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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 15, 1997 • Page 8 1 circle but that it would have to be measured to be certain. He felt a traffic circle was a nice 2 idea for that intersection. 3 Mr. Faust questioned the location of the gateway site to the north and Chair Bergstrom 4 questioned placement at the south. 5 Ms. Rhees explained that the northern gateway site was in this location because this was the 6 first area where the City of St. Anthony was on both sides of the street. The southern 7 gateway site was located in its position as you came over the hill and the City was below. 8 Smaller gateway signs could be located at the true boundaries of the City. 9 Commissioner Horst stated he liked the idea of relocating the Public Works site but was 10 concerned with the elimination of industry. He questioned if BRW had accounted for the loss 11 of industry and the effect on the tax base. 12 Mr. Weber noted the only land use change would occur on two small parcels and would result 13 in a minor impact to the tax base. 14 Ms. Rhees noted that the neighborhood in question is comprised largely of multi-family 15 housing with no play area in the yard. The children have to cross the railroad tracks or a dangerous street to access play equipment. Conversion of the Public Works site to play 7 equipment would give the neighborhood a center and an amenity of their own. 18 Commissioner Horst questioned the suggested change to the St. Anthony Shopping Center 19 area. He felt that monitoring the area would not leave much room for future redevelopment. 20 Mr. Weber stated he was not suggesting the City hasten to change this area. He was only 21 suggesting the City monitor the area and see what may happen through private sources and be 22 prepared to respond. If the area becomes less commercially viable the City will then be 23 prepared. 24 Ms. Rhees suggested the area may be appropriate for mixed uses. 25 Chair Bergstrom questioned the Metropolitan Council's statistics in terms of employment, etc. 26 He noted that the City of St. Anthony already meets or exceeds some of the Metropolitan 27 Council's criteria in terms of the Livable Communities Act. 28 Mr. Weber explained the Metropolitan Council's latest Regional Plan published goals for 29 population and employment in each city. Some of the goals are policy driven. The numbers 30 for household and employment for St. Anthony appear to be a little higher than the City can 31 provide. The only minor opportunity is for an increase in employment. BRW has submitted 32 more information to the Metropolitan Council staff explaining that the goals are too high and asking them to adjust their expectations.