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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_95Dec20CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ~~, MINUTES OF DECEMBER 20, 1995 Mayor Baldwin convened the meeting at 7:01 p.m. PRESENT Baldwin, Gehrz, Gibson Talbot, Jacobs, and Hustad. Also present were Hoyt, Asleson, Sampson, and Carlson. COMMUNITY FORUM There was no one wishing to take advantage of the community forum. MINUTES OF DECEMBER 7, 1995 Minutes were approved by unanimous consent. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Motion was made by Councilmember Gibson Talbot to approve the consent agenda. Motion passed unanimously. 1. Disbursements 2. Licenses 3. Fund Transfers 4. Approval of the standard compensation increase for employees in 1996 5. Revision of Public Works/Parks Superintendent's job description 6. Approval of the job description and related compensation for the Director of Facilities, Parks, Recreation, and Open Space 7. .Scheduling the January/February workshop meeting 8. Approval of a revision to the Falcon Heights/Lauderdale fire agreement POLICY AGENDA CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 95-34 ADOPTING THE 1996 BUDGET AND CERTIFYING THE 1996 PROPERTY TAX LEVY The resolution being considered adopts the 1996 budget and certifies the 1996 property tax levy. The budget amount is 52,792,054 with an operating budget of 51,134,690. The levy amount is 5549,081 including ad valorem property tax revenue and fiscal disparities tax revenue. The city's truth-in-taxation hearing was held as required on December 7, 1995. Motion was made by Councilmember Hustad to approve Resolution 95-34 as presented. Motion passed unanimously. E City Council Minutes December 20, 1995 Page 2 2~" CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 95-35 REDUCING THE 1996 DEBT LEVY ON GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT The resolution being considered removes 5129,000 of city issued debt from the 1996 tax levy. The city will cover these costs with its available debt service funds. Motion was made by Councilmember Jacobs to approve Resolution 95-35 as presented. Motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 95-33 REGARDING A REQUEST FOR A VARIANCE IN THE FRONT YARD SETBACK AT 1596 NORTHROP STREET Phillip Carlson, city planning consultant, presented a variance request from Eric Schiffman and Karen Kloser, 1596 Northrop Street. He reported that the planning commission had reviewed the variance request and had produced a split vote (two commissioners recommending approval and two recommending denial). The request was for a variance in the front yard setback to construct a double car garage on the Folwell side of the subject corner lot property. The request that had been before the planning commission was for a seven foot front setback variance. However, since the time of that meeting, the applicants have modified their request to a four foot variance. Carlson reviewed the request with respect to the criteria for granting variances as cited in the zoning code. He also reviewed several different ways that atwo-car garage could be placed on this property, some of which were more intrusive from a planning perspective and some of which were not. Finally, Carlson noted that in order to grant a variance, the council should find that there are unique circumstances associated with the property that prevent the applicant from meeting the zoning standards (hardship) and that the variance granted should be the minimum needed to alleviate that hardship. Mr. Carlson's opinion was that there were two reasonable ways to construct a double car garage on this property, the first being the applicant's plan and the other involving a second driveway off of Northrop Street that would also require a variance. Carlson's opinion was that the variance for the second driveway would be less onerous than the applicant's plan for a front yard variance. However, he also recognized that impacts on neighborhood aesthetics are quite subjective and that the council could determine that the front yard variance is less burdensome. A double car garage could be built without a variance by building into the northwest corner of the property; however, this would encroach significantly into the sightlines along the street. He noted that many city codes require both lot frontages meet front yard setback requirements but that Falcon Heights' code allows a setback on the side of a corner lot to be at 20% of the lot width. The applicants, Dr. Schiffman and Ms. Kloser, presented their opinions on the proposed alternatives. Ms. Kloser noted that she had spoken with her neighbor to the east, who had concerns about the aesthetics of the garage and also voiced opposition to a garage located on the south end of the property. Dr. Schiffman described the design that he planned to use for the new garage and the problems that he foresaw with the alternative design with the two driveways. City Council Minutes December 20, 1995 Page 3 2~~". The council discussed this matter at length. Attorney Sampson noted that the council has the authority to grant or deny each variance on its own merits and therefore would not necessarily be setting a precedent for other front yard variances if this one were granted. Administrator Hoyt stated that when a variance is granted, a resolution is passed stating the findings specific to that property. Upon further discussion, the council determined that the property was unique in that it was located on a corner and that the variance being requested was both the most reasonable alternative available and the minimum variance needed to alleviate the hardship. Motion was made by Councilmember Gehrz to approve Resolution 95-33, approving a variance to allow the construction of a double car garage at a setback of 26 feet on the Folwell Avenue side of the lot at 1596 Northrop Street. Motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 95-31 SCHEDULING A PUBLIC HEARING ON AN AMENDMENT TO THE TAX INCREMENT DISTRICTS AND PLAN As a part of the process to amend the city's tax increment plan, the council heard a presentation from Jim Casserly, the city's consultant on the tax increment amendment process. Mr. Casserly noted that the city's TIF plan should be amended to allow the city maximum flexibility for the use its tax increment resources. Specifically, the amendment would include expanding and combining the two development districts. In order to proceed with this plan, a public hearing must be called and notice made in the city's legal newspaper. Councilmember Gehrz asked who might typically oppose this kind of plan amendment. Mr. Casserly responded that the only opposition usually stems from confusion. This plan will streamline the city's tools for making future spending decisions. Mayor Baldwin noted that there is sometimes opposition from property owners who mistakenly feel that they have a right to some of the TIF funds generated by the public investment of tax dollars. Motion was made by Councilmember Jacobs and seconded by Councilmember Gibson Talbot to approve Resolution 95-31 as presented and schedule the public hearing for January 24, 1996. Motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION REGARDING COUNCIL PRIORITIES FOR THE 1996 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (CDBG) Administrator Hoyt asked for council discussion and direction regarding the city's preferences for distribution of 1996 CDBG grant funds. Ramsey County administers the program for its suburban cities and is trying to achieve an equitable balance of benefits among cities to meet several cities' needs rather than just a few. City Council Minutes December 20, 1995 Page 4 2 ~:~~ After discussion, Hoyt was directed to convey the following priorities for 1996 CDBG funds: 1) rehabilitation of owner-occupied property; 2) rehabilitation of rental property; and 3) social services, specifically Northwest Youth and Family Services. CITY INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilmember Gehrz, in preparation for her term as Mayor in 1996, informed the councilmembers that they would be keeping their present commission liaison assignments until a new Councilmember is appointed. She also announced several other appointments for 1996: Councilmember Hustad as the city's representative to Northwest Youth and Family Services, Jerry Wallin to the Cable Commission, and Councilmember Gibson Talbot to the Ramsey County League of Local Governments. Councilmember Gibson Talbot announced that the Human Rights Commission has recommended changing its 1996 meeting schedule from monthly to quarterly meetings. If there is a need, the commission could meet more often. Gibson Talbot also thanked Mayor Baldwin for his years of service to the community. Administrator Hoyt noted that ice rinks would open on Friday, December 22nd. Councilmember Gehrz presented Mayor Baldwin with a glass paperweight statue commemorating his ten years as mayor. On behalf of the council, staff, and the community, she publicly thanked Baldwin for his years of service and commitment to the community. In response, Mayor Baldwin thanked his colleagues on the council (past and present) and also expressed his gratitude to the residents of the city who supported him over the years. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:44 p.m. Carla Asleson Recording Secretary ~~ Tom Baldwin, Mayor