2012-06-06_PC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, June 6, 2012 Page 3 Mr. Humphries advised that no more than twenty-five (25) vehicles would be anticipated 96 daily for students and staff; and further advised that a majority of the students would 97 arrive to the site by campus shuttle. 98 Vice Chair Gisselquist noted that the rationale for his concern regarding parking was 99 based on his observations with the University of St. Thomas that overwhelmed the 100 adjacent residential neighborhood on evenings and/or weekends. However, Vice Chair 101 Gisselquist advised that this use, as well as most other such uses in Roseville didn’t 102 compare to that intensity. 103 City Planner Thomas Paschke concurred, noting that St. Thomas is a campus, and 104 essentially different than this office-based use. 105 Member Strohmeier asked the applicant, as a private college, to highlight some of the 106 benefits or activities on a broader basis that Northwestern College provided to the 107 community beyond a high-quality educational experience. 108 Mr. Simat noted, from a personal perspective, the number of biology majors currently 109 employed by ACR Homes and student interning and experiences serving as PCA’s as 110 part of their education. Mr. Simat also reviewed other facilities where his students were 111 working in the community, as well as at Presbyterian Homes’ Eagle Crest and the MN 112 Zoo. Within his realm as a pre-med advisory, Mr. Simat advised that all of his 75-100 113 students were doing something within the community; and also noted that this was 114 required on their individual resumes as well as to confirm that this was their career 115 choice. Mr. Simat noted that ACR loved the students from Northwestern College for their 116 quality, as previously addressed. 117 Public Comments 118 Gary Grefenberg, 91 Mid Oaks Lane 119 Mr. Grefenberg advised that he was speaking for himself and not as a representative of 120 SWARN; and expressed his concerns about the continual expansion of Northwestern 121 College off their campus and their ever-increasing number of students. As an example, 122 Mr. Grefenberg noted the student dormitories on the east side of Snelling Avenue in an 123 area zoned residential; the KTIS radio station replacing a property-tax paying automobile 124 agency; and now this additional expansion. 125 From another perspective, Mr. Grefenberg noted Northwestern College’s position of open 126 opposition to the gay and lesbian community. 127 Mr. Grefenberg expressed concern about the continual increase in traffic and demand for 128 public services of Northwestern College; and expansion into areas that the City’s 129 Comprehensive Plan didn’t envision; opining that this issue is more significant than a 130 Zoning Text Amendment. Mr. Grefenberg expressed further concern in his perception 131 that the Planning Commission considered the Comprehensive Plan was an element 132 without legal authority. However, Mr. Grefenberg noted that the City Council had recently 133 had a second opinion on that as it related specifically to the Wal-Mart proposal before 134 that body. 135 Mr. Grefenberg advised that he had an opportunity to discuss his concerns with Mr. Lloyd 136 prior to tonight’s meeting, and his concerns about parking had been reassured by Mr. 137 Lloyd. However, Mr. Grefenberg noted that he had remaining concerns with Roseville 138 citizens being continually asked to pay for these services provided for a tax exempt 139 institution. While recognizing the intent of that exemption, and not under scrutiny for 140 tonight’s request, Mr. Grefenberg referenced language of Attachment A to the staff report 141 (page 3, Item 3.b) that appears to eliminate the need or prevent the City from asking for a 142 City Council-approved campus Master Plan for expansion of Northwestern College. Mr. 143 Grefenberg noted the expansion having taken place over the last decade as the College 144 campus continues to expand within the community, with a corresponding and increased 145 demand for services. 146