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City of Roseville - Planning Commission Minutes for August 2, 2006http://www.ci.roseville.mn.us/council/planning/minutes/2006/pm0802.htm <br />to mimic the character of the adjacent proposed single-family and existing neighborhood homes. Commissioner <br />Boerigter opined that he could not support putting single family and twin homes on separate ends of the <br />development; found commercial development more objectionable; and questioned the rationale for desired <br />inhabitants of a four-plex. Commissioner Boerigter expressed his personal admiration that the Mounds View <br />School District had attempted to develop the site in a way to provide affordable housing while providing additional <br />single family homes in the community to attract families with children. Commissioner Boerigter further opined that <br />it was an overall good project, and the inclusion of one (1) four-plex was not worth voting against the plan; that it <br />worked well with the land and street layout; and that the development served the neighborhood better than the <br />existing empty building. <br />Chair Traynor clarified that he was supportive of residential development of the site, rather than commercial (office <br />space) development of which there was already a surplus; and other issues with office development (i.e., lower <br />threshold for environmental standards, parking lots, and significant traffic issues). Chair Traynor spoke in support <br />of the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and desire to maintain families in the area schools. However, Chair <br />Traynor remained non-supportive of this proposal, and the four-plex. <br />Commissioner Bakeman spoke in opposition to the plan as presented, based on the inclusion of the four-plex; and <br />suggested a small professional building (i.e., dental office) on the proposed four-plex site as suitable to include in <br />residential properties. Commissioner Bakeman questioned whether Ramsey County would even consider allowing <br />a curb cut for the four-plex that close to a major intersection; but overall expressed her lack of support for the <br />project due to the four-plex; opining that something not quite that big would be more personally preferable. <br />Commissioner Wozniak concurred with the comments of Commissioners Doherty and Boerigter; opining that the <br />proposal addressed some goals of the Comprehensive Plan in providing a wide range of housing options; and <br />encouraged young families into the area. Commissioner Wozniak opined that, while he had some issues with the <br />four-plex, he had faith that the developer would return with a design that works, and included his support for the <br />project as presented. <br />Commissioner Roe opined that this was a difficult project to review, noting the diversity of the neighborhood <br />character and variety of existing homes. Commissioner Roe expressed concern with the four-plex, even though he <br />hoped the developer would come up with an aesthetically-pleasing design. Commissioner Roe further opined that <br />more work was needed on the project related to economics and density viabilities; and expressed his willingness to <br />consider a small professional office complex, no larger than four (4) units with a residential appearance. <br />Commissioner Roe was not supportive of the current proposal, and suggested that the developer take a step back <br />and look at something that may work better on the site. <br />Commissioner Boerigter expressed surprise by some comments of fellow commissioners related to how a small <br />professional office could be any more aesthetically pleasing than a four-plex, and would change the neighborhood <br />any less. Commissioner Boerigter encouraged commissioners to review proposed design elements for the homes <br />and staff requirements for the four-plex; and opined that this four-plex would not be that objectionable. <br />Commissioner Boerigter reviewed the Comprehensive Plan goals and previous city-wide discussions regarding <br />Commissioner Boerigter questioned whether the City actually wanted bigger, more expensive homes, and <br />expressed his disappointment that the four-plex had become such an issue, or an issue of the type of people who <br />may live in a four-plex. Commissioner Boerigter further opined that the developers had put a lot of time and effort <br />into this proposal, and for the Commission to suggest they try again, was inappropriate. Commissioner Boerigter <br />opined that there would always be problems with any proposal, but at some point, it was necessary to recognize <br />project. Commissioner Boerigter reiterated that this was a good project and would be a good addition to the City of <br />Roseville. <br />Commissioner Roe clarified that his concerns with and objections to the four-plex had nothing to do with the type <br />of people who may live there, but the ultimate mass of that particular piece of the proposed plan. Commissioner <br />overall project; and opined that that part of the project, and its viability, needed further review and contemplation. <br />Commissioner Roe further opined that, with regard to the Comprehensive Plans and objectives of the School <br />things from the original objective. <br />Further discussion included affordable housing levels and expectations; attraction of a four-plex to prospective <br />buyers; future Presbyterian Homes' development and density in the neighborhood from that project; preference of <br />an office versus a twin home in place of the four-plex and enlarging some of the single-family homes; and building <br />mass perceptions. <br />8 of 152/6/2007 11.13 <br /> <br />