CC MINUTES 10271981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-4- The Manager distributed copies of the postcard informing residents of the availability of housing rehabilitation grants from HUD, which will go out to the community within a week. . He also reported a meeting of staff to develop a "disaster plan" in response to the recent announcement that state aids will be drastically cut. ' A cut of .$30 ,000 had .previously been expected, but it now appears . that the anticipated City allocation of $250 ,000 could possibly be cut in half or even completely, with a resultant loss of 20% of the City budget due to the latter. Staff is to report back cuts they see possible in services , repairs and purchases which had been budgeted for 1982 , according to Mr. Childs . He added, that since the League of Cities has to date taken no position regarding the cuts and he believes the City's legislators should. be contacted at once to express the City' s opposition to shifting the burden of raising taxes to offset the cuts entirely to the cities . In his October 23rd memorandum, Mr. Berg had advised the Council that during his review of the final plat for the proposed town- house development under the Hudlund .PUD, the City Attorney had discovered Mr. Hedlund had dedicated- 10 feet along Silver Lake Road to Ramsey County in 1978 which will now create a density problem for the number of units which can be built. by Sid Johnson under the ordinance requirements for that site. Conflicting responses from county officials regarding the need for this ease- ment were, cited, with one . official saying the easement can be returned since . Silver Lake Road has probably been built as wide as it ever will be and another saying the easement is needed for • snow storage. Mr. Hamer noted the consistency of setbacks maintained along the roadway by the County and estimated the .chances of the road being widened to be "minute" . Mr.. Bjorklund consulted with two other Commission members , Mr. Enrooth and Mrs. . Makowske ,. who were also in attendance, and reported that, although they would not oppose a variance being granted .for the project as-.proposed, they strongly urged the Council not to abandon its effor.ts to get the easement back , perhaps by citing the Metropolitan Council ' s- transportation policy that "when land held by a government entity is not going to be utilized for the purpose it was taken , it should be returned for development by the private sector" . Mayor Haik said she would be willing to pursue possible retrieving of the easement, but in the meantime believes the Council will not be adverse to granting the necessary variance, following a public hearing. In the interim, she agreed with Mr. Berg that a- building permit for the .five units which will not be affected by the easement should be granted so construction on the projectwill not be delayed. Mr. Johnson was present but - did ut .did not speak. Motion by Councilman Marks and seconded by Councilman Sundland to grant a building permit to. Sid Johnson to construct the first five units as proposed for the St. Anthony Court, and to refer the variance .necessary to complete the project to a public hearing. Motion carried unanimously.