Minutes - 2005/03/14 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council March 14, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 12 were to rent garages out for storage space to outside parties, they end up spending in excess of • $1,300 for court costs and dumping charges to get rid of it when the parties don't pay, so it doesn't make economic sense. He stated that most young people today who rent apartments don't want to rent a garage, and they want to park in the parking lot close to the apartment doors. He added that as part of this improvement they will be regarding and resurfacing the parking lot. Director Ericson suggested perhaps a compromise would be to approve the Resolution with the addition that if all 100 garages were to become rented out, that would trigger a requirement to build 25 more. Council Member Flaherty stated a concern regarding this being a common garage because of storage of paint thinners and other hazardous waste products. He stated he agreed with the concept of building less garages because of the low percentage of rental of the existing garages. Council Member Gunn stated she would like to approve this variance, and she would like to request that staff come back with a resolution. Council Member Stigney stated he could not see a hardship, and the City Council is bound by following the same Code that the Planning Commission is bound by. Mayor Marty stated that possibly a code change is warranted, but he couldn't vote against a city ordinance without a hardship being demonstrated. Council Member Flahe stated he would like to o ahead and ant the variance with the sti u- • rty g 1~' p lation that Director Ericson had mentioned previously regarding the extra 25 garages. Council Member Thomas asked when the applicant had to have this finalized by. Mr. Menning that if there were all approvals, they would be looking at July or August. Council Member Flaherty asked if he was in favor of putting a clause in regarding perhaps an 85 percent occupancy that would trigger building more garages. Mr. Menning stated he would love to have 78, because that is what he honestly felt he could do. He stated the worst case scenario would be to come back and say he would build 125. He stated that he has been doing this for 30 years, and he knows how many he can rent. Council Member Flaherty stated he would like to grant the variance with the stipulation Director Ericson had suggested, and then send the code back to the Planning Commission to review for possible amendment. He stated that common sense dictates that they allow him to move forward with his project with that stipulation. Council Member Gunn stated they could also have staff come up with a new resolution, or they could table the request right now and have the Planning Commission make the modifications to • the Code that need to be done.