Minutes 2/24/2006 Saint Paul Planning Commission
City Hall Conference Center
15 Kellogg Boulevard West
Minutes of February 24, 2006
A meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Saint Paul was held Friday, February 24,
2006, at 8:30 a.m. in the Conference Center of City Hall.
Commissioners Mses. Donnelly-Cohen, Zimmer Lonetti, Lu, McCall, Morton, Porter,
Present: and Trevino; and Messrs. Aligada, Alton, Anfang, Coletta, Dandrea,
Goodlow, Gordon, Johnson, Kong, Kramer, Mejia and Scott.
Commissioners Ms. *Faricy; and Mr. Bellus.
Absent:
*Excused
Also Present: Larry Soderholm, Planning Administrator; Peter Warner, City Attorney, Allen
Lovejoy, Allan Torstenson, Patricia James, Shawntera Hardy, Christina
Danico, Casey MacCallum (intern), Kate Fleming, Department of Planning
and Economic Development staff; and Tom Beach, LIEP staff.
I. Approval of minutes of February 10, 2006
MOTION: Commissioner Johnson moved approval of the minutes of February 10,
2006. Commissioner Donnelly-Cohen seconded the motion. The motion carried
unanimously on a voice vote.
II. Chair's Announcements
No announcements.
III. Planning Administrator's Announcements
Mr. Soderholm announced that a panel of demographers will speak at the Planning
Commission meeting on March 24, 2006, so the meeting will start at 8:00 a.m. and
Commission members should block out time for a three-hour meeting.
Mr. Soderholm reported on City Council business for last week and announced their
agenda for next week.
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IV. Zoning Committee
OLD BUSINESS
#06-000-752 Metropolitan Airports Commission-Variances of River Corridor standards
to widen a portion of the river channel and construct a levee. 644 Bayfield, adjacent to
St. Paul downtown airport on the right descending bank of the Mississippi River.
(Tom Beach, 651/266-9086)
Tom Beach gave a report and overview of the application.
Chair Alton stated the discussion would be for both the variances and site plan review,
but the motions would be voted on separately.
MOTION: Commissioner Anfang moved the draft resolution to approve the variances.
Commissioner Anfang stated his reasons for recommending approval are that there is
additional information answering questions about cargo traffic and property values. In
addition, the Metropolitan Airports Commission(MAC) is meeting with environmental
groups to discuss impacts and try to resolve issues.
Commissioner Gordon stated his reasons for opposing the motion are that the
Commission still lacks sufficient information to make the necessary findings that the use
will not unreasonably diminish property values (the information submitted is conflicting),
that the proposal is consistent with the health, safety, comfort, morals and welfare of the
inhabitants of Saint Paul (the noise issue is unresolved); the record is unclear about flight
projections and the impact the project will have on air traffic to and from the airport; and
that the decision is premature since some governmental agencies have not completed their
analyses of the project.
MOTION: Commissioner McCall moved to call the question. There being no
objection, the Commission proceeded to the vote on the main motion.
Chair Alton called for a roll call vote.
ROLL CALL VOTE: The motion to approve the variances carried on a roll call
vote of 15-4 (McCall, Lu, Gordon, Kramer).
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#06-000-725 Metropolitan Airports Commission- Site Plan to widen a portion of the
river channel and construct a levee. 644 Bayfield, adjacent to St. Paul downtown airport
on the right descending bank of the Mississippi River. (Tom Beach, 651/266-9086)
MOTION: Commissioner Anfang moved the draft resolution to approve the site plan.
Chair Alton called for a roll call vote.
ROLL CALL VOTE: The motion to approve the site plan carried on a roll call vote
of 15-4 (McCall, Lu, Gordon, Kramer).
NEW BUSINESS
#06-013-814 By More Market& Deli-Conditional Use Permit for grocery store
expansion to more than 10,000 sq. ft. 861 Payne Avenue, SW corner at Wells.
(Christina Danico, 651/266-6546)
MOTION: Commissioner Morton moved the Zoning Committee's recommendation to
approve the conditional use permit subject to additional conditions. The motion carried
unanimously on a voice vote.
#06-013-762 Ann Polachek-Re-establishment of Nonconforming Use for a coffee shop
and Conditional Use Permit for floor area greater than 800 sq. ft. 1382 Payne Avenue,NE
corner at Cottage. (Christina Danico, 651/266-6546)
MOTION: Commissioner Morton moved the Zoning Committee's recommendation to
approve the re-establishment of nonconforming use and conditional use permits
subject to additional conditions. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
#06-013-946 Holiday Station Stores-Conditional Use Permit for auto convenience
market. 1400 Arcade Street, between Sherwood & Cottage.
(Patricia James, 651/266-6639)
MOTION: Commissioner Morton reported that the Zoning Committee laid this case
over to their March 2, 2006 meeting.
#06-006-683 Willow Creek Homes-Conditional Use Permit for 9 unit cluster
development. 1938 Nortonia Avenue, between Reaney and Minnehaha.
(Patricia James, 651/266-6639)
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MOTION: Commissioner Morton moved the Zoning Committee's recommendation to
deny the conditional use permit. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
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#06-006-090 St. Croix Partners LLC-Rezoning form I1 Light Industrial to TN3
Traditional Neighborhood. 2669 Territorial Road, at Berry Street.
(Patricia James, 651/266-6639)
MOTION: Commissioner Morton moved the Zoning Committee's recommendation to
approve the rezoning. The motion carried on an 18-0 vote with 1 abstention
(Zimmer Lonetti).
#06-013-967 St. Croix Partners LLC - Variances of TN3 standards for front yard setback,
parking location and entrance design, and building height. 2669 Territorial Road,NW
corner at Berry Street. (Patricia James, 651/266-6639)
MOTION: Commissioner Morton moved the Zoning Committee's recommendation to
approve the variances. The motion carried on an 18-0 vote with 1 abstention
(Zimmer Lonetti).
Commissioner Morton announced the Zoning Committee Agenda for the March 2, 2006,
meeting.
V. Comprehensive Planning Committee
Commissioner Donnelly-Cohen gave a brief report.
VII. Long-range Committee
No report
VIII. Neighborhood and Current Planning Committee
Stryker George Precinct Plan Summary-Discussion of the summary and recommend
that the Planning Commission release it for public review and seta public hearing for
March, 24, 2006. (Lucy Thompson, 651/266-6578)
MOTION: Commissioner McCall moved the Neighborhood and Current Planning
Committee's recommendation that the Stryker George Precinct Plan Summary be
released for public review and that the Planning Commission set a public hearing for
March 24, 2006. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
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Resolution to Support Creation of Commercial Development District - (to allow for a
liquor license) for Block 1 of the Upper Landing and the Head/Sack House Complex -
Recommend approval of resolution to the Full Planning Commission.
(Jessica Rosenfeld 651/266-6560)
Jessica Rosenfeld gave a brief report.
MOTION: Commissioner McCall moved the Neighborhood and Current Planning
Committee's resolution to support the creation of a Commercial Development District.
The motion carried on a 17-0 vote with 1 abstention (Zimmer Lonetti).
IX. Communications Committee
No report
X. Task Force Reports
Commissioner Johnson gave a report on the CIB Evaluation Joint Committee. They met
and reviewed Public Works project proposals. The next meeting will be on
March 1, 2006.
XI. Old Business
Advertising Sign Regulations - update on the ordinances on the City Council agenda.
Mr. Soderholm stated that staff had not found time to review the ordinances, yet.
XII. New Business
None
XIII. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
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Recorded and prepared by
Kate Fleming, Planning Commission Secretary
Planning and Economic Development Department,
City of Saint Paul
Respectfully submitted, Approved
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(Date)
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%1• Porte
Planni Administrator Secretary of the PI ng Commission
PED\Fleming\February 24,2006 Minutes
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