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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, August 06, 2008 Applicant Representatives: Lori-Anne Williams, 11325 Summer Street, Roseville, nd MN, Library Board; and Jack Poling, MS & R Architects, 710 S 2 Street, Mpls., MN 55401, Project Architect; and Fred Shank, Ramsey County Property Management Mr. Poling briefly reviewed existing versus proposed parking configurations; entryway location; exterior elevation materials; building height as related to existing and proposed roof lines, and related to neighboring residential properties; existing pyramid; additional of the second floor on the area of the building originally designed for that addition; and considerations to residential neighbors on the east side of the library property to allow for natural light. Discussion included the proposed plans for Gold or Silver LEED Certification for the project, while considering budget constraints for the project. Mr. Shank addressed the conservation easement, noting that it had been cleared when the property was purchased by Ramsey County and that there only remained one (1) City of Roseville easement for a water main. Discussion included limited change in the building’s footprint, estimated at approximately 100 square feet additional; decision-making still underway by Ramsey County as to whether the facility would remain open or be located to a temporary facility during construction; inclusion and central location of the public elevator to provide convenient access; Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA provisions); and public meetings held by the applicant to-date. Mr. Poling briefly reviewed discussions at two (2) open house meetings held to-date, and community and neighborhood concerns that had been incorporated into the design process. Chair Bakeman noted the recent landscaping and shrubbery improvements made by the library, and expressed her personal and the community’s appreciation for their attention to this neighborhood concern. Ms. Williams noted the insufficiencies in the current parking availability and its configuration, and the County’s sensitivity to the new construction alleviating those insufficiencies. Ms. Williams addressed rationale for addition of the second story, as well as relocating the central entrance to efficiently accommodate access from either the north or south parking areas, and to improve pedestrian safety within the site. Further discussion included mitigating the impacts of traffic and vehicle headlights, reduced noise from mechanicals on site, and activities in the building or on site to adjacent residential properties and steps taken in the design process to address those concerns, particularly on the east side of the property; building aesthetics as well as functionality; color of the building; bicycle parking and security; and rationale for and analysis of a second story, rather than a one-story facility. Additional discussion included elimination of building and/or site access points with competing uses; rationale for a parking lot versus a parking structure for the site based on aesthetics and preservation of green space and trees; trees significantly worth saving and those at the end of their life expectancy or of a species not appropriate; after-hours use by the coffee shop; improved pedestrian safety and accessibility of the site; and outdoor amenities and congregate areas. Commissioner Gottfried pursued potential interest of Ramsey County and/or the Metropolitan Council in providing a more direct access for pedestrians relative to a transit connection, in particular to accommodate those with disabilities; and the possibility of moving the entrance on County Road B further east to reduce traffic conflicts and safety issues at the intersection. Chair Bakeman suggested the possibility of reconfiguring the pond near the southwest entrance to provide additional space to relocate the parking lot entrance further east on the site; with Commissioner Wozniak observed that by moving the entrance it would also allow for the installation of a pedestrian access to the library. Page 5 of 6