are becoming more prevalent on Tatum. She preferred one side parking, or, in the alternative, • removal. of all no parking signs. (See attached list of residents submitting comments and/or attending the meeting.) After a discussion of tt~e residents' comments by the commissioners, Lampi moved to recommend to the city council that the entire length of Tatum and Lindig streets be signed for two hour parking 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Treadwell asked that the motion be amended to strike signing Lindig. She felt the commission should wait and touch base with the Lindig residents first. The motion as presented by Lampi was seconded by Kuettel and passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF AN EXTENSION TO THE MORATORIUM ON STORES THAT SELL FIREARMS Hoyt reported that stores that sell firearms is the only use remaining under the interim development moratorium adopted in March, 1993. She said that staff is continuing to gather information from other cities including zoning regulations and definitions of such stores. After a brief discussion, Salzberg moved to recommend amending ordinance Chapter 5, § 5.04 to extend the interim moratorium until March 31, 1995. Seconded by Brace and unanimously . approved. CANCELLATION OF DECEMBER MEETING Commission voted to cancel the December planning commission meeting. The next meeting would be held on January 23, 1994 Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. f~ " ~ Carla Asleson, City Planner ~! i~ Dee Swenson, Recording Secretary • r~ L