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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 6, 1996 5 D. Case No. ZAM/W96-3 PUBLIC HEARING:Lake Elmo Inn Variance Request The public hearing notice was published in the January 17, 1996 Stillwater Gazette Extra and the surrounding properly owners were notified. Planner Terwedo reported the expansion of the Lake Elmo Inn includes expanding the dining room by 34 seats, adding a small banquet facility serving 18, improving the kitchen facilities, septic tanks, improving the buffet area and improving the access and entrance to the building. In his letter dated January 22, 1996, City Engineer Larry Bohrer reviewed the engineering features of drainage and septic system capabilities. If delivery trucks use 34th Street, Bohrer indicated heavier tank covers need to be used. Chris Wichser, Wichser and Herretd Architects, provided a presentation on the proposed expansion and parking area. Mayor John opened up the public hearing at 8:23 p.m. in the council chambers. Jim Wright, Lake Elmo Postmaster, stated parking is already a problem and with a bigger Inn it will even get worse. The 15 minute parking rule is not enforced. He has four parking sites and has received complaints those sites are always full. Something should be done about the terrible parking situation. Sue Kelly, Lake Elmo Horse Emporium and Feed Mill, said that she has asked the trucking companies to stop making deliveries during peak business hours (between 11 and 2). Bruce Dunn stated he is not against the proposal, but has a concern on the parking. He suggested signs posted on the Lake Elmo Feed Mill Building indicating: (a) no parking during Feed Mill Business hours (specify hours), (b) non -business hours parallel parking only and (c) signs posted on Feed Mill property (east of Feed Mill loading dock) indicating no parking during Feed Mill hours. Penny Demko, Lake Elmo Floral, indicated the businesses downtown are working together. There is no quick solution and wouldn't want the City to hold up the expansion. Lake Elmo needs a downtown and without businesses, there would not be a downtown. Steve Bachman indicated he will be relocating his business to Lake Elmo and will have 35 employees. Lake Elmo Inn is a vital part of the Old Village business community. Todd Williams, 3025 Lake Elmo Avenue N., was not opposed to the concept, but felt the proposal should not be approved until the parking issue is dramatically improved. John Schiltz responded that he is aware of the downtown parking problem and knows that his customers sometimes have to walk several blocks to get to the Inn because of parking. As soon as he can afford it after the expansion, he will tear down the Lohman house, which he has purchased, and pave that tract of land which will solve both the City's parking problem and his own. His starting date for construction is March 3rd. Letters were received from Bob Hagstrom, Joshua Taylor Building, and Mel Vagle, Rovak, supporting the addition and offering additional evening parking in employee parking lot. A letter was received from Bruce and Susan Dunn, with suggestion on how the existing parking congestion can be resolved by mutual co-operation by the owners and residents on Upper 33rd St. N. Mayor John closed the public hearing at 8:50 p.m.