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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, November 05, 2008 Page 2 Commissioner Doherty opined that he supported Regional Business designation; however, noted that with the removal of the 100,000 square foot designation, he was supportive of the change to Community Business designation. Chair Bakeman advised that there had been an anonymous “fear flyer” distributed in the Har Mar neighborhood immediately prior to the City Council meeting, creating substantial public comment and concern expressed by the neighborhood that big box retail was proposed for the Har Mar site at some time in the future. Chair Bakeman noted that the Planning Commission could only make recommendations to the City Council, but that the Council was the final decision-making body; and had concurred with all other Planning Commission recommendations, with this exception, but with removal of the 100,000 square foot designation. Chair Bakeman advised that with the City’s zoning code scheduled for revision for consistency with the updated Comprehensive Plan within nine (9) months, the Planning Commission would have the opportunity to ensure community businesses would fit at Har Mar Mall, Larpenteur and Lexington Avenues; and other sites that are currently out of compliance and to keep redevelopment within those neighborhoods appropriate. Chair Bakeman thanked Commissioner Wozniak for providing information to the Planning Commission from a community in Washington, addressing community values for development or redevelopment projects, opining that the information should be very helpful in future deliberations. At the request of Chair Bakeman, Mr. Paschke reviewed staff’s goal for a comprehensive rewrite of zoning and subdivision code; additional funding requested in the 2009 budget ($30,000) for assistance from outside consultants in this process; the major undertaking in addressing these consistencies and incongruities; and anticipated scheduling of those revisions in approximately February or March of 2009, following the 120-day approval process of the Comprehensive Plan by the Metropolitan Council, unless they request an extension given the number of plans they will be reviewing. Commissioners requested that staff provide a draft work plan for 2009 related to outcomes of the Comprehensive Plan and anticipated work to be allocated for the docket, deadlines, and milestones, and how best to coordinate those necessary actions; and in consideration of other cases coming before the Commission. Commissioners requested that staff have a preliminary plan available for discussion by Commissioners at their December 2008 meeting, since it appeared there will be minimal items on that agenda. Chair Bakeman suggested that individual Commissioners communicate with Mr. Paschke or Mr. Trudgeon regarding items they wished to address during 2009, and for inclusion as staff formulated the work plan (i.e., transportation and ecology issues). Commissioner Doherty requested an update from staff on the United Properties’ assisted living project and their commitments for units. Mr. Paschke advised that he had not heard from the applicant as to any other commitments; however, he advised that the plat was currently being recorded at Ramsey County; and that the applicant’s goal was to begin construction during 2009, with both projects in conjunction, to provide for economies of scale in their construction. Regarding the Comprehensive Plan, Planning Districts 12, 13 and 14, and future neighborhood parks, Commissioner Boerigter sought clarification. Mr. Paschke advised that those Districts were in the SW portion of the City; and while some of the areas may have open spaces, there were currently no parks, and future development or redevelopment should take that into consideration. Chair Bakeman closed the Public Hearing, with no one appearing to speak.