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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995/03/27 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session c. MINUTES STUDY SESSION ST. LUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL. March 27, 1995 The meeting began at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were City Councilmembers Jeff Jacobs, Gail Dorfinan, and Allen Friedman. Also present were the City Manager(Mr. Meyer);Deputy City Attorney(Ms. Pace);two members of the Planning Commission (Mr. Morris, Mr. Palmatier);Planning Coordinator(Ms. Erickson); Director of Finance(Ms. McBride); Administrative Intern(Ms. Teppen). 1. Honeywell: Presentation of consultant reports Mr. Lloyd Graven, Economic Research Corp., reviewed his report on the impact of proposed retail development of the Honeywell site. Relative to the proximity of the more traditional style retail to the new warehouse style retail, Mr. Meyer asked if there were a difference in impact. Mr. Graven responded his analysis of quite a few of these in the market penetration of the discount stores is that there is not very much difference. Asked for his basic conclusions, Mr . Graven said there will be some impact on existing grocery stores, particularly Bernie's and Almstead's New Market. If they are successful now, they will be successful if Cub comes in. If they are struggling now, he felt there was a good likelihood they would not be in business in five years regardless of Cub. He felt if either was struggling today the proposed development might be the factor the precipitates the end of the struggle. In terms of hardware stores, it is similar-- Coast to Coast in Westwood aniSt. Louis Park Hardware would be most impacted by a home improvement center, but they are already competing with Menard's and Budget Power. Mr. Sheldon Johnson, Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik& Assoc. reviewed the traffic impact review and analyses that relate to the proposed Honewell site development. Mr. Meyer asked if it would not be reasonable to assume that a power center of this sort, were it very much destination-,oriented, i.e. I want to get my groceries at Cub, would have a different trip generation rate than a regional shopping mall or a small strip center. Mr. Johnson said perhaps, but the data on power centers is too new. The latest ITE update was 1991 and at that time they didn't have sufficient data on any power centers as they are known today. Mayor Pro Tem Friedman asked if in Mr. Johnson't opinion, should the City do the things he recommended before making a decision on the type of development to go in there. Would that have an impact? Mr. Johnson responded if it were his decision he would want more information on this proposed development in terms of its traffic,impact. He would expand the study to include those issues or some the City feels are really necessary and perhaps even some that aren't. He said there was not a retail development in the country that he's worked on over the past 29 years that you can't make work. If you've got enough money, enough room to build the ways in and out, you can make it work. Mr. Meyer commented that the City Council had made a decision that Cedar Lake Rd. should be of residential quality. Any development on this site is going to impact Cedar Lake Rd, its size and its carrying capacity. Ms. Erickson spoke of four alternatives: (1)"Approve the request, changing the area from industrial zoning to commercial zoning; (2)Deny the request and retain industrial zoning; (3) Deny the request and change the Comprehensive Plan designation -- not to commercial but to office (mixed use and by PUD it allows both residential and shopping centers), (4) Deny the request and to create a new, high-density mixture (currently not in the City's Comp Plan) The matter of a Comprehensive Plan amendment is scheduled for discussion at the April 5 111 Planning Commission meeting. 2. Solid waste rates Ms. Teppen presented the staff report She reported that this report is in response to MN Statute 115A.9301 which requires that all local governments must provide a pricing system for refuse collection that is based on volume instead of weight. She outlined the two programs that staff feels properly address two areas: volume- based rates and creation of a program for residents who are away from their homes for extended periods of time. Following a question and answer period, it was the consensus for staff to proceed with the next step of the program which is to place it on a formal Council agenda for action. Councilmembers expressed the hope that the new program be well publicized in the community and that it be condensed into as concise an informational pamphlet as possible. 3. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9.30 p.m. Reording Secretary Dn (11.