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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes May 20, 1997 Page 14 1 not know the right answer but felt this was a legitimate question. Bergstrom stated he had 2 asked Jay Scott what window was open to get some restaurants into St. Anthony and Mr. 3 Scott had stated a few months. 4 Commissioner Gondorchin stated he would like to see the issue addressed if it would allow 5 some nice "fine" restaurants into the City for the betterment of the community. He would 6 however, like to see the licenses tightly controlled. He stated he did not feel it would chip 7 away at the City's operation because the City is not in the business of sponsoring a "fine" 8 restaurant with the liquor operation: He stated the motivation would be to allow an operation 9 into the City that is dedicated to the full restaurant-type service of food and liquor. 10 Commissioner Franzese stated she would want to see the cash flow, what money does it bring 11 to the City, the bottom line, and then balance that against the quality of life issue of the City 12 by having fine restaurants in the area. 13 Chair Bergstrom noted this would not be an "either/or". The City could still continue to be in 14 the on-sale business. 15 16 Commissioner Franzese stated that the City does currently have a monopoly and she would 17 like to weigh the effect against that. 18 Commissioner Gondorchin stated he did not feel it would cut into the monopoly but would 19 attract a different kind of clientle and create additional revenue. 20 Chair Bergstrom noted the Stonehouse is primarily a bar which serves food. Red Lobster is 21 primarily a restaurant that serves liquor. 22 Commissioner Makowske stated he felt it may be a demographic issue. 23 Commissioner Gondorchin noted that once you cross Central Avenue, there are no "fine" 24 restaurants and there is a tremendous market for that type of service which would attract a 25 different clientele than the Stonehouse. 26 Commissioner Thompson stated he felt it would be worthwhile to get some nice restaurants 27 into St. Anthony. 28 Commissioner Gondorchin suggested a franchise such as the Olive Garden, Steak and Ale, 29 Red Lobster, etc. be contacted and asked to submit a revenue projection of a facility located 30 in this vicinity. He noted the City is not in the restaurant business and this projection would 31 need to be determined by someone who was in that type of business for a living. 32 Chair Bergstrom asked what the Commissioners felt would be the City Council's threshold for 33 action.