HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/05/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularOfficial minutes
City council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
May 6, 2024
1. Call to order.
Mayor Mohamed called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
a. Pledge of allegiance
b. Roll call
Council members present: Mayor Nadia Mohamed, Paul Baudhuin, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd,
Lynette Dumalag, Yolanda Farris, Margaret Rog
Council members absent: none.
Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), city attorney (Mr. Mattick), deputy city manager (Ms.
Walsh), city clerk (Ms. Kennedy), senior planner (Ms. Chamberlain), zoning administrator (Mr.
Morrison), planning manager (Mr. Walther)
Guests: Chris Bores for Punch Pizza; Luke Derheim and David Benowitz for Wells Roadside
2. Approve agenda.
It was moved by Council Member Rog, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to approve the
agenda as presented.
The motion passed 7-0.
3. Presentations.
a. Proclamation observing "American Indian Heritage Month"
Mayor Mohamed read the proclamation into the record.
b. Proclamation observing "Jewish American Heritage Month"
Council Member Rog read the proclamation into the record. She pointed out that several
resources for engagement are included in links within the council meeting packet.
c. Proclamation observing "Asian American Pacific Islander Native Hawaiian
Heritage Month"
Council Member Dumalag read the proclamation into the record.
4. Minutes.
a. Minutes of March 18, 2024 closed executive session
b. Minutes of April 1, 2024 special study session
c. Minutes of April 1, 2024 city council meeting
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It was moved by Council Member Rog, seconded by Council Member Brausen, to approve the
March 18, 2024 closed executive session, April 1, 2024 special study session, and April 1, 2024
city council meeting minutes as presented.
The motion passed 7-0.
4. Consent items.
a. Approve city disbursements
b. Resolution no. 24-052 accepting donations to the Parks and Recreation Department
c. Ordinance no. 2678-24 approving zoning text amendment pertaining to C-1
neighborhood commercial zoning district
d. Resolution no. 24-053 rescinding permit parking restrictions at 2841 Jersey Avenue
e. Resolution no. 24-054 establishing the Wolfe Park Streetlight Replacement Project
(5024-4101)
f. Resolution no. 24-055 authorizing parking restrictions on the west side of Monitor
Street south of Lake Street
g. Approve temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor license - The Slavic Experience
h. Resolution no. 24-056 approving the use of Hennepin County Housing and
Redevelopment Authority Homeownership Assistance Program
i. Resolution no. 24-057 providing for the issuance and sale of bonds
Council Member Brausen asked to make a comment regarding consent item 5e. He stated this
refers to the Wolfe Park streetlight replacement project, which will be several thousand dollars.
He is happy to see LED lighting will be used. He noted an article in the Star Tribune that
highlighted students who developed a project to assist migrating birds and encouraged city
staff to be aware of this and any new technologies that come out related to this preservation of
birds.
It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Baudhuin, to approve
the consent items as listed; and to waive reading of all resolutions and ordinances.
The motion passed 7-0.
6. Public hearings.
a. Approve on-sale intoxicating liquor license for Boketto Restaurant, LLC dba Boketto-
Ward 4
Ms. Kennedy presented the staff report.
Council Member Rog asked how the pro-rated fee amount is determined. Ms. Kennedy
explained the city code outlines how the fee is calculated for new licenses and provides that a
license that is issued for less than a 12-month period be pro-rated. If a business is open any day
within a month, they pay for the whole month. Essentially, businesses do not pay a license fee
for months in which their business is not open.
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Mayor Mohamed opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Mohamed
closed the public hearing.
Council Member Brausen stated this seems like an opportunity to have another fine restaurant
in St. Louis Park and he will support approval of this license.
It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Rog, to approve the
on-sale intoxicating liquor license for Boketto Restaurant, LLC dba Boketto for the premises
located at 1607 West End Blvd.
The motion passed 7-0.
b. Approve on-sale 3.2% and on-sale wine liquor license for Civitali Restaurant
Corporation dba Punch Neapolitan Pizza – Ward 4
Ms. Kennedy presented the staff report.
Mayor Mohamed opened the public hearing. No speakers were present. Mayor Mohamed
closed the public hearing.
Council Member Budd asked how the 62 indoor seats and 42 outside seats compares to their
other locations.
Chris Bores, director of operations for Punch Pizza, stated it is about the same as most of their
locations, and a few of the older locations have smaller seating.
Council Member Budd asked how many Punch Pizza restaurant locations they have. Mr. Bores
stated this will be number 12.
Council Member Budd asked where the parent company is located. Mr. Bores stated their
headquarters is in St. Paul on Cleveland Avenue.
It was moved by Council Member Brausen, seconded by Council Member Farris, to approve on-
sale 3.2% and on-sale wine liquor licenses for Civitali Restaurant Corporation dba Punch
Neapolitan Pizza for the premises located at 5799 16th St. W., Suite #100.
The motion passed 7-0.
7. Regular business.
a. Resolutions No. 24-058, 24-059 and 24-060 approving conditional use permits and
variances – 3712 Quebec Ave. S, Wells Roadside – Ward 2
Mr. Morrison presented the staff report.
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Council Member Dumalag asked if this is more of a restaurant than a drive-in. Mr. Morrison
stated that is correct and the owners may allocate a couple of parking spaces for drive-in or to-
go in the future if needed.
Council Member Dumalag referenced the square footage for parking at a drive-in and asked
how that is configured, or if there are differences within the ordinance. Mr. Morrison stated the
code does not have a parking category for drive-in restaurants. He summarized the three
categories of restaurants and stated that this restaurant is calculated as a fast-food restaurant
since it does not have waitstaff.
Council Member Dumalag asked for further clarification about the parking variance and the
differences with the calculations. Mr. Morrison stated there are three categories for food,
including all carry out, which has a maximum of ten seats. He noted the second category is fast
food (which this would fall under as a fast casual) and the parking is one space for every 100
square foot of general floor area, including the canopy area. He explained that the third
category is a sit-down restaurant, which requires more parking at one space for 60 square feet.
He added this proposal does not include wait service and will be classified in the fast casual
category.
Council Member Dumalag noted there is no handicapped stall according to residents, but that
she observes one on the plans, and asked if Mr. Morrison could confirm. Mr. Morrison
confirmed that there is an accessible parking stall on the west side of the building near the
entrance and it meets the Minnesota requirements for ADA parking.
Council Member Dumalag added one concern is a decrease in parking overall, as there is no
parking allowed on the frontage road. She referenced discussion from the planning commission
regarding the sidewalk and asked for clarification and where the sidewalk will be aligned in the
future. Mr. Morrison stated city code does require a sidewalk along all street frontage of
commercial property. There is already a sidewalk along Quebec Ave S, but there is not one
along the frontage road, which is why constructing a sidewalk along the north side of the
property is a condition of approval of the CUP. He noted there was discussion on the variance
and if it should be extended to Rhode Island Avenue, but the planning commission found that
sufficient need hasn’t been demonstrated to require the sidewalk be extended to Rhode Island
Ave S.
Council Member Dumalag asked about parking concerns within the neighborhood, how this has
been handled, and if there have been any adjustments along the way. Mr. Derheim and Mr.
Benowitz stated the community is everything to them and noted they also operate The Block in
St. Louis Park, as well as other restaurants in Minneapolis. Mr. Benowitz stated some of their
other restaurants have neighborhoods similar to this one, and if there were ever any parking
concerns, they have discussions with neighbors. Predominately, they have not had many issues
related to parking because their staff is well-known to be good stewards of their spaces.
Council Member Rog asked how long a customer would spend at the restaurant. Mr. Benowitz
stated a large portion of their business will be take-out, so he assumes less than five minutes
will be spent at the site by many customers. He added there will be a small percentage of
patrons that remain at a table, but this concept is designed to be quick and will have a small
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menu oriented to qualify food that can be prepared quickly. He noted a prior issue at this
location was people waiting for food, and the Wells Roadside concept is designed on quick
service, especially based on parking. Mr. Derheim stated if customers cannot get in and out
quickly, they will not come back.
Council Member Rog asked if cocktails are only served for on site consumption. Mr. Derheim
stated that is correct.
Council Member Rog asked where staff will park. Mr. Derheim stated they are working to have
leased parking for employees at several commercial buildings to the east.
Council Member Rog asked about hours of operation. Mr. Benowitz stated 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Council Member Baudhuin asked if on Fridays or Saturdays they will be open until 11 p.m. Mr.
Derheim stated that is correct. Council Member Baudhuin asked about noise levels that may
become a problem if on a nice summer night, people might remain onsite with their drinks until
closing time. Mr. Derheim stated they will monitor conversation levels and consumption of
drinks. They also will not have speakers outside like the previous owner did.
Council Member Baudhuin shared from the other restaurants they own, they have been really
good neighbors, and he is not worried about the noise, but wants to be sure they are aware of
the possibility of louder summer noise levels.
Council Member Baudhuin asked staff if there is a way for the city to monitor this also and help
neighbors. He stated he approves of parking on the street and added he is not in favor of
parking lots in general and wants to be sure neighbors are helped out.
Mr. Morrison stated staff has met with residents and also noted staff will monitor traffic and
speeds in the area when the restaurant opens.
Council Member Dumalag asked how customers will access the property and also about the
landscape plans. Mr. Morrison indicated access onto the property will be from the frontage
road. Traffic will flow through the site and exit onto Quebec Ave S. He noted residents
expressed concerns that small trees blocked visibility at the corner of the property and those
trees have been removed. The landscape plan meets the requirements and residents have
commented that it is now much better.
Council Member Dumalag stated she appreciates staff’s work on this and noted she attended
the community meeting. She added it was well attended and that folks were positive about the
project. She noted some concerns were around parking and traffic and changes to the
neighborhood. In this area, there really are no amenities south of Highway 7 and this location is
accessible by bike and walking is a great addition. She asked city staff to be mindful of the
concerns that residents brought up about parking in driveways and in the alleys in the area.
Council Member Baudhuin added this is a great project and concept for the space it is in, and
noted there will be a lot of customers who come in from the bike trail and there will be
pedestrian traffic in the summer. He noted most neighbors will find it an asset to the
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neighborhood, acknowledging that is always difficult when something new comes into the area.
He added that overall projects like this tend to go well, and he thinks this one will too. He
pointed out that having a business instead of a vacant space is best for everyone in the
community. He thanked the owners for taking a chance on this.
Council Member Rog added she is also supportive, but it feels a bit risky with reduced parking
and added traffic the variances provided. She stated she will trust the owners to watch out on
some of these issues and added she knows Council Member Dumalag will be aware also.
Council Member Budd stated The Block has been a great asset to the community and she is
happy to see this vacant spot addressed with a new project and is supportive.
Council Member Farris added she is also excited about this and noted the food is great at The
Block and it will be great here also. She stated she is excited to see the visual appeal of the
restaurant concept at night.
Mayor Mohamed added she also is supportive of the project.
It was moved by Council Member Dumalag, seconded by Council Member Baudhuin, to adopt
Resolutions No. 24-058, 24-059 and 24-060 approving conditional use permits and variances –
3712 Quebec Ave. S., Wells Roadside.
The motion passed 7-0.
b. Resolution No. 24-061 approving conditional use permit for fill and reclamation – 6300
Walker Street – Ward 2
Ms. Chamberlain presented the staff report.
Council Member Rog asked about the process of moving large quantities of materials and how
the neighborhood might be affected. Mr. Chamberlain stated this will be similar to a project
where a great deal of grading was done, including erosion control. She added the haul routes
and equipment to be used has been reviewed by staff and haul routes will be as direct as
possible to Wooddale Avenue and Highway 7 and included as recommended conditions of
approval of the CUP.
Council Member Rog asked about timing for the project. Ms. Chamberlain stated work in the
south side parking lot is proposed for this summer and work in the east parking lot would be
next year.
Council Member Rog asked if there are specific stormwater issues this project will address or if
the work is preemptive and how will the impacts be seen. Ms. Chamberlain stated this work will
meet the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District new water standards and that is why it is tied to
the data center to bring both sites into compliance.
Council Member Rog asked if this project will be preemptive for water storage issues due to
climate change. Mr. Walther stated the watershed requirements require treatment of storm
water to improve the quality before it leaves the site, whereas the city has some stronger
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requirements that relate more closely to the rate at which stormwater leaves the site.
Releasing water at a slower rate to the city system preserves capacity in the city system and
increases the storage required on site.
Council Member Rog stated she is supportive of the project and the forward-thinking noted by
Mr. Walther. She is pleased with the proposed project and is appreciative the district is able to
invest to make these improvements.
Council Member Dumalag stated she is also supportive of the motion.
It was moved by Council Member Rog, seconded by Council Member Dumalag, to adopt
Resolution No. 24- 061 approving conditional use permit for fill and reclamation, 6300 Walker
Street – Ward 2, subject to the conditions recommended by staff.
The motion passed 7-0.
8. Communications and announcements – none.
9. Adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor
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