pm_030508 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, March 05, 2008 Page 9 Chair Bakeman closed the Public Hearing. MOTION Member Gasongo moved, seconded by Member Boerigter to RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF the REZONING and GENERAL CONCEPT PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) at 2225 – 2265 Snelling Avenue, as submitted by AEON for Har Mar Apartments, based on comments and findings of Sections 4 - 6, and subject to conditions detailed in Section 7 of the Project Report dated March 5, 2008; a mended as follows: ? To add PRELIMINARY PLAT APPROVAL recommendation Commissioner Wozniak noted that he was sensitive to concerns related to potential crime in the area; however, opined that he believe that by investing more in the property and having more eyes on the property, it may serve to discourage crime; and encouraged the applicant to work with the City on placement of the structure and amenities (i.e., clear site lines, open areas, shrubs, etc.) with an eye toward safety to minimize opportunities for criminal activities. Commissioner Martinson concurred, noting that there were numerous studies by designers working with law enforcement on plantings and lighting to discourage criminal activities; and encouraged the applicant to consider that for the exterior of the building. Commissioner Martinson expressed concern with the applicant’s consideration of including on-street parking to accomplish their parking counts. Mr. Paschke clarified that on-street parking could not be considered in accomplishing parking counts. Mr. Paschke advised that staff would continue to work with the applicant to address safety concerns, without creating additional safety hazards through that mitigation; and would address driveway access and design issues based on tonight’s discussion and public comment. Mr. Paschke advised that, when roadways were not posted with specific speed limit signage in residential areas, State Statute specified, by default, a 30 mile per hour designation. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Motion carried. Chair Bakeman advised that the Case was scheduled to be heard by the City Council at their March 24, 2008 meeting. c. PLANNING FILE 08-009 Request by Midland Hills Country Club for approval of a RIGHT-OF-WAY VACATION of an undeveloped portion of Walnut Street between Ryan Avenue, Highway 280, and the golf course Chair Bakeman opened the Public Hearing for Planning File 08-009. Associate Planner Bryan Lloyd reviewed the request of Midland Hills Country Club for the VACATION of an undeveloped portion of the Walnut Street right-of-way that overlaps golf course property, at 2001 Fulham Street. Mr. Lloyd advised that a roadway had long existed in the location of the current VACATION request prior to the construction of Highway 280, at which time the longer roadway was removed and replaced with a connection between Walnut Street in Lauderdale and the highway within the highway’s right-of-way. Mr. Paschke noted that the Walnut Street right-of-way had been undeveloped at least since 1974. Mr. Lloyd noted that, upon the collapse of the I-35W bridge on August 12, 2007, Highway 280 was designated as the primary detour route for the interstate, prompting the closing of highway accesses from Walnut Street, County Road B and other local streets. Mr. Lloyd advised that a joint determination by MnDOT and the City’s Public Works/Engineering Department had determined that the City had no plans to improve Walnut Street in that location and that the interests of the public would not be compromised by vacating the portion of the Walnut Street right-of-way that overlaps the Midland Hills property. Mr. Lloyd noted that a legal description of the land to be vacated was still pending.