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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_03Feb12CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS COUNCIL MINUTES February 12, 2003 Mayor Susan Gehrz convened the regular City Council meeting at 7:00 PM. PRESENT: Mayor Susan Gehrz, Council members Laura Kuettel, Robert Lamb and Richard Talbot. Also present: City Administrator Heather Worthington and Deputy Clerk Mary Shea Kodluboy. ABSENT: Council member Peter Lindstrom COMMUNITY FORUM: There was no commentary from the audience. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Council minutes dated January 22, 2003 were unanimously approved as submitted. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None scheduled. CONSENT AGENDA: Administrator Worthington asked that Item F7 – Approval of the Pay Equity Report, be added to the Consent Agenda. Mayor Gehrz said the report needs to be officially approved by the City Council. The motion to amend the Consent Agenda was unanimously approved. Talbot moved, and Kuettel seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda, as amended, and outlined below. The motion was unanimously approved. General Disbursements through February 5, 2003: $14,773.41 Payroll, January 15, 2003 – January 30, 2003: $14,023.43 License Renewals for 2003 - The Council, to encourage residents to patronize local businesses, read aloud the names of the businesses renewing their City licenses for 2003. Full Call On Remaining Outstanding Debt on the General Obligation Improvement Bonds, Series 1993, dated May 1, 1993 Appointments to the Neighborhood Commission – Lt. Dominic Cotroneo and Captain Dan Johnson-Powers, Saint Anthony Police Department FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -2- February 12, 2003 CONSENT AGENDA: (continued) Appointment of City Attorneys for 2003 City Attorney (Civil) – Roger Knutson, Campbell Knutson City Attorney (Prosecuting) – Martin Costello, Hughes and Costello 6. Request to Approve Extension of the Recycling Contract with E-Z Recycling for One Year, Commencing on February 28, 2003 7. Approval of the 2002 Pay Equity Report POLICY AGENDA: Consideration of the Preliminary Plat for the SE Corner Redevelopment Administrator Worthington explained that the two pieces of property located on the Southeast Corner of Snelling and Larpenteur Avenues would need to be re-platted prior to the Planned Unit Development (PUD) process going forward. The current property is divided into 15 parcels, each with its own property identification number (PIN). This part will redraw the boundary lines for each of the three planned units of the new development—the multi-family building, the senior building, and the townhomes. The stormwater retention pond on the site will be platted with the multi-family building, ensuring that the future maintenance of that pond will be the responsibility of Sherman and Associates. The townhomes will be on a separate plat because the land under the townhomes will be legally structured as a homeowner’s association, with the land jointly owned and maintained by all 14 of the townhome owners. The senior building is also on a separate plat. The Planning Commission, at its meeting on February 4, 2003, unanimously recommended approval of the preliminary plat, as presented. The preliminary plat is being presented to the City Council for approval and then will be submitted to Ramsey County for their review and approval. Later this spring, the final plat will be reviewed by the City Council and finalized with Ramsey County. Kuettel moved that the preliminary plat for the Southeast Corner Redevelopment be approved as submitted. The motion was unanimously approved. Consideration of an Amendment to the City’s Comprehensive Plan Administrator Worthington said that in 2000, the City was required to submit an update to the 1991 Comprehensive Plan for the Metropolitan Council. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -3- February 12, 2003 Consideration of an Amendment to the City’s Comprehensive Plan (continued) Administrator Worthington said that in that update, the Southeast corner of Snelling and Larpenteur Avenues was listed as a “study redevelopment area”. At that time, the City did not have any firm plans for the redevelopment of the corner, and therefore did not list a specific use or project for the site. In early 2000, the City began discussions with the property owners of that site, and in 2001, entered into an agreement with Sherman and Associates to redevelop the site as mixed-use retail/housing. The City must now amend its Comprehensive Plan to reflect the proposed use for the site. The Planning Commission, at its meeting on February 4, 2003, unanimously recommended approval of the amendment, as presented. The amendment, if approved by the City Council, will be submitted to the Metropolitan Council for review and inclusion in the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Gehrz asked about the status designation of two properties on the land use map as “areas under possible change”. Administrator Worthington explained that in 2000, when the Comprehensive Plan was being updated, those two properties were either unoccupied or for sale. Their status designation can be reviewed when the City does its next Comprehensive Plan update. RESOLUTION 2003-03 Lamb moved that Resolution 2003-03 amending the City’s Comprehensive Plan relating to the Southeast Corner of Snelling and Larpenteur Avenues be approved as submitted. The motion was unanimously approved. Consideration of Ordinance Amendment No. 03-02 Providing for a Farmer’s Market Interim Use Permit at 2025 West Larpenteur Administrator Worthington said the proposed ordinance amendment defines what a farmer’s market is, provides for interim use permits, and specifically allows an interim use permit to be granted. An interim use permit gives the City more flexibility with regard to periodic reviews of the IUP and imposition of the same conditions as conditional use permits. A community meeting was held in November and residents in the northwest corner of the City were invited. Eighty percent of the attendees were in support of a farmer’s market. Also, the City included a resident survey with the fall/winter newsletter and one of the questions related to a possible farmer’s market on the Twin City Co-op property. About 196 of the 300 residents who responded indicated they would shop there. Forty-two out of fifty-two respondents from Falcon Woods said they would support it. 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. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -5- February 12, 2003 Consideration of Ordinance Amendment No. 03-02 Providing for a Farmer’s Market Interim Use Permit at 2025 West Larpenteur (continued) Administrator Worthington said that at its regular, February 4, 2003 meeting, the Falcon Heights Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the amendment to the B-2 Zoning Ordinance allowing a provision for an Interim Use Permit (IUP) for farmer’s markets in Falcon Heights, with a few minor changes to the definition of “Farmer’s Market”. Staff is working with the Twin Cities Co-op Federal Credit Union to draft the IUP for the February 25th Planning Commission meeting, where a public hearing on the IUP will be held. The IUP will then be brought to the City Council for their consideration on February 26th. Council member Lamb said the City Council is being asked to approve an ordinance amendment, which is an ordinance restructure. When the permit is brought forward, the City Council will consider the permit. If the Council wanted to stop this right now, it could stop it because the ordinance amendment is needed in order to consider the next step. There is another Planning Commission meeting and another City Council meeting scheduled to consider the Interim Use Permit. Going with the IUP will give the City the opportunity to measure and see what goes on there. Mr. Guertin has displayed a willingness to work with the City. If Har Mar wants to keep the business, that is a positive sign. The parking situation over there was never very good. The City Council ought to approve the ordinance change. Mayor Gehrz said that with a conditional use permit, there are a lot of steps involved. This new tool will give the City the teeth it needs and will contain very specific conditions. The Interim Use Permit can be terminated by the City if it becomes problematic. Her conversations with the Mayor of Burnsville about their farmer’s market indicate it is very well received and works fine there. Their residents love it. This is worth trying and meets a service need the community is in favor of. Council member Talbot said this a potential good for the community that comes with possible problems. Eighty percent say they want it. This gentleman is concerned about potential traffic problems. The on-site manager at Twin City Co-op is someone the City can easily go to if there are problems. The combination of potential good and possible problems, coupled with the Interim Use Permit – give it a try. Lamb moved approval of Ordinance Amendment No. 03-02 amending Chapter 9 of the Falcon Heights zoning ordinance concerning farmer’s markets. The motion was unanimously approved. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -6- February 12, 2003 REPORTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Council member Talbot said the Cable Commission has found the cable company in default and ten cities, including Falcon Heights, will be taking them to task. The cable company will undergo another name change on February 14, when they will become Comcast, so people who subscribe to internet services through the AT & T cable system will need to be prepared to change their e-mail addresses. However, for two years, or through 2004, Comcast will forward e-mail received at the old addresses. He reminded people to pay attention to everything the cable company sends them. Also, each year CTV 15 allocates scholarship monies for young people in their viewing area who have completed at least one year of post high school education. This year they have allocated $30,000, and the deadline for submission of a scholarship application is April 18, 2003. Contact the North Suburban Cable Commission at 651-482-1261 to receive a scholarship application form. Council member Kuettel and Mayor Gehrz spoke very highly of the dedicated group of people who have gathered together on two occasions to learn emergency traffic management skills. This is one more tool that will be an aid with emergencies. Last Saturday, February 8, there were eleven people who practiced with real vehicles and received instruction from two officers with the Saint Anthony Police Department. Council member Kuettel and Mayor Gehrz thanked the eleven hardy souls, and Mayor Gehrz read their names aloud for the benefit of the cable audience. Mayor Gehrz reminded everyone that it is time again to nominate young people for the Neal Kwong award. Neal Kwong was a Falcon Heights resident who died at a very young age. His family dedicated a plaque at City Hall and every year nominations of young people who are active and involved in the Falcon Heights community are accepted. The nomination deadline is March 7, 2003, with the award to be presented at the Council meeting on March 26, 2003. Contact City Hall for a nomination form. The regular City Council meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM. Respectfully submitted, Mary Shea Kodluboy Deputy Clerk