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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975/12/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular2. Call to Order Roll Call MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA December 8, 1975 A regular meeting of the City.Council was called to order by Mayor Fleetham at 8:03 P.M. The following Councilmen were present for roll call: Seymour Druskin Rose -Mary Griak Lyle Hanks Keith Meland Leonard Thiel Frank Fleetham Also present were the City Manager, City Attorney, Panning Director, Director of Public Works, and Acting Secretary, Councilman Thiel left at 10:45 p.m. 3. Approval of It was moved by Councilman Hanks, seconded by Agenda Councilman Thiel, to approve the agenda with the following changes: Item 6(b) University Instruction; Item 6 (c ) Human Rights Minutes. The motion passed 6-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS 4(a) Development District public Ilearing to consider designation of Development Districts and adoption of alternative restrictive options governing such districts: 1. Excelsior B1v(L/M0de1 Block Area The Mayor opened the hearings. The Director of Planning described the three proposed districts. Wendell Munson) 5313 Excelsior Boulevard, representing the Excelsior Boulevard Task Force, read a statement adopted by the disk For that the CouncForce recommending il designate the area as a pm Elly Pll6110ps, spoke in Eldon Spencer, Jr., representative for Ivtrs. igna ing opposition n to the: Task Force s report and ahnst desot beentnotifiieddof.tthe t• the Lilac Way area lie stated that tenantsposal and, therefore, no action should be taken Development District Pro P by the City Council, at this time. stated that all property owners 1disthe cussarea Developmentnotified Councilman Thiel lrticipate at meetings to by letter and asked to P was virtually impossible for the City to have Distrhe icts• He stated that i.t uld of all oL the tenants involved and fe11C�ioTneyisswhooknow boftthese knowledgeof the property owners -or their the area. responsib ili tY laps involving meetings, to inform their tenants of any p 355 j Council Minutes, December 81 1975 1. Excelsior Blvd./Model Block Area Cont. , Vision Branch Manager, 4950 Excelsior Blvd., Carl Wehe, House of V stated that they were not and. Ms. Lee, Associated Companies, laps to create a Development District in the area notified of the P Lorber. ± until the received a letter from Sidney 4601 Excelsior Boulevard, stated that her letter ase receivedany V. R. Rooney, ri.otices of meetings and felt that the orLorbof designating Excelsior the way it was stated. He spoke in and area as a Development District and the neeeos si thiseaemoree, Boulevard op both property owners and tenants, to work together make viable business community. DennisSederholm, Executive Vice President of the West oulevard areuburban a the Excelsior B of Commerce was in favor of designating as a Development District. Phil Eder, Leaning Post, spoke in opposition to the Development District. stfelt He stated that he did not understand why the Cit ructeda itocery wouldstore only bes needed in the Miracle Mile area and that if c n merchants and not to the rest of the bus - to the advantage of Miracle Mile inesses such as Lilac Way. Councilman Hanks discussed the various meetings held among the edCity, July, property owners and tenants beginning in y, 19 hat it was the Council's intent to explore all alternatives and to get as interested involved in planning for any improvements on many persons as Excelsior Boulevard. He then gave a chrxcelsior�Boulevard areae rCouncil- to development districts involving the E man Griak questioned whether tax increment financing could be used to pay for planning and other studies if the development district plan was not carried out. The City Manager stated that he would check this matter with the City Attorney and that if such costs were not eligible, the Council could consider using other sources such as revenue sharing to provide for such planning expense. Bill Anderson, 5316 Excelsior Boulevard, stated that he had not received prior notice of the meeting. Norm Kirschner, 5312 Excelsior Boulevard questioned why the landlords were the only ones notified and not the tenants. Councilman Hanks stated that meetings have been going on since July, 19752 and that all persons were initially asked to attend these meetings. A task force was organized from those persons indicating an interest in serving on such a study committee. Peg Gingerich, 4340 Mackey Avenue, questioned if the City Council has of revitalizing the area and explored all alternatives exhausted all needs in addition to Development Districts. Councilman Thiel stated that he has i watched the Excelsior Boulevard/Miracle Mile area go downhill for the past ten years. He stated that the City has had no success in improving the area and that plan after plan has not been carried out due to the lack of coopera- tion by certain property owners. 1 356 Council Minutes, December 8, 1975 1. Excelsior Blvd./Model Block AreaCont. He stated that he felt it would be a good investment for the City to proceed to determine if an improvement project is financially feasible for this area before the Council takes the next step. Councilman Hanks stated that he would like to know if planning costs could be recovered from the tax increment even if the project is abandoned at a later date. The City Attorney indicated that he would research this matter and report at the next meeting. Sidney Lorber spoke in opposition to designating the District. He cited examples of other development districts and discussed problems in relocation. In response to a question from Councilman Thiel, the City Manager stated that the Lilac Way shopping center is currently in violation of various codes and zoning requirements. 2. Highway 12/Highway 100 Area Howard Dahlgren, Consultant Planner for MEPC, stated that he feels that this area should not be considered for designation as a Development District. He stated thatthis was an excellent area and will be developed by private enterprise without the need for tax increment financing. He stated that this area is not in trouble and has all of the attributes for a successful development without a tax subsidy. There being no one else wishing to speak, the Mayor declared the hearing closed. Councilman Druskin stated that he felt the Sidney Lorber letter may have been beneficial in that it brought H the s�atedsal thatfor itdevelopment democraticdistricts to the attention of many tenants. process to obtain as much input as possible and that perhaps a statement of policy relative to relocation should indicateddrafted thatprior he wouldany likeCouncil have vote on this matter. Councilman Hanks the City Attorney look into the relocation question as to when a plan would have to be developed* win lengthy discussion, Councilman Hanks moved, seconded by Council- Follo g a Meland, to defer decision on the Excelty area until totheman ersons an opportune y g ber 15, 1975, to give p ass Cty ed 6-0. iby Thr usday, December 11th. The motion p The staff was instructed to interested persons at 4:00 set an infotional meeting and invite all p.m, on Wednesday, December 10, 1975* d by hen moved by Councilman Melandhwa100earea. It was t Highway 12 and Hlg y Y reject Area 2 - the 357 Councilman Hanks, to 0 6W� Council Minutes, December 82 1975 2. Highwa a Druskin requested the thought behind the motion of rejection* councilman q Councilman Meland stated that tie felt it was the intent tick Park Area, as not to designate open areas, similar to the ddthat she felt development development districts. Councilman Griak could occur in this area without its designation as a development district. Mayor Fleetham indicated that perhaps the Council wouCompany relative h to defer action on this matter until it heard from the Canus Developmentthe motion passed 5-00 to a proposal later on the agenda. After discussion, (Councilman Thiel not present for the vote.) 12/Highway 100 Arela. Cont. 3. Lake Street/Walker It was moved by Councilman Thiel, seconded by Councilman DthekLaketo defer Street/ action on the proposed Development District encompassing Walker Street area. Councilman Thiel indicated that he felt the Council should have more information on this proposal prior to action. Councilman Meland ordinances may be Af ter discussion, stated that he felt enforcement of all that would be needed to upgrade themotion passed 6"0. RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES existing codes and this proposed area. 5. Resol. 5436 Resolution calling public hearing on Improvement Imprv. 73-24 73-24 (Louisiana Avenue, Walker to Oxford). Calling Public Hearing It was moved by .Councilman Meland, seconded by Councilman Hanks, to waive reading and adopt Resolution No. 5436 entitled, "Resolution Calling Public Hearing on Improvement No. 73-24 Street, Grading, Bridges, Signal, Sidewalk, Landscaping and Miscellaneous Utilities". The motion passed 6-0. MISCELLANEOUS 6(a) Communications (a) Liquor Licenses: The City Manager requested +' C1tV Manager direction from the Council relative to continuing meetings with the applicants as was done in 1975. Councilman Hanks suggested having staff continue to work with applicants to obtain compliance with all laws. 6(b) University Instruction Councilman Thiel stated that the City Manager has Councilman Thiel been requested to teach a course at the University of Minnesota from January -March on local government administration. He further stated that he feels this would be an honor for the City. It was moved by Councilman Thiel, seconded by Councilman Meland, to allow the City Manager to teach the course as outlined. !I Councilman Druskin questioned the manner in which this matter was brought i to the City Council. The motion passed 64. 358 Council Minutes, December 6(c) Human Rights Minutes stated that staff is Candlestick Development 8, 1975 Councilman Griak questioned whether ex-offico members counted in quorum. The City Manager researching the matter. Emil Walsh, Steenberg Construction Company, 1371 Marshal Avenue, St. Paul, spoke stating that the property is good. Mr. Fred Reimold, President. the Council and stated that St. Louis Park area where it the Candlestick area was an would house a moderate size are excessive, when include that to construct a quality by perhaps making this land sal. of Canus Development, Inc., appeared before his company is looking for a location in the could build a quality hotel. He stated that excellent location for such a facility which conference center. He noted that land costs d with costs of construction and materials, and facility, he would look to the City to cooperate available via the tax increment financing propo- The Mayor stated that the Council took action to reject this area as a development district but that the City would be happy to cooperate and prow ide assistance in any day possible to obtain a quality hotel with conference facilities. The Mayor indicated that there are perhaps a number of ways in which the City could attract such a facility without becoming involved in a land acquisition. Mr. Reimold stated that he would like to pursue this matter further with the City. The Council asked a number of questions of Mr. Reimold, including what size hotel would be constructed, the type of meeting facilities available, food facilities and other information'. Following further discussion, the developer contact the City to attract 7 Adjournment 11:04 p.m• Attest. such a facility to The motion RWK Sb it ley HO n , Acting the Mayor requested that representatives of Manager to explore possible alternatives the community. It was moved by C�onadjourn diLo zn tl�enmeetingseconded by Councilman Griak j passed 64. �ocx'o Crtzy V ran Flee t'ham, ., Mayor