CCAgenda_03Feb26 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES _4_ February 12, 2003 Consideration of Ordinance Amendment No 03-02 Providing for a Farmer's Market Interim Use Permit at 2025 West Larpenteur (continued) Mayor Gehrz said the interim use permit is a new tool that has not been used before. It will monitor how a new use works. She asked if it would also affect other zoning districts. Administrator Worthington said that this land use tool would only be permitted in the B-2 zoning district. Mayor Gehrz asked if it is a tool that the City might want to make available for other areas too. Administrator Worthington said that it could be added at a later date if a determination is made that it is needed. It probably would not be prudent for the B-3 zoning district because of parking constraints. In response to a question from Council member Talbot, Administrator Worthington said there has been very good communication and cooperation from Twin City Co-op and the grower's association. Mr. Choong-Sihn Youn, 1742 Tatum, gave a brief oral review of the written statement he gave the Planning Commission at their meeting on February 4, 2003, and that was distributed to the City Council. He reiterated his concerns about parking and traffic, • particularly as they relate to Tatum Street, and his personal observations of the farmer's market set up and operation at the Har Mar Mall. He said he contacted the Har Mar Mall management company and was told the rent increase for the farmer's market was $200 in 2001, with no increase projected for the foreseeable future. None of the mall tenants object to the farmer's market and the mall's management company would like to have the market remain there. He knows the City sent out a questionnaire and has presented information very well to the public, but he thinks the farmer's market viewpoint is a bit too rosy. He wants the City Council to refer this matter back to the Planning Commission for more study. Council member Talbot asked what he thinks will happen. Mr.Youn said the farmers will come in early in the morning, and there will be hammering and some mechanical noise. People will come in waves and he sees a potential traffic jam on Larpenteur, which may require further police traffic control or an additional management system for orderly traffic control. It will be a negative experience for the neighbors. It is a business operation that does not mix well with the residential character of the area. Council member Kuettel said that she is concerned about ingress and egress for the Fire Department onto Prior Avenue -the fire and safety aspects. Administrator Worthington said that it may be necessary to limit vehicular turning movements to right turn only on farmer's market days, but she is not anticipating any problems. She reviewed the parking information provided by the Twin Cities Co-op and the grower's association, as well as some of the conditions and restrictions that will be considered for the IUP. 4