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Planning Commission Meeting <br />Minutes – Wednesday, March 04, 2009 <br />Page 5 <br />need to accommodate snow storage on site, while expressing willingness to work with <br />staff on potential parking design to accommodate more green space. <br />Further discussion included adjustable lighting heights for less impact to adjoining <br />properties; typical accessibility points above and beyond code requirements; and location <br />of bicycle parking amenities near the north entrance to the building. <br />Eric Beazley, Loucks & Associates, Civil Engineer for the Project <br />Mr. Beazley addressed traffic considerations, based on discussions with Ramsey County <br />and the critical nature of the County Road B and Lexington Avenue intersection for <br />Ramsey County, and addressing traffic flow at that intersection. Mr. Beazley addressed <br />City standards for Sandhurst as related to access points. <br />City Engineer Debra Bloom <br />Ms. Bloom addressed staff’s considerations when reviewing circulation on the site and <br />access points, and anticipated enhancements in traffic flow by moving the access point <br />further away from the intersection. Ms. Bloom opined that the Sandhurst traffic situation <br />should also improve with the new use and site access points. <br />Gonsalo Villares, Pope Architects <br />Mr. Villares addressed the traffic light pole location, and willingness to address <br />landscaping to make access easier for pedestrians and bicycles; location of bike racks by <br />the entrance; and pedestrian connections between the building entrance and sidewalk. <br />Mr. Villares addressed the building height in relationship to the neighboring buildings, <br />with standard heights at sixteen feet (16’) for the building, along with an additional two <br />feet (2’) amenity on the corner for emphasis, and offered to review heights of neighboring <br />buildings in more detail. <br />Chair Bakeman opened the meeting for public comment at approximately 7:55 p.m. <br />Public Comment <br />Andrejs Vape, Owner of Lexington Court Apartments, 2192 – 2206 Lexington <br />Mr. Vape expressed concern about losing the residential nature of the neighborhood; in <br />addition to traffic concerns and the number of accidents currently at the corner of County <br />Road B and Lexington Avenue. Mr. Vape further opined that making a left-hand turn from <br />either of the two (2) accesses to his apartment buildings was very difficult; and noted the <br />huge traffic issue at Sandhurst and Lexington. Mr. Vape opined that it would irresponsible <br />to compromise on the forty foot (40’) visibility triangle, and that it would only create more <br />problems and accidents. Mr. Vape further opined that the code shouldn’t be changed for <br />setback requirements; and that additional green space and landscaping should be added. <br />Mr. Vape further opined that, while this will be an improvement over the current drive-thru <br />bank, it should be done right and that the building should not be located directly up to the <br />sidewalk. <br />Tom Arnold, representing his daughter, Heidi Arnold, resident at 1133 Sandhurst <br />Mr. Arnold provided his observations from frequent visits to his daughter’s home; and <br />opined about the need to remember that the quality of life in Roseville was based on it <br />being a suburb, and that urban features were not called for. Mr. Arnold opined that there <br />were vacant buildings all over the City, and with the current economy, no more office <br />buildings were indicated. <br />Mr. Arnold further opined that the existing well-established and stable neighborhood <br />should be preserved, and that the addition of an office building in the neighborhood would <br />reduce residential property values. Mr. Arnold suggested that the applicant only go one <br />(1) lot deep, not two (2) to avoid infringing upon the residential neighborhood. Mr. Arnold <br />suggested that the City not encourage further chaotic planning with past patterns of <br />mixing business and residential properties. Mr. Arnold recommended that the City do <br />more planning to avoid further chaos; and agreed that traffic was atrocious. <br /> <br />