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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 02251975 Meeting Sheet IIIIII VIII VIII VIII VIII VIII IIII IIII 105682 Box: 35 Folder: CC MINUTES AND AGENDAS 1975 Document: CC MINUTES 02251975 c CITY OF ST. ANTHONY • COUNCIL MINUTES February 25, 1975 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Miedtke at 7:30 P.M. The following were present at roll call: Haik, Sauer, Sundland, Miedtke, and Stauffer. Also present: Jerry Dulgar, City Manager Larry Vickrey, City Attorney I.C. Comstock, City Engineer Motion by Councilman Sundland, seconded by Councilman Stauffer to approve the minutes of the February 11, 1975 council meeting. Motion carried. i /Mr. William Bowerman was present to present the Planning Board recommendations regarding the request from Twin City Federal for a conditional use permit and a variance to the sign ordinance and Mr. Richard Letourneau, Chairman of the Board, arrived later to join the discussion. Mr. Howard Dahlgren, President of Midwest Planning and Research, and Mr. Gordon Bluhm, Assistant Secretary of Twin City Federal spoke for and answered questions about the request by TCF for a conditional use permit to build a savings and loan branch office and erect a pylon identification sign on the property at the southeast corner of 39th Avenue and Silver Lake Road. They cited the two year lease for the Twin City Federal Branch office in the Little Chief Shopping Center on 37th and Stinson as a defense of their request for a two year permit as proposed to the one year permit approved by the Planning Board February 18th. They said this was the office for which they were hoping to obtain permission to move their charter to Silver Lake Road address. Mr. Dahlgren said their request .incorporated the"following points: 1. Approval of a conditional use permit for the entire portion of Lots 8, 9, and 10 except the east 60 ft. thereof, Block 7, Mounds View Acres, 2nd Addition, with the option to build either a one-story or two-story building to house the savings and loan operation. 2. The buildings mentioned above would be similar in nature to the proto- type drawings of present TCF offices at Ridgedale and Maplewood Shopping Centers. 3. The conditional use permit be issued for a maximum of 2h months. 4. A variance be granted to allow TCF to erect the pylon signs which identify TCF with the size of the structure governing the size of the sign, as shown in the pictures of the existing branch offices. Mr. Vickrey and Mr. Dahlgren discussed their differences in interpretation of the City sign ordinance where it stipulated the size of signs allowed on the face of buildings. I -2- Councilman Sundland indicated his hesitation to establish specific conditions for • granting the permit and initiated the discussion of whether setting such specifics now would govern the actions of the Council which might consider the final plans for the building. Mr. Bluhm expressed a reluctance to set maximum parameters on the size of the proposed buildings and wanted some assurance that if the financial institution purchased the land it would not be denied the right to build a savings and loan branch office there when the plans came up for final approval. He and Bir. Dahlgren wanted flexibility on where the building would be situated on the land saying they might need to use that portion of the land which they anticipated would be used for parking expansion. Several of the residents of the area expressed their opposition to the proposal saying it would take away from the residential character of the neighborhood, would set a precedent for commercial use of the rest of the undeveloped land along Silver Lake Road; would increase traffic on 39th Avenue N.F. and said approval of the Council of the plan would indicate a disregard for the recommend- ations from the Planning Board regarding the length of time for which the permit would be granted as well as the Board's reluctance to set specific conditions on the permit before the final plans were presented for approval. When questioned about the possibility of TCF's obtaining permission to become a full service banking operation, Mr. Bluhm said this would entail more car loan business than checking service and pointed out the present trend toward a "checkless society". He also told the group that TCF was setting up a banking • service counter in two Red Owl supermarkets and the continuation of this trend would diminish the need for drive in tellers. The Mayor said he felt the additional information the Council had received that evening justified a consideration of a two year permit and suggested a motion be made whereby all stipulations to granting a permit might be voiced and then that motion be tabled to allow both sides to study and make changes in it before its final approval. Motion by Mayor Miedtke, seconded by Councilman Stauffer that a conditional use permit be granted to Twin City Federal to construct a savings and loan branch office on that portion of land for which the request was made with the followin conditions• That the f anal review of the y,Ians be Lr�de and cons tructi or_ begun 29 r^u��c'Zs from tnE tine this 1:i:`z_7on is a-pproved. That the site plans including the landscaping, lighting and parking plans conform to all building codes and zoning ordinances in force at the time of construction. That the structure to be built should be similar in scope and nature to the prototypes presented for a 26 ft. high one-story building of 8,300 sq. ft or a 39 ft. high, two-story building of 6,300 sq. ft per floor. The landscaping and parking plans should be similar to those on the site plans presented with the area indicated as undeveloped on the plans to be used only for parking space expansion. That an easement along Silver Lake Road be granted to the City for a bike- way, a pathway, right turn lane and utilities. That the proposal will not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious , to other land or improvements in the neighborhood in which the parcel of land is located, will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent property, I • will not substantially increase the congestion of public streets, will not increase the danger of fire or endanger the public health or safety and will not substantially diminish or lessen property values within the neighborhood. That the conditional use permit be non-transferable. That the granting of a variance to the sign ordinance not be included in the conditional use permit, as per recommendation from the Planning Board. Councilman Sundland expressed his opposition to setting specific conditions to granting the request and made the motion to strike any reference to a two story building. , His motion died for lack of a second. The following motion to table was then made: Motion by Councilman Sauer, seconded by Councilman Haik to table until the March 11th meeting the request for a conditional use permit from TCF to allow further clarification and research on the matter. Motion to table was unanimously approved. Motion by Councilman Haik and seconded by Mayor Miedtke to deny the TCF request for a variance to the sign ordinance to allow a free standing pylon sign to be erected in front of the above mentioned TCF branch office. • Voting on the motion: Aye: Haik, Sauer, Miedtke, Stauffer Nay: Sundland Motion carried. The two Planning Board members then discussed the points they are considering in their attempts to revise the City sign ordinance to allow monumental type signs and Mr. Bowerman asked for some direction from the Council. Mayor Miedtke told him that the Council would prefer that the Board had complete freedom in considering the changes. Mr. Letourneau said the Board had advised the TTin City Federal representatives of the possible changes in the sign ordinance which might allow a low standing monumental sign which might be more acceptable than the tall flashing pylon sign they were requesting. Mr. Bluhm said it was essential that the sign matter should be resolved before TCF purchase the land and he pointed out the fact that there was a five year lease on the pylon sign in front of their branch office in the Little Chief shopping center and it was that sign which the savings and loan firm was re- questing to place in the proposed Silver Lake Road project. He said he felt the variance to the sign ordinance should be granted in light of the hardship it • would inflict on TCF not to be able to use this sign while they were paying the large leasing fees. The meeting was recessed at 9:30 and reconvened at 9:46 P.M. -4- Mrs. 4_Mrs. Carol Brown of the Herfurth Realty Company presented plans and a sample 3 x 4', ft. unlighted redwood sign to the Council. She said her request for a variance to the sign ordinance was a modification of the application for a sign variance which was rejected by the Council on February 11th. She based her request for a variance on hardship saying people did not recognize the reconverted home to be a real estate office believing the sign in front indicated the home was for sale. Mr. Dulgar suggested a more durable sign with wooden posts and it was later decided the sign should be stationary to prevent vandalism, which might result from a sign of the hanging type. Mayor Miedtke said he was going to vote against the request because he was still opposed to allowing a free standing sign in a residential area. Motion by Councilman Stauffer, seconded by Councilman Sauer to grant a variance to the sign ordinance allowing the Herfurth Realty Company to place the agreed upon redwood unlighted free standing sign in the location stipulated by Mrs. Brown on the property at 3901 Silver Lake Road. as per section 430.15, Sub. 8. Voting on the motion: Aye: Stauffer, Sauer, Sundland Nay: Miedtke, Haik • kq-Cion carried. 1�1ot_on by Sundland, secor_ded o- Council:.,i.la Ha;.'. Lo ado-)L Resclu-t,Lon RESOLUTION 75-014 RESOLUTION RFGARDING APPROPRIATION OF MSA FUNDS TO C.S.A.H. PROJFCT Motion carried unanimously. 'The sample resolution opposing a Ramsey County Police Dept. was filed as informk�ional. Mr7., Comstock told of his contacts with the State Highway Dept. and the methods he suggested to get a redefining of the criteria established for construction on an MSA road. Mayor Miedtke also reported on his contacts with Senator Stokowski regarding legislative input towards the problem. It was agreed that no specific directions should be given the engineer until the action had been given proper publicity by listing on the agenda for the next Council meeting. The decision to wait for further clarifying information from Jim Fornell before approving the new assessment policy and setting up districts for the purpose of such assessments, as well as consideration of the request from Independent School District X1282 to postpone action on the matter, resulted in the following motion: •. Motion by Councilman Sundland, seconded by Councilman Stauffer to table action on approval of the new assessment policy. Motion carried unanimously. 1 -5- Mr. Comstock commented on the January 28, 1975 memo from Mr. Beardon of Comstock & Davis regarding the City's inability to complete Water Improvement Project 1974-1 because of problems with the contractor and the City Attorney advised what methods could be used to break the stalemate. Motion by Mayor Miedtke and seconded by Council-man Sundland to direct the City Engineer to give the Lamppa Construction Company two weeks to begin to resolve the problems with the flow valve on Water Improvement Project 1974-1 at the end of which time the contractor will be given 10 days notice that the City will take over the job if it is not completed. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Sauer, seconded by Councilman Haik to direct the City Manager to enter into a contract for consulting services with Jack Anderson Associates to provide an inventory of traffic control signs on all streets maintained by the City subject to review of the contract by the City Attorney and with the stipulation that the cost of services will be $20 per mile of street inventoried and will not exceed the actual amount the City is reimbursed by the State and will be payable at the time the City is reimbursed by the State. Motion carried unanimously. The Attorney read the Sewer Rate Ordinance indicating the changes which had been made following the first reading. • Motion by Councilman Sundland, seconded by Councilman Haik to w ive the final reading and adopt Ordinance ;1975-•002. ORDINANCE 1975-002 AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO SEWER RATES AND CHARGES: AMENDING SECTION 540:00 OF THE 1973 CODE OF ORDINANCES Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Dulgar presented the proposal for setting up a basement bar in the Stonehouse Municipal Liquor Lounge and said he only wanted at this time to get an estimate of what the architectural and mechanical costs of the project might be. He also mentioned contacts he had with food dispensing companies. Motion by Councilman Sauer, seconded by Mayor Miedtke to direct the Manager to get an estimate of the cost for architectural services for setting up a basement bar in the Stonehouse Liquor Lounge. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Haik,seconded by Councilman Stauffer that the City of St. Anthony does not request a stipulation by the Commissioner of Taxation to reduce the Tax Levy to compensate for excess levy in 1973, taxes payable in 1974. • Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Stauffer, seconded by Councilman Haik to adopt Resolution 75-015• -6- RESOLUTION -6-RESOLUTION 75--015 RESOLUTION SUPPORTING MINNESOTA SHA-RFS FOR HUNGER DAY Motion carried unanimously. Councilman Stauffer will take Mayor Miedtke's place at the Legislative Action Conference of the League of Minnesota Municipalities. The Council indicated a willingness to go along with Mr. Donald Cottle's request to change his side yard dimensions at 2919 Silver Lane to allow a turn around driveway. Motion by Councilman Stauffer, seconded by Councilman Sundland to direct the City Manager to proceed with the Certificate of Indebtedness for the purpose of purchasing a sweeper. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Sauer, seconded by Councilman Haik to authorize the entering into an agreement with Ramsey County to participate in the CFTA program by signing the Sub Grantee Agreement. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Stauffer, seconded by Councilman Sate r approving the • contract with the employees of the Fire Department negotiated by Mr. Dulgar. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Stauffer, seconded by Councilman Haik to direct the City Manager to contact the State Highway Department to request that the speed on Highway 8 be reduced to 35 miles per hour until such time as the traffic signals at the intersection of St. Anthony Blvd. and Highway 8 are in and working. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Mayor Miedtke, seconded by Councilman Sundland that the City of St. Anthony rejoin and lend support to the Suburban Rate Authority. Motion carried unanimously. It was decided that the Council would hold a special meeting at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, March 17th, 1975 to consider the new zoning ordinance. Councilman H .ik expressed her desire that the City's plans for the walkways along Silver Lake Road from 39th Avenue N.F. be incorporated into Ramsey County's plans to upgrade Silver Lake Road and it was decided that she could give her suggestions to the Manager to be added to the discussion of the matter at the March llth Council meeting which she would be unable to attend. • Motion by Councilman Sundland, seconded by Councilman Sauer to approve payment of $270.20 to Comstock & Davis. Motion carried unanimously. _7_ • Motion by Councilman Sauer, seconded by Councilman Stauffer to approve payment of $750.00 to the League of Minnesota Municipalities for the labor relations subscriber service. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Sundland, seconded by Councilman Sauer to approve payment of all verified claims listed in the February 25, 1975 agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Haik, seconded by Councilman Sundland to adjourn the meeting at 12:20 A.M. Motion carried unanimously. o May or ATTEST: Clerk C' Man ger Cr •