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No. R-94-12
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
C O U N C I L R E S O L U T I O N
Date : 3/23/94
A RESOLUTION AMENDING A PORTION OF THE CITY'S
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RELATING TO
COMMERCIAL/BUSINESS AREAS
WHEREAS, Page 26 of the Falcon Heights comprehensive
plan addresses plan elements for the city's commercial/Business
areas, including the Snelling/Larpenteur Commercial Core; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend this section of the
comprehensive plan in order to consider proposed amendments to
the city code relating to business uses; and
WHEREAS, the planning commission following their
February 28, 1994 public hearing unanimously recommended amending
• portions of page 26 of the comprehensive plan;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the city council of
the City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota, that page 26 of the
comprehensive plan relating to commercial/business areas be
amended as recommended by the planning commission as follows:
COMMERCIAL AREAS/BUSINESSES
(Page 26 of the Comprehensive Plan)
Plan Elements
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. Instead, it intends to improve and redevelop existing
commercial business areas, particularly the Snelling/Larpenteur
Commercial Core, in a manner that is in keeping with competitive
contemporary retail/service standards of design and quality for a
community oriented business district while minimizing impacts on
adjacent residential areas. It is also the intent of the plan to
create an attractive, easily accessible and visually secure
commercial area for retail customers.
Furthermore, 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 local employees, nearby
residents and community members 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
buffer 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 Prior Avenue
Limited Business area westerly to Cleveland Avenue should the
University choose to divest itself of these agricultural lands.
This would provide for an additional 20 acres of limited
commercial development.
The Land Use Plan establishes three categories of
commercial/business use including the Snelling/Larpenteur
Commercial Core, Neighborhood Convenience and Limited Business as
follows:
• Snelling/Larpenteur Commercial Core This embraces all four
quadrants of the intersection of Larpenteur and Snelling Avenues
where it is the intent of the City to see the core improved as
the community's only major commercial/shopping center. It is
intended that the core maintain its mixed use character, that it
be substantially upgraded and redeveloped, as appropriate, to
improve its commercial viability as a community retail area and
accessibility while meeting standards of design that are
consistent with the City's goals. It is the intent of the City
that the core 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 may be permissible
provided that they do not have the potential for negative impacts
on adjacent residential property. It is further intended that
each individual quadrant of the core be planned and developed as
an integrated unit or cluster of shops and businesses that are
capable of functioning as a unit and sharing parking to the
maximum degree possible.
Activities and improvements that will be considered for the
Snelling/Larpenteur Commercial Core include:
• Redevelopment of the southeast quadrant for mixed use.
• • Storefront and sign improvements for the northwest quadrant.
• 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.
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f
Moved. by : Gehrz Approved by
Mayor
BALDWIN 5 In Favor 3/23/94
GEHRZ ~., Date
GIBBON TALBOT
HUSTAD ~ Against
JACOBS Attested by:
City Clerk
3/23/94
Date
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