CCP 03-25-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Approved neighbors attended. The applicant has since made several site plan revisions. A similar project was proposed and approved in 2005 but the current proposal is not identical to the 2005 site plan. The most notable change is going from a 2 -story structure to a one-story structure and the overall size of the facility has decreased by over 2,000 square feet. Sharon Hansen, Clifton House, reported that they have worked with staff to meet the set back requirements and also sent out one hundred invitations to the neighborhood to discuss the project, with four households attending. She reported that the neighbors stated they preferred the land to be undeveloped to preserve the view. They also had concerns about increase traffic, and worried that the project would expand sometime in the future. She replied the project would be the smallest licensed nursing home in the state and should have a low impact on the amount of traffic in the area, with most ambulances arriving without sirens and lights. Clifton House has no plans to expand this project and is trying to maintain the natural beauty of the site. Bill Blaxley, BKV Architects, compared the 2005 approved project to the current proposal. He stated that the barrier wall was taken down, since the new structure has a very low profile they have increased the landscape buffers. Ann Skarland, 1248 Long Lake Road, inquired if the current owner should leave the property what the property could be used for. Gundlach replied that a Planned Development Declaration would be drafted and recorded against the title of the property. Any new owners would have to abide by the declaration, which would limit the use of the property. Any proposed changes would have to come back before the City for approval and the neighbors would be notified of the request. Ramankutty Kannankutty, 1156 Pike Lake Circle, asked what would happen to the property if the church should sell. Gundlach replied that if the church should sell, it would have to operate under the existing special use permit. Kannankutty requested that when the City's attorney approves the conditions for the declaration a copy be forwarded to his home. He expressed concern that the parking along the southern edge of 1230 Long Lake Road does not have a twenty-five foot set back and suggested the drive way in that area be eliminated allowing an increased setback. Gundlach replied that if the applicant chooses to eliminate a drive way staff may support it, but the applicant is not required to do so nor have they made the request. She added that if the Commission would like to have one of the drive ways eliminated, staff would prefer to have a conversation with Ramsey County, the City's Public Works, and Public Safety Departments to see if they have any objections. Judy McCormack, thirty-five year congregation member of First Church of Christ Scientist and New Brighton resident, stated that there is strong need for this facility and encouraged the Commission to approve it. She added that the church does need the two driveways to ease the congestion during the services. Bill Burns, 1132 Pike Lake Circle, encouraged the Commission to maintain the R-1 zoning for the area and does not believe that the health care facility is compatible in that zoning district. Bill Oas, 1105 Pike Lake Circle, stated that he apposes the project. He believes the area is already too busy and would like to maintain the neighborhood. Schiferl asked staff if the church should decide to sell their property to a developer, it could be developed with single-family houses without City approval. Gundlach replied that is correct.