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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 6,2010 <br /> APPROVED <br /> 91 revenue now or in the future. It will be important to show the citizens the direct <br /> 92 correlation in moving this from the general fund to a fee and the equity in doing so. It <br /> 93 was noted that the great majority of cities in the region have already implemented a storm <br /> 94 water utility. <br /> 95 <br /> 96 A council member wanted to know that the impact on business and non-profits won't be a <br /> 97 huge stifling suprise; they should be allowed time to get this in their budget. <br /> 98 There was a review of the public process that would precede council consideration of an <br /> 99 ordinance instituting the utility (in September). <br /> 100 <br /> 101 The council concurred that the process should move forward but requested that the <br /> 102 presentation of this proposal to the public be done in as clear a fashion as possible and to <br /> 103 ensure that they'd like to see the public presentation beforehand.. <br /> 104 <br /> 105 4. John Freimuth—6931 Lake Drive/Blighted Commercial Properties—Community <br /> 106 Development Director Grochala explained that Mr. Freimuth, a Lino Lakes resident, is <br /> 107 interested in purchasing a property at 6931 Lake Drive where he could expand his <br /> 108 recycling business. He has encountered several problems though mainly because 1)the <br /> 109 business would be classified as a junk yard and that use is not allowed at all in the city; 2) <br /> 110 the proposed use would not be supported by either the 2002 or 2030 comprehensive plans <br /> 111 since the area is designated as commercial and is seen as a gateway to the city where <br /> 112 outdoor sales would not be appropriate; and 3)the building on the site does not meet the <br /> 113 fire code in the area of having an adequate fire suppression system. Mr. Freimuth <br /> 114 brought his concern to the Planning and Zoning Board and while the board is supportive <br /> 115 of his plans to move his business to the city, they confirmed that the Lake Drive site <br /> 116 would not be appropriate. <br /> 117 <br /> 118 Mr. Freimuth told the council that he is ready to expand his recycling business and would <br /> 119 like to do so in Lino Lakes. His business is to receive items such as refrigerators, <br /> 120 microwaves, etc and prepare them for recycling. He's like to use the site in Lino to be <br /> 121 open to the public for drop off of those types of items. <br /> 122 <br /> 123 The council discussed the matter of blighted commercial properties overall and, <br /> 124 considering there are several areas with blighted properties,how best to deal with them. <br /> 125 Regarding the property on Lake Drive, staff noted that it has been recognized as pretty <br /> 126 much unusable as is. While Mr. Freimuth could knock it down and get sewer and water <br /> 127 installed, his proposed use still doesn't work at the location. Staff sees that the site <br /> 128 requires improvements that would probably only come as part of a development plan in <br /> 129 the area. While the council has the ability to make the necessary change to the comp plan <br /> 130 (to allow Mr. Freimuth's use) and to change city ordinance to allow the use, doing so <br /> 131 would mean that the use is allowed permanently. An interim use isn't feasible especially <br /> 132 with an investment required by Mr. Freimuth. <br /> 133 <br /> 134 A council member confirmed that Mr. Freimuth's business would create jobs in the city. <br /> 135 The council concurred that while they'd like to see this business at the Lake Drive <br /> 3 <br />