HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 PC Staff Report - Comp Plan Rezoning Workshop 042611
Meeting Date
April 26, 2011
Agenda Item
Workshop 1
Title
Implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, continued: Public Land ordinance with particular focus on Gibbs Museum
Submitted
By
Deborah Jones, Staff Liaison
Description
Gibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life has long been included in the P-1/R-1 zone, though Ramsey County Historical Society,
the owner, is a non-profit organization, not a public institution. Some other zoning district may be more appropriate for this property. As part of the Commission’s continuing discussion
of the future of public lands in Falcon Heights, commissioners will seek additional information from representatives of the Ramsey County Historical Society and input from the city attorney.
Backg
round
Falcon Heights is required to update its zoning code and districts to provide zoning controls consistent with its adopted comprehensive plan. Major steps were taken last year
in the creation of the new R-5M mixed use residential district and the rezoning of several larger properties to provide land for projected housing needs. Now the City needs to proceed
with putting in place the remaining land use controls called for in the comprehensive plan. Falcon Heights’ plan for future land use provided for redefining the public land district,
now an overlay, as base zoning for the institutional and public uses to which it is presently applied.
In 2010 the Planning Commission also discussed various approaches to redefining
the public land district, one of which was the division of the district into a “public/institutional” zone for the large public institutions that own land in Falcon Heights and “public/other”
zone to accommodate ordinary public uses such as City Hall, parks and schools. Falcon Heights traditionally groups all these uses together, but some cities make this kind of distinction
in their codes. Final action was postponed to concentrate on the issue of land for housing.
In March, 2011, commissioners questioned the inclusion of Gibbs Farm, owned and operated by
the Ramsey County Historical Society, a not-for-profit organization, in a proposed public district that would include the University campus and State Fair. Staff contacted the city
attorney who agreed that land owned by a non-profit organization is not truly public and that the city needs to consider more appropriate options. Further work is required on this issue.
The
Ramsey County Historical Society has accepted the an invitation from city staff to send a representative to the April workshop to provide information to the Commission and participate
in informal discussion. A city attorney will also be present to advise the Commission and answer questions. Staff will present research on museum zoning in other cities.
Budget Impact
To be determined
Attachment(s)
None. Commissioners are encouraged to bring copies of Chapter 113, Article IV District Regulations.
Additional Resources
Falcon
Heights Comprehensive Plan, adopted 2009*
City zoning code (Chapter 113)*
* Available on the Falcon Heights website: www.falconheights.org or at City Hall. Staff recommends that commissioners
bring their own copies if they have them. A few extra copies will be available for reference at the workshop
Action Requested
No formal action is requested at this time. The purpose
of this workshop is to gather information about the current uses of the Gibbs Farm property and future plans of the RCHS, learn how other cities provide for similar uses in their zoning
codes, and begin discussion of possible non-public zoning options for this museum in Falcon Heights.
Staff requests that commissioners review the land use chapters of the comprehensive
plan, Article IV of Chapter 113 and any notes they have from previous workshops prior to the meeting.
This workshop is open to the public. If you have a disability and need accommodation
in order to attend this meeting, please notify City Hall 48 hours in advance between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 651-792-7600. We will be happy to help.