HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 02191980 Meeting Sheet
IIIIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIIIIIIIII
iazvi
Box: 21
Folder: PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1980
Document: PL MINUTES 02191980
CITY OF ST. ANTHONY -
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
February 19, 1980
The meeting was called to order -at 7 :30 p.m. by Chairman Bjorklund-.
Present for roll. call: '- Sopcinski-, Bjorklund, Bowerman and Makowske.
Absent: Jones., Enrooth and Peterson. -
Also present: Jim Fornell,. City Manager, and Ron Berg, Administra-
tive- Assistant.
The Chairman requested the following be added as Paragraph 5, Page
7 of the minute' s for the Commission' s meeting held January 15, 1980 :
"Since the litigation ruling was reported fully by
Mr. William Luther, Mr. Bjorklund asked him whether
the court had specifically addressed the City's re-
quirements for variances necess-ary for the expan-
sion, i.e. , frontyard setback of eleven feet; rear-
yard/residential area setback of four feet; and the
six-foot parking setback for frontyards. The
Johnson's counsel did not answer these questions
specifically, but only reiterated the court' s judg-
ment. "
a.
• Motion by Mrs. Makowske and seconded by Mr. Bowerman to approve as
amended the minutes for the Planning Commission meeting held on k
January 15, 1980 . �-
Motion carried unanimously.
Mrs. Makowske will represent the Commission at the next Council
meeting on March ll. f
I'
A Public Hearing was scheduled for 7 :30 p.m. for consideration of !'
a -request for a zoning change to R-3 for Lots 11 and 12 , Block 1,
Penrod Addition, which site is presently zoned R-2 with a PUD.
However, David Ames, the prospective buyer and developer of the
, sitef requested the hearing be tabled because of the uncertainties
surrounding the development of senior housing on Kenzie Terrace
which is related to the tax increment financing necessary for this
project. The February 14 memorandum from the City Attorney regarding
the legal ramifications of the tax status of the developers of the c
senior housing and the Manager ' s February 15 memorandum dealing
with -the -question and -recbmmending action be deferred, had been
provided the- Commission members . Seeing a presentation of the pro-
posal without action being taken as non-productive, the Chairman
ruled action on the Ames proposal should be tabled until such time
as the request is resubmitted, and a new hearing scheduled with,
renotification of all affected property owners within 350 feet of
the .site. i
- .i
` _... -2-
The
2-
The Commission next took up the request from Central Engineering
• Company that they be allowed the use of a 12 x 40 foot mobile j
office unit to supplement office space for their regular employees
until they have completed construction of additional office space
on the property they have purchased adjacent to their existing
building at 2930 Anthony' Lane. Mr. Berg had, in his memorandum of.
February 15, advised the Commission that the City zoning neither
prohibits nor permits such temporary- structures, but felt these
types of -structures need to be reviewed and regulated to prevent
arbitrary use throughout the City. Mr. Fornell confirmed that
notification of adjoining property owners of the placement of such
a structure is not required. There was no one from Central Engineer-
ing present to speak for the request and Mr. Berg indicated plans
for the construction of the addition have not, to date, been sub-
mitted.
Motion by Mr. Bowerman and seconded by Mr. Bjorklund- to recommend
Council 'approval of the issuance of a temporary building permit to
Central Engineering to place the requested mobile office unit on
the premises for a time period not to exceed September 1, 1980 , as
long as the unit is placed on blocks and its installation approved
by the City Building Inspector. In the event the plans for the
permanent expansion proposed by Central are not submitted by
September, 1980, the unit will have to be removed or the firm will
be required to apply for a continuance of the building permit for
the temporary unit.
• Before voting on the motion, Mr. Sopcinski suggested the engineering
firm should be held to their declared expansion date of spring, but
this change was rejected by the maker of the motion who felt it
would be unreasonable to impose such a stringent time frame on the
construction since, in his opinion, the firm would do its best to
complete the construction as soon as possible.
Voting on the motion:
Aye: Bowerman, Bjorklund and Makowske
r
Nay: Sopcinski j
i
i
Motion carried.
The revised site plans and colored illustrations of the proposed
change in signage for the Sibley Catalog Showrooms on 38th Avenue N.E.
were presented by Mr. Berg who, in his memorandum of February 15,
told the Commission members he viewed the improved signage as meeting
the specifications set by the Council in their August 14 motion of
approval . I
Motion by Mr. Bowerman and seconded by Mr. Bjorklund to indicate to
the Council that the Planning Commission has reviewed the revised
plans for -five 5 x 18 foot signs of 450 square feet -total area for
the Sibley Catalog Showrooms at 2500 38th Avenue N.E. and find the
• changes are in conformance with the previously granted variance of
600 square feet. of total area for the signage and which they see ;.
as an attractive and acceptable identification of the business.
Motion carried unanimously.
-3-
Sid Johnson was- present to request conceptual approval for his
proposal to build seven townhouses on the corner of 37th Avenue N.E.
and Chandler Drive N.E. , which. will be known as Chandler Court
Townhouses. Mr. Berg advised the preliminary site plans show no
apparent variances required, but since the property is presently
zoned R-4, Multi-Family, - either a conditional use permit or a
change in zoning. to R-3 -would be necessary. The developer said
his proposal will result in a less intensive use than an eight ;I
unit apartment building which could be built under the R-4 zoning.
He did not see an apartment house as economically -feasible and con
sidered the site more suitable for townhouses. He told the Commis- a
sion- the problems of drainage and poor soil condition of the site
will be remedied to meet the specifications of the City .Building ! '
Inspector and the proposed units-appear to meet the City's require-
ments as to total area. He saw his- planned removal of the question-
able fill and construction of the`,tuck-i-n garages on --good soil in i
the rear of the townhouses- as satisfying the staff' s concern about
drainage from the property. He concluded by saying the townhouses
will be of average size and will be in the $55 ,000 to $60 ,000 price i
range,- built either -for individual ownership or rental.
The Commission consensus was that they would be willing to cooperate
with Mr. Johnson to provide the development of the_ site as proposed.
Mr. Bjorklund saw the proposal as an excellent way of developing !'
that site, but wanted assurances the development and its maintenance
1
would be governed by an owners association. Mr. Sopcinski saw the
plans as viable as long as the natural water flow is directed so � �
the properties to the south do not experience water problems because
of the development. Mrs. Makowske appreciated the assurances from � !
staff that no problems with sanitary or sewer systems would be I
created and there will be no traffic generated onto 37th Avenue N.E. yi
since the entrances will. be- off Chandler Drive.
i'
Mr. Bowerman had no problem with the concept as presented and said
he would look forward to seeing the development of that site.
'The meeting was recessed at 8 : 25 p.m. and reconvened at 8 : 34 p.m.
for the Public Hearing on the City's Comprehensive Plan.
The notice of the hearing which had been posted intheCity and a .
published in the St. Anthony Bulletin February 7 was read by Chair-
man Bjorklund.
Mr. Fornell _told approximately twenty persons, mostly St. Anthony
Shopping Center store proprietors, the -Plan had been drawn up by
a private consultant with input fromthe Planning Commission in
accordance with the Land .Planning Act of 1976 and a number of re-
commendations of the' Kenzie Terrace commercial area had been in-
corporated -into
n-corporated into that section of the Plan which dealt with• that
section of the City. William Weber, of Bather-Ringrose-Wolsfeld-
- Jarvis-Gardner, Inc. who had developed the Plan and incorporated
the changes suggested by the Commission over the last year and a
• half, discussed its contents with .those present. Prior to address-
ing the alternatives suggested for the shopping center area, he
cited the improvements necessary for the City ' s deteriorating street
system and the minor repairs to the sewer system which he saw as
necessary now that the diversion has been made into the Roseville
system. .
' -4- j
Mr. Weber told those present the Plan addresses the underutilization
of land on which the mobile home park is located. The Plan assumes i
that site could better- be developed for finer housing. Next he
pointed out the deficiencies of the St. Anthony Shopping Center as
viewed in the Plan as compared to more recent shopping center develop-
ment- and gave the four alternatives for action for the City regarding
the area: 1) do nothing, "let the private market govern any improve-
ments; 2) cooperate in a cosmetic uplifting program; 3) redevelop L.
the western section of the commercial area through tax increment '.
financing; and finally 4) redevelopment of the whole commercial area
to a more productive mix of commercial and residential. -�
i ,
Several times during the discussion, the merchants were reassured
the plan and its conclusions represent only suggestions of what can
or should be done if the City should accept the conclusions of the
planner.
The reaction to the plan was reflected by the concerns .of the store
proprietors on the western (or Saliterman-owned) portion of the
center and their questions as to how they would fare under the tax
increment financing proposal; whether they would realize fair com-
pensation for their move; and whether the City could do more to
force the owner of their stores to make the necessary improvements
to make the area more economically feasible. Wayne Comfort, of
St. Anthony Schwinn, wondered if "Apache wouldn't have them over
a barrel in regard to rentals if they should move there" . Roy k
Johnson, of Kingsrud Meats, saw the input from the merchants as
•. vital. He favored going with alternative- "C" , the redevelopment
of the western half of the shopping center and relocation of the
existing businesses -through tax increment financing.
r:r
PZary Cotroneo, of Vincenzo ' s Restaurant, agreed the parking, driving,
and physical -conditions of the Saliterman center were very poor,
but said she had never seen an accident there. She and James Haugen,
of the J. Design beauty shop, told how they have invested everything
in their businesses -and built up successful operations in spite of
the adverse conditions and relocation would be a very hard thing
for them. However, they both agreed their 'landlord is impossible
to deal with, refuses to make even rudimentary repairs to his build-
ings, and doesn't even permit signs to advertise their stores. They
were in agreement that the center is an eyesore because of the in-
attention of Mr. Saliterman, and that they were interested in uniting .
with other merchants to get the entire center improved. Mrs. Cotroneo
wondered why "the City doesn't build all new buildings and let us
move into them" .
Marie Schander-Scott and Roy A. Scott, of Real Life Interiro-Scott
Olson Business Services,, 2548 Harding Street N.E. , were in agreement
with the Manager that the first step to be taken by the merchants
is to understand the problems within the center and get together to
try to solve them. Mr. Scott saw the Manager' s criticism of lack
of interest by the business community as a very valid one. He sug-
gested a portion of the excess parking in the western half might be
i
i
�i
i �
-5-
4
condemned and converted into a mini park area where parents could
leave their children to play while they shop; -and also suggested
a street be put in front of the business establishments on his
side to create an image of a valid business community. Marie of-
fered the services - of her Xerox machine to print flyers to keep
the merchants aware of future developments. .
In response to the Planner' s comments regarding the eastern portion
of the shopping center, Jerry Kelly, of Kelly ' s Toys, saw some of
Mr. Weber ' s conclusions as misleading. He differed with him that
traffic through the area had diminished with t h e development of !
Highway 88. He -said some of the improvements suggested in the Plan
have been made including the lighting and traffic circulation pat-
terns and sidewalks are provided along Kenzie Terrace. Mr. Kelly
corrected the assumption that the Merchants Association is only for
businessmen in the eastern portion, -saying their meetings are open
to everyone and he urged a meeting of all concerned to react to
any changes.
Dr. Charles Kirk, an optometrist whose office has been located at
2919 Pentagon Drive since 1953:, recounted the history of the center
and types of operations which had not made it in that location.
It was his opinion that the eastern section would remain a neigh-
borhood center and was never intended to be an "Edina Galleria"
which had been cited by Mr. Weber as an ideal shopping center re-
flecting the affluence of its neighboring community. However ,
he' agreed the eastern merchants experience the same difficulties
• as those in the western section when it comes to getting their
landlords- to make any improvements. Jim Gahagen, of St. Anthony
National Bank, cited the bank' s inability to negotiate with the
absentee landlords and told of the survey made by the bank which
led them to believe another location in the same area would be
better for building a new facility. He suggested the other merchants
might "find it best to move out of your area now" .
Mr. Fornell explained the City' s interest is not mainly that of a j.
tax recipient since only 12� of every dollar of property taxes +
goes to the City, but that the City is interested in the develop-
ment of healthy economic atmosphere in both areas. He cited past
failures in interesting the merchants in improving the image of
the St. Anthony Shopping Center and in recent efforts to organize
a Chamber of Commerce. The. Manager suggested the merchants might
have to unify and be willing to accept a raise in rents if they can
force improvement, anticipating their revenues will increase as
a result of the improvements . The Comprehensive -Plan is "no ulti-
matum" , he told Ms. Scott, but rather "options being considered by
the City for improving the economic viability of the area" . The
City operates on a very slim budget and has only a part time
Building Inspector to enforce code conformance and there is some
question of whether new codes can be enforced for buildings which
predate code development. Mr. Fornell also cautioned that code
enforcement might result in drastic raises in rents.
-6- I
i
Mike Fader, of St: Anthony Schwinn, was concerned with the speed
with which the Plan might. be adopted, but he was told more hearings -
.were to be held and the Plan not sent to the Metropolitan Council
- i
until June.
It was the consensus of the Commission -that the interest shown
demonstrated that another .hearing before the Planning Commission,
might be very productive; and at 10 : 25 p.m. the Chairman recessed
the hearing to the Commission' s next meeting March 19.
Before declaring the recess, he read the letter from Kenneth Lee
which requested the zoning for his property in the northern sector .
of the City remain R-4 .
Chairman Bjorklund then expressed his concern with the delivery of
the Commis.sion' s- minutes by the Police Department, but it was the
consensus of the .staff and other members that the service should
be continued in- view of the fact that Commission members ' services
to the City are gratis and it would be difficult for each to pick
up their copy of the Agenda at the City Hall.
Pat O'Laughlin appeared next to sound out the Commission members
regarding his proposal for developing a sixplex on the corner of
33rd and Stinson on the property which is now zoned "C" , Commercial ,
for the Clark Station which is closed down. When their individual
reactions were sought, Mr. -Bowerman said he could favor the concept
if "we can come reasonably close to conformance with the City re-
quirements for setbacks, density, etc. Mr: Sopcinski saw the pro-
posal as an improvement for that corner which has some objectionable
commercial development for a residential area, but he thought the
units would only be feasible for rental and certainly not family
oriented. The Chairman saw the concept as too intensive usage of
the property and warned Mr. O'Laughlin past history indicates there
will be great neighborhood opposition to its intensity. When Mr.
Bowerman wondered if the neighbors might not have had a change in
temper since they opposed the Clark Station, Mr. Bjorklund reminded
him of the opposition which had been demonstrated towards an apart-
ment building being erected just a block north of this site. The
size of the building concerned Mrs. Makowske who thought people
across 33rd Avenue N.E. would certainly view what appears to be a
two and a half level building as being too high.
i
Mr. O'Laughlin was advised of his right to request a hearing on i
his proposal, but he agreed it might be preferable to personally
seek neighborhood reaction before investing too much money in the
project.
i.
Motion by Mr. Bowerman and seconded by Mr. Sopcinski to adjourn
the meeting at 10 : 45 p.m. .
Motion carried unanimously.
• Respectfully submitted,
• i
Helen Crowe,' Secretary
HC:pjr