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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMin_80Jul23MINUTES PLANNING COM~~SSZON ~'UBI,IC HEARING ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN JULY 23, 1980 • The Meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. by Planning Commission Chairman, Les Larsen. Also present were Al Stefanson, Erma Olson, Harold Nilsen, and Jerry Wallin. A quorum being present, the Public Hearing proceeded. Les Larsen made a preliminary announcement of the stated purpose and a brief introduction that the Public Hearing was being held pursuant to notice distributed via the last previous Falcon Heights Newsletter. He explained to those. attending the meeting what had gone into the preparation of the Comprehensive Plan, then introduced Carl Dale and turned the meeting over to Mr. Dale for further dis- cussion. It was noted that notice of the Hearing was published in the official paper. Mr. Dale utilized the three page summary of findings, conclusions and recommendations prepared by him at the request of the Planning Commission for the purpose of conduct- ing the Public Hearing discussion. A copy of that summary is attached to these minutes. After completing the general discussion from the summary, Mr. Dale advised of an additional recommended ammendment to the Comprehensive Plan: That being, that street address number sizes be specified as part of the recommended ordinances to be adopted pursuant to the plan. He further recommended that a December, 1981 target date be established for changing ordinances. to conform to the Plan. as it is expected to be adopted. The Public Hearing was then opened for comments from those attending. John • Labalestra, 1433 W. California, asked for a clarification of the Plan language which discusses annexing additional parcels. Carl Dale explained that that language meant there was to be no splitting up of Falcon Heights, as it present- ly exists, to be annexed to other communities. Mr. Labalestra also commented favorably about keeping the residential character of the City and also commented that he felt more parking than was shown on the commercial business district concept plan would be needed. Next, Bill Brown, 1808 Asbury, requested a more detailed explanation of the maps which accompanied the Comprehensive Plan text. Carl Dale responded to this request to the apparent satisfaction of Mr. Brown. There were no other comments by those attending the Meeting therefore, accord- ingly, a motion was made by Erma Olson, seconded by Al Stefanson, that the suggested Planning Commission Resolution adopting the 1980 Comprehensive:Munr- cipal Plan prepared by Carl Dale be adopted. The vote was unanimously in favor of adopting the suggested Resolution. Accordingly, the Resolution was signed by Chairman Les Larsen and attested to by herald E. Wallin. A copy of that Resolution is attached to these minutes. There being no other business to come before the Public Hearing, a motion was made to adjourn, which was duly seconded and carried. Respectfully submitted, rry llin, Secretary /,: ~_ .,~ -u a~ - . .... 4 9 °'' City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota Planning Commission Reso]_ut.on Adopting the 1980 Comprehensive Municipal Plan WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Land Planning Act requires local governmental units to prepare comprehensive plans and submit them to the City Council, adjacent communities, the School District, the County, and the Metropolitan Council for review; and WHEREAS, this plan has been prepared by the Planning Commission with assistance from a professional City Planner in response to the requirements of the. Metropolitan Land Planning Act; and WHEREAS, this plan represent the present judgement of the Planning Commission as tothe needs and desires of the Community for environmental development and ma.i.ntenance; and WHEREAS, this plan has heen presented, considered, and discussed at a public hearing with required legal notice; Be it hereby resolved by the Planning Commission of the City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota that the Comprehensive Municipal Plan as amended and dated, this 23rd day of July, 1980 is hereby adopted and the Chairman is authorized to officially transmit a copy to the City Council for its review and consideration. Adopted by the Planning Commission of Falcon Heights, Minnesota this 23rd day of July, 1.980 5 L' `~--~-~- ~ ~------ (Cha"rman) (Attest) • Planning Commission PliBLIC HEARING, July 23, 1980 PROPOSED UPDATING QF COMPREHIsNSIVIs h1UNIC1_f'~tiL PLAN o1 Falcon Heights, Minncsoti ~s P.equired by Provisions of the Metr_opol_itan Land Planning Act ~ SliMT~iARY OF FINDINGS, Ct)NCT,[JSIONS AND R} COMMF.NUATIONS Background iti'hile formal Community planning efforts date back to at least 19!+9, Falcon Heights does not now have an up-to-date comprehensive plan for future development nor environmental maintenance. This current plan- ning effort is intended to bring Local planning up-to-date and aise t, comply with legal_ rec{uirement.s for tucal community planning; and ac~~~~a. <.nother purpose of this planning effort is an attempt to arrive at a consensus as to environmental_ needs for the future. In short, an at- tempt to describe what Falcon Heights should be like yin future years. s an aid to this process, two citizen surveys were conducted to h-~ln list the likes, dislikes with respect to the Community environmer.`~ anc'_ to obtain comments and suggestions for improvement over the coming ~:2ars. hork on the proposed City Plan has been conducted by the. Planning Com- mission over the past two years with assistance from a Planning Consultant Summar~° of Findings and Conclusions Falcon Heights has some unique features including a highlZ~ di~~rersi~ied population, major land areas in l~ub tic ~is~, (U, of M. and State Fair~~~ , residential areas in generally excc~ lent condition in sharp contrast - to commercial area deterioration, and rl "rural" atmoshert~ in an urba:. setting. Other significant bindings are: 1. 'There are negative en vi.ron.menta.l. fa~~tors whi_cli could lead to h_,usi:,g deterioration in the f-utur_e.. 2. Population numbers have been rather stable in Falcon Heights since 1960; preliminary 1980 Census data i.n<lic.ates a current population of only about 5,200 persons which is also the 'Metropolitan Council projection for population in the. year 2000. It is essential t't~at the City takes steps to assure a ftit~irc: population of over 5,000 persons to remain in a sound public fl.nancial condition. I°funicipai State Aid and other f.nanc.ial grants-in-a:id will be lost if popula- tion drops below the 5,000 person marls. 3. The Universitti wil_1. maintain the currant use of the various farms. land plots within the foreseeable future thus assuring a continues "open, green space" atmosphere. 'I'bis does mean, however, that on 1-: about 24 acres of private, vacant land remains for residential_ and other developments (approx. 7 commer~~ial acres and 1] residentl~i~. 4. Zoning regulations and certain other codes and ordinances are not up-to-date, in total. compllanc.e, with new State requirements, nor adequate for current environmenta:L protection and improvement needs. 5. While existing land use patterns anti traffic. circulation feat~.~re are far from ideal, improvements can be mz.de to the living environment. _, 6. Provisions for pedestrian and bike circulation arc, for the most part, inadequate and even hazardous _n some areas. 7. Detailed and localizc,d im rovements can be made to the environment P that will give the Community a greater sense of identity, help main- -1- _. "fain civic pride, mprrv~~ the. "r~uatit_y of life", end promote citizen participation in local planning and governmental affairs. Policy and Goals Environmental goals and i.mplcmentation ;~~~1_icies are. important considera- tions. Basic proposals arcs: 1. Maintain the. "small Lown" or "vi_lagc" atmosphci-e and environment as a "good place in which to raise a family". 2. Take specific actions as required t~~ improve the commercial aromas as-well-as other aspects of thc~ local environment as needed. 3. Set priorities for spec:i.fic actions to be taken; those involving public expenditures will be developed via the long-range (5 year) Capital Improvement Program and Budgeting process now required b~: law. 4. All developments sha:11 be brought up to and maintained at the same high standards for environmental excellence as expected of housing. Basic City Plan Recommendations 1 Care must be taken to presc~rvc land for residential_ de_veiop;nent ::c~- quate to 3ssurc~ a future popuJ~~t.ion ui ac least `;,000 parsons ii~r future public financial_ security; this need is more important than potential tax revenues from new or c~xpancled commercial develonme.t. 2. Steps must be taken to assure the. future attractiveness of the Cit~: as a "good place in which to raise r_r fam:ily". Essentially, this calls for maintaining as environment <is free as possible from conflicts, • hazards, noise, insecurity, crime, vandalism, strife, and other "irritations" that are a major cause of population migratier.. 3. Local government action is required to promote and assist co^:mercial Viand owners in renovation and c~nvironmental_ improvement programs.. Plans and implementation procedures are contained in the City Plan. =+. In addition to new and up-to-date zoning regulations, ether City Code needs ma~~ include sign regulation:>, solar access protection, air space and quality controls, on-site sanitary disposal and treatment, wetlands protection and others. ~1 series of "performance standards" should be included in new coning regulations dealing with environ- mental elements such as swimming pooJ.s, exterior lighting, and others. 5. Future improvement needs have been outlined ~in a }>re.Liminarv Long- Range Capital improvement Program and Budget a.Long with cost esti- mates and suggested year of =implementation; some of these needs are: a) New City Hall and hire Station; b) Detailed plans for local neighborhood recreation facilities and improvements over a period of years; c) Feasibility study and morc:~ de.tai.l_ed and complete plans for commercial area renovation and improvement; d; Detailed plans and priorities for gradual :improvement of the. pedestrian and bike circulation systems over coming years; e) Storm drainage improve- ments; f) Street repairs and upgrading with curb and gutter; g) cars, trucks, and equipment; and h) Utilities and street lights. 5. ?`fuch greater attention must be paid to the details of the environ- • ment than in the past; .for example, very few existing parking lots and commercial uses have proper. screening and buffering from adjacent and nearby homes. Details arc important to long-range environmental improvement and maintenance; specific suggestions are noted in the Pla -2- v Actions Required for P1_an Tr~lemintation 1. Following the public hearing, the City flan as proposed or an amended version thereof should be ~~rdopted by resolution of the Planning Commission. `'. The Plan, as adopted by the }Tanning Commis ion, should be officially submitted to the City Council for. its consideration. The City Council should adopt a resolution noting that the Plan has been received but not yet approved by that public body. 3. Following receipt of review comments (from adjacent communities, the County and School District) ur elapse of a si_s month time aeriod allowed for review, the Plan for Falcon Heights along with the adopted resolutions should bc~ submitted for review by the TSetro- politan Council. 4. Lpon receipt of review comments and suggestions from the Ietropeli- tan Council, the City Council may adopt the Plan or an amended version thereof as it deems appropriate and in the public interest. ~. Actions should then proceed on fina7_ preparation, conduct of public hearings, and adoption of var.i<,,us needed and required codes and ordinances as noted herein based upon consultation with and advice from the City Attorney. Some immediate considerations for implementation action are as follows: 1. Appoint and instruct the various "task forces" as recommended which may consist only of about two to sip: persons each for the following assignments: a) Commercial area renovation and improvement. b) Capital improvement programming rind budgeting (refinements, augmentation, setting priori_t.ies). c) Public lands and circulation. (ti. of M. State Fair, traffic .and pedestrian needs, storm writer, improved lines of communi- cation, and other responsibilities) d) Housing (general environment, po~pul~ition numbers and character- istics, rehabilitation, recreation needs, costs, availability). e) :yew and amended Codes and Ordinances. ?. Begin the suggested process f.or improvement and renovation of existing commercial areas. 3. Review in detail the various comments and suggestions received from citizens (contained in Appendix to City Plan report). Some deal with "non-planning" matters but all relate to local govern- ment concerns and the "quality o£ life" observed and desired. 4. Proceed with development of nc.w ~3nd amended Codes and Ordinances with advice and assistance fromthe C.i_ty Attorni°y but await any official adoption proceedings until comm~:nts and suggestions are received from the Metropolitan Council; the final target date for • adoption of new ordinances has. been suggested as December, 1981. Existing Situation The Planning Consultant is preparing suggested code and ordinance revi- sions for consideration by the City Attorney and others. The proposed City Plan is now being reviewed by adjacent communities, the County, and School District. -3- .' i• i• TABLE OF CONTENTS (For Complete Falcon lieig}its City Plan Document) Cover Preface Part I. INTRODUCTION A. Historical Background B. Purpose C. Scope Part II. LAND USE PLAN A. Inventory 1. Population 2. Employment 3. Public Finance 4. Housing 5. Physical Features 6. Land Use a) Community b) Commercial and Other Non-ResidE~ntial c) Historic Sites B. Policy Plan 1. Land iJse a) Goals b) Policy c) Standards d) Land Use Plan 2. Protection Open Spa~~.c 3. University of Minnesota Area and State Fairgrounds 4. Housing 5. Existing Commercial Districts 6. Air Space Controls 7. Historical Sites and Buildings 8. Solar Protection Part IIZ. FACILITIES PLAN A. Inventory 1. Transportation 2. Recreation Open Space 3. Utilities 4. Community Facilities ~ y • B. Policy Plan 1. Transportation 2. Waste Management 3. Parks, Open Space, Community Facilities Part IV. IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM A. Inventory B. Programs 1. Official Controls 2. Capital Improvements 3. Housing Part V. ADOPTION - PLAN AND OFFICIAL CONTROLS ~. Citizen Planning Questionnaire Survey Results (Part I) B. Citizen Planning Questionnaire Survey Results (Part II} C. :taps and Graphics D. Others as May be Appropriate Listing of Maps and Graphics Ava:Labte Comprehensive Mun:icipa.l. flan Part I. General Part II. More specific notes, issues, details Commercial Area Improvement~Renovat:ion Concept Plan Existing Land Use Existing Zoning (Proposed coning not. yet completed). Street Improvement P1_an (Capital improvement Program) Storm Drainage Plan Accident Locations Traffic Flow Existing Parks, Recreat..ion, Open Space Street Designations and I?unct:ional Classifications Existing Utilities Bus Routes