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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes September 20, 2005 Page 13 1 Commissioner Jensen asked if the Planning Commission has ever reviewed setbacks with respect 2 to structural distance. He expressed concerns stating that they would have to process variance 3 requests for all areas of the underground parking that would be built apart from the main building 4 structure. He stated that they would have to provide the Commission with a clear set of plans 5 that clearly outlines and defines the utility and variance issues. 6 7 Mr. Harriss assured the Commission that it is their plan to meet with the Public Works 8 department to discuss all of these issues. He stated that it is his hope that he would receive some 9 kind of encouragement from the Commission to move forward on this project so that they can 10 begin to schedule their meetings with Staff. 11 12 Vice Chair Hanson asked Mr.Harass why he believes that this project would be a success. 13 14 Mr. Harriss stated that they believe that this is an appropriate scale for this location noting that it 15 would be a great location for the proposed building. He stated that they plan to do a market study 16 noting that based on their experience in this area and on the sales in St. Anthony this site has 17 great potential for this type of housing. 18 19 Bob Leback, developer, stated that he has spent the last twelve years raising equity with 20 condominium projects and it is his belief that he is seeing the Twin Cities accepting this type of 21 market more and more. He stated that he is seeing a lot of fill-in sites, in various areas,that are 22 providing smaller unit projects for the empty nester market. He stated that he sees this as 23 complimenting the assisted living proposals more so than as a conflict. 24 25 Commissioner Jensen asked for further clarification on the traffic flow for the site. He expressed 26 concerns stating that given the odd configuration of both sites there could be traffic issues to the 27 west. He asked if a shared access point would be appropriate in order to help with the circulation 28 of traffic. He suggested that they do a traffic study to help determine traffic flow and circulation. 29 30 Mr. Harass stated that they would welcome getting together to discuss and review the traffic 31 flows for the area. He noted that Ms. Moore-Sykes has already identified several traffic schemes 32 and reviewed with the Commission. He indicated that they are very open to considering any 33 number of options with respect to traffic flow noting that he does see a possibility for combining 34 three access points and reviewed with the Commission. 35 36 Commissioner Jenson asked why the front entrance faces Lowry South versus Kenzie Terrace. 37 38 Mr. Harriss explained that it was a question of how it would eventually lay out on the lot and 39 reviewed with the Commission. He stated that they felt a strong building presence on Kenzie 40 Terrace would be the best view versus a view of the parking lot. 41 42 Chair Stromgren stated that part of the problem going forward is in looking at all of the variances 43 they would need. He stated that there are certain tests the City and State can do to see how some 44 of variances could be met and reviewed the process with the Commission. He stated that the 45 tests would have to pass and all conditions would have to be met in order to gain approval of the