HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 11-10-10
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the City Council City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue AGENDA November 10, 2010 A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM B. ROLL CALL: LINDSTROM ____ HARRIS
____ GOSLINE ____ LONG ____ MERCER-TAYLOR ____ MILLER ____ C. PRESENTATIONS: 1. Jerry Hromatka, Northwest Youth and Family Services D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 27, 2010 E. PUBLIC
HEARINGS: F. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. General Disbursements through 11/4/10: $121,368.40 Payroll through 10/28/10: $13,973.67 2. City License Application 3. Recognition of 2010 Adopt-a-Crop
Participants 4. Community Garden Special Revenue Fund 203 Budget Amendment G: POLICY ITEMS: 1. Approval of the City’s Housing Action Plan 2. Paint the Pavement Update H. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS:
I. COMMUNITY FORUM: J. ADJOURNMENT:
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the City Council City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue AGENDA October 27, 2010 A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM B. ROLL CALL: LINDSTROM _X_ HARRIS
_X_ GOSLINE _X_ LONG _X_ MERCER-TAYLOR _X_ MILLER _X_ C. PRESENTATIONS: D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 22, 2010 Approved E. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Change of Billing Structure for Sanitary
Sewer Charges No Action Public Present: Gary Kwong 1700 Fry St. 2. Property Abatement Assessment – 1825 Pascal St. Keith Gosline Moved Approval 5-0 Public Present: None F. CONSENT AGENDA:
Chuck Long Moved 1. General Disbursements through 10/19/10: $332,627.36 Approval 5-0 Payroll through 10/15/10: $29,482.23 2. City License Applications 3. Approve new firefighter personnel
G: POLICY ITEMS: H. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS: I. COMMUNITY FORUM: Mary Bekele 1726 Fry J. ADJOURNMENT: 7:40p.m.
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ Meeting Date November 10, 2010 Agenda Item Consent F1 Attachment General Disbursements and Payroll Submitted
By Roland Olson, Finance Director The City That Soars! Item General Disbursements and Payroll Description General Disbursements through 11/4/10: $121,368.40 Payroll through 10/28/10:
$13,973.67 Budget Impact Attachment(s) General Disbursements and Payroll Action(s) Requested Staff recommends that the Falcon Heights City Council approve general disbursements and payroll.
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ Meeting Date November 10, 2010 Agenda Item Consent F2 Attachment N/A Submitted By Michelle Tesser, Assistant
to the City Administrator The City That Soars! Item City License Applications Description The following individuals have applied for a Mechanical Contractor’s License for 2010. Staff
has received the necessary documents for licensure. 1. Schwantes Heating & Air, Inc. N/A Attachment(s) N/A Action(s) Requested Staff recommends that the Falcon Heights City Council approve
the 2010 City License Applications.
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ Meeting Date November 10, 2010 Agenda Item Consent F3 Attachment N/A Submitted By Justin Miller, City
Administrator The City That Soars! Item Recognition of 2010 Adopt-a-Crop Participants Description Earlier this year the city council and environment commission initiated an “Adopta-Crop”
program. This idea was brought forth by local resident Joni Fletty who started a similar program at her place of business. Residents were encouraged to bring their excess fruits and
vegetables to city hall where staff would weigh the donations and then deliver them to a local food shelf. The results for this year far exceeded initial expectations. The amount donated
by individuals this year include: Ivan Marier 988.5 lbs Tom and Kathy Staffa 568 lbs Marilyn Korbach 30 lbs Anonymous 23 lbs Anne Holzman 21 lbs Angie Hoffman-Walter 19.5 lbs Peter and
Nicole Lindstrom 16.25 lbs James Darabi 14 lbs Susan Timming 10.5 lbs Andrea Rice 9 lbs Maddie Savage 8 lbs Kris Grangaard 6.5 lbs TOTAL 1714.25 lbs Types of produce donated included
corn, squash, tomatoes, zucchini, carrots, peppers, and many others. All of the food was taken to Keystone Community Food shelves in Roseville and St. Paul. Budget Impact N/A Attachment(s)
None
Action(s) Requested No action is required. This is being provided simply as an update to the council and to provide recognition of the people who generously donated to this cause.
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ Meeting Date November 10, 2010 Agenda Item Consent F4 Attachment Submitted By Roland Olson, Finance Director
The City That Soars! Item Community Garden Special Revenue Fund 203 Budget Amendment Description There was an additional expense of $407 in the Community Garden Special Revenue Fund
which was not originally budgeted. Additional signs were needed to remind the public that the garden products produced in the community garden was the property of the garden participants,
not visitors to the park. Budget Impact Increase the supply budget of the community garden by $500 to allow for this additional expenditure. Attachment(s) NA Action(s) Requested Staff
recommends increasing the supply budget by $500 to allow for the increased signage expenditure and allow additional room for any small expenditure needed before the end of the year for
the community garden.
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ Meeting Date November 10, 2010 Agenda Item Policy G1 Attachment Housing Action Plan 2011-2020 for the
Livable Communities Act Submitted By Deb Jones, Zoning & Planning Director The City That Soars! Item Approval of the City’s Housing Action Plan Description In order to continue its participation
in the Livable Communities Act Local Housing Incentives Account from 2011 to 2010, the City must submit by December 1, 2010, a Housing Action Plan outlining the steps the City will take
to meet the LCA goals that were adopted in Resolution 10-11 on July 28, 2010. Background Falcon Heights previously elected to be a participant in the voluntary LCA LHIA program in order
to compete for grants and loans supporting activities helping the city meet its affordable and life cycle housing goals and to support demonstration projects linking jobs, housing and
transit. LCA LHIA money was part of the funding that made possible the development of Falcon Heights Town Square at the southeast corner of Snelling and Larpenteur. The city’s previously
adopted affordable and life cycle housing goals were negotiated with the Metropolitan Council for the period 1996-2010. In order to continue participation and be eligible for funding
opportunities from 2011 to 2020, Falcon Heights must establish new affordable and life cycle housing goals for the next decade. The city has already acknowledged its share of the region’s
affordable housing need in the recently adopted 2030 Comprehensive Plan Update. There are two remaining steps to be eligible for LCA LHIA funding for 2011-2020: 1. By September 1, 2010,
pass a resolution officially adopting the goal ranges recommended by the Metropolitan Council (based on the comprehensive plan) – This resolution was passed by the City Council on July
28, 2010, and forwarded to the Metropolitan Council. 2. By December 1, 2010, submit an action plan outlining the steps the city will take to help meet its LCA goals. The Housing Action
Plan can be taken from the City’s Comprehensive Plan Update. A draft action plan has adapted by staff from the housing section of the comprehensive plan, with additional content describing
action that has been taken or is in progress. Budget Impact None at present
Attachment(s) City of Falcon Heights Housing Action Plan 2011-2020 for the Livable Communities Act (draft) Action(s) Requested Approve the action plan for submission to the Metropolitan
Council
HOUSING ACTION PLAN City of Falcon Heights 2011-2020 INTRODUCTION On July 28, 2010, the Falcon Heights City Council unanimously adopted a resolution electing to continue participation
in the Local Housing Incentives account program under the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act, effective 2011 through 2020. In the resolution the Council also formally adopted goals
for affordable (14 – 21 units) and life-cycle (20 to 50) housing and pledged to submit an action plan to achieve these goals. The City of Falcon Heights hereby offers the housing section
of its comprehensive plan as its Housing Action Plan to meet its housing goals. The comprehensive plan was adopted in 2009 following approval by the Metropolitan Council. In its plan
the City evaluated existing housing and neighborhoods, assessed future needs and articulated the steps to be taken to meet housing needs over the next 20 years. In particular the policy
points on pages 12-13 will be applied as action items. The final section of this document is an outline of changes that have taken place since the comprehensive plan was written and
steps the city has already taken toward the goals stated in the plan. Note: Tables and Maps retain their original numbers from the Comprehensive Plan. The complete plan update can be
read at http://archive.ci.falcon-heights.mn.us/compplan2008/City of Falcon Heights – Housing Action Plan 2010 Page 1 of 15
FALCON HEIGHTS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2030 HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOODS The City of Falcon Heights is primarily a residential community dominated by modest, well-maintained single family homes
built in the mid-20th century. Slightly less than a third of the total residential units are apartments, for which there is a constant demand because of proximity to the University of
Minnesota. About 15% of the City’s housing is in a student housing cooperative on the university campus. FALCON HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOODS The geographical barriers of major roads, open fields,
fairground and campus give the neighborhoods of Falcon Heights clearly defined identities. The neighborhoods are also distinguished by age and type of housing, and by typical lot size.
North of Larpenteur and east of Snelling. This neighborhood, sometimes called the “Northeast Quadrant,” is the largest in the city. It is characterized by ramblers and ranchstyle homes
built from the 1930s to about 1960, on deep lots of typically about 10,000 square feet. Streets are straight and connected, primarily north/south; most blocks do not have sidewalks or
alleys. Older homes on deeper, more heavily wooded lots are concentrated along Hamline and the east end of Larpenteur. South of Larpenteur and east of Snelling. Traditionally called
Northome, this neighborhood is characterized by one-and-a-half story homes built before the end of World War II and, west of Arona Street, ramblers built between 1945 and 1952. Most
lots are under 7,000 square feet. The houses face east-west streets laid out in a grid pattern. Most blocks have alleys and sidewalks. The neighborhood is similar to St. Paul’s Como
neighborhood to the south. Recently two large apartment buildings and fourteen townhomes were added to this neighborhood at Falcon Heights Town Square at the southeast corner of Larpenteur
and Snelling. North of Larpenteur and west of Snelling. This diverse neighborhood adjacent to university agriculture fields has a broad range of housing, including older homes on large
lots facing Snelling Avenue, a 1950s development of suburban ramblers, and a small complex of up-scale townhomes built in the 1990s. Lot sizes vary from about 10,000 square feet to over
25,000 square feet. There are no alleys and few sidewalks. A four-building apartment complex is located at Fry and Larpenteur. South of Larpenteur, Snelling to Fairview. Three apartment
complexes, interspersed with commercial properties and public land, stand on the south side of Larpenteur, west of Snelling and adjacent to the State Fairground and University fields.
Hollywood Court, a tiny single-street, one block neighborhood of homes built before 1950 on lots of about 7,000 square feet, is tucked in between the State Fair and the TIES building
at the southwest corner of Snelling and Larpenteur. Access to all of these residences is from Snelling or Larpenteur only. These residents are largely cut off from the other City neighborhoods
by these busy streets. City of Falcon Heights – Housing Action Plan 2010 Page 2 of 15
City of Falcon Heights – Housing Action Plan 2010 Page 3 of 15 Fairview, Lindig and Tatum Streets. This area reflects the same kind of diversity seen in the neighborhood along the west
side of Snelling: individually built homes on large lots (10,000 – 53,000 square feet) on Fairview, Roselawn and Lindig and a development of post-World War II ramblers on 9,000 – 10,000
square foot lots along Tatum. The absence of sidewalks, the quiet location, and the “common back yard” identity of the unbuilt back lots north of the end of Lindig street reinforce the
semi-rural character these residents prize. Falcon Woods. With access only from Roselawn Avenue on the north, winding streets and wedge-shaped lots, this neighborhood has the most “suburban”
character in the city. The homes were built in two stages, the northern portion in the 1950s and the southern in the 1980s. Typical lots are about 10,000 square feet. Maple Court, a
complex of 24 attached condominium townhomes built in 1993, stands just to the south of Falcon Woods off Prior Avenue north of City Hall. Although this neighborhood has no sidewalks
along the residential streets, it is well provided with pedestrian connections to Prior and Larpenteur to the south and to Community Park on the west. University Grove. Located between
Hoyt Avenue and the University golf course, west of Cleveland Avenue, University Grove is a distinctive neighborhood originally intended for University faculty and staff. The Grove is
adjacent to St. Anthony Park, one of St. Paul’s most desirable neighborhoods. Homes in the Grove were built between the 1920s and the 1970s in a myriad of styles, each individually architect-designed
. Homeowners are lessees of their lots, which remain the property of the University of Minnesota, and properties are subject to neighborhood association governance as well as City zoning
code. The neighborhood features common green areas in the interiors of blocks, plenty of sidewalks and pedestrian paths, and a small neighborhood park. 1666 Coffman, a 92-unit condominium
apartment building for retired University employees stands at the north side of the neighborhood at Coffman and Larpenteur. Table 11: Housing Unit Mix -2007 Number of units % of total
Single-family, detached 1145 50.9% Single-family, attached * 71 3.2% Multi-Family 702 31.2% U of M Student Housing 331 14.7% TOTALS 2249 100% * Duplexes, triplexes and townhomes Table
12: Housing Tenure 1980 1990 2000 2006 Percent Owner Occupied 56.4% 59.5% 58.3% 54.0% Percent Renter Occupied 43.6% 40.5% 41.7% 46.0% Totals 100% 100% 100% 100%
Table 13: Residential Density in Falcon Heights Land Use Single Family # of Units Multi Family # of Units Acres Gross Resid. Acres Wetland & water bodies Acres Public Parks & Open Space
Acres Arterial Roads ROW Acres Other Undeveloped land* Net Residential Acres H=C-D-E-F-G Net Density Units/Acre (A+B)/H A B C D E F G H Agricultural 0 0 0 0 Single Family Residential
1145 270.34 270.34 4.236 Multi-Family Residential 0 985 59.21 59.21 16.64 Retail and Other Commercial 0 0 0 Office 0 0 0 Mixed Use 0 119 2.59 2.59 45.95 Institutional 0 0 0 Park, Recreational
or Preserve 0 0 0 0 Undeveloped 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 1145 1104 332.14 0 0 0 0 332.14 6.77 Acreage figures are from City GIS parcel data, not Metropolitan Council Land Use map; thus, land in
categories D, E, F, and G are already eliminated from the gross residential acreage Please see Appendix C: Falcon Heights Housing Profile in the Falcon Heights Comprehensive Plan (http://archive.ci.f
alcon-heights.mn.us/compplan2008/index.html) for additional detailed tables. City of Falcon Heights – Housing Action Plan 2010 Page 4 of 15
City of Falcon Heights – Housing Action Plan 2010 Page 5 of 15
EXISTING HOUSING IN FALCON HEIGHTS Falcon Heights Housing: Density, Condition, Value and Age The City is fully developed with single-family housing at net densities ranging from 2
to 6 units per acre. Existing multi-family housing ranges from 12 to 46 units per acre and is primarily located along Larpenteur Avenue. Overall, Falcon Heights exceeds the Metropolitan
Council’s 3 unit per acre benchmark. There is almost no private vacant land available for the development of new housing. The City's housing mix has remained remarkably stable but
home ownership has decreased from 59.5% in 1990 to 54.0% in 2007, primarily due to the addition of 175 rental apartments in Falcon Heights Town Square. Anecdotal evidence, mostly through
discussions with rental property owners, reflects a consistently low vacancy rate among rental properties. Housing quality is very good. According to the Ramsey County Department of
Records and Revenue, all housing was rated “Average” or better in 2006, except for 12 properties which were rated “Fair.” None were rated “Poor.” Housing values remain strong. In 2000,
median value of a single-family, owner-occupied home was $161,400 compared to a median value of $126,400 in Ramsey County. In 2006, the median value was $273,100, with 90% of owner-occupied
housing valued above $214,500. Nearly half of the housing stock (45.5%) was built between 1950 and 1969. Only 17.7% has been built since 1974. Approximately 15% of the City's housing
stock (excluding dormitory or group housing) is located on the University of Minnesota campus in Commonwealth Terrace. It is entirely under the jurisdiction of the University. Approximately
one third of the City's total housing is comprised of multi-family units. The City has 33 existing Section 8 subsidized housing units and no public or subsidized seniors housing. In
addition, students in Commonwealth Terrace must meet low income guidelines to qualify for student housing. Falcon Heights has two apartment buildings for senior citizens: 1666 Coffman
Street (condominium, 93 units) and 1530 Larpenteur Avenue (rental, 56 units). If there are constituencies whose housing needs are not being met, they are likely to be students or senior
citizens who want to remain in the community after they sell their homes. City of Falcon Heights – Housing Action Plan 2010 Page 6 of 15
City of Falcon Heights – Housing Action Plan 2010 Page 7 of 15
City of Falcon Heights – Housing Action Plan 2010 Page 8 of 15 Falcon Heights Homes by Value, 2007 Homes by value 2007 $129,900 -$214,200 $214,900 -$239,300 $239,500 -$251,300 $251,400
-$263,500 $263,600 -$272,900 $273,100 -$284,100 $284,200 -$297,300 $297,500 -$319,500 $319,600 -$363,300 $363,600 -$628,400 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2008 Data: Ramsey
County FIGURE 11
City of Falcon Heights – Housing Action Plan 2010 Page 9 of 15 Falcon Heights Homes by Year Constructed (1875 -2000) FIGURE 12 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2008 Homes by
Year Constructed 1875 -1886 1887 -1932 1933 -1939 1940 -1944 1945 -1952 1953 -1960 1961 -1969 1970 -1978 1979 -1987 1988 -2000 Data: Ramsey County
FUTURE DIRECTIONS Metropolitan Council forecasts predict the need for approximately 250 additional housing units, at least 21 of them affordable, in Falcon Heights by 2030. The challenge
for Falcon Heights will be to find room for this housing in a community that is fully developed with no significant vacant land and limited land appropriate for redevelopment and infill.
The City’s strategy to meet this challenge will be to support redevelopment that adds medium to high density housing in the Larpenteur corridor as opportunities arise. (Please see the
Larpenteur Corridor section for detailed discussion.) The other significant challenge for Falcon Heights will be to preserve the quality and character of its mid-20th Century neighborhoods.
The well-maintained cottages, ramblers and ranch-style dwellings behind green lawns on tree-lined streets have a "retro" charm that, with the convenient location of the City, makes Falcon
Heights a desirable place to live. However, by post-1990 suburban standards, the lots, lots, homes and garages are relatively small, and today's residents desire more living space. The
City's challenge is to encourage reinvestment and home improvement that respects the style and character of the existing housing and the proportion of landscaped space, while creating
more usable space and convenience. This plan establishes four broad categories of residential use as follows: Traditional Neighborhoods (R-1 and R-2) These areas correlate with established
single-family residential neighborhoods (University Grove, Falcon Woods, Northome, Northeast and Maple Knoll) where only very limited infill residential development is possible due to
the absence of vacant land. These are neighborhood conservation areas where it is the City's intent to preserve neighborhood values and aesthetic character, encourage the continual upgrading
of the housing stock and maintain existing development densities of six or fewer units per gross acre. At neighborhood edges, it is the City's intent to consider compatible residential
redevelopment at higher densities. Traditional Medium Density Residential (R-3 and R-4) These long-established multi-family buildings are generally located along Larpenteur and Snelling
Avenues in close proximity to areas of higher activity such as the Snelling and Larpenteur Commercial Core and to the two main bus transit routes that cross the City. Densities range
from 12 to 46 units per gross acre. Off-street parking is limited. The City’s policy for the last 20 years has been to limit new medium density residential development to 12 units per
gross acre. As this is unlikely to meet projected needs for housing by 2030, the City will consider compatible redevelopment at higher densities, should opportunities arise, especially
in the Larpenteur Corridor. Where medium or lower density redevelopment is proposed for these zones and other transitional areas, the City will require that rebuilding not reduce the
amount of available housing in the City overall. To provide for attached townhome development development and other medium density housing, the City will reinstitute the R-3 zoning district
discontinued since the last comprehensive plan. City of Falcon Heights – Housing Action Plan 2010 Page 10 of 15
Transit-Oriented/Multi-Use Residential The new Falcon Heights Town Square at the southeast Corner of Snelling and Larpenteur Avenues is an example of a kind of housing that is becoming
more common in the inner suburbs of the Twin Cities. Retail space may occupy the ground floor, while upper floors are residential. Buildings are set forward toward the street, and parking
is moved underground or to the interior of the property. Falcon Heights Town Square’s largest building, the closest to Snelling, is one story taller than any other multi-unit building
in the city. To meet projected housing and affordability needs, the City intends to consider similar multi-use development, with increased height limits and housing densities similar
to comparable properties in the City, along the Larpenteur corridor, should any of the larger properties, presently zoned for business or medium density residential, become available
for redevelopment. Substantial green spaces will be preserved between future development and existing neighborhoods to provide connectivity between neighborhoods (pedestrian, motorized
and non-motorized traffic) and to preserve natural resources prized by Falcon Heights residents, including open space, views and access to natural light. New Neighborhoods (P-1/R-1 →
P-1) Although it is unlikely that the University of Minnesota will release any of its agricultural land for private development, it is the City’s responsibility to take that remote possibility
into account in its planning. If land should become available, future neighborhoods in these areas will be designed to conserve public open land, especially adjacent to existing neighborhoods,
to include pedestrian and bicycle paths and access to transit, to provide connected street plans compatible with existing Ramsey County street names and address numbering, and to provide
a variety of housing types and prices, including multi-family and compact single family residential use. Until that time, it is in the City’s interest to designate these lands as reserved
for public use and establish overlay districts to ensure that any future changes in use meet the objectives of this plan. City of Falcon Heights – Housing Action Plan 2010 Page 11 of
15
HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOODS: GOALS AND POLICIES Housing/Neighborhood Goals 1. To improve the quality, appearance and maintenance of housing in neighborhoods and the health of residents.
2. To enhance access and safety for pedestrians and non-motorized transportation. 3. To minimize land use and traffic intrusions that adversely impact established neighborhoods. 4. To
continue the well-maintained residential character of existing neighborhoods. 5. To encourage the availability of housing for a population of diverse ages and income levels. 6. To protect
open space and natural resources, preserving the urban/rural aesthetic that Falcon Heights residents value. 7. To meet the needs of the projected growth in households to 2030 and the
projected need for affordable housing in the community. Housing/Neighborhood Policies 1. Adopt and encourage “best practices” to promote public health and encourage an active lifestyle
for residents. Require a health impact assessment for new development/redevelopment. 2. Enforce the housing chapter of the city code to assure the maintenance of existing housing stock.
Pursue improvements to this chapter such as adoption of a uniform standard, such as the International Housing Maintenance Code. 3. Pursue and encourage housing rehabilitation programs,
such as the Housing Resource Center. 4. Continue to support rental assistance programs through the Metropolitan Housing and Redevelopment Authority Section 8 Program. 5. Encourage home
ownership by participating in community land trust programs, as opportunities and funding allow, to keep a proportion of homes affordable. 6. Monitor and maintain the quality of rented
single-family housing by requiring registration and regular inspection of rental housing. 7. Space group homes in residential districts with not less than 1/2 mile between homes, as
allowable by state statutes. 8. Continue to eliminate zoning code violations and nuisance conditions that adversely affect neighborhoods. 9. Maintain the single-family character of the
existing residential neighborhoods and discourage redevelopment that may be considered a change in use unless irreversible blight can be demonstrated. 10. Allow the remodeling of existing
residential structures and accessory uses without adversely affecting the character of the neighborhood or substantially reducing required open space. 11. On transit routes, allow the
replacement of existing medium-density multi-family structures at equal or higher density, incorporating best practices for conserving green space and promoting active living. City of
Falcon Heights – Housing Action Plan 2010 Page 12 of 15
12. Enhance and upgrade the value of residential properties through street maintenance and improvement programs that complement and enhance the residential character of neighborhoods,
including the addition of walkways and lighting. 13. Maintain the present mix of housing but consider a variety of housing types and cost ranges if existing business or multi-family
properties are redeveloped or if University of Minnesota property becomes available. Establish design guidelines and standards to ensure that any new development promotes good health
and preserves public open space. 14. Permit only compatible businesses adjacent to residential uses and in mixed commercialresidential development, and place special conditions upon
business uses to assure compatibility when appropriate. 15. Require that any re-subdivision of existing lots on developed blocks in residential areas conform to other lots within surrounding
blocks, and be accessed in a similar manner. 16. Continue to build the Neighborhood Liaison program, program, Community Emergency Response Team and other community organizations for
communication and security. 17. Encourage neighborhood connectivity by installing sidewalk systems and decorative street lighting to make streetscapes more welcoming. 18. Continue to
implement an aggressive shade tree program and replace removed trees as quickly as possible. 19. Encourage landscaping practices that reduce water consumption and minimize runoff. AFTERWORD:
CHANGES AND PROGRESS SINCE 2008 In the interval since the Falcon Heights comprehensive plan was written, circumstances have reinforced many of the projections and policies articulated
in the plan. The populations most in need of housing in the upcoming decade are still expected to be low-to-moderate income senior citizens and University of Minnesota students. Due
to the lack of vacant land for development, the best opportunities for providing for this need will be in redevelopment of larger commercial properties along Larpenteur Avenue. A low
vacancy rate for apartments, including available senior apartments, support the plan’s assumption that the populations most in need of housing over the next two decades are likely to
be low-to-moderate income seniors and University of Minnesota students. The city has also seen an increase in the conversion of some owner-occupied homes to rentals. Although Falcon
Heights has not been spared from the foreclosure crisis of the past several years, the number of foreclosures in the city has been relatively small, approximately 15 since the end of
2006. The city continues to be in demand as a residential location. General economic setbacks of the last several years, along with expected generational turnover in single family neighborhoods,
have brought to the foreground issues related to maintenance, rehabilitation and upgrading existing single family housing. City of Falcon Heights – Housing Action Plan 2010 Page 13 of
15
City of Falcon Heights – Housing Action Plan 2010 Page 14 of 15 Implementation in Progress Since 2008 Falcon Heights has taken major steps toward implementing its comprehensive plan
and setting the stage for housing action over the next ten to twenty years. The following city code changes can be read in the online version of the city code via the city website http://www.falconhe
ights.org 1. A rental licensing program was established by ordinance for single-family homes and multi-family structures up to 4 units. 2. A new zoning district, R-5M, was created to
allow higher density residential redevelopment at selected sites along Larpenteur Avenue, a public transit corridor. The new district allows for mixed residential and commercial use.
3. The new zoning district allows densities of up to 40 units per acre, reduced setbacks and additional height compared to traditional multi-family properties in the city. 4. Properties
designated in the comprehensive plan as candidates for redevelopment were rezoned R-5M to to make them available for future housing. (See map, following page) Individual projects will
most likely be carried out as planned unit developments. 5. The ordinance defining the city’s existing R-4 multi-family residential district was amended to be in line with the actual
densities on those properties (average 28 units per acre) and to allow, under limited circumstances, densities up to 40 units per acre, should they be redeveloped. 6. A new district,
R-3, was added to the city code for townhomes and other attached or cluster residential use, up to twelve units per acre. This will provide an opportunity for future redevelopment of
properties along transit corridors that have been zoned for multi-family use but are too small for large apartment buildings.
City of Falcon Heights – Housing Action Plan 2010 Page 15 of 15
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ Meeting Date November 10, 2010 Agenda Item Policy G2 Attachment Proposed guidelines Petition/mural example
Submitted By Justin Miller, City Administrator The City That Soars! Item Paint the Pavement Update Description Earlier this summer the city council discussed implementing a “Paint the
Pavement” program. This type of program has been used in other areas, specifically the Hamline/Midway neighborhood of St. Paul. In this program, a group of neighbors get together and
paint a mural or other design in the intersection of two residential streets. The goals of the project are to build neighborhood connections and to remind drivers that the area is also
used by pedestrians. During the last discussion, the council asked staff to further develop rules and regulations and to come up with a process for the project. Attached to this report
is a handout that has a modified process included, a petition form, as well as a design example that a resident who is interested in the project provided. Staff sees this as an opportunity
to work with the local elementary school. If the council would like to proceed, and a willing neighborhood is found, staff would contact the school about a possible project next spring
or fall. Budget Impact Negligible – supplies would be provided by the neighbors involved in the project. Minimal staff time would be needed for review of design and delivery/pickup of
barricades. Attachment(s) Proposed guidelines Petition/mural example Action(s) Requested Staff recommends that the Falcon Heights City Council approve the proposed Paint the Pavement
guidelines and direct staff and the neighborhood commission to begin publicizing and managing the project.
Falcon Heights Intersection Painting Guidelines The City of Falcon Heights encourages neighborhood groups to gather and participate in projects that bring people together, build relationships,
and create a better sense of community. One such project involves painting intersections of local streets. The benefits of this type of project include: Creating a neighborhood identity
Alerting drivers that this is a pedestrian-friendly area Bringing neighbors of all ages together to complete the task at hand The steps needed to get this project in place include:
1) Any design must be approved by the City of Falcon Heights. 2) Work can only be done on city streets (county and state roads are not eligible. This means that Hamline, Snelling, Cleveland,
and Larpenteur are off-limits) 3) Streets that border neighboring cities (Roselawn, Hoyt, Fulham, and Hamline south of Larpenteur) must also receive approval from their respective jurisdictions.
4) Complete the required petition process. 100% of abutting property owners and 75% of the eight (8) homes within each direction of the project (or one block, whichever is less) must
approve of the project. An address list of the affected properties can be obtained from the city. 5) Acquire needed supplies, such as paint, brooms, brushes, rollers, etc. The city can
advise on proper supplies, but does not have any items to loan out. 6) Traffic control/barricades will need to be arranged through the public works department. 7) Work should be completed
within a twelve hour period in order to minimize traffic impacts. 8) Changes to the design after the project has been completed must be approved by at least 80% of the neighbors within
one block in each direction of the project. For more information, please contact City Administrator Justin Miller at (651) 792-7611 or justin.miller@falconheights.org.
Intersection Painting Petition Form Intersection Name (both streets) ______________________________________ Project Coordinator ______________________________________ Proposed Date of
Painting ______________________________________ I have been notified and am in favor of the intersection painting project at the intersection named above and have no objection to the
intersection being closed for one day in order to complete the painting project. The person authorized to sign this petition for properties immediately adjacent to the project shall
be the owner. Either the occupant or the owner are authorized to sign for other properties within the petition area. Please indicate whether you are the owner or an occupant. Only one
signature per property please. Name Address Owner or Occupant Signature Daytime Phone Please attach diagram of proposed intersection design
Please attach diagram of proposed intersection design