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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes <br /> July 16, 2002 <br /> • Page 5 <br /> 1 Commissioner Thomas suggested that a neighborhood meeting take place for the purpose <br /> 2 of discussing how a new house will fit into an existing neighborhood be part of the <br /> 3 application process. <br /> 4 <br /> 5 Commissioner Thomas stated that certain design features need to be set. He added that <br /> 6 they need to maintain the lot size ratio, and examine the option of a greater floor area <br /> 7 ratio (FAR). <br /> 8 <br /> 9 Commissioner Thomas recommended that the city get a student from the Department of <br /> 10 Housing to do a housing and neighborhood analysis this fall. The study should examine <br /> 11 the age, size, physical condition, neighborhood characteristics, demographics,etc. <br /> 12 <br /> 13 Commissioner Steeves stated that he would like to see what some other communities are <br /> 14 doing with regard to FAR and their code, versus hiring an architect to draw some <br /> 15 examples. He added that some of Commissioner Thomas' other comments were <br /> 16 valuable. <br /> 17 <br /> 18 Chair Melsha stated that he agreed with the City Attorney that an attached garage, or a <br /> 19 detached garage should be treated the same. <br /> 20 <br /> The Commission questioned what they should pass along to Council. It was determined <br /> that they would recommend postponement of the second reading of the amendment. <br /> 23 <br /> 24 Lunde asked what the function of FAR was. Chair Melsha stated that it was the ratio of <br /> 25 the amount of floor space versus the lot size. <br /> 26 <br /> 27 Lunde stated that a lot of communities have an architectural review board where people <br /> 28 volunteer their time for a couple of years. He added that he liked the idea of talking to the <br /> 29 neighbors. <br /> 30 <br /> 31 Chair Melsha stated that it would be a good idea to have staff pull together some <br /> 32 information for City Council, perhaps comprise a sub-committee to come up with a <br /> 33 recommendation. <br /> 34 <br /> 35 It was determined that they would provide the Council with a summation of what some <br /> 36 other cities are doing regarding FAR and Design Review Boards. <br /> 37 <br /> 38 Vice Chair Stille and the rest of the Commission thanked Nelson for his work presented <br /> 39 this evening. <br /> 40 <br /> 41 9.2 Northwest Quadrant Redevelopment Update. <br /> 2 Susan Hall stated that the City Council submitted a Metropolitan Council Livable <br /> Communities Grant this past Monday. <br /> 4 <br />