2011-06-01_PC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, June 1, 2011 Page 5 Applicant (from the audience – off microphone) 197 198 Mr. Winges advised that this was a great neighborhood and very suitable for this type of 199 facility. Mr. Winges expressed his interest in getting more information to the 200 neighborhood to rectify some of the misconceptions stated, noting that Suite Living 201 existing facilities were 44 beds or less at this time, and he suggested that some 202 neighbors may be confusing Suite Living with another provider in the metropolitan area. 203 Mr. Winges advised that none of their facilities had ever had any clients “escape,” and 204 offered to provide better information to neighbors on the firm’s operational philosophy. 205 Mr. Winges opined that it was terrific to see neighbors concerned, and noted that Suite 206 Living wanted to be involved with their neighborhood. Mr. Winges advised that Suite 207 Living thought the need for assisted living was great, and that this proposed location was 208 a very suitable one for this type of facility, and that demand was strong in Roseville and in 209 the immediate area for drawing clientele. Mr. Winges advised that there were no more 210 than eight (8) staff on site at any one time, negating the concept of a huge shift change 211 and related traffic concerns. Mr. Winges assured Commissioners and the public that the 212 firm had done extensive market studies to confirm this perception. Mr. Winges further 213 noted that none of the clients at their facilities drove a car; and their clients were high 214 needs for which Suite Living attempted to provide a high quality of life. Unidentified Female Speaker (second comment) 215 216 The speaker suggested a solution to the traffic problem shown on the site plan would be 217 to limit exits to Larpenteur Avenue. 218 Chair Boerigter advised that the pending traffic study would look at all alternatives and 219 recommend best practices for the site and its particular use. Georgiana Gjertson 220 221 Ms. Gjertson noted that currently, there was a sewer line in her back yard, and it had 222 already backed up once, questioning if it could take this additional development. 223 Chair Boerigter clarified that the City Engineer would address that issue. Gene Anderson 224 225 Mr. Anderson questioned where show would be stored in the winter on site. 226 Chair Boerigter closed the Public Hearing at 7:30 p.m. with no one appearing for or 227 against. MOTION 228 Member Boguszewski moved, seconded by Member Lester to RECOMMEND 229 approval of the proposed assisted living facility as a CONDITIONAL USE at 621-637 230 Larpenteur Avenue; based on the comments and findings of Sections 4-6, and the 231 recommendation and conditions of Section 7 of the Request for Planning 232 Commission Action dated June 1, 2011. 233 234 Planning Commission Discussion 235 Member Boguszewski advised that he would be voting in support of the motion, 236 concurring with staff’s recommendations and conditions, including those that remained 237 pending at this time. Member Boguszewski opined that he sensed and eagerness and 238 willingness of the applicant to work with staff to address pending items; and to work 239 cooperatively with residents in providing more information to them and addressing their 240 concerns. Member Boguszewski further opined that he was sympathetic with existing 241 traffic concerns in the area; however, thought that this use qualitatively was a vast 242 improvement over past uses as a multi-tenant and/or strip mall use. While street access 243 for a left turn off Alta Vista is a concern, Member Boguszewski opined that it is not 244 relevant to this specific use, but proved difficult no matter what use was on the site; and 245 suggested that this was not the venue or body to work with to address streets, signage 246 and potential route changes. Member Boguszewski expressed his assurance that any 247 pending issues would be resolved between staff and the developer during the 248 development process.