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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 22, 2002 Page 6 1 Transfer constructed the first building on this site in 1959. He stated Berger Transfer is 2 over 90 years old, was established in 1910, and has become the largest Allied Transport 3 company in the United States. He reviewed their contribution to City events on a regular 4 basis, to parades, festivals, the fire department, and engineering department by providing 5 storage space at no charge. He stated Berger Transfer was named Business of the Year 6 for the City of St. Anthony several years ago. 7 8 Mr. Murlowski stated he has been working with Berger Transfer for over 25 years and 9 before that his father did. He stated that he is proud to be associated with Berger Transfer 10 and that this project requests no City assistance or TIF. It will be privately funded and is 11 a large job. He stated that each year Belair Excavating is involved with only 10 to 15 12 projects larger than this throughout the United States. He noted that within the current 13 economy, they are thankful to have Berger Transfer as a customer. He stated he 14 appreciates the question of the audience member about public assistance and assured 15 everyone that the project will be privately funded and nothing will be asked except for the 16 two variances. 17 18 Mr. Murlowski stated they are asking for relief from Code requirements they feel are 19 restrictive based on restriction that the land provides. He stated they are disappointed that 20 things did not go their way with the Planning Commission and will try to do a better job 16 tonight to explain reasonable use. 23 Mr. Murlowski stated the evidence discussed previously was proven, besides the 24 reasonable use item, and they are prepared to address that issue tonight. He stated the 25 most important thing he can talk about is that in today's business climate, businesses 26 cannot operate on the status quo because the world changed in 2000 and 2001 and 27 business intelligence needs to rise above that level. He stated if this is not built as a high- 28 pile storage business, he will guarantee the building will not be constructed and Berger 29 Transfer will remain unable to attract new customers or maintain the existing customer 30 base without this type of new construction. He stated a good example of the proposed 31 building is at 200 Old Highway 8 in New Brighton which was built about two years ago 32 as an addition to an older lower ceiling height building. He stated the New Brighton 33 building is 56,000 square feet and this proposed building would be 40,000 square feet. 34 35 Mr. Murlowski presented colored pictures of the New Brighton building, noting the 36 pleasing aesthetics by breaking up the wall panels. 37 38 Councilmember Sparks inquired regarding the relationship between Belair Excavating 39 and Berger Transfer. Mr. Murlowski stated Belair Excavating is the contractor for Berger 40 Transfer. He explained that BDRS has been in business for about 20 years and is a 41 business unit of Berger Transfer that supplies record transfer. 42 Councilmember Horst asked if the applicant is using an economic basis to say the 10 building will not be constructed unless at this size and height. Mr. Murlowski stated it is 45 somewhat driven by economics. However, architecturally for height and aisle widths, if