HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/20/19991. Call to Order
MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION
Monday, December 20, 1999, 7:00 PM
City Hall Council Chambers
1830 County Road B East
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Minutes
a. December 6, 1999
4. Approval of Agenda
Public Hearings
a. Rosoto Senior Housing (DeSoto Street and Roselawn Avenue)
Land Use Plan Change (R-1 to RH)
Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Planned Unit Development (PUD)
Parking Reduction Authorization
bo
Woodlynn Hills Church (1740 VanDyke Street)
1. Land Use Plan Change (BC to Church)
2. Conditional Use Permit
6. New Business
7. Visitor Presentations
8. Commission Presentations
a. December 13 Council Meeting: Mr. Rossbach
b. December 27 Council Meeting: Mr. Trippler
c. January 10 Council Meeting: Mr. Mueller
9. Staff Presentations
a. White Bear Avenue Corridor Study Update
,10. Adjournment
MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION
1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
DECEMBER 20, 1999
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Fischer called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Il. ROLL CALL
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Lorraine Fischer Present
Jack Frost Present
Matt Ledvina Present
Paul Mueller Absent
Gary Pearson Present
William Rossbach Present
Michael Seeber Absent
Milo Thompson Present
Dale Trippler Present
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. December 6, 1999
Commissioner Pearson moved approval of the minutes of December 6, 1999, amended as
follows: change item 4 on page 7 to read "...maystore snow on the site but after the normal
operating hours must use White Bear Avenue .... "change "advocated" to abdicated (last
paragraph on page 2), note that Commissioner Fischer asked to have "inner-ring suburbs"
changed to Ramsey County and add that Commissioner Trippler pointed out there are two
identical paragraphs on page 58 and 60 (suggested deleting the one on page 60) and identified
two incorrect bike trails on page 128.
Commissioner Ledvina seconded.
Ayes--Fischer, Rossbach, Pearson, Frost,
Thompson, Ledvina, Trippler
Abstain--Seeber
The motion passed.
IV. APPROVAL OFAGENDA
Commissioner Pearson moved approval of the agenda as submitted.
Commissioner Ledvina seconded.
Ayes--all
The motion passed.
V. PUBLIC HEARING
Rosoto Senior Housing (DeSoto Street and Roselawn Avenue): Land Use Plan Change (R-1 to
RH), Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Planned Unit Development (PUD), and Parking
Reduction Authorization
Ken Roberts, associate planner, presented the staff report. He pointed out, at the request of the
developer, that the owner cannot convert this development to nonsenior housing without a
revision of the PUD and that the city defines senior housing, for this permit, as a residence
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occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older. Mr. Roberts said the developer is
concerned that he may not be able to completely rent the building to persons 55 or older.
Therefore, he is requesting that the city change this to require that 80 percent of the units have a
person 55 or older.
Commissioner Trippler noted that approximately 10 percent of the property is wetland but there
was no discussion of the wetland in the staff report. Mr. Roberts said this was an oversight. He
said this is a Class V wetland (the lowest quality wetland) that requires a 0-foot buffer. Mr.
Trippler asked about the concerns of the police and fire departments in regard to this housing
and what impact those concerns might have. Mr. Roberts answered that senior housing
typically generates more paramedic runs than a single-family home. It becomes a question of
how much more senior housing can the city have before it is necessary to add more staff, etc.
Mr. Roberts said the developer would be allowed to put a storm-water pipe in the wetland as
long as the buffer area that is disturbed by placement of the pipe is restored. Commissioner
Ledvina asked if access to the rear of the building was not an issue here. Mr. Roberts said the
fire department requested better access at the end of the site but did not specifically say the rear
of the building. The topography and grading of the site would prohibit getting anything
completely around the building. Mr. Roberts said the fire department would prefer more access
but they seemed okay with the proposal.
Commissioner Ledvina also noted that there did not seem to be green space on site for the
residents. Mr. Roberts said he had not seen any but suggested that the applicant be asked
about this. He did not know where there would be room to provide any green space unless the
building was significantly shortened. Mr. Roberts observed that there was an outdoor
patio/porch area with a sidewalk connection to Roselawn Avenue.
Commissioner Pearson asked if there was a different time requirement for the TDR agreement
as opposed to the PUD. Mr. Roberts said that the TDR condition had to be completed before
the city issues a grading or building permit for the project. Commissioner Trippler thought it was
important to address two concerns expressed by the residents at 1843 DeSoto Street. He
asked if the existing storm and sanitary sewers were adequate to handle this building and if it
could become Section 8 housing in the future. Ken Haider, city engineer, responded that the
utilities in the area are adequate for this facility. Mr. Roberts said if potential occupants were
Section 8 seniors and could work out a rent agreement with the owners, they could move into
the building. Section 8 recipients who did not meet the age requirement could only move into
the building if Condition 4 was changed so that 20 percent of the units could be occupied by
other persons than seniors.
Chairperson Fischer explained that a senior whose income fell within certain guidelines could, if
the rent for these units were within an the acceptable range, receive a Section 8 voucher to help
assist with the rent and move into these buildings. Commissioner Thompson said it was his
observation that residences originally intended primarily for seniors "noticed substantial
degradation as they brought in the younger set." He asked to have it noted that the request for
80/20 housing did not impress him.
Paul Sentman, the applicant, responded to the commissioners' questions. He said these senior
developments typically take seniors from the area, moving them from single family homes to
congregate-type facilities. Mr. Sentman referred to the Cardinal Pointe building being built on
Hazelwood Street in Maplewood. He said of the 96 units sold, only 11 are to people who came
from outside the immediate area. In relation to fire and police calls, the number would not vary
that much but they would be concentrated into one particular area. Mr. Sentman also pointed
out that the building would be totally sprinklered.
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Mr. Sentman said that specific price and age studies will be done before further review by the
commission. He agreed that a senior building is best as a building with senior residents but
asked for some flexibility until these studies are done. Mr. Sentman said a building developed
for seniors has certain amenities, i.e. a higher percentage of common areas, so that often it is in
a structured price situation that doesn't fit with a lower age group.
Mr. Sentman said off the patio side of the building there would be additional retaining to make
some "green area" for barbeques, etc. At this time, they are primarily seeking approval of the
basic concept. Mr. Sentman answered a question from Commissioner Rossbach on how the
size of the building was determined. He said when developing a senior complex, the amount of
common area and type of personnel (someone in a director capacity) that would need to be
there are split over a certain number of people. According to Mr. Sentman, it does not
numerically work if the project is too small. He said maintenance or housekeeping things that
people cannot do themselves will be provided.
Commissioner Rossbach asked for more specific details on what services being provided would
necessitate having 70 units instead of, for example, 50. Mr. Sentman said the square footage of
the units has not been determined but he expected they would run from 720/740 square feet up
to about a 1,000 square feet. Mr. Rossbach thought the density was "way too high for this area
and the building is too big." However, he did think it was a good area for senior housing. He
also stated that "it was a crummy arrangement when you start borrowing somebody else's
development capabilities from their land." Basically, Mr. Rossbach said they were taking land
from somewhere else and using it to fit their needs.
Mr. Sentman said the topography of this site is quite Iow and it will be filled but not quite up to
the Roselawn elevation. Therefore, the building as viewed from Roselawn will look like a two-
story building. He said this structure will be recessed into the ground so that the first floor level
is almost below the street grade from Roselawn Avenue. Mr. Sentman noted that there is a
wooded ravine area to the west that is unusable and a ponding setback area with recessed
housing to the north. He felt the only housing directly affected would be immediately across the
street to the east because there is also wetland and ponding area to the south.
Commissioner Rossbach expressed concern about the "overall impression when you drive
through a neighborhood"--a large building stuck in among single-family houses. Mr. Sentman
pointed out that there are other multiple units located close to this area. This fact made Mr.
Rossbach's "argument stronger." He did not advocate putting more large buildings in the area.
Commissioner Rossbach said he could not see voting for this project.
Ken Roberts said the city's minimum size for a two-bedroom unit is 740 square feet and
minimum size for a one-bedroom unit is 550 square feet. Therefore, a one-bedroom in the
proposed senior housing will be about the size of the minimum two-bedroom. Commissioner
Pearson mentioned a personal instance where a family member lived happily in a senior housing
facility until they began taking approximately 15-20 percent young physically & mentally disabled
persons. According to Mr. Pearson, the quality of life changed dramatically when these persons
moved in. Mr. Pearson was particularly sensitive and not favorable towards a building that will
not be 100 percent senior housing.
Commissioner Thompson questioned what the applicant envisioned for the land they "were
borrowing" to the west. Mr. Sentman said he "envisioned basically no change to that property."
He said it is "basically unbuildable land." The church has to address some watershed issues
and Mr. Sentman stated that these improvements will be paid for by the development. Basically,
the area in question will be left as it is.
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Chairperson Fischer asked if the applicant would have a viable project if he constructed a
building with the allowable 51 units. Mr. Sentman said he did not think so because of the cost of
necessary additional site work. Ms. Fischer also asked if the project would be viable if only
seniors were allowed. Mr. Sentman thought it probably would be. The established standard by
HUD is that a senior is generally 55 or older.
Chairperson Fischer opened the public hearing to the audience. Bayford Leighton, 1848 DeSoto
Street, thought this was "the biggest bomb that's been laid in Maplewood" in the nine years that
he has been a resident. He liked the existing single-family neighborhood and did not want,
under any circumstances, this multiple dwelling. Mr. Leighton said a three-story building was too
much for the neighborhood. He spoke about the existing traffic problems at DeSoto and
Roselawn and felt these would only get worse.
Mr. Leighton expressed concern about the water runoff and did not think it could be solved by
adding dirt. He did not think 55-year-olds were senior citizens and felt there was a possibility of
parties if the building was inhabited by a large number of this age group. Mr. Leighton also
mentioned the additional number of cars and paramedic/ambulance runs that would be
generated by the addition of 70 units. He summarized by saying this was the wrong place for
this building.
George Sterzinger, of 487 Roselawn Avenue, asked if the age requirement on this housing
could be changed in future years. Ken Roberts said it would be necessary to go through the city
process and ask the city council to approve a change. A public hearing involving neighborhood
residents would be involved. Mr. Sterzinger was against allowing an 80/20 mix of residents but
was agreeable to the 55-year and older age requirement. There was no further comment from
the public so the public hearing was closed.
Chairperson Fischer and Commissioner Frost discussed the size and number of units in other
senior buildings within the city. Commissioner Trippler asked if there had been any other
transfers of development rights within the city. Mr. Roberts said there had not been any in the
ten years he has been with the city. Commissioner Thompson wondered if the city had ever
checked to see if the value of surrounding property decreased after a building similar to this has
been built. Mr. Roberts said staff has not done this.
Commissioner Seeber commented on the number of large apartment buildings in this area and
asked how this building was "dispersed" by being put in this area. Mr. Roberts responded that
this building was intended for seniors only and that would be the difference. Mr. Seeber said he
was referring to size. Chairperson Fischer mentioned how it came about that Maplewood now
has "many fewer acres that were originally planned for other than single-family residential."
Commissioner Rossbach pointed out that Mapiewood "has always been a leader in providing
diversified housing and affordable housing" and, therefore, there is "no particular pressure upon
Maplewood to continue to do things above and beyond what everyone else is doing." His point
was that this neighborhood already had larger buildings around the edges and he did not think it
was a good idea to construct a building of this size right in the middle of the neighborhood. He
referred to other areas where the character of neighborhoods has been changed as commercial
or large buildings are introduced.
Commissioner Thompson spoke about property in the neighborhood that is "crying for attention,
development, improvement." He said some residents feel improvement has destroyed their
roads. Commissioner Trippler wanted to go on record as a "54-year-old youngster getting ready
to go into senior citizenhood" and he was in favor of senior housing. He had concern with the
transfer of development rights on this application. Mr. Trippler said he planned to vote against
this proposal because of this particular issue. He spoke about other variances that have been
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allowed and feels that this may set a precedence for allowing future TDRs. Commissioner
Thompson referred to TDRs as being similar to water rights in western states and did not feel
they were as fearful as they were being made out to be.
Commissioner Frost moved the Planning Commission recommend:
ao
Approval of the resolution which changes the land use plan from R-1 (single family
residential) to RH (residential high density) for the site of the Rosoto senior housing
development on the corner of Roselawn Avenue and DeSoto Street. The city bases these
changes on the following findings:
1. This site is proper for and consistent with the city's policies for high-density residential
use. This includes:
ao
Having a variety of housing types for all types of residents, regardless of age, ethnic,
racial, cultural or socioeconomic background, a diversity of housing types should
include apartments, town houses, manufactured homes, single-family housing,
public-assisted housing and Iow- to moderate-income housing, and rental and owner-
occupied housing.
b°
Promote a variety of housing types, costs and ownership options throughout the city.
These are to meet the life-cycle needs of all income levels, those with special needs
and nontraditional households.
c. The city will continue to provide dispersed locations for a diversity of housing styles,
types and price ranges through its land use plan.
d. It is on a collector street and is near an arterial street, parks and open space.
2. This development will minimize any adverse effects on surrounding properties because:
a. The proposed on-site pond and large setback from the street will separate the senior
housing from nearby homes.
b. Studies have shown there will be no adverse effect on property values.
This approval is subject to the developer acquiring a transfer of development rights (TDR)
agreement with Saint Jerome's church for enough property to make the project's density no
higher than 16 units per gross acre.
Approval of the resolution which approves a conditional use permit for a planned unit
development for the Rosoto senior housing development. The city bases this approval on the
findings required by code. (Refer to the resolution for the specific findings.) Approval is
subject to the following conditions:
All construction shall follow the site plan date-stamped November 2, 1999. The city
council may approve major changes. The director of community development may
approve minor changes.
The project design plans, including architectural and landscaping plans, shall be subject
to review and approval of the community design review board (CDRB).
3. The proposed construction must be substantially started within one year of council
approval or the permit shall end. The council may extend this deadline for one year.
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The owner shall not convert this development to non-senior housing without the revision
of the planned unit development. For this permit, the city defines senior housing as a
residence occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older.
5. There shall be no outdoor storage of recreational vehicles, boats or trailers.
Residents shall not park trailers and vehicles that they do not need for day-to-day
transportation on the site. If the city decides there are excess parking spaces available
on the site, then the city may allow the parking of these on the site.
7. If the city council decides there is not enough on-site parking after the building is 95
percent occupied, the city may require additional parking.
o
The developer shall provide an on-site storm shelter in the apartment building. This
shelter shall be subject to the approval of the director of emergency preparedness. It
shall have a minimum of three square feet per person for 80% of the planned population.
*9.
The developer shall secure a transfer of development rights (TDR) agreement with Saint
Jerome's church for enough property to make the housing project's density no higher
than 16 units per gross acre.
10.
The developer shall install a 5-foot-wide bituminous path or widen the shoulder along the
south side of Roselawn Avenue between the proposed sidewalk on the site to the east
line of the first driveway on the church property to the west of the site. The developer's
engineer shall show this additional bituminous on the grading and construction plans.
The city engineer shall approve the details of these plans.
11. The city council shall review this permit in one year.
*The developer must complete these conditions before the city issues a grading permit or a
building permit.
C. Approve 103 parking spaces (70 garage spaces and 33 open spaces), rather than the
140 spaces required by code for the Rosoto senior housing development, because:
1. The parking space requirement is not proper for senior housing, because there are
fewer cars per unit in these projects.
2. The city has approved fewer parking spaces for other senior housing, including the
Village on Woodlynn, the Carefree Cottages and Gervais Court.
Commissioner Rossbach seconded.
Chairperson Fischer asked if approving the conditional use permit is approving the planned unit
development as it presently exists. Ken Roberts said it was their intention to bring the final
plans and details back to the planning commission. He said this was a "preliminary approval."
Commissioner Trippler asked if he made a motion to delete the paragraph in the resolution
referring to transfer of development rights would it negate the entire project. Mr. Roberts
recommended that, if the commission wanted to do this, they should amend some of the other
language to specify meeting the density requirements or maximum number of units.
Commissioner Trippler asked to make a motion to delete the paragraph in the land use plan
change resolution that begins with "this approval" through "16 units per gross acre." Mr.
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Roberts suggested changing the paragraph so that it says the project's density can be no
higher than 16 units per gross acre. He said Item 9 in the conditional use permit resolution
should also be amended to say "the developer shall make the housing project's density no
higher than 16 units per gross acre."
It was determined that this is not a friendly amendment to the previous motion. Chairperson
Fischer asked if Mr. Trippler wanted to amend the original motion to include this statement.
Commissioner Trippler amended the motion to have the paragraph in the land use plan change
resolution read "this approval is to make the project's density no higher than 16 units per gross
acre" and change Condition 9 in the conditional use permit resolution to read "the developer
shall make the housing project's density no higher than 16 units per gross acre."
Commissioner Ledvina seconded.
Commissioner Rossbach pointed out that this amendment could be met by doing the transfer of
the development rights. He thought if you wanted no transfer of development rights it should
specifically say so. Mr. Roberts felt the developer would then have to purchase property from
the church to make the site larger to increase the gross acreage. He said the TDR was a
request of the PUD and, with the change, this would be denied.
Chairperson Fischer called for a vote on the amendment which basically limits the size of the
project to the acreage which would be owned by the developer to 16 units per acre. This would
reduce the number of units from 70 to 51 if the acreage remains the same. Mr. Roberts said he
would want to consult the city attorney, if the acreage changed, to determine whether this would
be a new PUD.
Ayes--Ledvina, Pearson, Rossbach,
Thompson, Trippler
Nays--Fischer, Frost, Seeber
The amendment carried.
Chairperson Fischer called for a vote on the amended motion which is to change to an RH from
R-l, but reduce the number of units from 70 to 51. Commissioner Pearson asked if the intent
of the motion was to have the language remain the same on B.4. which defined the senior
housing age requirement. Commissioner Frost said there is no change from what is written.
Commissioner Trippler asked if the building could be defined as a residence so that only one
person 55 years of age or older would be needed. Mr. Roberts said that residence could be
changed to unit.
Ayes--Fischer, Frost, Ledvina, Pearson,
Thompson, Trippler
Nays--Rossbach, Seeber
The motion passed.
Commissioner Frost left the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Woodlynn Hills Church (1740 VanDyke Street): Land Use Plan Change (BC to Church) and
Conditional Use Permit
Ken Roberts, associate planner, presented the staff report. Commissioner Rossbach
commented that if the council were going to look at making a code amendment regarding
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liquor license requirements for an existing establishment within 100 feet of the church,
wouldn't it be prudent to make an amendment that says if something moves in after
something else is existing that it shouldn't tread upon its rights.
Scott Roberts, Genesis Architecture, the architect for the project, was present.
Commissioner Ledvina asked what the timing would be on the phasing of the plan. Mr.
Roberts said the initial Phase 1 would be started and concluded by the year 2000. After
that, he said the thinking within the church was about five years for Phase 2.
Commissioner Trippler said that Marlene L'Allier stated in her letter that the roof had leaked
incessantly during the 10 years she worked at Builders Square. Commissioner Trippler
asked the architect if he had looked at the roof for any leakage. Mr. Roberts said that in the
north side where the grocery store used to be has a new roof but the portion to the south
does need a new roof and its replacement is incorporated in the initial Phase 1.
Commissioner Trippler asked the architect what the plan was for the back of the building
that runs along Hazel Street where the rundown fence is. Mr. Roberts said the intention
was to clean it up, fix up the access as far as the stairs, and, originally, it was intended to
put the fence back up but it was felt it really didn't do a lot and, aesthetically, it would be
better if it was opened up. Commissioner Trippler said he talked to a resident that lives
behind the church and the resident suggested that some coniferous trees be planted back
there. Commissioner Trippler asked the architect if they had thought about putting in a line
of trees back there. Mr. Roberts said that around the entire perimeter of the property there
was going to be an upgrade in landscaping relative to the screening requirements.
In regard to Item 5 of the Conditional Use Permit Resolution where it says "the use would
generate only minimal vehicular traffic on local streets and would not create traffic
congestion or unsafe access on existing or proposed streets", Commissioner Thompson
asked the architect to describe the provisions at the present location of the church as it
relates to traffic. Mr. Roberts said the present location was at Arlington High School so it
would be a high school use in terms of the access which is more than what the church
would utilize on a Sunday morning, etc., so the impact would be fairly minimal. Mr. Roberts
said that traffic use at the potential church site would be less than what it was when it was a
retail site.
Commissioner Thompson asked the architect if he cared to describe the provisions for
traffic control that are made at the present location. Mr. Roberts said that the church
representative, Mr. Phil Sherwood, would have to do that. Mr. Sherwood was present and
said that they currently come into Arlington High School off of Nebraska Street where there
is a single stoplight that egress and ingress on the school facility, and they use the school
parking lot. He said that at this location there are fewer opportunities for coming into the
parking lot and leaving it than they would have at the Builder's Square location. He also
said there haven't been any complaints about the parking at Arlington High School.
Commissioner Thompson asked the applicant for an honest appraisal of the traffic
conditions at their existing location. Mr. Sherwood said his experience was that it was more
difficult coming north if you were turning across traffic because a lot of the traffic coming
south is not turning into the high school. He said the biggest problem was for people
coming north and being able to turn left and get in.
Chairperson Fischer asked staff to comment on the ability of the streets in this area to
handle the type of traffic with the church operation comparing it to the other ones down the
street. Ken Harder, public works director, said that coming to the church site has some
inconvenience attached to it but it shouldn't be transferred into the neighborhood. He said
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there may be some slight congestion on VanDyke Street but there is very little traffic on that
street to begin with. Commissioner Thompson said he believed Rice Street to be a fairly
heavy duty street and on Sunday morning there is a problem and he wants people to be
aware of this. Mr. Sherwood said it is a very short period of time that there is that peak and
backup in traffic.
Commissioner Pearson said that rarely has the commission seen a project or proposal
come before them that has such resounding neighborhood approval, none of which has
taken any particular issue with traffic for the area, and there are so many inlet points to get
into that parking lot from the north and south that he can't see that any traffic is going to be
through the neighborhood.
Chairperson Fischer asked if there was anyone in the audience who would like to comment
on the proposal for Woodland Hills Church at 1740 VanDyke Street. Ms. Tring Tranberg,
1018 Dennis Street South, said there were three reasons why she supports this project: 1)
the church will take residence in an abandoned building, 2) it will bring customers to the
businesses on White Bear Avenue, and 3) it takes a church community to build a better
community.
Commissioner Pearson moved the Planning Commission recommend:
ao
Adoption of the resolution approving a comprehensive land use plan amendment from
BC (business commercial) to C (church) for a church in the former Builder's Square
building at 1740 VanDyke Street and the Plaza Theater building at 1847 Larpenteur
Avenue. Approval is based on the findings required by the code and subject to:
1. It would be consistent with the comprehensive plan's goals and policies.
2. It would protect and strengthen the neighborhood.
3. It would minimize conflict between land uses.
4. It would support the improvement, replacement or redevelopment of substandard or
incompatible development.
5. It is in the public interest to remove this property from the tax rolls since it would
create a more compatible situation with the adjacent residential community.
Bo
Adoption of the resolution approving a conditional use permit for a church at 1740
VanDyke Street and the Plaza Theater building at 1847 Larpenteur Avenue. Approval is
based on the findings required by the code and subject to:
1. All construction, renovations and improvements shall follow the site plan approved
by the city. The director of community development may approve minor changes.
The proposed use must be substantially started within one year of council approval
or the permit shall become null and void. The council may extend this deadline for
one year.
3. The city council shall review this permit in one year.
°
The applicant shall do the following immediately with the Phase 1 improvements:
overlay and restripe the parking lot on the west side of the building, patch pot holes
in the parking lot on the remainder of the site, remove all litter, damaged items and
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debris, remove the wooden fence and restore the grass.
5. The landscape plan shall be submitted to the community design review board for
approval before any landscaping is added.
6. Plans for any changes to the building exterior, other than painting or repairs, shall be
submitted to the community design review board for review and approval.
Commissioner Ledvina seconded. Ayes--all
The motion passed.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
VII. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
There were no visitor presentations.
VIII. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
a. December 13 Council Meeting: Mr. Rossbach reported on this meeting.
Commissioner Pearson left the meeting at 8:52 p.m.
B. December 27 Council Meeting: Mr. Trippler will report on this meeting.
C. January 10 Council Meeting: Mr. Ledvina will report on this meeting.
Several phone number corrections were noted.
Chairperson Fischer asked if a sidbwalk, rather than a widened portion of the road, would not be
better walking area for seniors. Ken Haider, city engineer, said a detached walking area is better
for seniors, and everyone else, than walking on the street. He added that sidewalks were
relatively unpopular in the city and a walking lane on the street has evolved as the standard.
IX. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. White Bear Avenue Corridor Study Update
Ken Roberts offered an update handout on the White Bear Avenue study. Mr. Roberts went
to his office to get them.
Commissioner Rossbach noted that there were only two persons from the planning
committee at the city commissioner appreciation reception. He said it was a nice event and
more activity should be generated. It was mentioned that another commissioner attended
but left early.
Mr. Roberts emphasized that the White Bear Avenue committee welcomed the attendance
of city commission members.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.