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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING/PUHLIC HEARING NovEMaER 5, 1981 PAGE 2 • Mike Labalestra informed the Planning Commission that the Lido Cafe had entered into a purchase agreement for a contract for deed fora ten year period with the Crofts. He requested that the property be rezoned from R-1 to B-2 since the Lido Cafe is proposing an addition consisting of a green house lounge including food service and a deli operation. Plans also include a small banquet room in the basement. They need the Croft property rezoned for use as additional parking. Mr. Labalestra advised that the expansion approval is crucial since their present building can only do so much and the present restaurant is at capacity since only so many dollars can be generated. It is a matter of survival and a good return on their investment. MIKE LABALESTRA LIDO John Labalestra then reviewed in great detail a parking analysis fact sheet JOHN showing their existing parking and parking needed in three different plans. LABALESTRA He advised that he felt expansion of the restaurant was-five years behind . The expansion is needed in order to compete in the business world. They have considered moving the restaurant elsewhere but prefer to remain in the City of Falcon Heights. They do not want to disturb the neighborhood. He felt the Lido to be a family tradition of high quality food, no use of convenience food, hiring quality people but the restaurant competition is intens®. The addition would add 3,500 square feet with a 600 square foot banquet room in the basement. Parking has been designed to use alley way and not use St. Marys Street. There will be a ten foot buffer between the parking lot and the residential neighborhood with the buffer to consist of fencing, berming and trees- whatever it takes to provide the best screening. There will be a 17 foot buffer on the west. The . alley way is presently private property owned by the Hermes and the Labalestras have done everything they could to work with the Hermes to negotiate an agreement to use the alley but an agreement has not been reached at this time. John Uban, City Planner, stated he had not seen aqy detailed plans but felt JOHN UHAN critical issues have not been solved. The other parking options have not been CITY thoroughly explored. Also, the private Hermes alley should be researched to find PLANNER a solution. Mr. Uban pointed out that there are a number of ways property can be rezoned and one way is through partial rezoning (keeping a portion of the property R-1 which would provide a better buffed. He also suggested that. St. Marys Street could be cul-de-saced at Larpenteur to assure no traffic generated from the restaurant could enter the street and more leased parking could be negotiated with Bucks. Neighborhood input is very valuable. Ted Meyer, 1710 St. Marys Street, .the immediate property owner ad3acent to the TED MEYER Croft property, stated that to re2one the Croft property to general business 1710 ST. would not provide the protection to the neighborhood that that property will MARYS always remain a parking lot- will the Lido be there in the future? He felt that the rezoning would have a terrific impact on the neighborhood and he is confident that his property would be devalued from between $10,000 to $20,000. Mr. Meyer .was disappointed at the Crofts application to request rezoning since it take s money out of his pocket and puts money into the Croft's pocket-- it is unprece~ ndeted. The real issue in rezoning .is .that it has to be good for the public and~in this case it is not since there is no significant benefit. It is determintal to the Falcon Heights residential community since it is a nice place to live and an intrusion. into his neighborhood. The Croft property is not a blighted area. Mr. Meyer was also concerned about the increased traffic, noise, and the type of clientele that would be frequenting the area. It is a bad plan and makes no sense. The process in which it has been handled is abomonable --no neighbors were contacted in the initial phase. Other developments have involved in neighborhood committees and this process has