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Planning Commission Meeting <br />Minutes – Wednesday, April 7, 2010 <br />Page 7 <br />expressed concern in dictating design standards to architects their specific <br />299 <br />design of a building’s base, middle and top. <br />300 <br />Mr. Paschke advised that, in accordance with form based zoning, a hybrid was <br />301 <br />suggested with performance not predicated on a map or diagrams. Mr. Paschke <br />302 <br />opined that the goal of the proposed design standards should serve to create <br />303 <br />more flexibility for creativity and varied aesthetics for building design. <br />304 <br />Discussion ensued regarding parking in the rear of a commercial building and <br />305 <br />practical applications while attempting to facilitate a pedestrian-friendly <br />306 <br />environment (Page 7.e – parking placement); specific examples for <br />307 <br />consideration; corner lots and frontage determined by the property address; and <br />308 <br />practical problems in requiring that the front door face the street side rather than <br />309 <br />the parking area. <br />310 <br />Further discussion included realistic parking on interior lots versus corner lots. <br />311 <br />Commissioner Gottfried, while recognizing that design functionality would be a <br />312 <br />challenge and was a consideration, spoke in support of moving toward a more <br />313 <br />pedestrian-friendly situation over the next twenty (20) years, especially for safety <br />314 <br />concerns (i.e., Lexington Avenue without sidewalks); and expressed the need to <br />315 <br />initiate this design now, with the Comprehensive Plan moving the City in that <br />316 <br />direction, with consideration required on a case by case basis, recognizing that it <br />317 <br />would not work in every situation. Commissioner Gottfried opined that today, <br />318 <br />Roseville was a “pedestrian-hazardous” community and needed to move forward <br />319 <br />through the transitional issues for long-term modification throughout the City. <br />320 <br />Commissioner Boerigter questioned if that was what the Comprehensive Plan <br />321 <br />actually envisioned, for most streets to have sidewalks; and questioned whether <br />322 <br />this was what most citizens wanted to pay for or if it was politically expedient. <br />323 <br />Commissioner Boerigter noted that Roseville was not downtown Minneapolis with <br />324 <br />masses of people walking to different areas; but that it had larger lots, with things <br />325 <br />spread out, and not many places accessible by walking; unless it was the intent <br />326 <br />to create stronger density. <br />327 <br />Commissioner Gottfried opined that there will be areas in Roseville where higher <br />328 <br />density would naturally occur as the community redeveloped related to market <br />329 <br />demands; but that it would take time; and that the Comprehensive Plan created a <br />330 <br />foundation for moving forward long-term. <br />331 <br />Commissioner Boerigter concurred that there were areas of Roseville that could <br />332 <br />support that level of density. <br />333 <br />Mr. Lloyd advised that, at a certain point, those using mass transit became <br />334 <br />pedestrians, especially in nodes around those intersections, whether retail or <br />335 <br />office uses, and that pedestrians prefer not to walk through parking areas but use <br />336 <br />sidewalks; and noting that some people don’t have access to personal vehicles <br />337 <br />and others may prefer to rely on other modes of transportation. <br />338 <br />Commissioner Gottfried spoke in support of ensuring that various levels and <br />339 <br />options for handicapped accessibility, specifically in higher density areas of <br />340 <br />Roseville, are given full consideration to accommodate preferred growth in the <br />341 <br />short and long term. <br />342 <br />c. Annual Business Item – Election of 2010 Officers <br />343 <br />Chair Doherty advised that he was willing to continue serving as Chair. <br />344 <br />MOTION <br />345 <br />Member Boerigter moved, seconded by Member Cook to approve <br />346 <br />reappointment of Commissioner Doherty as Chair. <br />347 <br />Ayes: 7 <br />348 <br />Nays: 0 <br />349 <br /> <br />