Agenda Packets - 2010/03/08 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council January 25, 2010 Regular Meeting Page 3 based on the turn of inventory and the current CUP indicates they can have as many used cars as 1 they want. He explained their inventory will still be at other locations and brought to Mounds 2 View so they do not need to expand to another Mounds View location for storage of vehicles. 3 4 Council Member Stigney noted this was originally a new car franchise with Saturn and then it 5 was expanded and Mr. Price has indicated they can do pretty much what they want to do at this 6 location. Council Member Stigney stated the Council does not have a copy of the original CUP 7 to see the restrictions. Planning Associate Heller stated a CUP is required for used car 8 dealerships and the Council can dictate if it has to be only new cars. 9 10 Council Member Stigney asked how Saturn could be allowed used cars but not other applicants. 11 Clerk-Administrator Ericson explained the application from several years ago was denied based 12 on the variance application that did not meet the minimum threshold for a two-acre site. He 13 explained if the site is two acres and the conditions are met, the City cannot deny the request. 14 Council Member Stigney indicated concern this request will “open the door” for future requests. 15 16 Mr. Price stated that with today’s costs for running a used car business it would be prohibitive on 17 a two-acre site. He stated if the Council places standard qualifications for building design, green 18 space, and screening, an applicant for a “Lake Street car lot” could not afford it. 19 20 Council Member Stigney asked how old the used cars would be. Mr. Price stated the trades 21 would be inspected and if they meet qualifications they will attempt to sell them but if the trade 22 cannot be guaranteed, the car would be wholesaled. Mr. Price stated their business model is to 23 turn over cars so they are kept for no more that 30 days. He invited the Council to view any of 24 their 78 dealerships across the country. 25 26 Council Member Gunn stated that a used car lot could still be considered if all conditions are 27 met. Clerk-Administrator Ericson stated this is correct if the zoning and other criteria are met. 28 He noted that the Code has been changed so the City no longer has used car lots. 29 30 Council Member Gunn asked if the City could include specific stipulations in the CUP about 31 auto sales. Clerk-Administrator Ericson stated the conditions have to be reasonable and relate to 32 the use. He cautioned the Council about being too specific, which would require the applicant to 33 come back each time the business climate or their business model changes. Council Member 34 Gunn stated that as a proud Saturn owner, she would like this business to remain in Mounds 35 View, noting they have been a wonderful business partner in the community. 36 37 MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Hull. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 7566, 38 Approving an Amendment to the Conditional Use Permit to remove the requirement of 39 maintaining a new car license for Saturn of St. Paul, 2375 Highway 10; Planning Case CM2009-40 001. 41 42 Council Member Mueller asked how it is determined whether a new dealership can to come to 43 Mounds View at this location given the location of neighboring dealerships. Mr. Price explained 44 the manufacturer and State have franchise laws related to distance between dealerships. He 45