HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994/11/14 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session MINUTES
STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL
Monday, November 14, 1994
Mayor Hanks called the study session to order at 7.00 p m
In attendance were Councilmembers Allen Friedman, Jeff Jacobs, Gail Dorfman, Robert Young
and Ron Latz. Also present were the City Manager(Mr. Meyer), Director of Community
Development (Mr. Hagen); Acting Public Works Director(Mr Moore); Police Chief(Mr
Mitchell) and Police Captain(Mr. Walker)
1 Honeywell site redevelopment plan
Bill McHale of Ryan Construction was present to talk about a schematic proposal for the site and
to give background information on their concept for use of the property. The schematic showed a
large grocery store, home improvement center, and a mix of other retail operations
Mr. McHale cited that Ryan has done several shopping centers that are similar such as Rockford
Plaza.
Mr Meyer noted there was not a proposal application at this point. This is merely a concept.'
plan
A number of residents from the Blackstone neighborhood were in attendance. Their main concern
was how this development would affect traffic: increased flow, compounding the already difficult
traffic on Cedar Lake Rd., pollution, etc. They were also concerned about the hours of operation
(in some cases 24 hours, as opposed to Honeywell's approximately 8.00 to 4:30).
Councilmember Jacobs asked what the scope of the traffic study they were proposing would be.
Mr. McHale said essentially upgrading previous traffic studies and incorporating the new concept.
Councilmember Friedman asked if they had looked at air pollution problems. McHale said they
had spoken with MnDOT and would probably proceed with an Indirect Source Permit
Councilmember Friedman asked about the difference in taxes on retail vs. industrial. Mr. McHale
said taxes on retail development would be about double as that on industrial.
Councilmember Dorfman questioned whether a shopping center is an allowed use under the PUD
zoning designation in the IP zone.
Councilmember Young asked if a hotel/office complex had been explored. Mr McHale said this
was not attractive to Ryan what with a hotel nearby and the MEPC complex operating
successfully
No action was required at this point
2. Excelsior Blvd. streetscape and redevelopment
Geoff Martin, DSU, was present to discuss the project and present a number of schematics of
streetscape. He talked about the current project, the next phase (north along Park Center Blvd.)
and ultimately continuing the streetscape east on Excelsior Blvd.
It was noted the Excelsior Blvd. Task Force was interested in being invited to study sessions at
which the streetscape is discussed and it was hoped businessess would be encouraged to attend as
well. Council supported keeping the Task Force in operation for subsequent phases.
3 Economic Development Authority budget
Council briefly reviewed the report. It was noted the TIF districts are in financially good shape,
reserves healthy.
The budget will be on the December 5, 1994 EDA agenda for approval.
4. Redevelopment strategy
Mr Hagen displayed a map indicating potential areas for future redevelopment.
Councilmember Dorfman requested that Councilmembers be provided with a copy of that map
showing rankings of high-to-low priority for redevelopment including criteria for evaluation.
Council supported continuing to develop the ranking criteria
5. Brooklyn Park- Multi-housing rehabilitation
Mr. Hagen reviewed staff's report which included material on this concept as it currently operates
in Brooklyn Park wherein the city has begun to take an ownership interest in one project by
becoming a limited partner.
Mayor Hanks asked about liability in this type of situation and requested more information.
Councilmember Friedman said he would not be interested in a limited partnership concept; rather
that owners be encouraged to tend to upkeep and upgrading.
It was suggested owners of multi-family units be given training on how to manage, how to screen
applicants, and so forth.
Councilmember Dorfman felt it important not to reward those who do the poorest managing.
Councilmember Friedman suggested going to the owners of such properties and encourage them
to draw up plans and criteria to better manage their properties rather than the City getting
involved in any type of partnership interest
6. City entrance signs/logos
Council discussed staff's report
There was consensus that the same element be consistently on any signs, be it entrance signs or
neighborhood signs There was no consensus on what such an element might be.
Staff was encouraged to continue exploring design alternatives
7 Treatment of bars in the Zoning Ordinance
This item concerns the potential amortization of Al's Liquor in light of its non-conformance under
the new Zoning Ordinance. It was staff's conclusion that evidence appears to support a
conclusion that bars may be regulated as at present, but do not represent a problem sufficiently
great to warrant amortization
It was the consensus to put on the November 21 agenda proposed language in an ordinance
finding that while bars are properly regulated in the current Zoning Ordinance, there is not
sufficient evidence to support amortization out of existence and to exempt such bars as a principal
land use from the amortization provisions of the ordinance
8 Cedar Lake Road• Undergrounding of utilities
Staff's report updated Council with an analysis of the estimated costs and proposed revenue
sources for reconstruction of Cedar Lake Road from T H 169 to Park Place Blvd. and proposed
undergrounding of NSP overhead power lines.
The Council directed that a report for formal action be placed on the November 21 agenda,
including the undergrounding of utilities
9. Taxicab licensing grant
Mr. Meyer noted that the City of Bloomington had dropped consideration of the grant proposal to
study the merits of a consolidated metropolitan taxicab inspections and licensing system.
Chief Mitchell said his department had to problem with the present ordinance as a good job was
being done both with inspections and licensing
Councilmember Friedman was interested in what was driving this proposal. He didn't see any
benefit to St. Louis Park
It was Council consensus to proceed no further with this item and no formal action was needed.
10 Gambling interpretation
Some concern was expressed that when a pulltab operation changes hands, the new applicants
have to poll and get signatures of everyone in the surrounding neighborhoods. It was felt by some
members that this was an unnecessary intrusion on residents and particularly difficult getting to
those residents who live in secured buildings
Councilmember Young felt that some people may be in favor of some pulltab operations and
perhaps opposed to others and therefore probably should be polled. He also was interested in
seeing the profits of pulltab operations stay in the City. Rather than being in favor of loosening
current regulations, he'd like to see them tightened
Councilmember Latz noted those residents polled are determining if they want gambling or not,
not where the proceeds go nor for what purposes
Councilmember Friedman favored changing the regulations so that the premises permit go with
the establishment, not to whom is selling the pulltabs.
Councilmember Jacobs felt distribution of proceeds was governed by State law.
Mr. Meyer said all these comments would be researched and pulled together in a report to come
back to Council.
11. 12-hour parking
Councilmember Friedman asked why this was necessary and could the police come up with
modifications. He was aware of an instance where a neighbor called police about another
neighbor's car.
Councilmember Dornan said she thought it was intended for cars just left sitting on the street.
Chief Mitchell said violators had plenty of time to move their cars as usually 24 hours are allowed
to lapse from chalking to tagging, and an additional 24 hours before towing. He felt the ordinance
was effective. He noted officers don't go up and down streets looking for cars to tag, that it just
doesn't happen all that often.
No further action required.
12. Animal control - Wild animals
Councilmember Friedman said he brought this up because he found two racoons in his overturned
garbags cans and upon calling animal control got no assistance other than offering his traps to set
for them. He wondered if they couldn't come up with criteria to help people who can't take care
of a problem like this, i.e. the elderly, physically handicapped, etc
Chief Mitchell said the police do respond if there is a dangerous situation
Councilmember Friedman said perhaps they could tighten up their response time.
13. 1995 meeting calendar
Councilmember Friedman asked why two study sessions were being proposed each month
Couldn't a number of these items be handled administratively?
Councilmember Young felt it was a good idea to schedule two a month, and if a particular agenda
came up short, then cancel that meeting.
Councilmember Dorfman felt a second study session was needed to address broader policy issues,
not just day-to-day items to be discussed before putting on a formal agenda
14. Miscellaneous items
A couple of items were discussed that were not on the formal agenda.
Auditors: There was further discussion re the process of selection for the City's 1994 auditor.
This item will be on the November 21 agenda for formal action.
Legislative contact: Councilmember Young offered to serve as the City's legislative contact to the
AMM.
Environmental health services: City of Hopkins: It was decided to place this on the November 28
study session agenda and combine with discussion on turning this job over to the county.
Apple Valley Red-E-Mix: After lengthy discussion, it was the consensus to proceed with sending
the attorney's letter re registration of AVR as a non-conforming use.
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m.
I► 11Muf
' ecording Secretary