HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC&PL MINUTES 04172001 Meeting Sheet
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Folder: CC MINUTES AND AGENDAS 2000
Document: CC&PL MINUTES 04172001
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
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April 21, 1998
Page 2
1 investigate the request further. She reported this is an existing lot with a house located on it.
2 The lot currently is 66 feet in width which is too small to split under current City ordinance and
3 is unbuildable as it exists. Ms. Moore-Sykes stated she was not clear as to the intent of the
4 request and would need to contact the applicant.
5 There was Commission consensus to table the request to allow Staff to obtain further information
6 in regard to the intent of the applicant.
7 B. Subdivision/Replat of Lot 1, Block 1, Beutz Addition- Wirth Companies, Apache
8 Medical Building.
9 Mr. Tom Hanka, The Wirth Companies, explained that the Stinson Boulevard Corporation
10 currently owns all of Lot 1, Block 1, Beutz Addition. Wirth Companies recently acquired Lot 2,
11 Block 1, Apache Plaza, which is currently vacant. It is not possible to develop this property as it
12 exists because of the size and the restrictions of the City ordinance. The proposal would split Lot
13 1, Block 1, Beutz Addition, and divide the property between the Apache Medical Building
14 property and Lot 2, Block 1, Apache Plaza. Apache Medical Center would retain area for 232
15 parking spaces, with 200 spaces required by City ordinance. This would allow Lot 2, Block 1,
16 Apache Plaza to be developed.
it Chair Bergstrom asked if there were any easements on the lot and questioned the minimum lot
size in a commercial district.
19 Mr. Hanka stated there is an access easement across Lot 1, Block 1, so that Apache Plaza
20 Medical Building will always have access rights. The size of Lot 1, Block 1 is 55 feet by 198
21 feet.
22 Commissioner Horst asked if the subdivision was necessary. He noted there was adequate
23 parking on the Apache Medical Building site without the additional parcel and asked if it
24 wouldn't be simpler to deed the entire parcel of Lot 1, Block 1 to Lot 2, Block 1.
25 Mr. Hanka explained that currently, including the area of Lot 1, Block 1,Apache Medical
26 Building has 325 parking spaces. With the lot split Apache Medical Building will have 232
27 parking spaces and the other property will have 90 spaces. The Apache Medical Building is
28 designed for doctor and dentist tenants and the City ordinance has restrictions for the minimum
29 parking spaces. If more of these tenants locate in the building, the additional parking spaces may
30 be necessary.
31 Ms. Moore-Sykes noted that the current ordinance requires a minimum commercial lot area of
32 15,000 square feet and a width of 100 feet. The proposed subdivision/plat approval would result
33 in two lots which did not meet the requirements. She stated the lot could be split and it will then
be necessary for the resulting parcels to be combined with the existing lots to meet City code
1W requirements.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
April 21, 1998
Page 3
1 Chair Bergstrom suggested Mr. Hanka contact Ms. Moore-Sykes to determine what is necessary
2 for this proposal to meet the City Code requirements.
3 VIII. OLD BUSINESS.
4 1. Robodyne Request for Town/Country.
5 Ms. Moore-Sykes noted the tour of the Robodyne facility is scheduled for April 28, 1998 at 6:00
6 P.M.
7 Mr. Bill Warner, Kraus Anderson Realty, stated he had been present at the last Commission
8 meeting to present the possibility of a variance, conditional use permit, or rezoning to allow
9 Robodyne to relocate in the Town& Country building. He introduced Mr. Joseph Alvite, owner
10 of Robodyne.
11 Mr. Joseph Alvite, owner of Robodyne, distributed a brochure describing his company. He noted
12 the picture of the current facilities located in the City of St. Anthony and the State of North
13 Dakota. He explained that in 1963 he moved jobs to North Dakota because the State of North
14 Dakota gave the company $2.5 million to build a manufacturing building. The investment they
15 made in the company has been paid back three times over. Robodyne was incorporated in 1990.
16 It was taken to market in 1993 and through a tremendous amount of money and patience, has
Wdeveloped the products it has today.
18 Robodyne has moved three times to locations in northeast Minneapolis and St. Anthony and is
19 seeking to locate in the Town& Country building to expand once more. This is an ideal location
20 which will suit the company's needs. Mr. Alvite stated he hated to move out of the community
21 because studies show that every time a business moves it robs people's lives. He stated he has
22 spent a tremendous amount of money training his employees and with a move out of the
23 community he expects to lose 20% of his workforce. The building would be a great asset to him
24 by providing the opportunity for expansion with minimal disruption.
25 Mr. Alvite displayed a rendition of the proposed changes to the exterior of the Town& Country
26 building utilizing the company colors of blue and white. He felt the relocation would provide a
27 new lease on life to the building and noted the location had plenty of parking. The relocation
28 would help him retain jobs in the City and continue to employ the people who have made the
29 company possible.
30 Chair Bergstrom explained that the City of St. Anthony wanted to do everything possible to
31 maintain and develop the tax base, retain jobs (especially high tech jobs), and retain business in
32 the City. The City is currently in the process of hiring a planning consultant to look at
33 redevelopment of the entire St. Anthony Shopping Center area over the next 10-20 years. The
34 City is concerned in general, with mixing commercial and light industrial properties. From a
�5 planning standpoint, the City is reluctant to convert part of a commercial area to light industrial.
36 Chair Bergstrom questioned Ms. Moore-Sykes comment that Robodyne may be able to locate in
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
April 21, 1998
• Page 4
1 the Town& Country Store building with a conditional use permit as opposed to rezoning.
2 Ms. Moore-Sykes reported that the commercial district allows a conditional use permit to be
3 granted to a company who performs computer research and program development.
4 Mr. Alvite welcomed the opportunity for the Commission to visit the Robodyne site. He
5 explained that all welding, painting and fabrication is performed at the North Dakota site. The
6 work performed at the St. Anthony site is clean and efficient and the waste is minimal. He stated
7 he has an interest in two future expansion capabilities including a packaging company and an
8 component fabrication company.
9 _ -
10 Chair Bergstrom stated he did not believe that the concern of the Planning Commission or the
11 City was the waste generated or the smelter. The concern was with moving a light industrial
12 business into a commercial zone. A group of commercial buildings is synergistic.
13 Mr. Alvite stated that in the future he would like to make the entire St. Anthony Shopping Center
14 area into a light industrial, high-tech computer center. He hoped to negotiate with other
15 companies to make the entire area into a high-tech corridor.
Chair Bergstrom encouraged this concept. He then noted a concern that rezoning to light
industrial would block the potential future development of the Northgate complex to the south.
18 Commissioner Kaczor asked how many people were employed by Robodyne in St. Anthony and
19 asked if Mr. Alvite anticipated outgrowing the Town& Country building.
20 Mr. Alvite reported there are 35 people employed at the St. Anthony location. He stated that he
21 does not foresee outgrowing the building for at least 5 to 6 years. But if the company does, he
22 hopes there will be other buildings available in the immediate area.
23 Mr. Warner stated he was not against a conditional use permit. His only concern was that Mr.
24 Alvite would ultimately be able to own the building. Mr. Alvite may not be interested in
25 investing the capital in the building if the opportunity to purchase is not available.
26 Chair Bergstrom stated he did not know what the future will hold for the Town& Country
27 building. In five years there may be a completely different plan for the area. However, he could
28 not imagine what the City could do that would preclude Mr. Alvite's option to buy the building.
29 Mr. Warner asked if the Commission had a sense of their decision. He noted that Mr. Alvite's
30 current lease has expired and he is paying 200% of the normal rent for the site. Mr. Alvite is
31 looking for direction rapidly.
Chair Bergstrom stated he did not know that there was consensus on either the Planning
33 Commission or the City Council. Some are reluctant to locate anything in the building other
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
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April 21, 1998
Page 5
1 than commercial. Others would rather not see the property sit vacant.
2 Mr. Warner stated the property would not remain vacant. He does have a commercial client, a
3 storage rental facility business, interested in the site.
4 There was direction to Staff to look into the possibility of a conditional use permit and to consult
5 with the City Attorney for his opinion.
6
7 2. Review Point of Sale Ordinance for City.
8 Ms. Moore-Sykes noted a proposed ordinance for point of sale housing evaluation which is a
9 compilation of a variety of other ordinances received through the League of Minnesota Cities.
10 This ordinance would essentially be a way to get a handle on code enforcement in the City. Also
11 included in the Commission packet are copies of housing evaluation forms that the City of St.
12 Louis Park uses, and informational brochures which they make available to the residents
13 regarding the reasons for the inspection program and the procedure. St. Louis Park provides an
14 application for housing inspection and requires that it be completed before the sale of the house
15 is closed so that the buyer is aware of any existing problems. Also included in the packet is an
16 article which was in the Focus regarding the possibility of the City of Roseville establishing a
17 task force to discuss housing preservation and a newspaper article that appeared in the Star&
0 Tribune.
19 Chair Bergstrom asked if the point of sale housing ordinance was limited to the correction of
20 immediate hazards.
21 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated that most of the point of sale ordinances focus on this.
22 Chair Bergstrom questioned how normal maintenance and upkeep would be monitored.
23 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated that monitoring is a continuous process of inspecting people homes.
24 The assessor would have the easiest access to this information. The question is how intrusive the
25 City will become when they receive the information.
26 Chair Bergstrom noted Carrie Luther had advised him that the Hennepin County Assessor does
27 make a general observation of the housekeeping, etc., and this information is available to the
28 City. He suggested this information should be obtained and monitored to establish general trends
29 in the housing stock.
30 Chair Bergstrom stated he did not know how much further the City could go on a point of sale
31 basis. The existing City Codes include housing maintenance and probably should be re-
32 examined. He did not comprehend the mission of establishment of a task force. He stated
�3 discussion he has seen lately at the City level relates to reluctance and difficulty of enforcement.
34 Ms. Moore-Sykes noted there is reluctance on both sides of the issue. The current code enforcer
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
April 21, 1998
• Page 6
1 is taking more of a pro-active and gentler approach, and since November has been quite
2 successful. He is distributing brochures and explaining the opportunities for clean-up. He has
3 had contact with the property owners at Silver Lane and Silver Lake Road on two occasions and
4 feels he has achieved a degree of success. He offers offenders a solution rather than
5 recrimination.
6 Commissioner Kaczor stated he has spoken with the Fire Chief and he has stated that he is
7 promoting Clean-Up Day in the City and will deal with what remains a problem after that event.
8 Ms. Moore-Sykes noted the Fire Chief does submit a report every week on code enforcement and
9 this can be made available to the Planning Commissioners so they can see the progress being
10 made.
11 Chair Bergstrom noted that St. Louis Park collects a fee and questioned the concept of this.
12 Ms. Moore-Sykes suggested that the fee may be to cover administrative work to deal with the
13 application process. The ordinance may be more friendly to residents if they are not required to
14 pay a fee.
Chair Bergstrom questioned Section 1306.7, Subd. 7 of the proposed ordinance, "A buyer
intending to correct immediate hazards must have written consent from the City." He asked if
17 this was overly intrusive on the part of the City.
18 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated this was included so the City would have proof that the work was
19 actually completed.
20 Chair Bergstrom suggested a second inspection be required with a report submitted to the City to
21 verify that all work had been completed.
22 Commissioner Kaczor noted that an inspection can cost$300. These costs are likely to be added
23 to the price of the house.
24 Chair Bergstrom asked how the City can stop a transaction.
25 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated the enforcement options are addressed in 1306.08, Subd. 3. Options can
26 include mandamus, injunction, or other appropriate remedy in a court of competent jurisdiction.
27 Ms. Moore-Sykes noted the ordinance will be presented to the Council at their May 5 work
28 session. She is also preparing a proposed Park Commission Ordinance to be presented at that
29 work session.
30
Chair Bergstrom noted that some of the items addressed in point of sale ordinance are also
102 addressed in the Uniform Building Code and the Fire Code and should be referenced. He stated
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
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April 21, 1998
Page 7
1 he had other comments but would give his notes to Staff for consideration.
2 3. Information on Phalen Center Project and Roseville Cornerstone Project.
3 Ms. Moore-Sykes noted a substantial amount of information on these two projects included in
4 the Commission packet for review. Also included for review are several pages from the City's
5 proposed Comprehensive Plan Update that discuss the St. Anthony Shopping area, including the
6 residential "triangle" at Kenzie Terrace and Lowry Avenue.
7 Ms. Moore-Sykes reported she had also contacted the City of New Brighton's Economic
8 Development Specialist and she suggested the City compose a letter that specifics what they
9 would like to see in the development. Ms. Moore-Sykes has presented this to the City Manager
10 but he felt St. Anthony was more interested in an RFP.
11 Commissioner Kaczor reported he had spoken with Roseville Planning Commissioner Doug
12 Wilke about the Cornerstone Project. He stressed that if the City works with a consultant who
13 presents ideas for development, the residents need to be kept informed and they need to
14 understand the difference between the actual plan and the conceptual ideas.
15 4. Task Forces Update.
Ms. Moore-Sykes reported that the last Parks Advisory Task Force meeting was held last night.
OP7 The Task Force plans to present their recommendations to the City Council at the April 28, 1998
18 Council meeting. A report was made by the sub-committee who has been working on the
19 equipment design for the tot lot. A vendor has been chosen. The Public Works Department will
20 perform the site preparation and the vendor will perform the installation and landscaping. The
21 project will cost approximately $25,000. The Task Force is discussing an open house to be held
22 after the playground is installed to help raise support and funding for the park system. Bob Kost,
23 BRW, Inc., has suggested that along with the Sports Boosters, a Friends of the Park group be
24 established to help with fund-raising.
25 Ms. Moore-Sykes explained that when the Task Force was initiated,they were charged with
26 consideration of redevelopment of all the parks in the City. This was then delayed due to the
27 water issues and it was decided to stress the redevelopment of Central Park. This was also
28 decided as there was not enough funds to complete major redevelopment of all the parks and the
29 redevelopment of Central Park will complete the redevelopment of the entire area(with the
30 Community Center/City Hall, tennis courts, etc.). The Task Force is recommending the storm
31 water retention area in the northeast corner of Central Park be enhanced from what it is now.
32 The fields to be reconfigured in a shamrock design, a concession area with restrooms facilities,
33 restroom facilities on the outer edges of the park, a trail system which will interconnect the fields
34 and City Hall, a play area for older children on the south end near the water tower, and a gradual
35 development of a play area on the north end of the park as well.
06 Chair Bergstrom asked if a bandshell was included in the plan. He also questioned if funds were
37 available for the plan.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
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April 21, 1998
Page 8
1 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated a bandshell is included in the Central Park design. The plan will be
2 completed as the funds become available. The possibility of grants and fund-raising will be
3 pursued.
4 Commissioner Kaczor asked when the tennis courts would be completed.
5 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated they will be completed by August. In response to Commissioner Horst,
6 she explained the delay has resulted due to the Public Works Department trying to work on the
7 tennis courts in between all the other scheduled projects.
8 Chair Bergstrom noted the Boy Scouts could help spread the woodchips at the tot lot site and
9 save approximately $1,000 in contractors cost. Bergstrom will organize the efforts but requested
10 a 7-10 day notice.
11 Ms. Moore-Sykes reported the next scheduled Storm Water Task Force meeting is May 13, 1998.
12 5. Comprehensive Plan Status Update.
13 Ms. Moore-Sykes reported Jim Larson, Water Resource Division of the Metropolitan Council
14 has requested supplemental information in regard to water conservation plan, storm sewer,
infiltration inflow, erosion policies, and wetland. Also an Erosion Ordinance needs to be drafted.
OP6 Ms. Moore-Sykes stated she had submitted the supplemental information approximately two
17 weeks ago and expects a response within 60 days.
18 IX. COMMENTS.
19 Commissioner Kaczor reported he had visited the Smart Stop on 33`d Avenue. The back room
20 they have recently enclosed looks nice and the store is well kept. Kaczor presented Chair
21 Bergstrom with a Code Enforcement Procedure which has been drafted by the Fire Chief and was
22 presented at a Council work session. He noted the County Assessor was also present at that
23 meeting and it bothered Kaczor that from the way the Assessor talked, the whole City of St.
24 Anthony was inundated with water. Kaczor reported that residents of the Equinox Apartments
25 will be recognized at the April 28, 1998 Council meeting for resuscitating a drowning victim in
26 their pool. Kaczor noted he is the solicitation person for VillageFest and he has been able to
27 recruit 13 people to help with the event. VillageFest is also looking for a co-chair.
28 Chair Bergstrom reported he had seen Doug Jones at the Freedom Gas Station and Mr. Jones was
29 talking with the Assistant Manager of the store in regard to how the station is not in compliance
30 with the plans submitted and approved by Rice Creek Watershed. Mr. Jones has since sent
31 Bergstrom copies of the correspondence and the plan that has been resubmitted to Rice Creek
32 Watershed District. Bergstrom stated he is philosophically in agreement with Mr. Jones that
33 protection of the water quality that is going into Silver Lake is important. He was pleased to see
464 someone keeping track of the issue and also pleased to see Rice Creek Watershed District
5 remaining firm on the requirements.
Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
April 21, 1998
• Page 9
1 Ms. Moore-Sykes reported the Salo, Finland Wind Band is visiting St. Anthony. There is a
2 potluck event scheduled for Thursday and a concert will be held on Friday. More information is
3 available at City Hall.
4 Ms. Moore-Sykes noted the updated list of Commissioner addresses and phone numbers included
5 in the packet.
6
7 X. ADJOURNMENT.
8 Motion by Commissioner Horst, seconded by Chair Bergstrom, to adjourn the meeting at 8:53
9 P.M.
10 Motion carried unanimously.
11 Respectfully submitted,
12 Lorri Kopischke
13 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
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