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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03_0326City of Falcon Heights Planning Commission Minutes March 26, 2003 Chair Tom Lageson called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. PRESENT: DeLeo, Lageson, Lukermann, Maher, Heideman, Ryan. Also present were Heather Worthington, City Administrator, and Deb Jones, Zoning and Planning Coordinator. ABSENT: Harris, Ziebarth, Tracy, Alternate Commissioner Middleton, Council Liaison Lindstrom The minutes of the February 26, 2003, meeting were approved. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE S.E. CORNER REDEVELOPMENT P.U.D. Chair Lageson opened the public hearing. City Administrator Worthington presented the proposal for the P.U.D. Noting that the City has been working on this project for three years, Ms. Worthington said that this evenings object is to seek Planning Commission approval of the rezoning ordinance for the whole SE Corner parcel. The Commissioners have reviewed the site plan plus preliminary plans for the multi-family unit and the senior unit; plans for the townhomes will be reviewed in April. The Planning Commission had also had the opportunity to review an evaluation by consultant Dan Cornejo and a report from the CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) department of St. Paul. No members of the public were present to speak. Commissioner Lukermann asked if the idea of reorienting the front porch steps on the Arona side of the senior building came from the City or the developer. Ms. Worthington said the idea was Dan Cornejo's, and that the City could suggest it. She said it is within the City's purview to make such recommendations. Sherman Associates has been very cooperative on the changes. Commissioner Maher pointed out that the floor plan for the multi-family building shows the largest apartments, which are most likely to house children, are the farthest from the elevator. Ms. Worthington said Staff will bring this up with the developer. In response to a related question from Commissioner Lageson she confirmed there is only one set of elevators, but they are closer to the midpoint of the building than one end. The City did ask that the lobby be reoriented to improve traffic flow and security. Commissioner Lukermann wanted to know if there would be chutes for rubbish disposal, or will tenants have to carry their trash down to the basement. Staff will find out. Commissioner Lageson asked if there are sufficient fire exits. Ms. Worthington said that is part of the building code review, which is not yet complete. Commissioner Ryan asked if a discrepancy concerning surface materials mentioned in Mr. Cornejo's report had been resolved. If not, said Ms. Worthington, it will be worked out. Staff will proceed on the basis of the two reports and any concerns brought up by the Commission. Commission Ryan also brought up something that had been mentioned in an earlier public meeting, the possibility of charging a fee (in addition to rent) for parking space in the multi-family. He and other commissioners expressed concern that this would encourage tenants to park on the street or in the surface lot to save money, and this would have a negative impact on the neighborhood. Ms. Worthington replied that there had been discussion of making any parking fees a required part of the rent and that this would be followed up with the developer. Sherman has been informed that on-street parking is not available, and there is plenty of parking on site. In response to a question from Commissioner Lukermann, Ms. Worthington said that the units that are set aside as "affordable" are permanently designated (at least, for 30 years) and that monitoring this is a state responsibility, as the money to fund these units comes from the state. Commissioner Ryan commented that the six foot fence along the south perimeter recommended by the CPTED report seems to cut off access to Curtiss Field. He wondered what the neighbors on Idaho think of this fence. Ms. Worthington said that staff will meet with those residents to find out their preference on fencing options. The security concern is with having a "pass through" at the east and west ends of the south side of the property, allowing people who don't live there to congregate in the holding pond area. The fence is needed to control access to this landscaped area but not be a visual barrier. One option that has worked well elsewhere is an anodized aluminum fence that looks like wrought iron. Access to Curtiss Field will be the pedestrian walk along Snelling Avenue, which will be better than the existing service drive. Commission Heideman expressed concern about safety hazards that might be posed by the detention pond when it is filled. Ms. Worthington replied that the pond is meant to be an interceptor for storm water on the way to the Curtiss Field pond. There are flat roofs in the development that will hold some water, but on the whole the plan represents less impervious service than existing. The slope to the pond is very gradual. It will be dry most of the time. Under heaviest runoff (100 year storm), the pond should remain flooded only 8 hours. The Curtiss field pond has not been well maintained and is not functioning well. It will be dredged and improved. The pond on the SE Corner site is not expected to be a safety hazard. This issue was raised early on and has been taken seriously by the City and the developer. There being no further questions or comments, the hearing was closed. CONSIDERATION OF THE P.U.D. DeLeo moved, Heideman seconded a motion to approve the P.U.D. In the following discussion, Commissioner Ryan asked if the final plat will come before the Commission. Ms. Worthington said no, there will be final plat that will go to the council; the preliminary plat has gone to the County. The question was called. Motion carried. The recommendation for approval of the P.U.D. will go to the Council. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. Commissioner Heideman said that the Fully Developed Communities Group is on hold because of the uncertainties in the State budget. Further action will not come until the legislature adjourns. Part of the dilemma is how the inner suburbs should position themselves, with the inner cities or with the suburbs. Commissioner Lukermann asked about the trail through the Grove (The Old Trolley Trail) in reference to an article in the St. Anthony Park Bugle. Ms. Worthington said that the City has applied for a grant to improve the trail. The community will be fully involved when the time comes to work on that plan. In response to another questions from Ms. Lukermann, Ms. Worthington affirmed that there is a plan to work with the St. Anthony Park neighborhood on buckthorn this coming fall. Most of the buckthorn in Falcon Heights is in the Grove. More information on this effort will be coming. Commissioner Lageson asked if anything more has been heard about biolab enterprise at T.I.E.S. Ms. Worthington said there has been no word from them. If it comes up, some zoning changes will be required. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Deborah Jones, Staff Liaison