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Planning Commission Meeting November 13, 2003 - page 2 <br />Comforts of Home — Public Hearing Continued <br />The Commission continued the public hearing to consider the application of Comforts of Home, <br />3252 Rice Street, St. Paul, for a preliminary plat, conditional use permit, and variance to construct <br />a 24 bed senior assisted housing project on property located west of Highway 61 and south of <br />150th St. N. <br />The Community Development Director explained that the variance was necessary to permit a 24 <br />bed facility where the ordinance limits it to 16 residents, and a Conditional Use Permit was <br />required for residential facilities with seven to sixteen individuals in the Central Residential <br />Zoning District. <br />McRoberts questioned the standard for approving a variance that states that a property could not <br />be put to reasonable use without the granting of a variance. McRoberts said he felt this <br />application did not meet that standard. <br />The Community Development Director said that given the site and surrounding uses, a larger <br />building would be appropriate. Many communities differentiate between the different types of <br />community residents. <br />Schumann said that given the type of assisted care proposed, you could expect higher capacity, <br />and the ordinance should be addressed. <br />Chairperson Schumann opened the public hearing but there were no comments. Schumann closed <br />the public hearing. <br />Rosenquist was concerned about the lack of lights on the southern portion of the building. <br />Jim Faulkner, Faulkner Construction, was present with Brian Winges and Andy Faulkner. They <br />presented a color rendition of the proposed building. Faulkner suggested ground lighting at the <br />south corners of the building that would address security concerns while not being intrusive to <br />residents to the south. <br />Malaski said she appreciated the landscape plan they provided. <br />Rosenquist said he felt the facility was needed in the community but was uneasy about the lack of <br />lights on the south side. <br />Bailly said she felt the location was a nice transition between the single family residents and the <br />post office. She also liked the landscaping and the appearance of the building. She said she had <br />no problem with the number of residents. <br />McRoberts said he had no problem with the number either, but said he felt the City should <br />consider changing the ordinance in many cases, instead of always granting variances. <br />Kleissler said she felt it was an appropriate use of the property and wondered if the City was <br />