04-20-2020-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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