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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, June 04, 2008 Page 7 neighborhood’s willingness to work with staff and the developer on resolution of the safety concerns. Nadya El-Afandi, 1810 Alta Vista Drive Ms. El-Afandi noted that she lived on the corner of Ata Vista Drive and Dale Court and that all of the traffic had to come by her house. She addressed her concerns with the request as proposed, and opined that her priority preference would be to completely block access from this site to Alta Vista, with an access on Larpenteur Avenue. Ms. El-Afandi opined that, from her experience with the City has done any kind of road work and directed people out of a specific neighborhood, human nature was to deviate from that prescribed route, particularly when not local traffic. Ms. El-Afandi noted the current stop signs, and need to accelerate to gain momentum to get up the hill on Dale Court; the number of small children in the residential neighborhood; preference to make sure this remained a one story, and prohibited a second story in the future that would be entirely out of character for the neighborhood; and ensuring pedestrian access currently provided by the private parking lot. Ms. El-Afandi provided comment from her husband (Bill Kinnunen, 1810 Alta Vista) who was unable to attend tonight, but requested that should rezoning be granted, it be with a caveat that the assisted living facility actually built, and if not, rezoning wouldn’t happen. Commissioner Doherty questioned, if to provide an access on Larpenteur, a two-story building was indicated, if she would support a two-story building. Ms. El-Afandi replied in the affirmative; echoed by Mr. Radovich. Warren Olson, 650 Larpenteur Avenue W (St. Paul, MN) Mr. Olson opined that parking was an issue; and that signage needed to be addressed off Alta Vista. Mr. Olson noted the number of people using the bus at that site; and the need for a sidewalk. Mr. Olson further opined that the proposed parking space wouldn’t handle staffing for the facility, and visitor parking even on weekdays. Mr. Olson, while admitting that the company sounded like a good firm and their proposed facility a good one, assured Commissioners that he would be doing additional research on this company and their other facilities; concluding by opining that this would be a dramatic impact on the neighborhood. Gene Anderson Mr. Anderson concurred with supporting a two-story building as a trade-off for additional parking. David Ficek Mr. Ficek noted that, pending completion of negotiations, Comforts of Home may or may not be the ultimate operator; and recognized the genuine concerns of the neighbors and expressed his willingness to work with them and staff in concert on signage or blocking access; whatever solution was evident. Mr. Ficek clarified again that this was not a nursing home, but an independent assisted living, with limited staffing requirements. Mr. Ficek also noted this willingness to work with the neighbors and accommodate pedestrians with an applicable portion of sidewalk. With no one else appearing to speak, Chair Bakeman closed the Public Hearing. Mr. Paschke advised the Planning Commission that conditions couldn’t be placed on rezoning of the property; and that other City Code requirements would address parking setbacks, but that more parking or height limitations could not be required. Mr. Paschke noted that currently under the B-2 zoning designation a three-story building could be constructed on the premises without formal City approval. He further advised, that the majority of issues/concerns raised by Commissioners and the public are site related and not zoning or rezoning related. He informed the Commission and public that staff had been aware of neighborhood concerns and that further departmental consideration would be made during the site plan review process (assuming the rezoning is approved).