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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMin_84Jun4 MINUTES FALCON HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 4, 1984 The Planning Commission Meeting of June 1~, 198l~ was called to order by Al Stefanson, Chairman, at 7:30 P.M. Stefanson, Nilsen, Chenoweth, Wallin, Mead, Trent-Sullivan, Black, and PttESENT Grittner. Also present was Council Liaison Chestovich. Olson. ABSENT The Minutes of the April 2, 1984 Planning Commission were discussed. MINUTES OF Jerry Wallin moved, seconded by Harold Nilsen, that the Minutes be 4/2/84 approved as presented. Motion carried unanimously. APPROVEL Bob Collins, Attorney for Bullseye Golf, explained the status of the BULLSEYE acquisition of the liquor store; that is, that the property would be GOLF made available to the developer at fair market value price. One appraisal PKELTMINARY has been done by the City and Bullseye Golf has hired an independent PLANS appraiser. Mr. Collins then advised that he had obtained an appraisal of the gas station, met with the owners and offered a sum of money for the • acquisition of that property. The owners of the gas station felt the offer to be too low and obtained an unofficial appraisal from a commercial business realtor. No further negotiations have transpired. Bob Collins advised that a letter of credit has been provided to the City along with a copy of the executed development agreement and fees incurred by the City with regard to the development have been paid. Mr. Collins then presented the site plan prepared by Pope Associates, Inc. Mr. Pope was in attendance to answer questions. Items such as the acquisition of the George Peck property, acquisition of the liquor store and gas station, an ~~Ln shaped building, common parking, underground parking, etc. were all considered in the design phase. A number of the options were ruled out because the costs would be disproportionate for what Bullseye would receive. He reviewed the site plan indicating there would be 23,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, 3,000 sq ft. of office space used by Bullseye in the basement plus an additional 12,000 sq. ft. of storage in the basement area. Construction would like to be started by September lst (after the State Fair) with opening planned for February of 1985. Therefore, he would appreciate approval by the Planning Commission and City council of the site plans as soon as possible as well as setting the date for the public hearing on the formation of a tax incre¢nent district. If negotiations with the gas station owners came to a standstill or deadlock, he requested proceeding by having • the City enter into condemnation proceedings. MINtTTES PLANNING COMMISSION PAGE 2 JUNE tt, 19811 • Mr. Collins advised that adequate parking has been provided for in the BULLSEYE site plan. The parking (30 spaces) on the old liquor store site would GOLF be for employees of Bullseye and tenant employees. Loading and unloading (contd.) space for trucks has been provided for with trucks coming in from the west, proceeding toward Arona to the east and backing into the loading area and then out onto Arona. 2~e building would be the national headquarters for Bullseye, Inc., which has 16 retail stores and stores in 6 states. Building will be called Bullseye Plaza. Chairman Stefanson questioned the figure (4.5 per thousand) used for determining the number of parking spaces needed. Mr. John Shardlow of Dahlgren Associates referred to a recetrt study indicating that the figure would provide adequate parking and felt the City needs to be flexible with parking on this corner. David Black asked Mr. Shardlow if the 90 spaces that were left (considering 30 daces were reserved for employees) were adequate and he indicated that he felt they were. Don Mead then asked if the widths of the parking spaces were adequate for turning to which he answered that had been considered and he felt they were adequate. Snow would have to be removed during the winter months. Chairman Stefanson requested clarification regarding the negotiations with the gas station owners. Mr. Collins indicated that two meetings had taken place (one before the appraisal and one after) regarding the acquisition. Bullseye Golf have offered $50,000 to the gas station owners for acquisition of the property but they felt that the purchase of the business as well as the property would have to be considered and counter- offered a $250,000 selling price. No further negotiations have been taking place but Mr. Collins indicated interest in further negotiations. Phil Chenoweth reviewed the tax increment financing procedure and the high cost of condemnation and relocation, which would use a large portion of the tax increment. He also advised that interest rates have been rising and would be a factor in the establishment of the tax increment district. Mr. Collins advised that the project would not proceed if the service station is not acquired and he is not willing to pay an exorbitant fee for its acquisition. Bullseye Golf can build a building on the existing eight lots within the City~s building code. The City~s attorneys are in the process of researching the procedure, time-frame and approximate award that could result from condemnation. Jerry Wallin indicated that he is opposed to condemnation and felt the City should use it only as a last resort. He felt the site plan as presented is a good mix of retail and office and was pleased that the building and parking encompassed the entire block. Building a structure on only the eight lots would be an extreme difference in character as compared to existing property. Don Mead agreed with Mr. Wallinfs statement regarding condemnation but was not ready to vote in favor of the site • plan because it was too preliminary and there was no agreement on the acquisition of the gas station. MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION PAGE 3 JUNE !~, 1984 • David Black indicated he would like to see the development encompass the entire block, the parking layout was adequately addressed and was willing to recommend acceptance of the concept. After further discussion regarding pedestrian traffic, truck loading and unloading, ete., David B:Lack moved, seconded by Harold Nilsen, approval of the concept of building a retail and office building on the ten lots on the Larpenteur side and using the liquor store for additional needed parking. The Planning Commission has reviewed the proposal and finds that it is consistent with the goals and objectives of the comprehensive plan as it addresses this area. Don Grittner offered an amendment that negotiations be continued with the garage owners to work out an amicable price for their property. Al Stefanson seconded the amendment. Mr. Black and Mr. Nilsen agreed to the inclusion of the amendment and upon a vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. A public hearing on the revised Zoning Ordinance was scheduled on June 2b, 1984 at 7:00 P.M. The next Planning Commission meeting will be July 2, 1984. Jerry Wallin moved, seconded by Don Mead, that the meeting be adjourned at 9:15 P.M. Motion carried unanimously. ~ ~~~~~. a11in, Secretary PU$LIC HEARING ON ZONING OKDINANCE SCHEDULED ADJOUNT