HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001/05/14 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF
ST LOUIS OFFICIAL MINUTES
• PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
May 14, 2001
The meeting convened at 6:02 p.m.
Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Jim Bnmeyer, Chris Nelson, Susan Sanger, Sue
Santa, Robert Young, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Councilmember Ron Latz arrived at 7:21 p.m.
Staff present. City Manager(Mr Meyer), Director of Community Development (Mr.
Harmening), Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Kleve), Planning and Zoning Supervisor
(Ms Jeremiah), Director of Public Works (Mr. Rardin), Superintendent of Engineering (Mr.
Moore), City Engineer (Ms. Hagen), Director of Parks and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Community
Outreach Coordinator(Ms. McDonell), and City Clerk (Ms Reichert)
1. Park Commons
Bob Cunningham from TOLD was present at the meeting He presented an overview of the
project, noting the absence of the Bally's property because of the inability to reach a purchase or
lease agreement. Mr. Cunningham reviewed the height changes of certain buildings. He
reported that there will be a delay in the construction of one building due to changes in the
market.
A three dimensional model was shown of the project as well as various artist sketches
Council discussed the phasing of the project as well as the progress on the leasing of retail space.
Mayor Jacobs questioned the amount of parking spaces Ms. Jeremiah explained the phasing
involved with the parking and how the numbers were created. She reported that staff is
comfortable with the amount.
Councilmember Sanger-expressed her disappointment in the delay of owner-occupied housing
Mr Cunningham assured Councilmember Sanger that despite the delay in the initial phase, the
owner-occupied housing that had been called for in later phases of the project would be
completed earlier than had been ongianally anticipated .
Councilmember Nelson commented that it would be in TOLD's best interest to also complete
future phases He stated that the return on investment is lower on Phase I than the subsequent
phases He also felt that there is a significant demand for owner-occupied housing. He
questioned how the Tax Increment Financing district would be affected by owner-occupied units
versus rental units. Mr. Cunningham replied that the revenue generated from owner-occupied
units is as little as one half the amount that would be generated by rental units.
Mr Harmening explained that even though the construction of owner occupied units is now
farther into the project, completion of all units will actually be done more quickly.
Councilmember Nelson was concerned with how the empty building site would be treated as it is
very visible as the entrance to the project Ms Jeremiah agreed with his concerns and reported
that staff is currently working to create an attractive appearance during the construction.
Councilmember Nelson stated that he would like to receive information on public notices. Staff
replied they would mail more notices for upcoming meetings.
Study Session Minutes -2- 'May 14, 2001
Councilmember Sanger was concerned the Hollman units would become concentrated over time.
She asked staff to include in the development agreement a plan for retaining space in the future.
Mr. Harmening explained how affordable housing units would be structured with Section 8
versus Hollman units. He further explained how the change in programs would affect the
developer and the City.
Mr. Harmening stated that staff would bring an amended development agreement to Council on
June 4`h
Council discussed the future development of the Bally's site. They also discussed sight lines in
relation to the revised building heights
Councilmember Santa inquired about street naming near the project and Councilmember Nelson
replied that he thought the City had an official street naming policy.
2. Human Rights Commission
Commissioners Kristin Siegesmund, Herb Isbin and Student Commissioner Cassandra Body
were present at the meeting.
The Commissioners informed the Council of their involvement with the Human Rights Essay
Award as sponsors of the event. A flyer was passed out inviting the community to a public
forum to end violence and discrimination and to learn about human nghts. They briefly
reviewed the handbook that was compiled and made by the League of Women Voters and the
Human Rights Commission to inform new residents of services and resources within the
community. The handbooks are available in Spanish, Russian, and English.
Councilmember Bnmeyer inquired about reaching out to the various communities within the
City on how to communicate among each other.
Ms. McDonell stated that she would provide the materials for the Human Rights Essay Award at
the meeting on May 21st
The Commission asked Council if they would be interested in monitoring the Viking Council's
pledge not to discriminate and Council agreed they would not be interested in such efforts.
However, they would be interested in information from the local Boy Scouts and urged the
Human Rights Commission to offer their services to those who feel they have been discriminated
against
The commission recognized Lynn Schwartz and Martha McDonell for their staff efforts.
3. Excelsior Blvd. Corridor Traffic Study
Mr. Harmening introduced Mr. Forslund of BRW.
Mr. Harmening informed Council that the development scenarios as presented are extremely
aggressive and should be looked at as worst case scenarios.
Mr. Forslund went through the traffic study executive summary that was presented to Council.
Study Session Minutes -3- May 14, 2001
Council discussed neighborhood issues and the impact that cut through traffic would have on the
surrounding neighborhoods. Councilmember Nelson inquired about using plate identifications to
track the destination of traffic traveling on Kipling Ave. Councilmember Sanger felt there was
cut through traffic throughout the city and did not perceive this situation to be more of a
problem.
Councilmember Brimeyer appreciated the identification of `trigger points' as development
occurs.
Council asked that staff establish thresholds and triggers for the implementation of potential
traffic controlling measures that can be assessed to determine future roadway changes.
Councilmember Sanger suggested that this study could provide standards to be applied to other
areas in the city.
Mr. Forslund suggested that discussion take place very soon with the neighborhoods.
Councilmember Sanger asked how bicycling could be made easier on Excelsior Boulevard.
Councilmember Nelson stated that Excelsior Boulevard is not part of the trail and sidewalk plan.
He would prefer to discourage rather than encourage bicycling on Excelsior Boulevard.
Mr Harmening reported that a neighborhood meeting notice is in the process of being sent and
the meeting will take place in the near future.
4. Stormwater Management Project Impacts on Keystone, Roxbury, and Lake Street
Parks
Pete Willenbring was in attendance at the meeting
Staff explained the proposed stormwater projects that would affect Lake Street, Keystone, and
Roxbury Park. The plan would utilize local parks to alleviate flooding in the most severe
rainstorms This proposal will return Lake Street Park to its natural state as a wetland, thereby
eliminating the hockey nnks. Rinks would then be placed at Parkview and Nelson parks. A sun
shelter and playground equipment would be removed from Roxbury Park and accommodated at
Keystone Park as well as a basketball court and an open space to be used for football or soccer.
The playground equipment at Roxbury Park will remain there.
Council discussed the depth of pond proposal. They also discussed how to prevent persons from
moving over the tracks and the expense of that option
Councilmember Bnmeyer suggested that the playground equipment be placed at both parks and
that any link between the two parks be eliminated as a cost effective alternative to the proposal .
Ms. Walsh stated that hockey could be accommodated at other parks. Councilmember Sanger
was concerned what the neighborhood's reaction would be to moving the hockey nnks to Nelson
Park.
Staff was directed to move forward with the changes to the stormwater management plan and to
address other needs at a later time
Study Session Minutes -4- May 14, 2001
5. Communications
Mr. Rardin introduced the new City Engineer, Maria Hagen, to the City Council.
Mayor Jacobs inquired if Council would like to pursue an issue brought to his attention regarding
continuing non-conforming uses. Councilmember Santa stated that she was concerned about an
ordinance of that type and did not believe it to be good policy. Councilmember Young was
receptive to looking into the issue Councilmember Brimeyer stated that the city's goal is to
eliminate non-conforming uses and would not support an ordinance which allowed them to
continue He added that the City needs a provision that can provide incentive to bring uses into
conformance Councilmember Sanger felt security should be placed to provide incentives to
bring uses in conformance. She was concerned about discretionary allowances. Councilmember
Nelson said that non-conforming use needs to be stopped and a monetary security would not do
that Councilmember Latz would prefer to see a staff report and the legal ramifications involved
with each option.
Mr. Harmening replied they will consider the staff resources needed to complete the requested
research He asked for clarification from the Council on the extent of the information they want.
Councilmember Brimeyer would like a written report and research, stating it could be a one-page
summary Mr Meyer stated that would involve in-depth research for a future study session.
Mayor Jacobs inquired about a change of hours at the Rec Center. Mr. Meyer replied that staff is
looking into the issue.
6. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
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