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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 07221980 Meeting Sheet IIIIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIVIII III IIII ioziis Box: 21 Folder: CC MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1980 Document: CC MINUTES 07221980 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY COUNCIL MINUTES July 22 , 1980 The meeting was called to order at 7 :30 P.M. by Mayor Haik. Present for roll call: Letourneau, Ranallo, Haik, Sundland and Marks. Also present: Jim Fornell, City Manager; Ron Berg, Administrative Assistant; William Soth, City Attorney; and Carol Johnson, Clerk/Treasurer. The following clarifications and corrections were made in Paragraph 3 , Page 1 of the minutes for the Council 's meeting July 8th: The configuration of County Road D after it is rebuilt can be expected to resemble "a width of roadway strip of County Road D which has been rebuilt between the City and Roseville" rather than the intersection. The Mayor' s main concern was not that the house on the southeast corner of Silver Lake Road and 37th Avenue N.E. would be taken with the upgrading of 37th, but rather -"how wide the cuts will be as they extend south along Silver Lake Road on several lots" . Councilman Marks was specifically concerned about the loss of the house. Motion by Councilman Ranallo and seconded by Councilman Marks to , approve as corrected the minutes for the Council meeting held July 8 , 1980 . Motion carried unanimously. Richard Enrooth opened his report on actions taken. and recommendations made by the Planning Commission during their July 15th meeting by saying the Commission had recommended the Council approve the pre- liminary plat .of the Chandler Addition which will provide seven individually owned lots and an eighth .which will be controlled by the homeowners association for . the seven townhouses proposed to be built on the corner of Chandler .Drive and. 37th Avenue N.E. by Nu Way Builders. Mr. Berg confirmed. that the sidewalks proposed to be built along. 37th will be located within the county' s right-of-way with three or four feet of boulevard to spare. James M. Brown, 1507 East Grandview Avenue, Maplewood, representing the developer was present but did not speak. Motion by Councilman Sundland and seconded by Councilman Ranallo to approve the preliminary platting for the Chandler Addition as per •- drawing No. 8079 as revised July 14 , 1980 , and to authorize the City -2- Attorney to make a title search and review the final plat for the South 189 .2 feet of Lot 6 , Block 9, Moundsview Acres Second Addition. Motion carried unanimously. The. Council then considered .the vacation of the �southdrly_portion-.of_: Sunset Lane which had been recommended for Council approval by the Planning Commission June 17 , 1980. Motion by Councilman Sundland and .seconded by Councilman Letourneau to adopt Resolution 80-051 with. wording revisions suggested by the City Attorney. RESOLUTION 80-051 A RESOLUTION VACATING A PORTION OF A STREET IN MOUNDS VIEW ACRES SECOND ADDITION Motion carried unanimously. Councilman Marks then asked the- Commission representative what the, rationale- had been for the Commission not addressing the land use in their recommendation of approval of the variances necessary for the mini storage facility proposed to be built by Bernard Blanske on the site adjoining the vacated Sunset Lane portion. Mr. Enrooth • responded that "The public hearing finding, after analysis of the resident reaction to the Blanske proposal, was- that a good buffer for the residential in the area will be provided through the proposed landscaping, berming and site plans whose main function seems to be to blend the project in with the surrounding environment as well as possible" . Councilman Ranallo noted the twelve foot side yard variance along Foss Road would bring the proposed mini storage structure into line with the existing St. Anthony- Millwork and the triplex on, the same street. The berming will minimize the visual impact of the Blanske building, he added. Motion by Councilman Ranallo and seconded by Councilman Letourneau to grant the variances necessary for the construction of a mini storage facility, as proposed by Bernard Blanske, with no heating and plumbing (except for office space) as per survey certificate No. 5332 for Lot 20, Block 12 , Mounds View Acres Second Addition as follows: (1) A variance of 7 feet for front yard setback (Sunset Lane) . (2) A variance of 12 feet for a side yard setback (Foss Road) . (3) Parking space variance of. 31 stalls, resulting in a provision for 3 stalls . • Granting of these variances shall be subject to: -3- (A) A .developer's agreement from Mr. Blanske assuring construction to the City's specifications of a road and sidewalk along the portion of Sunset Lane which remains after the vacation; (B) Provision of marked .parking for .any or all office spaces (max- imum of two offices) which meet the requirements of the City ordinance; and (C) Submission of landscaping plans detailing those indicated in his proposal by Mr. Blanske, which meet the approval of the City staff. The Council bases the granting of these variances on the findings- that; (A) The side yard variance is reasonable in that it conforms to the average set back of adjacent properties. (B) The City requirements in regard to parking spaces would be considered a hardship as the standards required to not pertain to the mini storage portion of this project. (C) The front yard variance is reasonable because .of the uniqueness of the site where the front yard has limited visibility from • other structures and there is no demonstrated need for a larger roadway. (D) The side yard variance. is also required because the poor soil conditions to the east require the project to be sited further west. To prepare the land to build on that soil is considered to be hardship for the developer rather than a mere inconvenience. Motion carried unanimously. Following this action the Council next considered the Commission' s recommendation that the City Zoning ordinance should be amended to specifically permit the construction of mini storage facilities in a Light Industrial district and a caretakers residence for that specific type of facility. Mr. Blanske reiterated his contention that not only would the care takers residence, with someone present night and day, provide surveillance for his property but would also serve in the same capacity as a benefit to the City since security would at the same time be provided for the entire area which is rather isolated and has experienced some incidents of vandalism and burglary. The developer related his plans to provide, in addition to free rent for the retired or handicapped occupant of the residence, some form of supplementary compensation to be agreed to later. The residence will be utilized only by the. caretaker. and not rented out for any other purpose he promised. -4- The question was. raised by Ed Hance, Mr:. Blanske' s attorney, whether this use might not .be interpreted. to. come under provisions. of Section 12 , Subdivision .7 of the General Regulations . of. the zoning ordinance but Mr.. .Soth thought it might be preferable.' to have a specific provision of the use made in the ordinance. Councilman Sundland agreed the City would have greater control of this type of operation if- it is -permitted as a, conditional use. Councilman Marks wanted assurance that .the .amendment would not result in housing permitted in any district .and suggested a square footage limitation might discourage requests for residency. in- other districts. Motion by Councilman Sundland and seconded by Councilman Marks to direct the City Attorney_to . draw. up an amendment to the City Zoning ordinance which will permit the construction of mini, storage facilities with caretakers residences in such. facilities within a Light Industrial district. Motion carried unanimously. Robert Dunphy, president of the Happy. Potato Chip Company, ..was - present to discuss the warehouse. addition he proposes to the rear of the existing facilities at- 3900 Chandler Drive. Mr. Dunphy had withdrawn his variance request for the parking lot after the Com- mission had recommended Council denial -and he now plans to proceed • without variances. His plan for. the parking area is to save as many trees on the property as is possible and landscaping will include bushes "low enough as not. to interfere with surveillance of the property" . Motion by Councilman Ranallo and seconded by Councilman Marks to grant a five foot rear yard setback variance to the City ordinance which will permit the Happy Potato Chip Company to construct, as proposed, the 5,100 square . foot warehouse (60 X 85 feet) to the rear' of and attached to the existing building on Happy' s Industrial Lot 3 , Block 1,. Mounds View Acres Second Addition finding,. as. did the Plan- ning Commission, that; (a), the proposal will allow a more orderly flow of products within the proposed and existing operation, (b) the large railroad. right-of-way (50 feet).. will provide .an adequate buffer of the building to the - rear, and (c) it appears the entire property will be developed to. meet all. other pertinent .City ordinances . Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Enrooth concluded his. report by relating the Commission' s concern regarding the provision of landscaping, as agreed to for the auxiliary bank parking lot- on Kenzie Terrace. He stated that staff had been requested to monitor the landscaping to assure compliance with the plan. The minutes for the July 7th meeting of the City' s *Cable T/V. Advisory • Committee were filed as informational. -5- Accepted as agenda addendum under 9A was Mr. Fornell 's July 22nd report on the preliminary census countsfor the City. John Hatcher, the City' s representative to the PACAC Committee which provides citizen participation for .Hennepin County's Community Development Block Grant program, read his assessment of the program and its effect on the determination of how the CDBG funds are allocated'. His suggestions, for implementing greater, citizen input was deferred until after the .public hearing, on the issuance .of Commercial Development Revenue Bonds for the revitalization of Apache Plaza was held. The Mayor opened the hearing at- 8:35- P..M. . Ted Zinner, Jr. , Vice President and General Counsel for. the C. G. Rein Co. ,. managing agent for Apache Plaza, Ltd. , gave a slide presentation of the renovation projects and their anticipated costs for which he was seeking per- mission to sell the revenue bonds . Mr. Zinner reported agreement had been. reached with the Furniture Barns to utilize only 25 ,000 square feet of the Montgomery Ward space in. the Center, thereby leaving enough space to be subdivided for twelve new shops and an upgrading of that area. The attorney said he anticipates the number of jobs in the Center will be increased by at least sixty-five through this improvement. This project was included in the listing of projected costs submitted with the bond application... Mr. Zinner • anticipates an increase in tax revenues for the City with these improvements with no liability to. the City through issuance of the $1,500,00.0 bonds. Other benefits include assurance of a good healthy commercial district and prevention of further tax abatements from empty stores. General approval -of the revitalization. efforts was indicated by the Council but several expressed their concerns whether the improvements proposed went far enough to correct the .existing deteriorating conditions. The proposal committed $75,000 for the resurfacing and patching of the parking lot. This amount appeared to some Council members and to Doug Jones of the Planning Commission as inadequate. to address the problems with traffic patterns and general appearance of the Center. Prior to the hearing, Mr. Jones had suggested a need for a street plan for the Apache site which might alleviate some of the traffic problems on Silver Lane.. He said he believed. a profitable peripheral shopping center could be developed around the existing Center if a major roadway were developed. Mayor Haik told Mr. Zinner, the -residents' concerns about the condi- tions of the shopping center had been relayed to, the Rein- Company over the last twenty-five years .and Mr. Rein had been fully informed that the exterior aesthetics of the building are very important as • far as the City. is concerned. She preferred giving considerable more thought to exterior improvements before a vote is taken saying she -6- "views this as an opportunity for cooperation -between .the City and • Apache and perhaps the. last opportunity _the City. will..have to. assure good -planning for this area for the .-next twenty-five years" . When Ed Oathout,. architect for the project,, said this. _was the first time the traffic ..problem had been mentioned, the Mayor told- .him complaints have been received regarding drivers cutting through the parking areas at angles and. that people coming off buses to the Center on, foot feel insecure when the lanes are. not striped. Councilman Ranallo .wondered: if more trees. could be provided than had been. indicated in .the landscape concept plan submitted by the Rein Company. He then- questioned whether the renovation.-.plan, as proposed, did not - "just cover the general upgrading of the. maintenance which has not been done. the. last nineteen years" . -Mr.. Zinner responded to- their concerns by indicating his willingness to meet with Short-Elliott-Hendrickson representatives and City staff to explore the recommendations .from the engineering firm for, defining a circulation pattern around.,the perimeter, of the Center, to the extent such improvements can be brought within. the confines. of- the project' s. fund limitations. : He said the tree plantings have to be planned so as not to interfere with the "line of sight" of potential customers driving down Silver Lake Road. The Rein counsel also said the priorities for .the project have , for the most part, been established from the demands from the merchants of Apache "who know what will bring the customers in to shop" . • Warren. Proeschel,. of the Miller Schroeder investment. .company, then suggested "since the acceptance of the existing .and- ,potential tenants to the revitalization plan have been so encouraging, bonding reserves of $_-7.5:,00.O might be. set aside, to. make additional improvements to the exterior of. the Center as can be worked out with the Council" . - In the agenda had been included a copy of the resolution from the Apache Plaza. Merchants Association supporting the .issuance of the revenue bonds "to make such repairs, improvements and changes to ensure a useful and .necessary. shopping center for the citizens of the surrounding. communities" . George Zahhos, spokesman for the association. Board. of Directors, said .he believes "the merchants and owners of the Center were the best judges of what should be done to get a viable shopping center and-.don't want the improvements to the roof,. flooring.;, lighting or additional. restrooms ,jeopardized by using all the funds to make aesthetic improvements- on the outside. " Mr. Oathout said . input from both the. Council and merchants had been included in the proposed.-plan as well as interviews of Apache shoppers he had. made himself. The project had been designed to provide funding for the beautification. of the exterior, parking and street improvements as .well , as the interior improvements including energy saving, with seventy-five percent of the ,proposed budget going for. exterior improvements. He said customer complaints regarding.-lack of- inventory are common throughout -the- retail industry because, of high interest costs.. 'He questioned-.the. need for sidewalks. Tim Hilger, who will be in charge of the project, told the Council it is imperative that construction not .be delayed, not only- because of the 38... leases- coming up for renewal, but also, because. costs can be expected to accelerate rapidly with any delay. -7- The public hearing was closed at 10 :10 P.M. Councilman Marks .wanted the project -to go ahead, believing that, after the meeting with .the engineering company, and, with _provision of an additional $75 ,000 , for exterior improvements, some of the identified concerns of the Council might be satisfied. Mr. Soth. advised,_.when questioned whether preliminary approval of the plans could- be withdrawn, "if. major differences remain; it would probably be advisable .not .to grant- the preliminary approval" . . He also recom- mended- against putting. conditions .pertaining to the disposition of the $75,000 reserves or. settling the traffic improvements on- the approval of the plan because. "the term- 'Project'. as referred to in the resolu- tion of approval, means 'project as . proposed,' together with.- such other- improvements as agreed _to by the owner and- .the City for an extension of up to $75;000 in reserves, in addition to those funds already .set aside .for construction" . . Earlier, he. had speculated "the loan documents may assure the project will be dohe- .as specified, since funds will be committed to a defined project" . Councilman Sundland expressed. his'. support for the project and, even. though he recognizes that the Council 's concerns are, based on what is perceived to be .a _history of broken promises by. the. Apache manage- ment, he "wants. to get started on the improvements to keep the Center from .deteriorating further" . He felt the Council 's concerns might • be satisfied by the proponents- sitting down with them and working out their differences. motion- by Councilman. Ranallo .and seconded- by Councilman Marks to adopt,-Resolution 80-048 . RESOLUTION 80.-048 A RESOLUTION GIVING PRELIMINARY APPROVAL TO A PROJECT PURSUANT TO THE MUNICIPAL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ACT,. AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF. SAID PROJECT, TO THE . COMMISSTONER OF SECURITIES AND AUTHORIZING THE PRE.- PARATION OF .NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND MATERIALS IN CONNECTION WITH SAID PROJECT Motion carried unanimously. The meeting ,was recessed from .10 :13 P.M. to 10 :18 P.M. Motion by Councilman Sundland and seconded by Councilman Ranallo to adopt Resolution 80-047 . RESOLUTION 80-047 A RESOLUTION RATIFYING' THE 1980 .AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND, TEAMSTERS LOCAL NO. 320.., .REPRESENTING .THE ST. ANTHONY FIRE DEPARTMENT AND AUTHORIZING. THE MAYOR. AND CITY MANAGER' TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY -8- Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Fornell. said the office staff had convinced him. of the necessity for :the part time position in the .Ci.ty offices to meet the demands of increased- work loads .specified in his July 21st. memorandum. Carol Johnson cited. the increase in paper. work. involved in the new regulations for the _upcoming general elections. The Manager told Councilman Ranallo. that, ' though the new computer system has been a productivity tool, general increases .in. the workload has offset those advantages.. Funding this, position will only bring the number of part time help hours back up to those budgeted for in 1979 . Motion by Councilman Ranallo and seconded by, Couricilman 'Marks to adopt the resolution which .authorizes. the transfer..of $11500 in the budget for a part time office position. RESOLUTION 80-.049 A RESOLUTION .MODIFYING THE 1980 BUDGET Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman .Sundland and seconded by .Councilman Ranallo to adopt the resolution which allows. a budget transfer of $9 ,000 into the Police Department' s overtime budget and approves the proposed overtime staffing policy for the Police Department. • RESOLUTION 80-050 A RESOLUTION .MODIFYING THE 1980 BUDGET Motion carried unanimously. Motion by .Councilman Sundland and seconded .by -Councilman Marks to -adopt the resolution which authorizes. the transmission of the City 's Comprehensive Plan to the Metropolitan Council. RESOLUTION 80-052 A RESOLUTION CERTIFYING PRE-REVIEW REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN SATISFIED Motion carried unanimously. The conversation with_ Mr. Hatcher was continued with his agreement to develop a letter to .be sent by the .City to .Hennep.in County re- questing some type of -aid for. the City _in attaining, greater citizen participation- in fund allocation decisions,,. as required, by HUD, with a targeting of better communication with those residents of moderate and low income levels. -9- Mr. Fornell. questioned the accuracy of.. the 19,80.. census data which he had received that same -day and suggested. the data be contested due to a discrepancy in new households. in Ramsey .County,,.for the _City from 1970 to 1980. He said the figures apparently failed to reflect the development of the Equinox. Apartments., Mirror Lake,:'Manor and the Townhouses. of '"*St.. Anthony during. that period with an estimated 450 new dwelling .units not counted. which.. could account for an increase of at leastA00 more people, as stated in his July 22nd memo. Motion by .Councilman Ranallo and seconded- by Councilman Letourneau to direct the Manager. to challenge the 1.980 census data for 'Ramsey County and for Hennepin County, if possible. -Motion. carried _unanimously. Motion by Councilman Ranallo and seconded by Mayor Haik to grant a cigarette_ vending. license. to Acorn Vending Distributors, Inc. for the Equinox Apartments. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Letourneau and seconded by Councilman Marks to approve payment of .all verified claims listed in the. July 22 , 1980 agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Sundland -and .seconded. by Councilman Ranallo to approve payment of $3,500 , the balance of payment due the George M. Hansen Company for the 1979 City audit. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman' Letourneau and .seconded by Councilman Sundland to approve .payment of $,400 to .-_the George M. .Hansen Company for the audit of the Revenue Sharing program. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Letourneau. -and seconded by Councilman Ranallo to adjourn the meeting at 10 :45 P.M. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Helen Crowe Mayor ATTEST: City- Clerk