08/10/2009 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 27, 2009 DRAFT DATE TIME STARTED TIME ENDED MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES : July 27, 2009 . 5:33 p.m. . 6:40 p.m. : Council members Gallup, Reinert, O'Donnell, Stoltz and Mayor Bergeson : none Staffmembers present: Director of Public Safety, Dave Pecchia; Director of Community Development, Michael Grochala; Director of Finance, Al Rolek; City Planner, Jeff, Smyser, City Engineer, Jim Studenski; Environmental Coordinator, Marty Asleson; City Clerk, Julie Bartell. Mayor Bergeson noted that the previous Friday the council received a letter from the Lino Lakes Charter Commission asking that their request for additional funding be heard at this meeting. Council Members Reinert and O'Donnell agreed to add the item to the evening's agenda. REVIEW REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS There were no changes to the regular council agenda. Item 6B, a public hearing regarding the I- 35E/CSAH Interchange Improvement Project, was briefly reviewed. There was a discussion about how special assessments may be deferred and that interest is charged when payment is deferred. The interest rate would be determined when the assessments are finalized. The council discussed the cost of the project to the benefited property owners, acknowledging that the project is desirable but also that there must be consideration of the current economy and people's ability to pay. Community Development Director Grochala explained that the council is being asked only to hold a public hearing this evening. Item 6D was reviewed by City Planner Smyser. This agenda item is first reading of an ordinance amending the zoning code to allow public, educational and religious buildings as conditional uses in general business and limited business zoning districts in the city, and amending the liquor code so that separation distance for liquor licenses shall not apply for a school or church in said zoning districts. When the city received an application from a church wishing to acquire the former VFW site (in a business district), it led to a review of uses in business districts. In consideration that similar uses should be allowed in zoning districts, Mr. Smyser pointed out similarities between private lodge/club use (currently allowed in business district as a conditional use) and church use (not currently allowed in business district). Mr. Smyser then explained a federal law prohibiting discrimination against churches (for land use) and pointed out that there have been court cases that have found church uses similar to lodge/club use. He also pointed 1 —24—