HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996/02/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session MINUTES
STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK CITY COUNCIL
February 12, 1996
Mayor Dorfman called the meeting to order at 7 00 p m
Councilmembers present were Sue Sanger, Robert Young, Ron Latz, Jim Brimeyer and Jeff
Jacobs
Staff present were the City Manager(Mr Meyer), Director of Public Works (Mike Rardin),
Finance Director (Mac McBride), Dir of Inspections (Mr Peterson), Director of Community
Development (Mr. Harmening) and Health/Safety Inspector(Mr Camilon)
1 Traffic controls at T H 100 East frontage road at Parkwoods Rd
Mr Rardin reviewed the staff report The Council deferred this matter from the February 5
meeting to further discuss matters of speed and placement of stop signs at Parkwoods Rd before
ordering a speed study from MnDOT
Councilmember Sanger said residents coming out of Lake Forest find it virtually impossible to get
onto the frontage road in either direction
Mayor Dorfman said it should probably be determined if cars are backing up and if this is causing
a significant problem. If so, when is it a problem.
Mr Rardin said staff could start on a small scale, i e determine if it is functioning as an
intersection
Councilmember Jacobs cautioned about replacing a problem with a larger problem He could not
see a stop sign at that location.
It was the consensus for staff to do a cursory review of this area and report back to Council
before any action involving MnDOT is undertaken
2 Appeals Task Force recommendations
Mr Petersen addressed this matter.
On recommendation No 7, Councilmember Jacobs wondered if authority to grant Zoning
variances is given to the Planning Commission, might they not be overburdened Councilmember
Sanger noted that the same people would be making Planning and variance decisions and was that
a good idea
Councilmember Sanger felt most of the recommendations were business oriented She would like
to see residential interests better represented Mr Petersen replied that the focus of the Task
Force was mainly dealing with construction
Council was generally in accord with the Task Force's recommendations. It was the consensus
that staff receive input from the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Planning Commission regarding
the recommendation that the latter be authorized to grant Zoning variances
3. Proposed railroad route
Mr Petersen reported on a proposal of TCW for installation of 2 new railroad interconnections in
St Louis Park for the purpose of re-routing their trains through the City He displayed a map and
indicated the routing
Councilmember Brimeyer asked how much control over railroad functions the City would have
and Mr Petersen replied very little
No Council action was required at this point. Mr Petersen and his staff will continue to monitor
the progress of this proposal
4 Livable Community Grant Process
Mr Harmening gave an update on the Livable Communities funding as well as the application to
be submitted by the City.
He displayed a site plan prepared by Town Planning Collaborative depicting a Town Center
concept
Mr Harmening said any funds received would be used to set the stage for a developer to come in
to make this concept a reality With the newly-adopted MX (Mixed Use)Zoning district, this
would be possible He said down the path stakeholders would be invited to buy in and help to
make it market feasible.
Council was very impressed by the concept and the consensus was for staff to move forward with
the application process
5. Redevelopment of Honeywell site-Use of special assessments
This report addressed the use of the special assessment tool for the installation of private
improvements within the proposed retail site, particularly the costs associated with decorative
parking lot lighting, plaza area furnishings, interior walkways and perimeter sidewalks He
reviewed legal opinion that had come forth on this proposal
It was the consensus to keeping looking at this but Council was not interested in getting involved
where no public purpose has been established.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
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