03-22-00 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MARCH 22, 2000 of the ownership issues relative to the parking lot at the corner of Little Canada Road and McMenemy Road. The Deputy Clerk reported that the triangular piece of parking lot known as Tract A is owned by the City and was deeded to the City by Joseph Collova. The triangular piece of parking lot located just north of Tract A is owned by St. John's Church. The Church deeded this parcel over to the City in the early 1970's. However, the deed was never recorded, therefore, the property is still owned by the Church. The Church has been contacted and they are interested in the City's holding ownership of this parcel. The Clerk reported that if the Council agrees the entire parking lot should be under the City's ownership, the City Attorney should be instructed to draft the documents deeding the Church's portion of the parking lot to the City. At the same time, all the necessary access easements and use agreements should be drafted to formalize the existing conditions at this corner. The City Administrator reported that the issues raised by the City Engineer relative to storm water ponding and run-off have been resolved with the St. Paul Water Depa~~Cment. LaValle felt that the issue to be resolved is the request for a side yard setback variance from the Water Department property. Corrine Schmidt, Northeast Residence, reported that it is only one corner of the proposed building that encroaches into the setback. The side yard setback on the west side of the building would meet the Code requirement of l5 feet. George Rossez reported that the existing credit union building is only 1 1/2 feet from the property line. Therefore, they are trying to keep the respite home building as far from that property line as possible. Rossez also pointed out that the fact that the lot tapers off at the back makes it difficult to place the building on the lot and still meet setback requirements. Scalze asked what consideration was given to setbacks when the building was being designed. Rossez reported that the building was designed before the property was identified and purchased. Scalze pointed out that since the City has adopted the Zoning Code in 1980 it has been diligent about enforcing the Code and very few variances have been approved. Scalze noted that the Council has informed applicants requesting variances that their buildings are too large for the lot and suggesting that buildings be redesigned to meet setback requirements. Scalze noted that this lot was a large lot, and suggested that the building needed to be redesigned to fit the shape of the lot. Scalze pointed out that