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Minutes 9/8/2006 0 IpA ©cjo kb Saint Paul Planning Commission d� 9 e00 City Hall Conference Center 0/TAG, 6 15 Kellogg Boulevard West Lc* Minutes September 8,2006 A meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Saint Paul was held Friday, September 8,2006, at 8:30 a.m. in the Conference Center of City Hall. Commissioners Mmes. Donnelly-Cohen,Lu,McCall,Morton, Smitten Present: and; and Messrs.Aligada,Alton, Goodlow, Gordon,Johnson,Kong,Kramer, and Nelson. Commissioners Mmes. *Faricy, * Porter,and *Trevino, and Messrs. *Bellus, *Commers, *Cudahy, *Dandrea, and*Mejia Absent: *Excused Also Present: Larry Soderholm,Planning Administrator;Allan Torstenson,Patricia James, Lucy Thompson,Donna Drummond,Kurt Schultz, Shawntera Hardy,Luis Pereira, Christina Danico,Jess Rosenfeld, and Kate Fleming,Department of Planning and Economic Development staff. I. Approval of minutes August 25,2006. MOTION: Commissioner Johnson moved approval of the minutes of August 25, 2006. Commissioner Aligada seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote. II. Chair's Announcements No announcements. HI. Planning Administrator's Announcements Larry Soderholm reported on planning-related business on the City Council's agenda for next week. There was no Council meeting this week because it was a fifth Wednesday. 1 Mr IV. Zoning Committee NEW BUSINESS #06-118-549 Taco Bell—Conditional Use Permit for drive-through service for a fast-food Restaurant,with variances of front yard setback, floor area ratio,and signage. 1940 Suburban Avenue between Burns and Ruth. (Luis Pereira, 651/266-6591) MOTION: Commissioner Morton moved the Zoning Committee's recommendation to approve the conditional use permit. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote. #06-124-420 Ayd Hall LLC—Rezoning from RM-1 (Medium-density Multiple Family Residential)to B2(Community Business). 1047 761 Street W. between Randolph&Juno. (Luis Pereira, 651/266-6591) MOTION: Commissioner Morton moved the Zoning Committee's recommendation to approve the rezoning. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote. #06-124-804 BNSF Railway Company—Enlargement of Nonconforming Use Permit to construct a new crane maintenance building. 1701 Pierce Butler Rt. between Snelling and Prior. (Merritt Clapp-Smith, 651/266-6547) Commissioner Morton reported that the Zoning Committee laid this case over to the September 14,2006 meeting. Commissioner Morton announced the Zoning Committee agenda for September 28, 2006. V. Sustainable Saint Paul Initiative: Guest presentation and discussion with Anne Hunt,Deputy Policy Director for Environmental Issues in the Mayor's Office. Anne Hunt said a few words about her background as Executive Director of the Neighborhood Energy Consortium(which has since split into the Neighborhood Energy Connection and Eureka Recycling). Then she worked for the Minnesota Environmental Partnership as their legislative policy coordinator. Since joining Mayor Coleman's administration she has met with 50 environmental agencies and organizations to talk about opportunities for protecting and enhancing the environment in Saint Paul. The administration has also received the recommendations of the Environmental Roundtable,a grass roots effort coordinated by Eureka Recycling. She is leading an interdepartmental team of City staff to create the Sustainable Saint Paul initiative. Saint Paul is ranked number four among U.S. cities on environmental responsibility. The Sustainable Saint Paul team is outlining steps the city can take to gain even greater momentum on environmental issues. They are looking into what will have the biggest environmental impact while being cost effective and having broad public support. She would like to create a culture of resource conservation in which citizens individually conserve energy at home and at work. 2 Ito One major part of Sustainable Saint Paul will be improving the environmental characteristics of buildings, starting with municipal buildings. Some newer municipal buildings are much more efficient than older ones.An Energy Conservation Investment Fund has been set up to upgrade to buildings. The Linwood Recreation Center and Phalen Golf Course Club House have been assessed for their efficiency and energy improvements have been made. The goal is to assess eight to ten buildings a year for the next two years and make any improvements that have a payback of less than ten years. Ms.Hunt said that transportation is a second major part of Sustainable Saint Paul. The city is making changes to the municipal fleet of vehicles,encouraging people to use the metro pass, advocating LRT, and supporting improvements for biking and walking. Other components of Sustainable Saint Paul cover water,waste reduction,parks,trees, purchasing practices,and public education. The City has been working with the watershed districts on best management practices for erosion control and storm water run off. A new water quality specialist is being hired jointly by LIEP and Public Works. Recycling and waste reduction and will expand in public places and as a part of neighborhoods cleanups. Environmentally friendly purchasing practices have changed, for example,the toner cartridges used by the City. The Mayor is working with the Riverfront Corporation and Parks and Rec, along with many community partners, on the National Great River Park Plan and projects to enhance the natural resources in the city.A new Sustainable Saint Paul awards program will start in December 2006 and recognize people for environmental achievements on Earth Day in the spring. Discussion followed Ms. Hunt's presentation. Larry Soderholm introduced Kurt Schultz,who is PED's member on the Sustainable Saint Paul team. VI. Comprehensive Planning Committee Chair Donnelly-Cohen gave a brief report and announced the next meeting is Tuesday, September 12,2006. VII. Neighborhood and Current Planning Committee Update on status of neighborhood plans- (Merritt Clapp-Smith, 651/266-6547) Shawntera Hardy provided a brief overview of the status of neighborhood plans. She distributed a map showing where all of the small area plans are, a list of neighborhood plans the staff are working on in 2006,and a list of all neighborhood plans that are part of the Comprehensive Plan. 3 4 VIII. Communications Committee No report IX. Task Force Reports Commissioner Aligada gave a brief report on the Central Corridor Task Force.The schedule for the next three events are: meeting on September 14,2006 with Urban Strategies consultants; Open House on September 16, 2006, at the Rondo Public Library;meeting September 28, 2006, to hear from Peter Bell,Chair of the Metropolitan Council,Tim Griffin, of the Saint Paul Design Center,and Jack Becker on public art. Commissioner Smitten stated the Capitol/Downtown Central Corridor Task Force will meet on Friday September 15, instead of Thursday,to talk with the consultants from Urban Strategies. The next regular meeting will be on September 19,2006. Commissioner Gordon gave a report on the STAR Board. The City Council funded the Board's recommendations for this large STAR cycle,but funded additional projects now instead of reserving some funds for off-cycle requests during the upcoming year. Commissioner Johnson requested any minutes or consultant reports from the Central Corridor projects to be sent electronically to Commissioners not able to attend. X. Old Business XI. New Business XII. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m. Recorded by Carol Peshman,PED Staff Prepared by Kate Fleming,Planning Commission Secretary Planning and Economic Development Department,City of Saint Paul Respectfully submitted, Approved / G J U b ) Larry '••: holm,AICP Mar lyn Porter Plannin:Administrator Secretary of the PI Commission PED\Fleming\September 8,2006 4