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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes August 15, 2000 Page 5 1 C. . Public hearina. Village North LLP. 2 Chair Bergstorm opened the public hearing at 7:45 p.m. and requested a report from Staff. 3 Assistant City Manager Spencer Isom reported that Village North LLP, in which Ken Solie is a 4 partner, as owner of the Industrial Custom Products building at 2801 37th Avenue NE, have re- 5 quested to amend the zoning ordinance so as to require less parking for L 1 districts. Mr. Solie 6 has compiled information regarding parking requirements in other cities, and such report shows a 7 . comparison of the St. Anthony requirement to the Cities of Arden Hills, Roseville, Minneapolis, 8 New Brighton, and Fridley. 9 City Attorney Soth has expressed his support of Mr. Solie's petition for the reasons stated in Mr 10 Soth's August 2, 2000 communication. 11 Chair Bergstrom asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this issue under the pub- 12 lic hearing, and hearing no response, closed the public hearing at 7:50 p.m. 13 Thomas inquired if the Commission would wish to require the applicant to develop an alternative 14 transportation program, and a discussion ensued amongst the Commissioners and Isom regarding 5 the suggestion. 16 Bergstrom noted that the suggestion is worthy of exploration but this was not the time to take on 17 such a project, and that the issue should be revisited at another time. 18 Stille noted that the Commission is considering dramatically changing the parking requirements 19 of the entire City, and the site in question could employ up to 200 employees. He was 20 concerned that if limited parking is provided, then the City opens up the possibility of having 21 cars line the street. 22 Bergstrom asked for input from Isom. Isom said the ordinance would be changing citywide; 23 however, Soth has done the analysis and did not feel that the number of parking spaces for this 24 issue would prevent a problem for the City. 25 Bergstrom noted his reluctance to change the parking regulations as there wasn't a precedence to 26 follow. Mr. Solie interjected that he did not feel that he was creating a difficult situation with 27 this issue due to the fact that many,:of the surrounding cities have adopted similar regulations to 28 which he is asking. 29 Thomas stated he would be more comfortable with the parking plan if an alternative transporta- 30 tion plan could be developed(such as public transportation). Mr. Solie stated that typically in 31 this situation, because the property is leased, the restriction could be cumbersome. Bergstrom noted that City Attorney Soth has placed a recommendation on this issue, as well as 3 the Assistant City Manager, and that the Commission needed to move forward on this issue as 34 all of the information and research has been presented.