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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – APRIL 20, 2020 4 <br /> <br />Mayor Grant explained he had a problem with the three foot setback and the zero setback. He <br />noted he did not have a problem with the drive-thru. He encouraged the applicant to take the <br />comments that have been voiced by the Council and to redesign his plans. <br /> <br />Mr. Moe thanked the Council for the feedback. He noted his plans were very preliminary and <br />indicated he would be using high quality building materials and landscaping. He explained he <br />would continue to talk with the grocer in order to finalize the plans and to address the setback <br />concerns. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant recommended staff and the applicant consider sidewalks for the development. <br /> <br />B. Abatement Process Discussion <br /> <br />Associate Planner Hartmann stated the existing City Code process prescribed for abating <br />properties can take anywhere from 20 days to over a month to complete from the time when the <br />violation is first identified to the time when the abatement can be carried out. City Code section <br />602.05 requires the enforcing officer to serve a written notice of violation to the property owner <br />on record. If the violation is not corrected within the time frame required, staff will follow up with <br />a written notice that a public hearing will be convened for the City Council to determine if an <br />order to abate is necessary. The public notice must be posted 10 days prior to the meeting. At the <br />Council’s discretion staff will serve a written order to abate to the property owner outlining the <br />date, time, and nature of the abatement to occur. Staff commented on the abatement process <br />further and requested feedback from the Council. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes explained many of the properties in need of abatement were rentals. <br />She questioned if the City had a lot of abatement issues and stated if there were not that many <br />issues perhaps staff time should be spent addressing other issues. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla stated this matter was brought to the <br />Council prior to summer to assist staff with addressing long grass issues. He indicated staff was <br />working on other issues, but wanted to address the accelerated abatement process on behalf of <br />Code Enforcement staff prior to lawn mowing season beginning.. He discussed how the <br />accelerated program would assist staff in showing the City was taking action on properties. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant commented he was concerned with fact a feedback mechanism was not in place <br />between City staff and the City Council. He recommended staff consider putting such a <br />mechanism in place in order to keep the Council apprised of staff’s actions. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden explained she supported the accelerated abatement process because she <br />had a number of rental homes in her neighborhood. She believed the new process would provide <br />staff with a better process going forward. She indicated she had concerns with the tree trimming <br />given the fact it was difficult to get a hold of contractors. <br /> <br />City Administrator Perrault questioned if the Council supported this process going forward. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant supported the accelerated abatement process moving forward. The Council was in <br />agreement.