CC MINUTES 01281997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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4. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes • January 28, 1997 Page 2 1 Joe Check, Fridley Knights of Columbus, stated this is his first year to chair the Tootsie Roll 2 Fund Drive. He reviewed the communities they will solicit and advised that last year,they raised 3 $13,192.03 which was distributed among seven organizations. Mr. Check requested permission 4 to solicit St. Anthony businesses to distribute Tootsie Rolls and stated he hopes residents will 5 donate to this charity drive April 25 to 27, 1997. 6 Motion by Marks, second by Wagner to approve the Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Day 7 Fund Drive from April 25 to 27, 1997. 8 Motion carried unanimously. 9 Mayor Ranallo thanked Mr. Check for his volunteer work towards this project. Mr. Check. 10 announced this Knights of Columbus has collected more funds than any other in the State. 11 B. Planning Commission- January 21, 1997 12 Planning Commissioner Chris Makowske was present to report on the issues addressed at the 13 January 21, 1997 Planning Commission meeting. He reported the Planning Commission held an 14 election for Chair and Vice Chair in January and, once again, will be under the able chairship of 15 Doug Bergstrom and he was selected as Vice-Chair, both by unanimous decisions. it 1. Public hearing on proposed Ordinance regarding minimum setbacks and signs in P P g 17 shopping centers. 18 Commissioner Makowske explained this amendment was considered to allow for the unique 19 circumstances created by current redevelopment strategies and efforts being.utilized in 20 commercial areas. It was noted the current setback requirements of the Zoning Ordinance seem 21 to be creating an impediment to these redevelopment efforts, causing the request of several 22 variances to be granted. Commissioner Makowske advised the Planning Commission 23 recommends adoption of the proposed amendment with a revision to the definition of a shopping 24 center to include the area of 75,000 square feet. He noted Apache Plaza is the only use that 25 would fit the definition of"shopping center" and it is believed this amendment will alleviate 26 problems experienced with variance requests. 27 Marks noted the Council had discussed this at length last autumn and indicated he supports 28 adoption. 29 Commissioner Makowske advised no one attended the public hearing to speak against it. 30 Commissioner Makowske reported the Planning Commission is also working on a proposal to 31 respond to staff concerns which were brought up at the December, 1996 meeting regarding 32 signage since ground signs are currently allowed in any zoning district including R1, RIA, and R2. The Planning Commission discussed this at length in December and in January realized additional information was needed. However, it was the consensus of the Planning Commission 35 to remove R1, RIA, and R2 districts from the list which currently allows ground signs. He