11-07-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 7, 2011 APPROVED 43 council member suggested a fine be attached right away so that people will think about 44 the regulations. Mr. Tralle remarked that the city's not known as particularly business 45 friendly and improving that situation was on the mind of the Board as the regulations 46 were developed. Mr. Grochala added that he doesn't believe that the city's current 47 regulations are overly restrictive. A council member suggested that the city should 48 develop more of a relationship with businesses on the sign process and regulations and 49 Mr. Tralle added that he doesn't see this as a situation calling for review of the ordinance 50 as much as for the process around the regulations; if businesses want to request a review 51 of the regulations, that is fair but he doesn't think there is much change of opinion 52 currently on the Board. The Mayor added that he believes that businesses do know what 53 the regulations are but a reminder about them may help; a council member added that 54 perhaps having the businesses sign off on a review would be helpful. Staff will follow 55 up with an educational piece to businesses. 56 2. Accessory Outdoor Storage As Interim Use—Options (from 10/24 council 57 meeting)—Community Development Director Grochala reminded the council of 58 previous discussion about this outdoor storage issue. Most recently the council asked 59 staff to look at the possibility of allowing an interim use but with a sunset clause. Staff 60 and the city attorney agree that such a planwould be ill advised. Rather, staff sees that if 61 the council wishes to amend the ordinance to allow the storage with an interim use 62 permit, staff could then take the time to thoroughly review the issue and make more 63 permanent recommendations. That would make outdoor storage available to businesses 64 as an interim use. Staff's concern is that the city is backing away and relaxing the 65 intended standards a bit but perhaps the situation calls for a comprehensive look at 66 industrial districts. The council reviewed the Superl/Lakes Building situation to ensure 67 that unintended impacts won't occur. The attorney for the business in question added that 68 the business owner is still working to minimize the situation by seeking fire department 69 approval to move certain things indoors as well as intent to follow buffering 70 recommendations. 71 3. Jason's Bobby & Steve's Auto World Access Issues (from 10/24 council meeting) 72 -Community Development Director Grochala reviewed his written report that outlines 73 the history of access to and from the Auto World business. The property has been 74 impacted by the Main Street Reconstruction Project and the 135E/CSAH 14 Interchange 75 Improvement Project and the owner of the business is seeking potential access 76 alternatives. Mr. Grochala further explained that the business location has faced some 77 challenges all along,this being the third owner. There is some anticipation for 78 improvement in the future with the probable development of some type of major retail in 79 quadrant of the business. The council discussed the long-term approach of getting some 80 physical road changes through the county and a shorter term approach of directional 81 signage. Any approach should be about the entire vicinity and not just one business 82 though. Staff will continue to work on the long and short term approaches and report 83 back to the council. 2