HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999/06/21 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES
ST. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
PARK ST. LOUIS PARK,MINNESOTA
June 21, 1999
1. Call to Order
Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
2. Presentations
2a. Retirement of Sgt. Philip Stuemke.
An number of persons were present to honor Sgt. Phillip Stuemke for his service to the City of St.
Louis Park and the community. Sgt. Stuemke was recognized for his contributions to the Police
Explorer program and his efforts in working with youth programs.
2b. Swearing in Ceremony for Ward Three Councilmember, Susan Santa
Judge Cara Lee Neville was present to officially swear in Susan Santa, who was appointed to
serve as Third Ward Councilmember for a term to expire on January 3, 2000.
3. Roll Call
The following Councilmembers were present at roll call: Tim Brimeyer, Ron Latz, Chris Nelson,
Sue Sanger, Sue Santa, Robert Young, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs.
Also present were the City Manager(Mr. Meyer); City Attorney(Mr. Scott); Director of
Community Development (Mr. Harmening); Planning Associate(Ms. Peterson);Director of
Inspections(Mr. Hoffman); and City Clerk(Ms. Larsen).
4. Approval of Minutes
4a. City Council Meeting of June 7, 1999
Councilmember Latz asked that the minutes be corrected to reflect that while some
Councilmembers had encouraged others to be involved in democracy by exercising their right to
run for the office in November, there were other comments made about the rigorous selection
process Council had undertaken and that the candidate chosen was deemed best suited to
represent Ward III.
Councilmember Sanger pointed out that on page 8 the word"construction" should be changed to
I "constructive".
With those corrections, the minutes were approved as presented.
Council Meeting Minutes -2- June 21 , 1999
5. Approval of Agendas
a. Consent Agenda
It was moved by Councilmember Nelson, seconded by Councilmember Young, to approve the
consent agenda. The motion passed 6-0.
b. Agenda
It was moved by Councilmember Santa, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve the
agenda. The motion passed 6-0.
c. Resolutions and Ordinances
By consent, Council waived reading of resolutions and ordinances.
6. Public Hearings
6a. Public Hearing and First Reading of an ordinance to change the zoning
designation from "C-2" Commercial to "R-C",High Density Residential for
property owned by Silvercrest Properties
Case No. 99-11-Z
3601 Park Center Boulevard
A summary of the staff report was presented by Sacha Peterson.
Mayor Jacobs closed the public hearing with the right of Council to reopen at a future date.
Councilmember Nelson asked for clarification that Silvercrest Properties owned the entire parcel
and that they were requesting this change. Ms. Peterson replied that both statements were
correct.
Councilmember Brimeyer asked if the housing would be sold at market rate. Ms. Peterson stated
that the property was not expected to redevelop in the near future and that when it did, staff
would encourage development for multi-age housing at market rate.
Councilmember Brimeyer asked for clarification of"near future". Ms. Peterson replied that
redevelopment would not occur for three to five hears.
It was moved by Councilmember Nelson, seconded by Councilmember Latz, to approve the first
reading of an ordinance to rezone the property"C-2"to"R-C" and set second reading for July 6,
1999. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Latz. Motion passed unanimously.
7. Petitions, Requests, Communications -None
Council Meeting Minutes -3- June 21 , 1999
8. Resolutions and Ordinances
8a. Resolution upholding and reversing, in part, the decision of the Board of
Zoning Appeals relating to the allowed height,size and use of an accessory
structure located at 4312 Coolidge Avenue- Resolution # 99-76
Michael Christianson, owner of the property at 4312 Coolidge presented to council a timeline of
events which occurred during the process of constructing the accessory building at that location.
He believed that Scott Moore had been helpful and had acted in good faith throughout the entire
process.
Mr. Christianson described in detail the chronology of events which had occurred. He expressed
his extreme frustration in that he had cooperated with staff throughout the entire construction
process, had received a favorable determination from the Board and Zoning Appeals and did not
feel Council's decision of June 7th regarding height of the structure was warranted.
John Miller reiterated his comments of the June 7th meeting regarding Lowry vs. City of Mankato.
Mr. Christianson asked how lay persons working through and cooperating fully with City staff
and the Board of Zoning Appeals can be expected to know what is and isn't allowable under the
ordinance.
Councilmember Nelson asked that paragraph 10 of the findings of fact be revised to clarify that
the measurement of height is based on a reference to the definition of gable as it appears in
Webster's Dictionary.
Councilmember Young stated that BOZA had upheld stag's interpretation of height measurement
and asked what differed in item number 10 of the timeline from the original interpretation staff
had made.
Mr. Hoffman stated that after BOZA had upheld staff's interpretation of measuring the gable
facing the east, another inspection was made. At that time the height of the roof system was
again measured and it was discovered that the roof was not in conformance with the code.
Councilmember Young asked how it came to be that the structure had been built taller than
originally proposed. Mr. Hoffman stated that though the interpretation of how to measure height
had not changed, other changes had taken place that affected the overall building height. An 18
inch high kneewall had been added to the first floor wall height and a roof overhang was cut off,
thereby affecting the calculation of overall height of the structure.
Councilmember Young stated that the net effect, even if Council had not overturned the decision
by BOZA, was that the building height would need to be reduced. Mr. Hoffman concurred.
Councilmember Brimeyer asked what the height of the building could be if using the definition of
height calculation determined by Council. Mr. Hoffinan stated that it would be 18 to 18.5 feet.
Council ' Meeting Minutes -4- June 21 , 1999
Mr. Hoffman presented a definition of what the gable end of a roof is and how it's measurement is
computed.
ll
Councilmember Nelson asked that for the purposes of this interpretation the definition as
provided in Webster's be used.
Mr. Scott restated Council's request to include in the resolution the definition as it appears in
Webster's and offered to rewrite that section of the resolution. He did not believe that the
resolution needed to come back for additional discussion and recommended that Council adopt
the resolution with changes. ,
It was moved by Councilmember Nelson, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to adopt a
resolution with changes as discussed, that sets forth findings of fact regarding the zoning appeal
for 4312 Coolidge Avenue, affirms the Board of Zoning Appeals on two interpretations and
reversed on the issue of height of the garage. The motion passed 6-0.
8b. Community Notification Grant - Resolution # 99-77 `
By consent, Council adopted the resolution approving the grant agreement between the
Community Notification Grant Program and the City of St. Louis Park and authorizing the City
Manager and Chief of Police to execute this agreement.
8c. Community-Oriented Policing(COPS) Grant - Resolution # 99-78
By consent, Council adopted the attached resolution approving a grant between the Minnesota
Department of Public Safety and the City of St. Louis Park and authorize the city Manager and
Chief of Police to execute this agreement.
*8d. Amendment to the Bassett Creek Watershed Joint Powers Agreement
Peso 1ution # 99-79
By consent, council adopted the resolution authorizing and directing amendment to the Joint
Powers Agreement for the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission.
9. Reports from Officers, Boards, Committees 'i
a. Housing Authority Minutes of May 12, 1999
By consent, Council accepted report for filing.
b. Planning Commission Minutes of May 19, 1999
Council Meeting Minutes -5- June 21 , 1999
By consent, Council accepted report for filing.
c. Planning Commission Minutes of June 2, 1999
By consent, Council accepted report for filing.
d. Vendor Claims
By consent, Council accepted report for filing.
10. Unfinished Business -None
11. New Business -None
12. Miscellaneous-None
13. Claims,Appropriations, Contract Payments -None
14. Communications
Mayor Jacobs commented on the success of the St. Louis Park Parktacular celebration and
thanked the Parktacular Board and other volunteers involved for their efforts.
15. Adjournment
Mayor Jacobs adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
/L/iLik
C./ Clerk Mayor