HomeMy WebLinkAboutPL MINUTES 04161991 Meeting Sheet
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Box: 19
Folder: PL MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1991
Document: PL MINUTES 04161991
1 CITY OF ST. ANTHONY
2 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
3
4 April 16, 1991
5
6 I. CALL TO ORDER.
7
8 The meeting was called to order at 7 : 33 p.m. with the
9 Pledge of Allegiance led by Chairman Madden.
10
11 II. ROLL CALL.
12
13 Present: Madden, Brownell , Faust, Franzese ,
14 Gondorchin, Murphy, Werenicz .
15
16 Also Present : Thomas Burt, City Manager
17 Susan VanderHeyden, Assistant to the
18 City Manager
19
20 III. APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 19, 1991 PLANNING COMMISSION
21 MEETING MINUTES.
22
23 Page 6 , Line 43 : Change "changes" to "chances . "
24
25 Page 7 , Line 25: Change "Commissioner Murphy" to
26 "Commissioner Gondorchin. "
27
28 Page 8 , Line 4 : Change "Commissioner Franzese" to
29 "Commissioner Werenicz . "
30
31 Motion by Brownell , seconded by Murphy, to approve the
32 minutes of the February 19 , 1991 Planning Commission
33 meeting as amended.
34
35 Motion carried unanimously.
36
37 IV. DESIGNATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE TO THE
38 MAY 14, 1991 CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
39
40 Chairman Madden noted that at the last Planning
41 Commission meeting he had agreed to prepare a suggested
42 rotation schedule regarding Planning Commissioner
43 representation at City Council meetings . He did this by
44 first reviewing representation during the year 1990 and
45 1991 to date. Based on that review, the suggested
46 rotation is as follows : Madden (May 14) , Franzese ,
47 Gondorchin, Brownell , Werenicz , Faust, Murphy. Dates
48 were not assigned for all meetings because the Planning
• 49 Commission does not necessarily meet every month. There
50 were no objections to the proposed rotation.
f
PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 16 , 1991
Page 2
1 V. PUBLIC HEARINGS.
2
3 A. FORREST AND MARTY HARSTAD, FOR 3816 FOSS ROAD; REZONING
4 AND PRELIMINARY PLAT REQUESTS .
5
6 REZONING REQUEST:
7
8 Chairman Madden introduced the request by stating that
9 Forrest and Marty Harstad of the Harstad Companies are
10 asking for a rezoning of 3816 Foss' Road from LI , light
11 industrial, to R4 , multiple dwelling. No one present
12 reported failure to receive notice of the hearing or
13 objected to its content.
14
15 STAFF REPORT:
16
17 Assistant to the City Manager VanderHeyden reported that
18 Mr. Harstad originally approached the Planning Commission
19 on October 23 , 1991 with a request to rezone the property
20 at 3816 Foss Road -from LI to R3 , townhomes . At the time
21 of that hearing, Commissioner Murphy raised the issue of
22 the density of the development. Since that time , the
23 City has worked with Mr . Harstad to resolve that issue ,
24 and Mr. Harstad is currently proposing a development of
25 two eight-plexes under the zoning category R4 ,
26 condominiums .
27
28 Commissioner Murphy questioned the calculation of the
29 total square footage of the site and concluded that the
30 site would still be overcrowded by two units , requiring
31 a variance. The square footage was recalculated by the
32 Commission, and it was determined that the proposed
33 development falls within the R4 density requirements .
34
35 PUBLIC HEARING:
36
37 Chairman Madden opened the public hearing at 7 : 39 p.m.
38 and invited Forrest Harstad to present his petition.
39
40 Mr. Harstad informed the Commission that plans for the
41 development had been redrawn by moving what was
42 effectively the end unit of one building into the central
43 unit . This was done so that both the end units and the
44 central units could have two-car garages . Under the
45 redrawn plan, each unit now has two enclosed stalls and
46 two open stalls , actually exceeding the parking
47 requirements .
• 48
49 Mr. Harstad showed the new plans to the Commission and to
50 the public gathered for the hearing, and explained that
r
PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 16 , 1991
Page 3
1 each building contains eight units with two sets of four
2 units facing opposite directions .
3
4 Commissioner Werenicz noted that the condominium
5 residents may at times have numerous guests who require
6 more than the available on-site parking, and asked Mr.
7 Harstad whether any provisions had been made for parking
8 additional cars along the back edge of the lot or whether
9 additional cars would be forced to park on Foss Road.
10 Mr. Harstad replied that he felt the proposed parking.
11 layout is adequate to allow additional cars to park
12 parallel to the curb in the rear area while permitting
13 traffic through .the area, and foresaw no need for cars to
14 park on Foss Road.
15
16 Commissioner Werenicz asked how people would recognize
17 that area as designated for overflow parking. Mr .
18 Harstad stated that he would not be opposed marking the
19 rear curb area in some way for parking, although in his
20 opinion the area was similar to city streets in that
21 marking the area for parking would be unnecessary.
22
23 Commissioner Werenicz stated that he was still concerned
24 with overflow parking. Two cars per household is the
25 norm, and additional visitors or guests might easily
26 exceed the parking allotted for each unit. Mr. Harstad
27 replied that his intention was to minimize the overflow
28 parking problem by making sure each unit was equipped
29 with a two-car garage , and that the overflow parking
30 problem would be no different than for a single-family
31 home.
32
33 Commissioner Faust asked for, a description of the units .
34 Mr . Harstad replied that all the units are two stories
35 high, and that the interior units are two bedrooms plus
36 loft, and that the end units are three bedrooms or two
37 bedrooms plus loft depending on how the owner finishes
38 the unit . Commissioner Murphy asked what the square
39 footage of the units is . Mr. Harstad replied that the
40 three-bedroom end units are 1 ,.350 square feet, and that
41 the two-bedroom/one loft interior and end units are 1 , 368
42 square feet, because the loft hangs out over the living
43 room an additional 18 square feet . The living room in
44 all units has a vaulted ceiling.
45
46 Commissioner Franzese noted that some condominiums in St.
47 Anthony have not been successfully marketed, and asked
• 48 Mr . Harstad how Harstad Companies plans to sell their
49 Foss Road units . Mr . Harstad replied that Harstad
50 Companies is in the process of completing identical units
PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 16 , 1991
Page 4
1 in Coon Rapids , and established an immediate waiting list
2 when construction began on those units . He stated that
3 Harstad Companies has consulted with realtors who opined
4 that there is a great demand for condominium units of the
5 type they are building in this area.
6
7 Mr. Harstad further stated that Harstad Companies is
8 emulating what has been done by Rottlund Homes , which has
9 in some cases developed land which has been let from Mr .
10 Harstad' s father. He said that Rottlund has experienced
11 sellouts prior to starting construction, and that in some
12 cases it might be a matter of price. In response to a
13 question by City Manager Burt, Mr. Harstad replied that
14 he did not know the price of those units .
15
16 Commissioner Franzese stated that one difference between
17 the proposed Foss Road condominiums and the Renzington
18 units , which might make the Foss Road condominiums more
19 desirable, is the fact that they each have their own
20 external entrance . Mr. Harstad agreed, and stated that
21 although the units are technically condominiums because
22 the owner does not own the land under his unit, they are
23 laid out and like townhomes .
24
25 Mr. Harstad said that the Foss Road units will be priced
26 at roughly $73, 000 for an interior unit and $79 , 000 for
27 an exterior unit . He noted that when they first
28 approached the Planning Commission in October of 1990 the
29 internal units were smaller and they had hoped to be able
30 to sell them for less than $60 , 000 .
31
32 Commissioner Franzese asked whether an association would
33 be in charge of maintaining the property. Mr. Harstad
34 answered that there will be an association which will be
35 set up by the builder/developer. He said that they hope
36 to sell one hundred percent of the units prior to
37 closing, at which point the association will commence its
38 activities .
39
40 Commissioner Franzese asked for the projected date of
41 completion. Mr. Harstad replied that he hopes to have
42 the development built within 120 days of securing 'a
43 building permit .
44
45 Commissioner Madden invited Bruce O' Brien to speak. Mr .
46 O ' Brien identified himself as the president of the St .
47 Anthony Townhome Association, which townhomes are located
• 48 directly across the street from the proposed Harstad
49 development . He stated that St. Anthony Townhomes
50 consist of fourteen units , and that the owners had a
PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 16 , 1991
Page 5
1 meeting of their own immediately prior to attending the
2 Planning Commission meeting.
3
4 Mr . O' Brien noted that his townhome association was
5 represented at the October 1990 Planning Commission and
6 subsequent City Council meeting during which the Harstad
7 development was discussed, and that their opinions are
8 the same as they were at that time. He stated that the
9 townhome association is in favor of the project and,
10 further, for the betterment of the neighborhood would
11 like to see the area rezoned from light industrial to R4
12 whether or not this development project is approved.
13
14 Chairman Madden invited Gleda Muller to speak. Ms .
15 Muller identified herself as the secretary-treasurer of
16 the St. Anthony Townhome Association. She stated that
17 one of the big concerns of the association is the parking
18 situation on Foss Road. Each unit of the St. Anthony
19 Townhomes is equipped with a double garage and space for
20 two cars in front of that garage, which has not been
21 adequate for their needs when parking . for visitors or
22 guests is required. She said that on-street parking is
23 literally out of sight of the units , which makes it
24 unsuitable. She mentioned the need for a fire lane on
25 the grounds of the property, which also cuts down on the
26 available parking space.
27
28 Chairman Madden then invited Mary Pearo to speak. Ms .
29 Pearo, a resident of the St. Anthony Townhomes ,
30 reiterated Ms . Muller ' s concerns about parking, and noted
31 that they have no curbside parking because the Fire
32 Department painted their western curb yellow as a
33 designated fire lane.
34
35 Roy Pearo, resident of St . Anthony Townhomes , stated that
36 he is concerned that residents of the new development
37 will be attracted to Mirror Lake behind the St. Anthony
38 Townhomes and will cut across their property to get to
39 the pond. Chairman Madden replied that he lives in a
40 townhome development with a similar problem, and that
41 they try to discourage traffic across their property,
42 although it still occurs regularly.
43
44 Jan Huser, resident of St. Anthony Townhomes , stated that
45 she is concerned about increased traffic on Foss Road
46 compounded by the fact that the intersection of Foss Road
47 and 37th Street N.E. is a blind corner . She also stated
• 48 that she and others are concerned about the lack of an
49 exit onto Chandler Road in the case of an emergency or
50 when vehicles might be blocking their exit onto Foss
PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 16, 1991
Page 6
1 Road. She stated that the increased amount of traffic
2 using a limited number of access points to Foss Road will
3 create traffic congestion.
4
5 Chairman Madden agreed with Ms . Huser, stating that at
6 the October 1990 meeting regarding this subject he
7 proposed that access be created to Chandler Drive . He
8 said that he has been discouraged in this point of view
9 by the City staff , but still feels that it is feasible
10 and that residents should exert pressure on the Mayor and
11 the City staff- to create such access .
12
13 Commissioner Franzese referred to the fire lane described
14 by Ms . Pearo, and asked how the driveway width of the new
15 development compares with the width of the driveway at
16 St . Anthony Townhomes . Ms . Pearo answered- that. not only
17 the driveway but the cul-de-sac curbs are all painted
18 yellow to prohibit parking, and that there is a fire
19 hydrant in the cul-de-sac area. Commissioner Franzese
20 asked whether a fire hydrant would be required in the new
21 development . Mr . Harstad replied that he assumed a fire
22 hydrant would be required but that at this stage the
23 plumbing layout has not been finalized.
24
25 Commissioner Franzese asked whether the width of the
26 driveway is sufficient for two cars to pass . Mr .' Harstad
27 said that it is , and that they emulated the St . Anthony
28 Townhomes in that regard. Commissioner Franzese then
29 asked Mr. Harstad to explain the ingress and egress of
30 the new development. Mr. Harstad complied, using the
31 illustrative plans he had brought.
32
33 Commissioner Gondorchin asked Mr. Harstad to indicate
34 where potential additional parking might be located. Mr .
35 Harstad showed the location on the plans , and said that
36 he was not opposed to increasing the parking area
37 although it would result in a loss of green space . He
38 speculated that the parking might have to be laid out
39 diagonally rather than perpendicular to the curb because
40 of space limitations . Commissioner Werenicz suggested
41 that terracing, retaining walls , and landscaping might
42 enhance the appearance .
43
44 Commissioner Gondorchin then asked if Mr. Harstad had
45 some idea of where a fire hydrant would be located but
46 Mr . Harstad was unable to speculate. Commissioners
47 Werenicz and Brownell noted the location of two hydrants
48 on the map in the area of the proposed development.
49 Chairman Madden noted that the complex he lives in has
50 nineteen units but no fire hydrant on the grounds . Mr.
PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 16 , 1991
Page 7
1 Pearo stated that the fire hydrant located on the grounds
2 of the St. Anthony Townhomes eliminated the extra parking
3 they might have had. Mr . O' Brien stated that , as one of
4 the original residents of the St. Anthony Townhomes, he
5 had been told by their developer that the need for a fire
6 hydrant was not in the original plans but was required by
7 the Fire Department at the last stage of construction.
8
9 Commissioner Murphy asked whether there is any provision
10 in City ordinances or codes which would prevent people
_ 11 from parking in the area under discussion. City Manager
12 Burt answered that the roadway would be considered a
13 private road and that parking restrictions which apply to
14 City streets would not apply to the road through the new
15 development. Chairman Madden -noted that a fire lane
16 would, however, be required. City Manager Burt confirmed
17 that, and said that the final plat would be reviewed by
18 the Fire and Police Departments for compliance with
19 regulations . He said that the preliminary plat had been
20 reviewed by the Fire Chief and that he has found no
21 problem so far. Commissioner Faust suggested that the
22 Fire Chief may not have known that parking was being
23 considered along the curb in question.
24
25 Commissioner Gondorchin noted that the original drawings
26 allowed room for twelve parking stalls and asked whether
27 the revised drawings allowed for the same amount of
28 parking. Mr . Harstad said that he was unsure whether
29 perpendicular parking stalls could be accommodated but
30 that angle parking would be the most practical .
31
32 Mary Pearo informed Mr . Harstad and the Commission that
33 the side of Foss Road in front of the new development is
34 designated no parking, and. that any street parking would
35 be on the side of Foss Road in front of the St . Anthony
36 Townhomes , compounding the parking congestion. She
37 stated that the residents of St. Anthony Townhomes had
38 attempted to obtain a no-parking designation for their
39 side of Foss Road because they have difficulty getting
40 out of their driveway at times due to parking overflow
41 from the neighboring apartments .
42
43 The public hearing was closed at 8 :04 p.m.
44
45 Chairman Madden stated that he lives on Foss Road and is
46 concerned about the traffic on that road. He said that
47 for a long time he has advocated access from the west,
• 48 which would make the traffic flow more convenient and
49 safer. Chandler Drive is eight feet wider than Foss Road
50 and could handle the increased traffic better than Foss
PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 16, 1991
Page 8
1 Road. The western access would require an easement from
2 the City which Chairman Madden said the City has been
3 reluctant to grant . He suggested that if the citizens
4 put some pressure on the City, such an easement might be
5 granted. He further stated that he supports the change
6 in zoning.
7
8 Commissioner Murphy asked why the City has so far refused
9 to grant the western easement . City Manager Burt
10responded that the City uses the space to park its
11 snowplows during the summertime, for the recycling
12 facility, for the pole barn for the new carbon facility,
13 and for a pole barn for the fire station. He also noted
14 that at this time the yard contains piles of wood chips
15 from the last storm. Burt stated that granting such an
16 easement would reduce the maintenance yard by
17 approximately one quarter of its size . Assistant
18 VanderHeyden noted that the City has no other space
19 available to use were it to lose part of its maintenance
20 yard on Foss Road.
21
22 Commissioner Brownell said that he felt the issue of
23 changing the zoning from LI to R3 had been fully
24 discussed in the fall , and that he supports the change to
25 R4 because it would be a good use for. the land.
26
27 Commissioner Murphy stated that he also supports the
28 change and that the new development would be an
29 attractive addition to the community. He noted that the
30 purpose of this meeting is to consider the rezoning, and
31 although some issues regarding the development itself
32 still need to be worked out, those issues . should be
33 reserved until future requests come before the
34 Commission.
35
36 Commissioner Werenicz disagreed, and stated that the
37 Commission needs to consider both issues at this time,
38 the rezoning and the preliminary plat approval . He said
39 that he is in favor of the rezoning, and that the
40 development plan is attractive, well thought-out , and
41 will be an enhancement to the community. His main
42 concern was parking, and he was in favor of Harstad
43 planning for as much diagonal parking in the development
44 as possible , and in favor of some parking accommodation
45 being made on the western portion of the land to ease
46 congestion. Commissioner Faust stated that he saw no
47 problems with the plans as presented.
48
• 49 Motion by Franzese, seconded by Werenicz , to recommend
50 approval of the request .to rezone the property at 3816
PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 16, 1991
Page 9
1 Foss Road from LI to R4 , noting that the land use would
2 be compatible with the adjacent residential land use;
3 that neighboring citizens appeared to support the
4 rezoning; that the change would be an enhancement to the
5 community; that no objections were raised to the
6 rezoning; and that the final approval not be granted
7 until such time as the final plat plan is approved by the
8 City Council .
9
10 Motion carried unanimously.
11
12 Chairman Madden informed the Petitioner and the public
13 that the rezoning recommendation would be heard by the
14 City Council at its May 14 , 1991 meeting.
15
16 PRELIMINARY PLAT REQUEST:
17
18 Chairman Madden introduced the request by stating that
19 Forrest and Marty Harstad- of the Harstad Companies are
20 seeking approval of the preliminary plat for a sixteen-
21 unit condominium development to be located at 3816 Foss
22 Road. The parcel is approximately 1 . 3 acres and requires
23 a rezoning from LI to R4 . Additionally, the- City ' s
24 Comprehensive Plan calls for the property to be rezoned
25 and developed as multi-family residential . The
26 preliminary plat has been reviewed by City staff and
27 meets the requirements outlined by the applicable City
28 ordinances . No one present reported failure to receive
29 notice of the hearing or objected to its content .
30
31 STAFF REPORT:
32
33 Staff report was deemed to be the same as was heard for
34 the rezoning request . Commissioner Franzese asked which
35 are the applicable City ordinances met by the plan.
36 Assistant VanderHeyden answered that those ordinances are
37 contained in the General Regulations under Section 12 of
38 the Zoning Ordinance, and Section 15, Administrative
39 Procedures for Preliminary Plat Approval .
40
41 Commissioner Brownell noted that the ordinances require
42 a site plan scaled one inch equals ten feet, and that the
43 site plan presented by Mr. Harstad is one inch equals
44 thirty feet, He suggested that the site plan presented
45 by Mr . Harstad is legible and meets all the other
46 requirements , and should be accepted despite its scale .
47
• 48 Chairman Madden opened the -public hearing at 8 : 18 p.m. ,
49 and invited Mr. Harstad to make additional comments, if
50 necessary. Mr. Harstad indicated that he had none but
PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 16, 1991
Page 10
1 would be happy to answer questions .
2
3 Roy Pearo reiterated his objections to parking congestion
4 and people cutting through St. Anthony Townhomes property
5 on their way to the pond. Chairman Madden told him that
6 the Planning Commission was not the appropriate body to
7 consider that issue, but suggested that fences and no-
8 trespassing signs might be effective . Mr . Pearo reminded
9 the Commission that the nursing home was an additional
10 source of on-street parking on Foss Road. Chairman
11 Madden agreed, and. noted that that was one of his reasons
12 for advocating access from Chandler Drive.
13
14 Mr. O ' Brien agreed wholeheartedly with Chairman Madden' s
15 proposal for access through to Chandler Drive, but felt
16 that it would be a waste of time for the citizens to
17 petition the City Council on that issue. Chairman Madden
18 disagreed that it would be a waste of time to petition
19 the City Council , because his reading of the meeting
20 minutes during which that issue was raised suggested to
21 him that the issue .was abruptly cut off and that the
22 Council was not fully aware of the possibility of access
23 through Chandler Drive . Commissioner Faust stated that
24 he represented the Planning Commission at that particular
25 meeting, and confirmed that the issue of alternate access
26 was neither discussed- nor voted on.
27
28 Chairman Madden indicated that he has found both the City
29 Council and the City staff to be responsive to the public
30 when serious interest in an issue is demonstrated. He
31 told Mr. O' Brien that while he could not guarantee the
32 success of any petition, it would certainly be worthwhile
33 to make the attempt. Ms . Muller asked whether bringing
34 many signatures to the City would demonstrate the
35 seriousness of the petitioners . Chairman Madden agreed
36 that it would. City Manager Burt stated that the
37 deciding factor would be the practicality of the City
38 giving up that amount of land, because the land would be
39 given up on a permanent basis and no replacement land is
40 available.
41
42 Mary Pearo suggested that the fact that the school
43 driveway is close to Foss Road should be brought up at
44 the next meeting, because school traffic adds to the
45 congestion on Foss Road. She asked whether a traffic
46 light or stop sign is planned for that intersection.
47 City Manager Burt responded that the issue has been
• 48 discussed by City staff when determining the utilization
49 of M. S .A. funds , but that at this time it is not on the
50 City' s project list and has never been brought before the
PLANNING COMMISSION. - APRIL 16 , 1991
Page 11
1 City Council . Burt stated that M. S .A. funds are
2 extremely limited and in some cases must be saved for
3 three years in order to fund projects . This year the
4 City will be repairing Chandler Drive and installing a
5 light at Stinson Boulevard and 37th Street N.E. with the
6 M. S .A. funds .
i 7
8 -Chairman Madden asked whether widening Foss Road might be
9 an option to relieve the traffic congestion. City
1.0 Manager Burt responded that there are no current plans to
11 widen Foss Road because many roads in need of repair must
12 take priority over improvements to Foss Road, but that it
13 could become a possibility if funds were to become
14 available .
15
16 Commissioner Franzese indicated that delivery of
17 municipal services , like educational services , is
18 becoming more cooperative, that part of the City' s
19 maintenance yard land might not be needed by the City in
20 the future, and that the developer should keep in mind
21 the possibility of adding parking in the future in case
22 the land does become available. Mr. Harstad commented
• 23 that , regardless of future possibilities , the current
24 plan as laid out is feasible .
25
26 The public hearing was closed at 8 : 27 p.m.
27
28 Motion by Brownell, seconded by Franzese, to recommend
29 that City Council approve the preliminary plat submitted
30 by Forrest and Marty Harstad for the development of two
31 eight-plex condominiums at 3816 Foss Road; with the
32 recommendation that the plan be amended to include twelve
33 additional on-site parking spaces , the west end of the
34 property being the most practicable location for such
35 additional parking; and that the City of St. Anthony is
36 requested to review their space requirements and examine
37 the feasibility of connecting the development to Chandler
38 Drive .
39
40 Commissioner Murphy asked whether the development would
41 be gaining or losing parking compared to the original
42 plan. Mr. Harstad did not recollect the number of
43 additional parking spaces in the original plan.
44 Commissioner Faust reminded the Commission that parking
45 had not been not brought up as an important issue when
46 the original plan was being considered. Commissioner
47 Brownell agreed, and suggested that requiring twelve
• 48 additional parking stalls would not be an undue burden on
49 the developer. Commissioner Gondorchin suggested that it
50 might be more appropriate to call for sixteen additional
• PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 16 , 1991
Page 12
1 parking spaces since there are sixteen units in the
2 development , possibly assigning one additional stall to
3 each unit.
4
5 Commissioner Murphy asked whether any City ordinance
6 addresses parking requirements of multi-family
7 developments . Commissioner Brownell responded that there
8 is an ordinance which requires one covered and one
9 uncovered stall per unit, and that the Harstad
10 development is in compliance with City ordinance .
11
12 City Manager Burt informed the Commission that the new
13 development plan .provides for four fewer outside parking
14 spaces than the original plan. Commissioner Brownell
15 expressed the opinion that, based on the comments by the
16 public they had just listened to, parking on Foss Road
17 will continue to be a problem and should be addressed by
18 the Commission in its recommendation.
19
20 No further discussion ensuing, a vote was then called for
21 by the Chairman.
22
• 23 Motion carried unanimously.
24
25 Chairman Madden informed the Petitoner and the public
26 that the plat approval recommendation would be heard by
27 the City Council at its May 14 , 1991 meeting.
28
29 VI. REVIEW OF YEAR XVII REQUEST FOR C.D.B.G. FUNDS
30
31 Assistant to the City Manager VanderHeyden informed the
32 Commission that Hennepin County allows the City to use
33 only ten percent of its total allotment of C.D.B.G. funds
34 towards public services, which in the case of St. Anthony
35 is the Senior Citizens Program. The Senior Citizens
36 Program will receive $4, 268 , and is administered under a
37 subrecipient agreement with Community Services .
38
39 The Single Family Housing Rehabilitation Program will
40 receive $7 , 000 .
41
42 The Kenzie Terrace Sidewalk Project will receive $17, 189 .
43 This project has been underway since Year XIV. Sidewalk
44 construction is planned from St. Anthony Boulevard to
45 Stinson, and has been partially completed on the north
46 side of the road. Sidewalk exists on the south side of
47 the road, but must be modified to allow handicapped
• 48 access . Hennepin County has emphasized the need to
49 remove barriers to handicapped access . Completion of the
50 north and south sidewalks is expected this year because
• PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 16 , 1991
Page 13
1 most of the engineering work has been done and only four
2 hundred feet remain to be completed on the north side ..
3
4 Commissioner Faust asked whether C .D.B.G. funds had been
5 used for the recodification project . VanderHeyden said
6 that year XVI funds had been used for that purpose.
7
8 In response to a question by Commissioner Murphy,
9 Assistant VanderHeyden responded that the Senior Citizens
10 Program is being administered by an employee of School
11 District 282 , but that person' s entire salary is not paid
12 by C.D.B.G. funds because Ramsey County contributes a
13 portion.
14
15 Commissioner Murphy then asked what other projects were
16 considered for C .D.B.G. funds . VanderHeyden responded
17 that the City would like to use the funds toward some
18 transportation issues , but C .D .B .G. does not allow funds
19 to be used for items such as bus shelters . The funds are
20 intended to benefit the low-income and aged populations
21 and, thus , many of St. Anthony' s C.D.B .G. projects are
22 located in the Kenzie Terrace area.
• 23
24 Motion by Werenicz , seconded by Murphy, to recommend that
25 City Council approve the allocation of Year XVII C .D.B.G.
26 funds as specified by the plan submitted to the Planning
27 Commission.
28
29 Motion carried unanimously.
30
31 VII. MISCELLANEOUS.
32
33 APACHE MALL:
34
35 Commissioner Franzese asked what involvement City Council
36 has had and what progress is being made in attracting
37 tenants . City Manager Burt responded that Apache Mall
38 was the subject of a recent City goal-setting session.
39 He stated that C. G. Ryan owns one third of the property,
40 but the owners of the other two thirds must be discovered
41 before full negotiations can be undertaken. Once that
42 information is known, the City will approach them to . find
43- out what their intentions are . Council Member Wagner has
44 been working with the mall to find out what assistance ,
45 if any, the City can provide. Burt informed the
46 Commission that if the State legislature restores the tax
47 increment program, the City may gain an economic tool
48 with which to provide assistance to the mall .
49
50 Commissioner Faust asked City Manager Burt how much money
PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 16, 1991
Page 14
• 1 Commissioner Faust asked City Manager Burt how much money
2 the City has lost in the last year in abatements due to
3 the reduction in property values. Burt responded that
4 approximately $80, 000 had been lost from the Apache
5 property, and that the total is close to $18, 000.
6 Commissioner Faust noted that the possibility of a new,
7 sixty-acre development on County Road E in New Brighton
8 might further erode Apache Mall's viability.
9
10 Commissioner Murphy commented that Apache's difficulties
it historically began when Rosedale was built, and that
12 Apache's owners must develop a strategy for their market
13 niche. Burt noted that Har-Mar Mall is a good example of
14 a failing shopping center which was turned around by good
15 management and good market strategy.
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17 ROBBINSDALE LAWN AND GARDEN CENTER:
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19 City Manager Burt then presented to the Commission
20 Robbinsdale Lawn and Garden Center's plans for their new
21 store in Apache Mall. They would like to be in full
22 operation by the spring planting season. Robbinsdale
23 Lawn and Garden Center also plans to erect an outdoor
24 greenhouse in the parking lot. Burt stated that such an
25 accessory building is a permitted use, but that the
26 ordinance states that it must be constructed of the same
27 material as the main structure. Burt was of the opinion
28 that a conditional use permit must be filed for the
29 greenhouse. He then checked with the City Attorney, who
30 examined City ordinances and found no prohibition on the
31 construction of an outdoor greenhouse, nor the need for
32 a conditional use permit.
33
34 Burt asked the Commissioners whether any of them
35 remembered a previous structure of the kind Robbinsdale
36 Lawn and Garden proposes to build. Commissioner Werenicz
37 remembered that Montgomery Ward had traditionally
38 constructed a temporary outdoor building during the
39 summer months. Burt stated that he will inform
40 Robbinsdale Lawn and Garden that there is no City
41 ordinance which prohibits construction of their accessory
42 building. Burt was unable to tell the Commissioners
43 exactly where the Robbinsdale store and accessory
44 building would be located at this time. Commissioner
45 Faust cautioned the Commission that the accessory
46 building might stand all year if the garden center
47 converts it to other seasonal uses such as a Christmas
48 tree display during the winter months.
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PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 16, 1991
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1 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL NEWSPAPER:
2
3 Commissioner Faust showed the Commission his Metropolitan
4 Council newspaper and inquired whether other
5 Commissioners also receive it. He said that he started
6 receiving the publication after attending the Planning
7 Institute, and recommended an article in the current
8 issue regarding managing public outrage.
9
10 FILTRATION PLANT DEDICATION:
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12 City Manager Burt announced the dedication ceremony for
13 the new filtration plant to be held on Thursday, April 18
14 from 5: 00 to 7 : 00. Calgon had contributed drinking
15 glasses to the ceremony.
16
17 Commissioner Murphy asked about the possibility of
18 selling St. Anthony's water in bottled form for drinking
19 because it is so pure. City Manager Burt responded that
20 the possibility of selling water to other communities had
21 been investigated under the TCAAP plan, but such a plan
22 would probably not be feasible since St. Anthony will
23 continue to experience water shortages during high-use
24 periods, dry periods, and emergency situations. The
25 Federal government/E.P.A. design of the plant currently
26 does not meet St. Anthony's peak hourly capacity needs,
27 and the City will be in constant contact with the E.P.A.
28 office in Chicago to remedy that problem. Historical
29 records of the plant design and implementation are being
30 examined by Burt along with the P.C.A. and E.P.A.
31 officials to determine the source of the design error.
32 Sabo is aware of and supports St. Anthony's position in
33 the matter of restoring adequate water capacity to the
34 City.
35
36 RESIGNATION OF ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER:
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38 City Manager Burt announced that Susan VanderHeyden has
39 accepted a position as assistant city administrator in
40 the city of Rosemount. He thanked her for her years of
41 dedicated and excellent service and noted that she will
42 be missed by him and the rest of the City staff.
43 Chairman Madden commented that the Planning Commission
44 has consistently enjoyed a good relationship with
45 VanderHeyden. Commissioner Faust recommended that the
46 Commission publicly thank VanderHeyden for her fine
47 effort and the hours she has put into her work over the
48 years. Faust commented that VanderHeyden had been
49 extremely supportive in helping him come on board as a
50 new Commissioner, and has always made her help available.
i
PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 16 , 1991
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1 BOOK REGARDING THE JOB OF THE PLANNING COMMISSIONER:
2
3 VanderHeyden announced that she had ordered one copy of
4 a book entitled, The Job of the Planning Commissioner,
5 which would be available to the Commissioners through the
6 City office . They were invited to examine the book and
7 order their own copies through the City office .
. 8
9 BURNING OF DEBRIS :
10
11 Commissioner -Faust commented that a number of residents
12 have been burning debris in their yards . City Manager
13 Burt responded that burning is not permitted in the City.
14 He intends to investigate the situation with the Fire
15 Chief .
16
17 RECYCLING CENTER:
18
19 Commissioner Werenicz asked about the status of the
20 recycling center . City Manager Burt responded that the
21 recycling center is being actively used but that the
22 problem of illegal dumping of trash continues . He stated
• 23 that the City might eventually require all residents to
24 subscribe to-garbage service, but that special situations
25 such as people who share garbage service with a neighbor
26 must be taken into consideration. The problem was
27 addressed in the City' s most recent goal-setting session.
28
29 Commissioner. Werenicz asked whether monitoring of the
30 center had been investigated, and Assistant VanderHeyden
31 responded that paying a monitor would be a prohibitive
32 expense , particularly when it already costs the City
33 $8 , 000 to $9 , 000 a year to run the center. She stated
34 that large items are usually dumped over the weekend when
35 the maintenance yard is closed and unoccupied, but that
36 surreptitious dumping of trash also occurs during the
37 week when employees are present but are busy with their
38 jobs . She commented that closing the center will be
39 examined more closely once all residents of the city,
40 including condominium and apartment dwellers , are able to
.41 participate in curbside recycling.
42
43 In answer to a question by Commissioner Franzese , City
44 Manager Burt responded that the new, secured building at
45 the maintenance yard is used to house a fire truck, squad
46 cars , and impounded vehicles .
47
48 VIII. ADJOURNMENT.
49
50 Motion by Murphy, second by Madden, to adjourn the
PLANNING COMMISSION - APRIL 16 , 1991
• Page 17
1 Planning Commission meeting at 9 : 14 p.m.
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3 Motion carried unanimously.
4
5 Respectfully submitted,
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10 DORIS HOSKIN, Recording Secretary
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