pm_070815 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Special Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, August 15, 2007 Page 2 area, given its geographic location to both downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. Commissioner Wozniak further opined that Roseville was in a strong position to act as a gateway; questioned whether the City should be considering creating a transit center, other than the existing one at Rosedale, noting the issues with that transit center; existence of the Northeast Diagonal Corridor; and future light rail possibilities along County Road C. While Commissioner Wozniak was encouraged to note the positives identified in the vision, he opined that the goals were more 3-5 years down the road, rather than twenty-five years with “big picture” ideas (i.e., identifying what types of service Roseville could provide to alternate transit such as a link to any light rail lines; discourage dependence on automobiles; and more mass transit options similar to those in Europe). Commissioner Gottfried concurred with Commissioner Wozniak and the short-term vision versus the long-term vision looking onto the year 2025, with more long-term infrastructure or land use planning discussions. Commissioner Gottfried noted the need to incorporate infrastructure and transit considerations with land use planning. Commissioner Gottfried, as an example, noted the transit center recently constructed at Maplewood Mall and negative connotations with the distance of the facility from the mall, discouraging pedestrian convenience and logistics. Commissioner Gottfried noted ways to encourage pedestrian traffic with placement of storefronts near the street, and parking in the rear, and smaller parking areas. Commissioner Gottfried noted that currently Rosedale didn’t facilitate pedestrian-friendly traffic due to the lack of sidewalks in the vicinity of the center. Commissioner Boerigter noted the lack of support for sidewalks due to costs. Commissioner Boerigter observed the countless items in the report with major dollar signs, and opined the need to counter-balance spending for infrastructure improvements by identifying alternative funding resources to keep those costs from overwhelmingly impacting Roseville taxpayers. Commissioner Gasongo noted the need to get the community input from paper to action steps and realistic strategies for implementation of the broad-based goals. Commissioner Martinson noted recent Planning Commission action promoting positive land use with their recommendation to the City Council for rezoning the vacant Cattle Company Restaurant for a grocery store use. Commissioner Martinson noted that, with Coventry apartments and residential properties adjacent to north and east of this location, it was a great example of encouraging pedestrian-friendly living. Chair Bakeman noted that perhaps an action step for the Planning Commission would be to revisit B-1-B versus B-2 zoning and determine if additional uses needed more specific definition. Commissioner Wozniak opined that, at the least, the Commission should focus on opportunities to develop mixed use in residential areas. Commissioner Gottfried opined that “you get what you pay for” and questioned if it was appropriate to formalize neighborhoods, their specific amenities and how those aspects related to zoning and land use issues and Comprehensive Plan guidelines. Commissioner Gottfried questioned, “What creates a neighborhood?” and recent discussions with the Northwestern College expansion proposal and expansion beyond the campus, thus separating their facilities and encouraging vehicular rather than pedestrian traffic. Commissioner Gottfried expressed interest in defining neighborhood concepts in the Comprehensive Plan, and looking at their individuality as well as their interdependence on adjacent land uses.