CC PACKET 04252023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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April 25, 2023 Page 3 Background and Analysis Project Description. As noted, the applicant seeks to remove an easement that encumbers the property to accommodate the operations of the Boat sales and service facility. The property is zoned commercial, and the applicant is using the property for commercial purposes. One of the issues in the proposed change, however, is the request to extend additional boat storage to this area, and secure the area with a screening and fence. With regard to the removal of the easement and its original purpose, the City has held the easement for many years with the expectation that it would become valuable as a part of a long-range open space and redevelopment plan. Vacating the easement would result in the loss of this opportunity. As noted by the applicant, that purpose has been in place for nearly 25 years without action. The Council would have to decide whether the expectations for the easement use are still important to retain. This question is a policy matter rather than a technical one. Access serving the easement area includes two public ways. Coolidge Street NE extends northward from the site area, and a “Service Drive” extends to the southeast, past the Hannay’s building to Highway 88 and the frontage road. The southerly extension of Coolidge Street, formerly extending through this portion of the Hannay’s property, has been vacated. The Service Drive is the north half of what was originally named Sunset Avenue, which has been vacated to the northwest (now a portion of the Autumn Woods housing project. The south half of Sunset was also vacated previously, now providing access to the Hannay’s building. The white areas in the zoning map illustration above show the remaining public right of way. The blackened portion is Hannay’s property, but which is covered by the easement in question. As shown in the aerial photo clip below (included in the public hearing notice) the adjoining land uses include Hannay’ retail facility to the southeast, multi-family residential to the southwest and northwest, and retail shopping center to the northeast. The new Bremer Bank facility adjoins the northernmost corner of the site. Finally to be noted, there are a series of utility easements that also encumber the property. These include public sanitary sewer and storm sewer mains through the entire length of the Coolidge Street alignment