HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 052520101 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
2 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
3 May 25, 2010
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5 CALL TO ORDER.
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7 Mayor Faust called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
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9 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
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11 Mayor Faust invited the Council and audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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13 ROLL CALL.
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15 Present: Mayor Faust; Councilmembers Jenson, Roth, and Stille.
16 Absent: Councilmember Gray.
17 Also Present: City Manager Mike Mornson.
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20 CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
21 ITEMS.
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23 1. APPROVAL OF MAY 25, 2010 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA.
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25 Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to approve the City
26 Council Meeting Agenda of May 25, 2010.
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28 Motion carried 4-0.
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30 lI. PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS.
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32 None.
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34 III. CONSENT AGENDA.
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36 A. Consider May 11, 2010 Council meeting minutes;
37 B. Consider licenses and permits; and
38 C. Consider payment of claims.
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40 Motion was made by Councilmember Roth, seconded by Councilmember Stille, to approve the
41 Consent Agenda items.
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43 Motion carried 4-0.
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45 IV. PUBLIC HEARING.
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47 None.
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49 V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION AND STAFF.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 25, 2010
Page 2
2 A. Resolution 10-033• Approving the Request for an Amendment to the Silver Lake Village
3 Planned Unit Development (PUD) Sign Plan to Allow for the Modification of Existing
4 Ground Signs and the Addition of One Directional Ground Sign. Applicant: St. Anthony
5 Retail Development.
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Planning Commission Member Craig Poucher reported on the concept review and public hearing
held by the Planning Commission on the request for an amendment to the Silver Lake Village
Planned Unit Development (PUD) Sign Plan to allow for the modification of existing ground
signs and the addition of one directional ground sign. He reported that a 41 year resident of the
City spoke at the public hearing regarding his concerns about safety and clutter resulting from
the additional signs. Mr. Poucher stated the Planning Commission voted in two separate motions
on the proposed amendment to the Sign Plan: 1) The first motion was made and approved by
majority vote, the proposed modification of existing ground signs and the addition of a ground
sign at 3800 Silver Lake Road; 2) The second motion was made and approved by unanimous
vote, the addition of a directional sign as proposed by the applicant.
Commissioner Poucher presented the site plan and Photoshop examples of the requested signage.
Commissioner Jenson inquired about the concerns expressed at the public hearing regarding a
potential obstruction of view. Commissioner Poucher replied that most of this concern was in
relation to the proposed new directional sign because it is located at an intersection. There could
also be concern with the proposed location of the new ground sign where traffic will be entering
the parking lot.
City Manager Momson clarified that the proposed amendment covers two new signs and
modifications to two existing signs.
Mr. Dale Wenkus, Vice President of Architecture with Doran Companies, and Ms. Brenda
Thomas, Vice President of Property Management with Doran Companies, were present to
answer questions of the City Council.
Councilmember Stille verified with Ms. Thomas that a two foot increase in height is proposed
for the Cub sign, which includes the one foot addition and one foot cap.
Mr. Wenkus stated for clarification, it is proposed that six feet be added to the Cub sign, which is
located at the most northerly corner. It is proposed that one foot and a one foot cap be added to
the sign in front of Smash Burger. The third sign along Silver Lake Road would be similar in
design to the existing sign in front of Smash Burger.
Mayor Faust questioned why the resolution states a height of 31 feet for the Cub sign while the
amendment being proposed includes a height of 26 feet. Mr. Wenkus explained that the original
PUD included approval for a monument sign at a maximum of 31 feet in height at this location.
It was elected to only put in a sign that is 20 feet high. The request now is for an additional six
feet in height, which remains within the 31 foot height restriction that was originally included in
the CUP.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 25, 2010
Page 3
Councilmember Stille requested clarification as to the size of the proposed additional ground
sign in comparison to the existing signs. Mr. Wenkus replied that the existing signs are 4 feet
tall by 5 feet wide. The proposed 6 foot by 6 foot ground sign will be slightly larger. The intent
is to help the tenants with the ability of being seen from the road, and to give people in cars an
understanding of what is located in the center that is not visible from the street.
Councilmember Jenson questioned why the artistic conception of the directional sign does not
appear to be similar to the other signs. Mr. Wenkus explained that the intent is to continue with
the stone base that appears within the center. The directional sign is considered to be more of an
internal sign within the site.
Councilmember Stille inquired if there was any discussion at the Planning Commission level
about scaling back the sign near Wendy's due to the proximity to the road in comparison to the
sign located in front of Smash Burger. Mr. Wenkus replied that the intent is for the signs to be
the same distance back, in line with the existing signs.
Councilmember Roth inquired about the necessity of the sign in front of Walmart. Mr. Wenkus
replied that putting the sign at this location will provide an opportunity for the tenants in this area
to be recognized by the traffic off of 39th Avenue.
Councilmember Roth noted there are still open store fronts in the development and asked if it is
anticipated that there will be a request for an additional sign to help capture customers in the
future. Ms. Thomas replied that the intent at this time is to capture the current need. Hopefully
this will fill the need and it will not be necessary to come back with another request. They do no
need to have all of the tenants on the signs; it depends on the tenant and the situation.
Mayor Faust suggested that marketing of the development as a center might be more successful
than additional signage. He expressed concern regarding the 31 foot height previously
authorized for the Cub sign. He commented that this signage is not what he envisioned for Silver
Lake Village and that it is likely there will be another request for additional signage in the future.
He expressed concern with the proposed sign location near the Freedom Gas Station in relation
to pedestrian traffic.
City Manager Morrison clarified that the 31 foot sign was negotiated in this PUD. The sign plan
was included in the entire package approved by the City Council in 2003. One thing that was
appealing at that time was that the developer only proposed a height of 20 feet with the Cub sign,
as they understood the City was sensitive to having too much signage in the center.
Mayor Faust noted that a decision must be made on the PUD amendment by June 29, 2010 to
meet the required timeline.
Councilmember Stille commented that there may be a compromise that can be reached. He
noted that the package previously received by the City Council includes a height of 24 feet for
the Cub sign in comparison to the 26 feet discussed tonight. Mr. Wenkus stated the packet
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 25, 2010
Page 4
received by the Planning Commission included the 26 foot dimensions, and this is what was
approved by the Planning Commission.
Ms. Thomas stated Doran Companies understands the walkable feeling of St. Anthony. They are
trying to capture the traffic on Silver Lake Road to help support the tenants.
Mayor Faust stated the City Council wants the center to be successful, but they need to serve the
future as well as the present. He commented that his relationship with the developer has been
good and there is every reason to believe this will continue.
Councilmember Stille stated he understands the difficulties with the retail market, that this
project is tucked away, and that signage is important. He is not opposed to some additional
signage and appreciates that the landscaping requested by the City on the south side hides the
signage in this area. Due to this, the monument requested in this area does not bother him. He
stated his preference for a 24 foot Cub sign as opposed to a 26 foot sign. He stated that signage
does not do a lot of good in front of Smash Burger as it is difficult to read.
Councilmember Roth commented that the Cub sign jumps out in comparison to the other signs,
and he had been somewhat opposed to a taller sign in this location. However, the original
agreement authorized a sign height of 31 feet. He indicated that he will likely support this
measure, but expressed concern regarding how busy it is getting on Silver Lake Road.
Councilmember Jenson stated he shares some of the comments made about over -signage and
size. He questioned whether the proposed signage accounts for all of the open tenant space.
Mayor Faust indicated he would be more supportive of a 24 foot Cub sign as opposed to a 26
foot sign, and that he could also agree with the sign in front of Smash Burger. He stated his
position that there is not a valid reason for the directional sign by Freedom Gas Station due to
traffic flow and safety concerns. He pointed out legislative requirements for the consideration of
complete streets, taking into account modes of transportation other than automobiles. He
commented on the possibility of traffic driving north making an impulse turn after seeing this
sign, resulting in traffic issues. He suggested there are options to consider such as moving
portions of the amendment request, denial, tabling, or sending the item back to the Planning
Commission.
Councilmember Stille suggested tabling the item may allow the applicant an opportunity to
incorporate some of Council's suggestions. He stated his support of amending the PUD
ordinance to further limit the allowable sign height from the current 31 foot limit.
Mayor Faust suggested sending the item back to the Planning Commission for further review and
discussion if the item is tabled.
City Manager Morrison indicated it would be preferable that the item come back to the City
Council in one resolution, rather than the current form of two resolutions.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 25, 2010
Page 5
Council consensus was to send the Sign Plan amendment back to the Planning Commission for
further review and discussion.
Motion by Councilmember Stille, seconded by Councilmember Jenson, to table the following:
1) Resolution 10-033; Approving the Request for an Amendment to the Silver Lake Village
Planned Unit Development (PUD) Sign Plan to Allow for the Modification of Existing Ground
Signs and the Addition of One Directional Ground Sign; 2) Resolution 10-034; Approving the
Request for an Amendment to the Silver Lake Village Planned Unit Development (PUD) Sign
Plan to Allow for the Modification of Existing Ground Signs and the Addition of One
Directional Ground Sign.
Motion carried 4-0.
Mayor Faust indicated that the item will be included on the June 15, 2010 Planning Commission
meeting agenda and the June 22, 2010 City Council meeting agenda.
B. Resolution 10-034• Approving the Request for an Amendment to the Silver Lake Village
Planned Unit Development (PUD) Sign Plan to Allow for the Modification of Existing
Ground Signs and the Addition of One Directional Ground Sign.
Acted on under agenda item 5A.
VI. GENEA RAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL.
None.
VII. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
City Manager Morrison reported on the June 8, 2010 and June 22, 2010 City Council meeting
agendas. He reported that staff is currently working with the .Gov website office to reorganize
the City website to be more user-friendly. He requested Council to provide any feedback on the
website reorganization to staff.
Councilmember Jenson: No report.
Councilmember Roth: No report.
Councilmember Stille reported on his attendance at the May 17, 2010 Central Park ribbon
cutting ceremony/dedication of new lights and bleachers for the two ball fields. He stated it was
an opportunity to meet with elected officials and reported on the efforts of the officials present.
Mayor Faust reported on his attendance at the May 17, 2010 Central Park ribbon cutting
ceremony/dedication of new lights and bleachers for the two ball fields. He stated this
symbolizes what collaboration is all about including the City, School Board, County, State,
private businesses, and volunteers. He reported on his attendance at the May 18, 2010 Chamber
of Commerce General Membership Meeting. The Executive Director of the Farmers Market at
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 25, 2010
Page 6
the St. Anthony Shopping Center spoke. The Farmers Market will be held on Mondays from
July 12, 2010 until October. Mayor Faust reported that Community Service, along with Nativity
Lutheran Church, will conduct a class this Thursday night in the Council Chambers for
individuals that are underemployed or need employment.
VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM.
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13 IX.
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26 X.
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Mayor Faust invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items that
are not on the regular agenda.
Hearing none, Mayor Faust moved forward with the agenda.
INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Mayor Faust recognized John Madden, a St. Anthony resident who passed away this week. He
stated Mr. Madden had been a volunteer since he was in the service as a young man. He lived in
Minneapolis as a council member and coach. He moved to St. Anthony over 30 years ago,
served on the Planning Commission and then on the Citizens Advisory Commission for the
Middle Mississippi Watershed Management Organization. Mr. Madden also served on the State
Licensing Board for engineers and architects. His wife was an election judge. He asked
residents to think of Mr. Madden and his family and to celebrate what he has done for the City.
City Manager Mornson announced that June 1, 2010 will be the Emerald Pak kick-off for sports
activities.
ADJOURNMENT.
Mayor Faust adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Hamer
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Mayor