HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWkspMin_06Jun07City Council Workshop June 7, 2006 Members present: Council members Lindstrom, Kuettel, and Talbot, Mayor Gehrz, Commissioners Rodich, Grangaard, Hall, Tracy, Green, Long, and Mielke,
staff members Miller, Kreuser, Jones, Hoag, and Anderson. Mayor Gehrz called the workshop to order at 6:35 p.m. She noted the council’s goal setting workshop would be held June 19 at
6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Gehrz introduced the student intern team from the Humphrey Institute, and thanked everyone for coming to the presentation. She explained the process the
City used to begin the study by stating the interns met with staff, referred to the comp plan and zoning review, and applied the best practices to Falcon Heights. She added the study
findings will be used in the comp plan process. Finally, she stated the report findings would not be distributed widely, simply because some recommendations are not feasible, and there
may be confusion between “recommended” and “planned and implemented.” Mike Greco began the presentation w?ith the first theme suggested for Falcon Heights: creating a pedestrian-oriented
environment at Snelling and Larpenteur. The group’s major findings were to rezone for higher-density and mixed-use development, revise parking requirements, create building design guidelines,
and provide a safe and easy pedestrian crossing. The second theme, presented by Stephanie Erickson, providing a safe and attractive pedestrian and bicycle environment, including utilizing
traffic calming techniques, improve bicycle infrastructure, develop a walkway system connecting key destinations, install landscaping and create landscaping guidelines, increase lighting,
and enhance walkways with pedestrian-scale signage. Jenn Reed presented the third theme, providing community facilities that are accessible to pedestrians of all ages, including providing
open space and recreational usage and undertaking a “safe routes to school” effort. Reed suggested accessing www.mn.traffic-calming.org for methods. A brief discussion by commissioners,
commissioners, council, and staff commenced on the intern’s findings and suggestions. The group decided that pedestrian signage, lessening the access points along Larpenteur (placing
curb where there are curb-cuts), and investing in sidewalks in key areas to link portions of the City to one another would be the top three changes they would make in Falcon Heights.
They agreed the most important may be to simply raise awareness for motorists and pedestrians. Mayor Gehrz thanked the students for their hard work, research, and suggestions. Mayor
Gehrz adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Stacey Kreuser Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk