07-25-2001 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JUNE 27, 2001 Scalze suggested that the plan be referred to the Parks & Recreation Commission indicating that they may want to require a public trail abutting Blacktern Pond. Scalze pointed out that the Rice Street bridge over 694 is being replaced and there is planning underway related to transportation issues in this area. Frattalone pointed out that he has indicated a trail on the plans and would be willing to grant an easement for a public trail. Frattalone reported that he is currently working with the St. Paul Water Department to provide a piped outlet for Blacktern Pond over his property into the Water Department property. There is currently no overflow for Blacktem Pond. This water will then run into a catch basin and into a ditch then over into the Owasso Basin and eventually into Gervais. Frattalone indicated that the Watershed is considering dropping the elevation of Blacktern Pond by 1 -1/2 feet. Scalze asked if the elevation of the pond is dropped if Frattalone was looking to move his building closer to the pond. Frattalone replied that he is proposing to abide by the current high water mark that is 886.7. The Watershed is considering dropping that elevation to 884. Frattalone pointed out, however, that if the elevation changes he might want to utilize the additional area for parking. Fahey stated that it was unusual for the Watershed to change a high water elevation. Frattalone pointed out that this change is not the result of any request that he has made. The Public Works Director pointed out that currently Blacktern Pond comes within one -tenth of a foot of catch basins along Country Drive. Therefore, the City and the Watershed are working to lower the elevation of the pond through the establishment of an outlet. Frattalone reported that his buildings are proposed at an 893 elevation. Therefore, the elevation of pond does not affect these buildings. Scalze indicated that she has a major problem with the "proof of parking" option outlined by the City Planner. She pointed out that the Council recently made properties in Ryan Industrial Park comply with parking requirements. She felt it unfair to provide this option for the Frattalone proposal. The City Planner indicated that proof of parking is a concept commonly used in the Metro area. He noted that in some cases given the use of the property it makes sense to use this option rather than pave surfaces that are not needed. 5 PAGE 61