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0 PLANNING COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS <br />Regular Meeting -- November 18, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. <br />Present: Commissioners Larry Baker, Jim O'Brien, Steve Danger, Bruce Howard, <br />Paul Zisla <br />Absent: Tom O'Keefe and Norm Schiferl. <br />Also Present: Steve Larson, Mayor, David Phillips, Council Member, and Janice <br />Gundlach, City Planner. <br />Agenda Review: Agenda was approved. <br />Minutes: Minutes for October 21, 2008 were presented and approved. <br />Council Action: Council Member Phillips reported Council has authorized the <br />solicitation of bids for a new rescue pumper/fire truck. There is still time for citizens to <br />submit comments regarding the Comprehensive Plan to the City Planner. Council will <br />accept all comments at the December 9t' meeting and will then forward the Plan to the <br />Metropolitan Council. Homewood Suites, located at Hwy 96 and Old Hwy 8, has started <br />construction and the market study for the Northwest Quadrant should be complete by the <br />end of the December. <br />40 Old Business: <br />Commissioner O'Brien rescued himself for the following Public Hearing. <br />Public Hearing: ZA2008-007 Zoning Code Amendment Creating an Article 7 to the <br />New Brighton Zoning Code Establishing the Palmer Drive Overlay Area <br />As you recall, this topic was previously discussed at the last Planning Commission <br />meeting on October 21, 2008. During the course of the deliberations, it was suggested <br />that staff explore the idea of flexible zoning standards for the commercial area around <br />Brighton Village. Most of the discussion was focused on reduced parking setbacks for <br />front yards. Staff understands that the primary rationale for relaxed standards in this part <br />of New Brighton is to encourage more private redevelopment of infill sites, especially <br />those for commercial or retail uses. The attached Zoning Code amendment would create <br />a new Article 7 to the New Brighton Zoning Code, known as the Palmer Drive Overlay <br />Area. This overlay would allow affected properties within the proposed area to vary <br />from the requirements of the existing zoning. All of the properties impacted by this <br />ordinance, are zoned B-3, General Business which would remain in full force and effect <br />as the overlay cannot stand alone. If the zoning change is approved, future applicants <br />would have the option to take advantage of the overlay district standards. <br />In September, the City received an application for a Variance impacting the western 150' <br />of 2350 Palmer Drive (The Garage). Specifically, this Variance allowed for a reduced <br />