08-14-2013 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 14, 2013 Gagne noted that the area around the former Brings site is primarily residential with approximately 30 homes along Centerville Road from Little Canada Road to Pioneer Park. He also noted that there are 12 apartment units directly adjacent to the former Brings site. Gagne expressed concern that these units will be looking directly into an outdoor storage area. He also noted that Public Works is a 24 -hour per day operation and expressed concern about traffic, and noise, especially from back -up alarms on trucks Gagne pointed out that this noise will be disturbing to people trying to sleep, whether it is at night or during the day. Gagne stated that he did not agree with the City putting an industrial building in the middle of a residential area. He indicated that there are industrial properties in Little Canada where a new Public Works garage could be located. Blesener indicated that the former Brings property is zoned Industrial -Park (I -P) District, and indicated that, if redeveloped, there could be more intense industrial uses on this site than the Public Works garage. Gagne again pointed out that the Public Works use is a 24 -hour operation and felt it would bring problems for this neighborhood. The Administrator indicated that the Public Works garage could be developed with drive - through capabilities to minimize the use of back -up alarms. Blesener pointed out that the City of Vadnais Heights has constructed a Public Works garage adjacent to a residential neighborhood and that situation is working. Blesener stated that he felt the former Brings property was a good location for the City's new Public Works garage. He indicated that the building the City constructs will be an improvement to what currently exists on the property. Blesener pointed out that the City considered several other sites that did not work as well for a variety of reasons. Gagne felt that this property was better suited to a townhouse or senior homes development than industrial. Montour noted the Slumberland operation further down Centerville Road and felt the trucking to and from that site was more intense than what would Public Works would generate. Montour pointed out when the current Public Works garage was constructed, it served its purpose for that time. Now equipment is larger and it is difficult to get into the garage doors at the current building. The City needs a building that can accommodate this larger equipment. Montour noted that the City has looked at other locations, and the former Brings site is the hest suited for the City's needs. The City Administrator indicated that design of the building has not yet begun. He pointed out that the City does not want to have a negative 9