HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984/06/25 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionMINUTES
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
June 25, 1984
Mayor Hanks called the study session to order at 7:07 p.m. Council members
present were Larry Mitchell, Thomas Duffy, Ronald Backes and Keith Meland. Council-
men Strohl and Martin joined the meeting shortly after it began.
I-394
Richard Koppy, Director of Public Works, gave an update on three sections
of proposed development along Highway 100 which are going to be impacted
by the construction of I-394. The first section is on the east side of Highway
100 in front of Benilde St. Margarets and Beth E1 Synagogue. The most recent
proposal includes the development of a new roadway at 25J St. on the property
line which separates Benilde St. Margarets from Beth El. The proposed roadway
would be connected to northbound Hwy. 100 with an exit ramp and would then
proceed east along a line parallel to W. 26th St. Officials at Benilde
St. Margarets have indicated that the front of their building would be moved
to the south end and would actually face W. 251 St. if the proposed construction
is approved. They would then abandon all existing parking along the west
side of the building adjacent to the frontage road on Hwy. 100. The Public
Works Department is planning some future meetings with Benilde St. Margarets,
Beth El Synagogue and the neighborhoods most likely to be affected by the
proposed construction.
The second section of proposed development addressed by Mr. Koppy is the
area referred to as the Quentin Ave. frontage road. State guidelines for
determination of permanent taking or partial taking of property along right-of-
ways seemed to be loosely defined and Mr. Koppy suggested MnDOT's primary
concerns were predicated on cost. He informed the Council he had just recently
received a letter from Commissioner Braun which indicated that MnDOT would
take between 12 and 14 properties for the project depending upon which of
three alternatives the City selected for development of the frontage road.
The first alternative included the development of a cul-de-sac at the south
end of Quentin Ave. The second alternative provided for a vacation of Quentin
Ave. and the construction of long driveways from the adjoining houses. The
third alternative called for the attachment of Quentin Ave. at the south
end to old Cedar Lake Rd. In each of the three alternatives, the construction
of an alley easement for resident access would be essential.
Mr. Koppy also informed the Council that MnDOT's decision to purchase up
to 3 more homes in the area would wait until the City had made a final decision
upon its alternative selection for the frontage road. Mr. Koppy also displayed
cross-section diagrams of the proposed construction along Hwy. 100 for the
Council's review.
The third section of development addressed by Mr. Koppy is the area on the
west side frontage road directly in front of Win Stephens Buick. He indicated
that the proposal brought forth by MnDOT to carry all traffic which would
be heading southbound from Hwy. 12 and Cedar Lake Rd. to the 27th St. exit
was unacceptable by City standards because of impact on the neighborhood.
The City has suggested creation of a collector/distributor for access to
NY. 100 at 24th St. near Win Stephens Buick. MnDOT has said that that is
an unacceptable alternative and has agreed to hire the professional consulting
firm of BRW to study the entire west gide ramp situation. The Public Works
Department is planning future meetings with the west side businesses to
discuss the situation.
In response to a question by Councilman Strohl, City Development Director
Bill Thibault commented that landscaping the slopes along the construction
areas adjacent to Hwy. 100 would be a preferable alternative to the plan
presented by MnDOT. Councilman Backes commented that any decision about
taking of homes and the negotiation of price should be worked out between
the homeowners and MnDOT and should not be undertaken by the City. Councilman
Meland commented that he felt damages should be determined prior to any
action by the City. The majority of City Council agreed that the City should
not get involved in a buy-out of homes in the Quentin Ave. area or any other
area affected by the construction of I-394.
Temporary signage for Hwy. 100/W. 36th St.
Ernie Petersen from the Inspectional Services Dept. reported on the proposed
temporary signage policy prepared by a committee comprised of local businesses
affected by the construction of the Hwy. 100/W. 36th St. interchange. Council
has agreed with the preliminary report and has asked staff to find out more
about exact costs of the generic signs along the Hwy. 100 right-of-way.
An issue which needs to be addressed is the question of whether MnDOT, the
City or local businesses will be paying for the generic signage along the
right-of-way.
Highway 7 corridor
The City Manager reported that the HRA is not interested in developing a
proposal for tax increment financing along the Highway 7 corridor development
area. He asked Council if they had an interest in making a commitment to
the project or in directing staff to prepare the necessary documents for
the development of a tax increment financing proposal.
Councilman Martin voiced his support for the development of a preliminary
proposal. Councilman Backes asked staff to come up with a clarification
of the laws which define the boundaries of the tax increment financing districts.
Councilman Meland expressed a concern over the amount of staff time which
would be required to implement this project and asked if the City Manager
had considered appointing a tax increment finance administrator for the
City's TIF districts.
The City Manager suggested that staff develop a plan for implementation
and administration of a TIF district along the Hwy. 7 corridor area.
In response to a question about whether development plans should be presented
before a TIF commitment is made, Mr. Thibault responded that questions of
land use should be of utmost importance. The City Manager expressed his
feeling that government needs to provide impetus for development in the
area.
Councilman Strohl asked about the impact of light rail transit on the develop-
ment area.
Councilman Martin felt that staff should go forward, put their toes to the
line and get the preliminary paperwork done. He also echoed the sentiment
of other Council members that a determination of the expectations for develop-
ment of the area should be made prior to the completion of the preliminary
plans.
Councilman Meland expressed his interest in enticing major developers to
3.
participate in the development of the Hwy. 7 corridor area.
Sign Ordinance
Sharon Klumpp, Assistant to the Manager, reported on the progress made in
the development of a sign ordinance and indicated that there were several
areas of concern which needed to be addressed by Council.
Councilman Martin expressed his support of the ordinance, but wanted to
ensure that there would be some future flexibility for its enforcement.
Councilman Duffy stated that he was uncomfortable with the varying sign
heights from 15 to 20 to 25 feet that exist in different districts.
Mr. Thibault explained that the Planning Commission has made a recommendation
that sign heights in the business districts be set at a uniform height of
25 feet. Councilman Martin suggested that the ordinance be changed so that
all signs in business districts be allowed to reach a height of 25 feet.
During a discussion of enforcement, Councilman Martin stated that he was
opposed to the use of amortization. During the discussion which followed,
questions were raised about whether enforcement should occur at the date
the ordinance was passed or at a future date to be fixed in the wording
Of the ordinance.
Councilman Duffy stated his opposition to the use of amortization and suggested
that the ordinance be enforced upon its passage.
Mayor Hanks asked the Council to reach a
could be prepared for a public hearing and
business informational meetings. Four of
a fixed date of January 1, 1995 be included
for future discussion.
Communications Plan
conclusion so that information
that dates could be set up for
the Council members agreed that
in the ordinance and be considered
The City Manager reported to the Council about the proposed communications
Plan. He highlighted the use of focus groups and key communicators to implement
the plan. The general consensus of the Council was that the plan had been
thoroughly prepared and was well thought out. The item is to be placed on
the agenda for the July 2 meeting.
Criteria for IDBS
The City Manager reported on a change in State law regarding IDBS. The new
allocation under the State system would allow St. Louis Park approximately $2.76
nmillionas a cap for the disbursement of IDBs.
Councilman Martin expressed some concern over the inclusion of item No.
8 on the listing of IDB proposed criteria. That item would prohibit the
use of IDBs for real estate transactions or credit enhancement devices.
The Council concurred that item No. 8 should be removed from the proposed
list of IDB criteria.
Liquor Committee
Councilman 'M rt -d chairman of the Liquor Committee, reported to the Council
on a proposed change in Resolution No. 5392 that would incorporate item
g. into item f. He suggested that before final action be taken staff should
survey the existing square footage of establishments with liquor licenses
and that Council should receive staff input and review prior to the next
study session.
Mayor Hanks provided Councilmembers with a brief history of the development
of the original resolution concerning the issuance of new on -sale licenses
for the sale of intoxicating liquor.
The study session was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Res ct/dully submitted,
C. A. Gears