2017-01-04_PC_Minutes_Approved (3)

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Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, January 4, 2017 Page 13 advance notice to those potentially attending; and thereby reaching a larger audience versus 602 relying only on geographic areas alone. 603 At this point, and recognizing that this wasn’t actually a public hearing, Chair Boguszewski invited 604 an opportunity for public comment at approximately 8:50 p.m. 605 Public Comment 606 Kathy Ahlers, Columbia Heights, MN 607 Ms. Ahlers suggested several potential considerations, including social media (e.g. Facebook) as 608 a means to reach out to various non-profit groups and that particular demographic. Ms. Ahlers 609 noted a randomized sampling for a survey to a specific demographic and people group, with 610 certain addresses provided and questions from trained volunteers provided a fair percentage of 611 responses to those specific questions and could be accomplished easily, especially given the 612 preponderance of unavailability of land lines. 613 Ms. Ahlers suggested another option was to go to them at a cultural event as a way of outreach, 614 as long as language barriers were considered. 615 Ms. Ahlers suggested encouraging participation through “fun” events that could related to some 616 area or chapter in the comprehensive plan; with staff available with information to share with 617 families to seek their responses (e.g. bike rodeo or street festival). Ms. Ahlers opined this would 618 provide a good opportunity to discuss housing or transportation needs or other applicable topics. 619 Ms. Ahlers also suggested a thirty-minute survey about specific topics to engage people 620 periodically through a phone APP. 621 Ms. Ahlers stated her enthusiasm to hear the city’s interest in using schools to use student input 622 as a springboard for that future view of the city and a way to garner more excitement and 623 enthusiasm. 624 Ms. Ahlers thanked the commission for their interest in community engagement, stating she was 625 “heartened” to hear it. 626 Eleni Skavar, 17 Mid Oaks Lane, Roseville 627 As a former resident of St. Paul and only having lived in Roseville less than four years, Ms. 628 Skavar noted the adjustments from living in a larger urban community to a smaller suburb. Based 629 on that adjustment, Ms. Skavar noted the importance to tap into the next generation for their 630 thoughts on Roseville and visions of where they want to live. As a general trend, Ms. Skavar 631 noted young people moved to more densely populated areas versus a suburb. The difference for 632 Roseville was that they were immediately adjacent to both the City of Minneapolis and St. Paul; 633 and therefore the trend for movement to Roseville or other inner-ring suburbs for more affordable 634 housing seemed evident, especially for those limited by or choosing bus or bicycle as their main 635 transportation. Ms. Skavar suggested that the commission capture that demographic and draw 636 them in through the community’s trails, biking amenities, dog parks and smaller scale businesses 637 versus big box retail. 638 Ms. Skavar opined that Roseville was beautifully positioned with its intentional amenities and 639 aesthetics, and going into this comprehensive plan update should look to redeveloping its 640 commercial areas with an eye toward those amenities beyond sidewalks (e.g. architecture, 641 landscaping, infilling green spaces). As an example, Ms. Skavar suggested using existing 642 brownfields as filler green space that can be done affordably and attract that next generation in 643 addition to current residents, and serve to entice the kind of population Roseville sought; or 644 encouraging attractive versus ugly buildings to further cultivate how and where people chose to 645 live; and an important and essential part of livability and quality of life. 646 When presenting the envisioned plan for presentation to the public and City Council, Ms. Skavar 647 noted the need to think of the gateways into Roseville and how they looked. In other words, was 648 Roseville giving the impression for those outside it as been a shopping Mecca for the northern 649 suburbs or is Central Park highlighted as an amenity and how the city built its reputation and 650 make itself attractive for current residents and the next generation. As an example, Ms. Skavar 651 opined that strip malls didn’t need to be ugly, but could be beautiful since they were a useful part 652