CC PACKET 06241997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 18, 1997 City Of St. Anthony ATTN: Mayor Clarence kanallo 3301 Silver Lake Road St. Anthony,MN 55418 Dear Mr.Ranallo, During the course of planning commission meetings,questions regarding past and current city policy/planning are raised as most of the members are unfamiliar with the origins of those decisions. With the redevelopment of Apache Plaza, the opportunity exists to explore alteratives to traditional paths of city operations and perhaps embark on endeavors previously not considered or feasible. The Planning Commission believes that the"on/off' sales liquor policy is an example of just such an issue. That St. Anthony has_been unable to establish,maintain and grow a food operation is fact. This inability has been discussed off the record many times, and at the May 20, 1997,Planning Commission meeting a decision was made to request that the issue be reinvigorated and seriously researched. Although the Apache redevelopment is the catalyst behind this proposal,the consideration of an"on sale"private restaurant/bar facility is not location dependent and now seems the optimum time to revisit St. Anthony's liquor policy. Considerations behind this proposal are: 1. Additional traffic generated that would benefit merchants,thereby increasing overall value of retail properties and tax base. 2. An amenity for the residents of St.Anthony. Fine dining is not nearby for area residents or those that wish to support their community. 3. There is a large parcel of land between St. Anthony and areas of Minneapolis and neighboring suburbs with regard to the availability of the combination of hard liquor and fine dining. The belief is that a lucrative market lies within St. Anthony and near-Northeast Minneapolis that could support a upscale restaurant/bar. 4. Preservation of"off-sale"liquor operations. Proposed restaurant would not impact municipal operations/sales. The demographics of a Stonehouse vs a fine dining patron are likely quite different. In addition,with the tougher DUI laws(real or perceived)"off sale"should remain stable if not grow incrementally along with demographics of the area 5. Potential property tax relief to business and homeowners if aforementioned benefits become a reality. There may be additional considerations,W.Mayor,but the Planning Commission believes the above provide enough incentive for further and timely consideration. The Planning Commission would like to emphasize that the foundation of this proposal is based upon the belief that there is an opportunity for an upscale/family restaurant with"on-sale"privileges,and not the establishment of facilities that view food service as secondary. It is also felt that an establishment of this nature will not be a generator of police • related calls and/or incidents.