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Special Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, June 15, 2011 Page 2 concerns would be addressed at the City Council-level prior to their final approval of the 49 project. Vice Chair Gisselquist repeated the conclusion of Commissioners that any use 50 on that site would affect that neighborhood, and recognized that the site had limited 51 access; however, speaking personally and being aware of the issues, the Planning 52 Commission as a body had opined that the proposed use of the property was a good 53 option when compared to other possible uses that could be developed on that site. 54 Ms. Beauclaire 55 Ms. Beauclaire reiterated her concern with the size of the building for the site, including 56 the huge roof. Ms. Beauclaire suggested that a Suite Living facility in Hugo, MN was 57 more fitting for the size of this lot; and that the proposed building needed to be toned 58 down some. Ms. Beauclaire noted that, in the past, the site had always been used for 59 commercial enterprises, and they seemed more beneficial to the neighborhood as 60 opposed to this proposed use. 61 b. From the Commission or Staff 62 None. 63 5. Public Hearings 64 Vice Chair Gisselquist reviewed the purpose and process for public hearings held before the 65 Planning Commission. 66 a. PROJECT FILE 0017 67 Request by the Community Development Department to create a Zoning Overlay 68 District over the Twin Lakes Redevelopment Area 69 Vice Chair Gisselquist opened the Public Hearing at 6:55 p.m. 70 City Planner Thomas Paschke briefly summarized the process to-date in the 71 development, considerations and revisions for the Regulating Map and Plan for the Twin 72 Lakes Redevelopment Area (PROJ0017). Mr. Paschke reviewed the timetable and 73 background for development of the Map and Plan, including recent public meetings and 74 open houses and subsequent discussions among staff, consultants and property owners 75 in the Twin Lakes area. As a result of those meetings, Mr. Paschke advised that the 76 proposed design standards had been relaxed some from their original format at the 77 suggestion of and addressing some of the concerns expressed by property owners and 78 their ability to market and develop their properties. This background information was 79 detailed in the Request for Planning Commission Action dated June 15, 2011. 80 Mr. Paschke introduced Michael Lamb of the Cuningham Group to review the Twin Lakes 81 Urban Standards (Draft 6/10/11) in more detail. Through a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. 82 Lamb reviewed the seven (7) page handout and provided rationale for recommended 83 urban design standards in the Twin Lakes Redevelopment Area. 84 Michael Lamb, Cuningham Group 85 Mr. Lamb began his presentation by reviewing the background of the process to-date, 86 initiated by the City’s Zoning Code update and designation, guided by the 2030 87 Comprehensive Plan, of the area as a Commercial/Mixed Use District and the purpose of 88 that District, development and ongoing refinement of urban design guidelines for the 89 District to achieve that purpose, input through meeting with the City Council, land owners, 90 and other members of the public through various public meetings. 91 As detailed in Section 2.2 of the staff report, the Regulating Map identifies three (3) public 92 connections and/or corridors linking to Langton Lake Park, the major amenity of the 93 development area that is the focus of providing social connections across properties and 94 connecting to the Park to emphasize this public realm amenity. 95 As part of the presentation, Mr. Lamb highlighted parks, existing and proposed 96 easements providing east/west connections for connectivity, and utilities between 97 Fairview and Cleveland Avenues providing existing characteristics and/or conditions that 98 have a barrier on development and how to accommodate those items; in addition to area 99 features used as the basis for the Regulating Map, including Mount Ridge Road and Twin 100