Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_95Apr26CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 26, 1995 R 2~ Mayor Baldwin convened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. PRESENT Baldwin, Gehrz, Gibson Talbot, Hustad, and Jacobs. Also present were Hoyt and Asleson. COMMUNITY FORUM There were no comments from the floor. MINUTES OF APRIL 12, 1995 As minutes were not yet available to the council, they were not approved at this meeting. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Motion was made by Councilmember Gehrz to approve the following consent agenda. Motion carried unanimously. 1. Disbursements a. General disbursements through 4/20/95: $67,285.31 b. Payroll, 4/1 /95 to 4/15/95: $12,726.35 2. Licenses 3. Approval of Resolution No. 95-10, approving a variance from Chapter 9-2.04 subd. 21b) of the zoning code for 1857 N. Fairview Avenue 4. Approval of Community Park seeding and maintenance contracts POLICY AGENDA CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AT 1532 W. LARPENTEUR AVENUE FOR THE OPERATION OF A SECONDHAND GOODS STORE Administrative Assistant/Planner Asleson reported that the owners of the Northome Shopping Center, Halsted Wehmann and James Ladner, were requesting a conditional use permit for a secondhand furniture store for 1532 w. Larpenteur Avenue. Mr. William Erickson, the proprietor of the store, was on hand to represent the owners. Asleson noted that the Planning Commission had recommended approval of the conditional use permit to permit this use. They recommended several conditions upon the permit, including the provision that the only used merchandise that could be sold would be furniture and related household type materials like lamps and plant stands. Any change to the type of merchandise to be sold would require an amendment to the conditional use permit. Councilmember Hustad moved approval of Resolution No. 95-1 1, approving the conditional use permit. Mayor Baldwin suggested a friendly amendment to the motion, accepted by Councilmember Hustad, to add the following condition: "The city reserves the right to review the conditions of this permit upon a change in proprietor to the store". Motion passed unanimously. 1 City Council Minutes April 26, 1995 Page 2 2 PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE FIRST DESIGN OF THE LARPENTEUR AVENUE CORRIDOR PLANS Administrator Hoyt reported that the Larpenteur Avenue corridor plan was ready to be presented by the Hoisington/Koegler planning firm. She explained that the street reconstruction project, planned for in 1997 and 1998 under the county's jurisdiction, would involve creating protected left turn lanes along the roadway, increasing the total width from approximately 71 feet to approximately 74 feet. There is also the possibility that an underpass will be put in by the University Golf Course for golfers and pedestrians. She explained that the Larpenteur Avenue project has been in the city's tax increment plan since 1988 and that tax increment funds would be available to fund some or all of the proposed corridor amenities that are not typically assessed to property owners. Prior to introducing Fred Hoisington and Michael Schroeder to present the plans, she said that the planning commission had reviewed the plans and had endorsed them in concept. Hoyt also said that the city staff had not suggested any changes in the concept that was proposed in order to provide the planners with the opportunity to describe their design. Mr. Hoisington informed the council that his firm has a first landscape plans for Larpenteur Avenue and at this time he would like to be sure that the council is comfortable with the overall concepts, if not the particular details. Hoisington explained that the objectives in the design were to develop an image for the corridor, create linkages across the street to prevent Larpenteur from becoming a barrier, to minimize potential adverse affects on adjacent uses, and to bring together the public and representatives from major corridor elements as active participants in the planning process. Michael Schroeder, the principal designer on the project, went through the extensive plans and described the proposed changes in terms of five "zones" on Larpenteur, with an emphasis on edges. These areas included: 1) the "oak district", Eustis to Larpenteur; 2) the agricultural district, Cleveland to Prior; 3) a mixed area from Prior to Fry,; 4) the commercial/business area, Fry to Arona; and 5) a residential district from Arona to Hamline. Among the proposed changes and additions in these areas were trees, lighting, colored concrete medians, city identification signs in key locations, and a "butler building" placed at the entrance to the state fair. Councilmember Gehrz asked about security issues as it pertains to landscaping. Schroeder explained that this was considered during the planning process. Additional lighting was included in areas that were particularly dense. Councilmember Hustad inquired about the feasibility of the city identification or "gateway" sign being made of glass. Schroeder replied that the sign is proposed to be made of glass because it reflects light better than acrylic or plexiglass and is actually a very strong material. It would be constructed in panels so that if a portion were to crack, the entire structure would not need to be replaced. Councilmember Gibson Talbot asked if a pedestrian crossway over Snelling and Larpenteur had been considered. Schroeder said that his plan is to bring together the edges of Snelling and Larpenteur to make the roadways seem smaller and more user friendly. It was Schroeder's opinion that a bridge at this intersection would be the wrong way to go. City Council Minutes April 26, 1995. Page 3 2~ Councilmember Gehrz asked about the amount of visibility that businesses would have if all of the proposed plantings are completed. Schroeder explained that this was taken into consideration during the planning process and that a window was constructed between the trees and the hedges so~that businesses could be seen from passing vehicles. A number of design issues were discussed at this point, including the type and color of trees and plantings, the colors to be used on the concrete medians, the usefulness of city banners on street lights, and the butler building idea.. Councilmember Jacobs stated that he liked the concept designs. He noted his reservations about the colored concrete, but also stated that he looked forward to seeing the details after the plans had been submitted to local affected groups. He asked if the final cost estimates would include the maintenance costs of caring for the newly installed shrubs and trees. Schroeder explained that this would be discussed with staff and an estimate made based upon the cost relative to the value of the city's investment in the project. Mayor Baldwin said that he liked the design and was glad to see that the city was being proactive in this area, as many cities do not encourage aesthetics. Baldwin also stated that he felt that this project is the one thing that the council will be able to do in the next ten years that is worth spending a large amount of money on and encouraged the council to not "cut corners" on the project. Councilmember Hustad told Mr. Hoisington and Mr. Schroeder that he endorses the direction that they are taking with this project, but also stated that he'd like to see further investigation of alternatives for a crossing at Snelling and Larpenteur Avenues. Councilmember Gehrz had several likes and dislikes about the details of the design. Among the things she liked in the plan were the above ground telephone poles in the rural portion of the corridor and the highlights near the fair entrance. She expressed reservations about the greenhouse signs, the butler building, and banners on the light poles. Councilmember Gibson Talbot noted that banners could unite portions of Larpenteur and the city into awhole -but perhaps this could be done in another way. She also stated that she particularly liked the glass gateway sign. Mayor Baldwin asked the council if they approved the landscape plan in concept and they responded affirmatively. Baldwin then stated that the next step was to present the plans to the many interested property owners along Larpenteur Avenue for review. DISCUSSION REGARDING PRECINCT TWO POLLING PLACE Administrator Hoyt reviewed with the council the city's plans to change the polling place in precinct two from Falcon Heights United Church of Christ to Falcon Heights Elementary School. Staff has reviewed the school site and while there is ample room inside for voting, there is inadequate parking for both the school staff and the average of 88 voters per hour that arrive during state and federal elections. Hoyt asked the council if there was a strong feeling about moving this polling place or if there would be support for leaving the polling place at the church. 1 City Council Minutes April 26, 1995 Page 4 2 Councilmembers Gehrz and Hustad stated that the church has been a gracious host of the precinct's elections over the years and did not have a problem with leaving the polling place in that location. However, Mayor Baldwin and Councilmember Gibson Talbot strongly preferred to have voting take place at a public building. The council discussed several options with respect to this precinct, including having all voters in Falcon Heights vote at city hall. Staff was asked to further investigate the options for making the voting process work at the school.. CITY INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilmember Gehrz reported on successful, chemically-free social events being held in the Roseville schools with the assistance of the Mayor's Commission Against Drugs group. Mayor Baldwin thanked staff for the work on a successful volunteer recognition event. He also mentioned the Northwest Youth and Family Services would be asking for the city's support on a Community Development Block Grant application. Administrator Hoyt reported on upcoming May events and maintenance projects underway in the city. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Tom Baldwin, Mayor C~ Carla Asleson Recording Secretary