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CTY Louis OFFICIAL MINUTES
RK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
March 21, 2005
The meeting convened at 8:15 p.m.
Councilmembers present: John Basill, Susan Sanger, Sue Santa, Sally Velick and Mayor Jeff
Jacobs.
Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Harmening); Planning and Zoning Supervisor(Ms.
McMonigal); Planner(Ms. Erickson); City Engineer(Ms. Hagen); City Clerk (Ms. Reichert).
1. Zoning Text Amendment - Floodplain Overlay District
Staff met with council to review the various definitions, regulations, and regulatory agencies
associated with surface water and to show the impact of the proposed zoning code amendment in
relation to these.
Rick Voight of Polaris, Inc. and Peter Willenbnng, WSB, were also in attendance
Mr. Willenbnng presented an overview of the technical aspects of the ordinance Council asked
a number of questions regarding the difference between "wetlands" and "floodplain". Mr.
Willenbnng explained that vanous jurisdictions such as the DNR, watershed districts and the
federal government have all created rules for dealing with wetlands and floodplains. The bottom
line in the ordinance amendment in question was that the proposed change would bring St.
Louis Park's ordinances into conformance with standard practice applied in many other
jurisdictions
Councilmembers questioned why we would allow development in a floodplain at all. They were
concerned about future problems that may arise as a result.
Councilmember Santa suggested the item be set aside until the two councilmembers who were
absent could join in the discussion.
Staff agreed to bring this item back in the future with additional information.
2. Southwest Light Rail Transit Update
Jim Bnmeyer, council's appointed to the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority Task
Force, presented an overview of the goals and objectives for the next study phase of the
Southwest Corndor the HCRRA is pursuing. The Alternatives Analysis study will use a similar
study format and public process, and will narrow the route alternatives to one preferred
alternative and evaluate light rail transit compared with a baseline bus alternative along the
preferred route. Mr. Brimeyer presented maps with vanous routes under study and answered
council's questions regarding the process.
Councilmember Sanger asked if the Hiawatha ridership numbers had affected the process in any
way. Mr. Bnmeyer responded that it had, very positively She went on to state that freight rail is
a huge issue in SLP, and she hoped that issue would be addressed as the study continued. Mr.
Bnmeyer responded that he would make be sure to bring the issue up in discussions.
Study Session Minutes -2- March 21, 2005
Council thanked Mr. Bnmeyer for his work on the task force and asked to be kept informed as
the process continued.
Mr. Bnmeyer also provided the council with a bnef update on the activities of the St. Louis Park
Foundation.
3. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
L e #1-k
Ci Clerk Mayr