Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMin_80Apr7PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APRTL 7, 1980 7:30 P.M. • The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m, on April 7, 1980 by Chair- man Les Larson. In addition to the Chairman the following persons were present: Harold Nilsen, Mike Heffron, Erma Olson, Jerry Wallin, Robert Blomberg, Al Stefanson, Councilmember Helen Brown, Council Liaison Member Sandy Larson, Jim Bourquin, the City Clerk Administrator Dewan Barnes, and two University of Minnesota representatives, Steve Markowitz and Dr. Dave Davis. Also present was City Planner Carl Dale. Carl Dale reported as follows: 1. He has nearly completed his personal tour of the community and he found that curb, gutter and sidewalk is lacking in the marjority of the community. He suggested that the Commission might consider revision of the power line system especially as it is unsightly in the vicinity of the Snelling-Larpenteur business district. He also recommended that the Commission give consideration to some sort of a sign ordinance for the purpose of establishing uniformity and improving the appearance and safety aspects of the existing conditions. He advised the Commis- sion, that by law, any capital improvement expenditures planned within the next five years must be written into the Comprehensive Plan. He also advised the Commission that he had found one dead end street over 500 feet long within the City. He recommended that consideration be given to this condition from the standpoint of fire and ambulance aspects. 2. Carl Dale is reviewing the Ramsey County and Roseville School District • Capital Improvement Plans for coordination with our own. 3. He has prepared and distributed to the Commission a new Citizens Survey. It was decided that the new survey would be sent out with the Falcon Heights News- letter in approximately one week. It was too late to be included with the sewer bills. For purposes of the new survey, Erma Olson advised the Commission as well as the University of Minnesota Representatives, that 367 of the 502 housing units on the St. Paul Campus are in Falcon Heights, the rest are in St. Paul. 4. Mr. Dale has the University of Minnesota (Andrews Report) Long Range Development Report for review now. The University of Minnesota Representatives advised the Commission that the University's present intention is to have the agricultural land remain as out door laboratories engaged in agricultural use. They further advised that there are no:"plans to add housing to the University Grove by elminiating the two golf holes of the University Golf Course south of Larpenteur. The University representatives further advised that they are discuss- ing methods for upgrading the image and appearance of the open land belonging to the University. This might take the form of low profile signs describing activities taking place on the agricultural plot. They further advised that the University has the funds to extend Fairview Avenue south of Larpenteur, but the University is not presently planning to do so. They further advised that with the new well and irrigation system installed on the land north of Larpenteur and east of Fairview the University intends to intensify the research use of the land. • 5. Mr. Dale .advised that the vehicular access ways to the shopping areas in the business district are too close to the Snelling-Larpenteur intersection and that some consideration should be given to re°~lo:c.atitig here ~ccesa ~~.ys. PLANNTNG COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 7, 1980 PAGE 2 • 6. Mr. Dale will brin the resent land use ma u to date and g P p p provide copies of the new map to the Commission at the next meeting. 7. Mr. Dale has the following impressions as a result of his personal survey: a. Only two houses in the City are in real need of maintenance and repair. He is surprised at this small of number in the absence of an active and functioning community improvement effort. To him it reflects real community pride by the residents. b. The commercial establishments do not fit the community properly. In a large part this is due to the lack of visual screening separating the business and the residential area. c. There is very little accomodation for pedestrians within the City. This could be improved through the use of bikeways, walkways, etc.. d. He saw several places where dedicated alleys are not open. Some thought should be given to whether or not platted alleys should be utilized or remain closed. e. He inquired as to the prospective disposition of the Falcon Heights School, and advised that the Planning Commission`s thinking should include the potential of that school closing. • 8. Mr. Dale advised that he will be providing text for the Comprehensive Plan soon. In addition he will be providing an updated land use map by our next meeting. He also expects to have a preliminary general plan by the next meet- ing. He was advised that the next Planning Commission Meeting would be held at 7:30 p.m, on May 5, 1980. In case there were questions in the interim, Carl Dale`s office number is 738-0174. Mr. Dale's report having been completed the meeting then turned to a discussion of the remaining agenda items. Revision of the Planning Commission By-laws was discussed. Since several members had not adequately reviewed the existing by-laws it was decided, upon motion duly made, seconded and carried, that further disucssion would be tabled until the next meeting. Preparation of a Planning Commission Member Job Description was discussed. Harold Nilsen was of the opinion that the Zoning Ordinance 64 is complete and succinct enough. Al Stefanson circulated a draft which he had prepared and which appeared to meet with the preliminary approval of most Planning Commission Members. Since the Commission had not had the opportunity to review the draft it was decided, upon motion duly made, seconded and carried, that further action would be tabled until the next meeting. Jerry Wallin gave a report to the Commission on the California Supreme • Court Decision upholding the San Diego Sign Ordinance provided to the members at an earlier meeting. Carl Dale suggested that some consideration be given to the City of Wayzata Sign Ordinance which was recently upheld by the Minnesota Supreme Court. Dewan Barnes agreed to request a copy from the City of Wayzata and Jerry Wallin will attempt to obtain the Supreme Court Opinion for discussion. MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 7,1980 PAGE 3 Jerry Wallin reported that the California Supreme Court had decided that the San Diego Ordinance restricting land use is valid under the police power if it has a real or substantial relation to the public health, safety, morals or general welfare of the community. The Court further decided that an Ordinance which eliminates billboards designed to be viewed from streets and highways reasonably relates to traffic safety. The California Court also went on to say that even if the principal purpose of the Ordinance banning off site outdoor advertising display signs is not to promote traffic safety but rather to improve the appearance of the Community, that purpose would fall within the City's authority under the police power. In view of the comments made by the University of Minnesota. Representatives to the effect that the University did not have any plans to change the use of the land it owns to other than something agricultural, it was decided that no formal report would be necessary on the legality of "reversionary interest" in Minnesota. Upon a motion duly made, seconded and carried the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted,