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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMin_84Oct1. MINUTES PLANNING CUMMI~SION MEETING OCTOBER 1, 1984 The Planning Commission meeting was called to order on October 1, 1984 at 7:35 P.M. by Chairman Al Stefanson. Stefanson, Trent-Sullivan, Wallin, Chenoweth, Black and Grittner. Also PRESENT present was Council Liaison Chestovich. Mead, Olson and Nielsen. AB~NT Member Trent-Sullivan moved, seconded by Member .Wallin, that the MINUTES Minutes of September 4, 1984 be approved with, thefollowing corrections: 9/4/84 page 1, paragraph it, last sentence should read--see "item 94"; page 1, APP1t~OVED paragraph 5, line 13 should read "discussions with Ramsey County"; page 2, va~°iance (1) should read as follows: "Chairman 5tefanson moved approval of the six inch A5 C02tHECTEI setback along the east and west end of the north side (rear) of the building next to the alley with the condition that snow removal from the alley be the responsibility of the developer. Member Olson seconded the motion and upon a vote being taken was approved unanimously." Page 2, variance .(2), line 2, should read "spaces be designated to be nine feet"; and page 3, paragraph 3, line 1, the name should read "M.W. ;3ossard". Motion carried. Chenoweth abstained. Member Chenoweth moved, seconded by Member Grittner, that the September 17, • 1984 Minutes be approved as presented. Motion carried. Wallin abstained. W.M. Bossard reviewed his plans for a proposed four-plex at 1899 West Larpenteur Avenue which showed a deck that would connect the existing house, which would"be converted to a two-p1ex, to the new structure, which would be comprised of a building on the lower level to accommodate parking for five vehicles with a second story that would contain another two-p1ex. There would be additional outisde parking for five vehicles. An area under the deck for small storage would be provided for, if possible. Considerable discussion ensued regarding fire safety codes at which time Mr. Bossard indicated that two exits would be provided for in each dwelling. Member Chenoweth also expressed concern over the safety of the deck should a fire occur and Mr. 3ossard indicated that he would assure that the materials used in the deck construction would be of a material that is fire retardant. Member Chenoweth questioned whether approval had been obtained from the abutting neighbors and Mr. Bossard advised that he had not obtained written approval but would work with the. owner of the vacant lot to the north so that appropriate screening and landscaping would be provided. Member Wallin stated that whenever you add to an existing building, it has to be done carefully to avoid getting the "tacked-on" appearance. Although the land area permits the R-4 density, it should be kept in mind that • it was originally developed as a single family residence. He felt that the conversion to a four-plex is constrained and not in keeping with a tasteful development in the City of Falcon Heights. It would be better 9/17/84 MINUTES APPkOYEll VAttIANCE REQUEST FROM w .M. BOSSAND, 1899 WEST LARPENTEUk MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION AiEETING OCTOBEK 1, 198l~ PAGE 2 to tear down the existing structure and start over again. Member Chenoweth agreed with Member Wallin and felt that the conversion. as presented, considering the restraints of the structure placement on the lot, would not be in the best interests of the citizens of Falcon Heights in the R-1~ district. Member Wallin also pointed out that approval of Mr. Bossard~s request sets particular policy for'the Planning Commission to act on variances when a rather sketchy plan is presented. The Planning Commission is responsible to the citizens of the City. Chairman Stefanson advised that the area is zoned R-~ but Member Wallin stated that dust because the property is zoned R-!~ does not mean it should be developed to the maximum. After further discussion regarding the ad3ustment of the placement of the DARIANCE second structure on t,'~e lot to configure it to line up with the existing APPKODAL structure, Don Grittner moved, seconded by Member ,Slack, to approve the following variances; (1) lot size less than the 12,500 square feet required to be apgrox:imately 10,000 qua,re feet; (2) parking spaces can be located two feet from the rear lot line; and (3) variance from the ten required feet to eight feet on the-.east with the overall new addition to not exceed !t4 feet overall length. Upon a vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Grittner, Stefanson, Trent-Sullivan, and Slack, and the following voted against the same: Chenoweth and Wallin. Motion carried. Mr. Bossard was instructed to match the outer exteriors as much as possible to provide overall unity, • Member Grittner moved, seconded by Member Trent-Sullivan, that the conditional CONDITIONAL use for changing the use of the property from a single family dwelling to a U~; multiple dwelling be approved. Upon a vote being taken, the following voted APP2tODAL in favor thereof: Grittner, Stefanson, Trent-Sullivan, and Black, and the following voted against the same: Chenoweth and Wallin. Motion carried. Brad Lemberg, Bonestroo, Anderlik and Associates, advised that Bradford Schools. is proposing purchase of the remainder (5.1~ acres) of the Hawkins property. He presented Chris Seigle, Bradford Schools, James Zillman, President of the Minneapolis Business College, Bob Russek from the Bonestroo firm and Robyn Hanson, Attorney, Briggs and Morgan. Mr. Seigle advised that Bradford Schools is interested in the purchase of the Hawkins property for the development of amini-campus. He advised that Bradford Schools consists of twelve business colleges which offer post-secondary business training emphasizing concentrated programs in the field of secretarial science, accounting and retailing. Each school is autonomous of each other. Bradford Schools is particularly interested in the property because of the location of the residential property in the rear and commercial property in the front, which would provide a proper mix for their campus type atmosphere. Mr. Zillman presented background data dated September, 198l~ indicating that the Minneapolis School of Business has been in existence for 109 years. They wish amore central location between Minneapolis and St. Paul. Their courses run from between 10-12 months with tuition in the area of $5,150. • They presently have 15U students enrolled and they expect to grow by 50 students each year for a four year period to total 1100 students (plus 35 BKADFOxD SCHOOLS PROP05AI, TO PUkCHASE HAwKINS PROP~;RTY MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION t~TING OCTOBER 1, 1984 PAGE 3 teachers and maintenance). The students attendance is recorded, and. BRADFORD dress code required. They provide life-time placement and refresher SCHOOLS course privileges. The townhouses will contain a resident director, (contd.) who will be a full-time employee ,dc°~ho will enforce the rules and regulations (mandatory curfew) as well as provide counseling. Most students-go home for the weekends. The townhouses will provide housing for females only, no alcohol and all rules will be strictly enforced. If a student does not comply, he would be asked to leave with no reimbursement, which they feel provides an incentive to follow the rules. Townhouses rent will cost $2,200 to $2,600 non-refundable. The curriculum is very concentrated with 5-6 hours spent in the classroom each day with homework. Ninety percent of the students graduate. Each apartment in the townhouse will contain a living room, dining room, small kitchen and 1-3/It bath. Two girls will share an apartment. The buildings will be air conditioned and completely furnished. Approximately 1,000 square .feet will comprise each unit. The classroombuilding will be 20,000 square feet either on one level or a two-level with 10,000 square feet on each 1.eve1. Parking has been planned for approximately 300 cars with expansion possible with lower grades so that an upper level could be added. MTC is considering extension of the bus line to Cleveland Avenue. Mr. Russek presented written schematic site planning information and reviewed the four possible schemes for classroom building and townhouse placement and pointed out the advantages and disadvantages for each. He indicated that at this time phase one would encompass three townhouses and the classroom . building. If financing is obtained (plans are to apply for industrial revenue bonds issued by the City) construction could begin the summer of 1985 with occupancy by March of 1986. It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that the scheme for the site IN FAVOK OF was well thought out, they liked the phasing between residential and CONCEPT commercial and most preferred scheme #~ with the classroom facing Prior due to better traffic circulation, easier expansion for additional parking if needed and the best layout for the mini-campus. Putting the townhouses next to the R-1 property was especially desirable. After further discussion, Member Grittner moved, seconded by Member Chenoweth, that the Planning Commission was in favor of the concept. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman 5tefanson presented the amendments to the Zoning Ordinances which are correctly referred to as Ordinances 208 and 209. Next Planning Commission meeting scheduled for November 5, 198t~ at 7:00 P.M. NEXT MTG. with a Public Hearing on the Lido Cafe expansion at 8:00 P.M. 11/5/84 Member Chenoweth moved, seconded by Member Wallin to adjourn the meeting ADJOUT~Il~1T at 9:53 P.M. Motion carried unanimously. Q~~ J rry W llin, Secretary •