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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003/06/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES ST. LDUIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING PARK ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA June 16, 2003 1. Call to Order Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Jacobs welcomed the newest Councilmember John Basill. The following Councilmembers were present at roll call: John Basill, Jim Brimeyer, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Sally Velick, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs Also present were the City Manager(Mr. Meyer), City Attorney(Mr Scott); Community Development Director(Mr. Harmening); Economic Development Coordinator(Mr. Hunt); Planning and Zoning Supervisor(Ms Jeremiah); Associate Planner(Ms Grove); City Clerk (Ms. Reichert); and Recording Secretary(Ms. Samson). 2. Presentations: None 3. Approval of Minutes 3a. City Council Minutes of June 2, 2003 The minutes were approved as presented. 4. Approval of Agenda and Items on Consent Calendar NOTE The Consent Calendar lists those items of business which are considered to be routine and/or which need no discussion Consent items are acted upon by one motion If discussion is desired by either a Councilmember or a member of the audience, that item may be moved to an appropriate section of the regular agenda for discussion 4a Approve payment to the School Distnct of an operations grant of $35,000 for 2003 4b Accept for filing the Planning Commission Minutes of May 21, 2003 4c Accept for filing the Board of Zoning Appeals Minutes of March 27, 2003 4d Accept for filing the Housing Authority Minutes of May 14, 2003 It was moved by Councilmember Velick, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to approve the Agenda and items listed on the Consent Calendar The motion passed 7-0. 5. Boards and Commissions 5a. Reappointment to Housing Authority It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to reappoint Anne Mavity to the Housing Authority. The motion passed 7-0 Council Meeting Minutes -2- June 16, 2003 6. Public Hearings 6a. Public Hearing to consider granting an on-sale intoxicating and Sunday sale liquor license to McCoy's of Minneapolis, Inc DBA McCoy's Public House, 3801 Grand Way, St. Louis Park MN City Clerk Cindy Reichert said McCoy's Public House is expected to open approximately on October 1, 2003. Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Jacobs closed the public heanng. It was moved by Councilmember Santa, seconded by Councilmember Velick, to approve an on-sale intoxicating and Sunday sale liquor license effective July 1, 2003. The motion passed 7-0. 6b. Public Hearing to consider granting an on-sale intoxicating and Sunday sale liquor license to Boykin Management Company LLC, DBA Holiday Inn Minneapolis West at 9970 Wayzata Blvd, St. Louis Park MN Mayor Jacobs opened the public heanng. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Jacobs closed the public heanng. It was moved by Councilmember Velick, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve an on-sale intoxicating and Sunday sale liquor license effective July 1, 2003 The motion passed 7-0. 6c. Public Hearing for Westwind Private Activity Revenue Bonds Resolution No. 03-069 Finance Director Jean McGann presented a report on the consideration of refunding private activity revenue bonds for Westwind Apartments and approving a preliminary resolution for this bond refunding in an amount of approximately$5.7 million dollars. John Utley, bond counsel from Kennedy and Graven, said the unusual aspect of this transaction is that it is a forward purchase transaction. Mr. Utley said the two aspects of the financing are: 1) it is a tax exempt refunding bond, and 2) a taxable conventional loan is being undertaken at the same time by this developer with respect to this project. Mr. Utley reported that the tax exempt piece is proposed to be a variable rate obligation and that it is expected to close in October of 2003; simultaneously, and as a condition to the closing on the conventional loan, this tax exempt financing would take place. Mr. Utley continued: The conventional financing is a fixed rate transaction and it has a forward transaction, which would allow the developer to lock into a taxable rate today. The buyer of the bond for the conventional loan would place significant penalties on the developer for failure to close on a date specific. Mr. Utley said there are no implications for arbitrage because there are no investments, and it would have no impact on the City's side of the transaction. Council Meeting Minutes -3- June 16, 2003 City Manager Charlie Meyer said the developer is precluded from doing the refinancing prior to October 1, 2003. From the City's side of the transaction, Mr. Utley said if the transaction were not completed, then, in Councilmember Santa's words "it would die a natural death." Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Jacobs closed the public hearing. It was moved by Councilmember Velick, seconded by Councilmember Sanger, to approve Resolution No. 03-069 giving preliminary approval of issuance of multifamily housing variable rate revenue refunding bonds, (Westwood Apartments Project), Series 2003. The motion passed 7-0 7. Requests, Petitions, and Communications from the Public: None 8. Resolutions, Ordinances, Motions 8a. License Agreement between the City of St. Louis Park, Christopher T. Dahl and Tetra Tech, EM, Inc. for Edgewood Area Properties Economic Development Coordinator Greg Hunt presented a report. Mr. Hunt said that Christopher T. Dahl requested the City agree to write a side letter indicating its willingness to seek additional Earth Grant Funds in the event such funds become necessary as required by the MPCA. Mr. Hunt reported that the terms of the agreement appear to be acceptable to Mr. Dahl. Mr. Hunt said Robert Lindahl of Kennedy and Graven is available for questions. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Brimeyer, to approve the attached License Agreement between the City of St Louis Park, Christopher T Dahl and Tetra Tech, EM, Inc.for Edgewood Area Properties The motion passed 7-0. 8b. Environmental Assessment Worksheet(EAW) for Methodist Hospital Campus Expansion. Case No. 03-21-MISC Resolution No. 03-070 Planning and Zoning Supervisor Janet Jeremiah presented a report Ms Jeremiah said Methodist Hospital was previously approved as a Special Permit, and it would have to be amended or a new PUD applied for before the expansion could be approved. She said Park Nicollet and Methodist Hospital have indicated that they will apply for a new PUD. Staff and the Planning Commission are recommending approval of the EAW, finding no need for an Environmental Impact Statement("EIS"). Beth Bartz, SRF Consulting Group, Inc., presented the EAW findings. Councilmember Basil] asked if truck traffic is routed by design or redesign of the main entrance to deter truck traffic from the main entrance, will the intersections at Louisiana and Lake and Louisiana and Oxford, which are projected to breakdown in 2007-2013, break down sooner, and is there a contingency that could be put in place for such a break down? Council Meeting Minutes -4- June 16, 2003 Mane Coty, SRF Consulting Group, Inc., responded that those intersections today are operating at acceptable levels, and in 2007 the first set of improvements would need to be done. Ms. Coty said the analysis assumes the level of truck traffic would be"current"to what it is today, i.e., as the percentage of passenger vehicles increases so, too, would the percentage of truck traffic. Councilmember Sanger asked about Methodist Hospital's contribution to traffic mitigation. Community Development Director Tom Harmening said that issue was recently raised with Park Nicollet executives but there is no agreement yet. Councilmember Omodt asked about the protocol on the shadow study, if it is determined that too much daylight would be blocked, then what? Ms. Jeremiah said the shadow analysis would be part of the preliminary PUD discussions. Randy Manthey, 3979 Dakota Avenue South, would like to have hearings for the preliminary and the final plats, and he would like specific exhibits. It was moved by Councilmember Basil!, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to adopt Resolution No. 03-070 approving the EA W,finding no need for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and requiring certain mitigation as described in the EAW The motion passed 7-0. 8c. Request by Beltline Industrial Park, Inc. for Final Plat approval for Wolfe Lake Professional Center and Final Planned Unit Development approval to redevelop the northwest quadrant of Beltline Boulevard and West 36th Street for two commercial buildings. Case Nos. 02-32-S and 02-31-PUD Northwest quadrant of Beltline Boulevard and West 36th street Resolution No. 03-072 Mr. Harmening distributed a revised resolution regarding this item to the Council. Associate Planner Julie Grove presented a report. Ms. Grove said the Planning Commission is recommending the removal of one of Staff's conditions that the building elevations for the one-story retail building be revised, and the Planning Commission expressed concerned about the potential impact of heavy screening on pedestrian safety. Ms Grove discussed the modifications to the conditions and the revised resolution. She said Staff is recommending approval based on the resolution. The Applicant, John McCain, said he is concerned about some of the items being listed in the plat resolution versus the PUD resolution. Ms Jeremiah said because variance issues are involved, Staff is no longer comfortable extending deferment. Mr. McCain asked about the newly numbered item 5, Prior to any site work, the developer/owner shall meet the following requirements, in the final plat resolution. He would like to know if the language could be changed to prior to the City signing the plat. Ms. Jeremiah said such a change would be a concern. Mr. McCain stated that it appears the trail easement has been put back on his shoulders again, and he is not pleased. Councilmember Sanger asked about the stacking of cars at the post office mailbox drop-off. Council Meeting Minutes -5- June 16, 2003 Councilmember Sanger does not support deviations from the architectural code requirements; and she said the City's current architectural code requirements are too weak and minimal as they are. She will propose an amendment to the plat and PUD when a motion is made. Councilmember Basill stated that the Planning Commission removed the higher architectural standard because of the high level of Class I material Councilmember Santa agrees with Councilmember Sanger on architectural standards, and she inquired of the applicant. What earth tones and how many colors? Paul Meyer, Paul Meyer Architects, addressed the design of the building. Councilmember Sanger stated her amendment. In addition to the resolution for the plat and PUD,paragraph 3,plans shall be revised to fully comply with architectural code requirements as approved by the Community Development Director or his designee Like Councilmember Sanger, Councilmember Velick thinks it should go back to Staff to review and work out with the applicant; and Councilmember Omodt agrees. Councilmember Omodt prefers to defer this item for two or four weeks. Ms. Jeremiah said this can be deferred to an administrative approval Mayor Jacobs said he is uncomfortable with that, and he would like to have it return to Council. Mr. Harmening said if the applicant is unhappy with Staff's decisions, the applicant can return to the Council for review It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Velick, to adopt Resolution No. 03-072 approving the final plat and final PUD for Wolfe Lake Professional Center, subject to the conditions in the proposed resolutions, and in addition to the resolution for the plat and PUD,paragraph 3,plans shall be revised to fully comply with architectural code requirements as approved by the Community Development Director or his designee. The motion passed 7-0 8d. Request by for a minor amendment to an existing Special Permit to allow changes to parking configuration at 7005 Wayzata Blvd. Case No. 02-64-CUP Resolution No. 03-073 Ms. Grove presented a report on the request of Amoco gas station to modify the parking plan, which was approved in 1997, and amend landscape plans, which were approved in 1997. Ms. Grove said Staff is recommending approval subject to the conditions in the resolution. It was moved by Councilmember Velick, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to adopt Resolution No. 03-073 approving the minor amendment to the continued Special Permit subject to the conditions in the resolution The motion passed 7-0 Council Meeting Minutes -6- June 16, 2003 8e. First Reading of proposed amendments to St. Louis Park Ordinance Code (Zoning) relating to creating consistency in standards relative to setbacks from residential districts, clarifying parking standards for restaurants in shopping centers, correcting retail and shopping center descriptions and approval categories, requiring conditional use permits for small schools in commercial districts, and clarifying motor vehicles sales accessory uses. Case Nos. 03-16-ZA Ms Jeremiah reported on the proposed Ordinance Code Text amendments. Councilmember Sanger said she is concerned about the proposed changes for shopping centers in the C-1 or neighborhood/commercial areas and changes in parking requirements; changing what is permitted with conditions in some areas, and why changes to some definitions are being made Councilmember Sanger would like to discuss this at a Study Session with real life examples as opposed to reading the dry text of it. Ms. Jeremiah said it would be easier for Staff to hold the entire item over as opposed to pulling out pieces. It was moved by Councilmember Sanger, seconded by Councilmember Santa, to defer this item to a Study Session The motion passed 7-0 9. Communications From the City Manager: Mr. Meyer made several announcements regarding Parktacular events. From Councilmember Velick: She announced the Senior Summit to take place on Monday, June 30`h, at 6:15 p.m., at the Lenox Center. From Councilmember Basill: He mentioned the Meadowbrook Collaborative, which held its 10th year recognition event. 10. Adjournment Mayor Jacobs adjourned the meeting at 9:41 p.m. - / CitCl Ma or