07-27-2009 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES July 27, 2009 APPROVED '81 day waiting period following the public hearing applies to the charter governed area only. He 82 intends to continue discussions with property owners during the waiting period as well as 183 continue negotiations with Anoka County(including discussion about assessment rates). There 184 will be other agreements involved with the project such as for signals. It is certain that more 185 answers about the project, including funding,will evolve as things move forward. 186 187 A council member stated that the council has heard questions about the fairness in the amount of 188 assessment and they are valid. It is anticipated that staff will continue evaluating the proposed 189 assessments and will work with those who would be impacted by them. The question of the 190 rate of interest that would be charged on deferred assessments is important and the city must do 191 what it can to make that consideration clear. Another concern is that the council is being asked 192 to be a part of this project before many of the elements are clear. Staff again outlined the 193 process involving a county road project. It was clarified that a key funding element of the 194 project, namely stimulus money, will not be available after November 15 of this year. 195 196 6C. Consideration of Resolution No. 09-48,Approving 2009/2010 Foxborough 197 Management Plan 198 199 Environmental Coordinator Asleson reported on the proposed 2009/2010 schedule of work 200 related to the Foxborough development conservation area. A plan has been put forward by the 201 ecologist hired by the Foxborough Association and the city's Environmental Board has 202 approved the plans. '03 ■..204 Council Member Stoltz moved to approve Resolution No. 09-48 as presented. Council Member 205 Gallup seconded the motion. Motion carried. 206 207 6D. First reading of Ordinance No. 04-09,Amending Zoning Ordinance to Allow 208 Public, Educational, and Religious Buildings as Conditional Uses in General 209 Business and Limited Business Zoning Districts, and Amending City Code so that 210 Separation Distance for Liquor License shall not apply if School or Church is in 211 Limited Business or General Business Zoning District 212 213 City Planner Smyser reported that the item before the council is first reading of an ordinance 214 amending the zoning code to allow public, educational and religious buildings as conditional 215 uses in general business and limited business zoning districts in the city, and amending the 216 liquor code so that separation distance for liquor licenses shall not apply for a school or church 217 in said zoning districts. The city has received an application from a church wishing to acquire 218 the former VFW site (in a business district). Staff has reviewed uses allowed in business 219 districts. In consideration that similar uses should be allowed within established zoning 220 districts, Mr. Smyser pointed out similarities between the private lodge/club use of the VFW 221 (that use is currently allowed in business district as a conditional use) and the possible church 222 use (that use is not currently allowed in business district). Mr. Smyser then explained a federal 223 law prohibiting discrimination against churches (for land use) and pointed out that there have 224 been court cases that have found appropriate church uses similar to lodge/club use. He also 225 pointed out the current standards/conditions that apply to all conditional uses in the city as well 5