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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 11-27-1974 ~4&~ - MINUTES OF SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING I Vi I lage of Arden Hills I Wednesday, November 27, 1974 - 7:30 p.m. , V i I I age Ha II Ca II to Orde r Mayor Crepeau ca I led the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. , Roll Ca II Present - Mayor Henry J. Crepeau, Jr. , Councilmen William Feyereisen, James Wingert, Charles Crichton. Ab sent - Counci Iman Stan Olmen. Also Present - Counci Iman-elect Robert Woodburn, Attorney James Lynden, Treasurer Richard A' Kell y, Sui Iding Inspector Larry Squ ires, Clerk Administrator Charlotte MeNiesh, Deputy Clerk Dorothy Zehm. (McNiesh and Zehm left at approx. 9:30 p.m.) -e Case No. 74-36, C. G. Rein Co. - Amended Special Use Per~ Wingert referred Counci I to the Minutes of the Planning Commission Meeting of Tuesday, November 26, 1974, and specifically to the recom- mendations to the Counci I from the Planning Commission. Crepeau explained that Councilman Olmen is out of town tonight but has expressed his comments re this matter In a memo to the Council. In discussion of the several Itemized conditions, upon which the Planning Commission recommends Counc i I approval of issuance of an Amended Special Use Permit, the following concerns and questions were expressed: Wingert asked If City has a basis for passing judgement on pro- posed tenants. Lynden said that the ordinances are not that specific, and suggested, as an alternative, that the developer be ob I I ged to notify the City whenever it leases spaces, and to specify use for whIch space wi I I be devoted. Crichton asked I f the specified use of available space requires, for example, 50 more parking places, wherecould this additional parking be provided? Samuelson (C. G. Re I n Co.) suggested that shared parking, be- tween the office complex and the shopping center, is one of the advantages of the combined development - providing for over-flow i parking. It was noted that the only other alternative would be t,o acqu ire more I and, if available. . i Mr. Samuelson sa I d the bui Iding I s not designed for a medical bu II d- Ing; does not expect there wil I be many requests for this type of use - plumbing, electrical ate. , as we II as parking, were not designed for medical bu I I ding requirements. Wingert suggested that there are intensive uses, other than medical, which require more parking. Samuelson stated that the leases provide for parking for the ten- ants - our obligation to the tenant. He said that the plan pro- vides for 425 parking places; 405 are required by Village ordinance. He explained that the retai I shoppIng area wil I permit diversity in parking because I t wi II not be at Its peak parking need, w~en ... office parking Is needed. Wingert noted that the current ordinance parking requ I rements are very meager. Whl Ie this 4evelopment appears to meet the requirements, he anticipates some conjestlon. Feyereisen noted that there is no uti I ity storage area provided; it has been his experience that approximately 1/3 of the space should be provided for storage. Crichton asked If the amount of parking provided on, the present site plan Is greater than, the same as, or less than the amount on the previously approved plan. Mr. Rich (C. G. RelnCo.l sa i d this plan provides more than the number provided on the original plan. -1- '- ~, .. Minutes of Special Counc i I Meeting November 27, 1974 Page two Crepeau noted that the Planner has proposed a plan which would provide 2 to 7 additional spaces (12 addit,ional, If angle parking, as proposed by Fred I und:.. Wingert suggested that the parking situation be resolved by the developer and the Village Planner; providing sufficient parking spaces, access drives, routing of traffic and elimination of any dangerous traffic areas, and to submit their recommen~atlons to the Counc i I for consideration. Feyere I sen said the quantity of parking spaces has been discussed, but aSked about the quality - are spaces large enough for a II vehicular parking? . Rich advised that the stalls are 9 1/2 and 10 feet - a I I meet i ng the requirement of 300 sq. ft. per stall. Crichton noted that,thls application should be considered by the Counc i I as a new development (not yet bui It) and the many concerns involved (traffic flows, number of pa rk i ng spaces, location of bulldi ngs from property lines, bui Iding heights, park dedication etc. ) apply. Feyereisen asked what a berm consists of - it does not app&ar that a berm Is provided to the south of the Rein property. Rich explained that the Rein site is lower than the adjacent property in that portion of their site; the 5' high berm I s therefore sti II lower than the adjacent property. He said that the original plan also showed the Rein property lower than the adjacent property to the south. Feyere i sen noted that the berm was to be part of the screening for properties to the south, and asked how this berm could act as a screen, If It is st ill approximately three feet below the neighboring land. Rich explained that a fence on top of the berm was proposed, to provide the screening requested. Wingert aSked If it is possible to construct a'higher berm I n this 10 ' wide area, to adequately screen the properties to the south. Rich sa i d that he was sure an earth elevation could b.'lchlovod of at I east 5'. Don Klse (Dreyfus) sa I d he walked the Dreyfus site this morning and has no objection to the bui Iding', close proximity to the property lines (east and south), if adequately screened; ~ugges- ting a 5. berm above elevation of the Dreyfus property (cou I d put in a reta i n i ng wa II ) on top of which trees could be planted. Wingert suggested that 12 to 14 foot high screening would be needed to provide adequate screen i ng. . Crichton asked why removal of the second story portion af the shopping center i s recommended. Wingert advised that it protrudes 4 to 6 feet above the bu II d j,;g; use and access are questionable; if a new p roposa I , it would not be considered for approval because of inadequate screening from the residential area. Wingert advised that architects on the Commission suggested using part of this area to house mechanical equipment, and reduce the height. Rich said if the height were reduced, space remaining would not be adequate to house mechanical equipment - refrigeration equip- ment is now on lower roof level, pllrtlally screened by This raised portion of the bui Idlng. -2- -- -- --.---- - -- - , .. Minutes of Special Counc i I Meeting November 27, 1974 Page three Crichton noted that with berms, hills, etc. there might be a solu- tion to the aesthetic problems, but a use for this extra story must be reso I ved, as well as gene ra I parking provisions. He sa Id he is reluctant to approve a Special Use Permit with so many con- ditions. Samuelson said he will work with the Planner on traffic and park- Ing and relocation of roof equipment, and with Dreyfus on aestheticS and screen I ng. Squires stated he has been very satisfied with cooperation he has had with the Rein development; site i s kept clean; progress has been steady and good; structurally there have been no prob- . lems. Feyereisen asked when Squires found out that the plan wa s not the same as the plan that was approved. Squires said it was about the same time the Planner determined the deviations. Squires explained that plans submitted to the Planning Commission and Council are seldom construction plans - procedure now adopted wil I hopefully rectify the possibility of his using a set of plans which are not the same as the plans approved by the Counc II. Crichton said that he fee Is: I. Rein should work with the Planner and Dreyfus to allevi- ate traffic, parking and screening problems. 2. Office bui Idlng construction should proceed. 3. No need for screening tenants. 4. He wants to know what second f I ()o ruse wi I I be. 5. Park dedication must be resolved. 6. Signage should be submitted. 7. Extra costs of Planner, Engineer, Attorney, etc. should be reimbursed by Rein. Park Dedication was discussed, and It was noted that the park dedica- 'I tlon Is based on the undeveloped land value at the time of permit appli- cation (I I-acres price a month ago) - dedication to be 12% to 15% of this. Samuelson said Mr. Buckley has Inquired about a land trade in the Cleve- land Avenue-New Brighton Road area of the V I I I age (property also owned by the Rein Company). Samuelson proposed he meet with the Parks and Recreation Committee on this proposal and come to the Council with a recommendation. Feyerelsen expressed concern re increased size of buildings and fees charged. Squires stated that Building Permit fees were based on size of bu II d- ings constructed. . Crepeau noted that this procedure problem has cost money on both sides; staff, Attorney, Planner, etc. costs should be compensated - we don't want Rein to be injured either. Asked If he felt these matters could be resolved by January 13th, Sam- ue I son sa I d, 'y es , If the proper peoplA are In town.. Wingert said he is not I nc lined to pursue prosecution for the viola- tions; developer is being put to considerable cost, and iit th.i's time he sees no point In pursuing prosecution. \'Ioodburn asked if Counci I Is not obligated to prosecute for violations; would you not be violating your oaths of office? Attorney Lynden sa i d there has been a violatlon(s), but there is room for compromise. Counc i I has not waived Its right to prosecute. Hicks asked I f it has been establ ished that the Parks Committee needs -3- ,.j i nu tes of Spec j a I Counc i I Meeting Novembe r 27, 1974 Page four land where Rein has property avai labie. He said he hoped the City would not allow this trade of land for an area which cannot other- wise be developed. Crichton moved, seconded by Wingert, that the matter be tabled unt i I the January 13, 1975 Council Meeting pending resolution of the following: i. Traffic Pattern a. Number of spaces. b. Width of a I s I es. c. Fire Lanes. . 2. Visual Pattern to South and West a. Berms, Fences, screens, etc. . b. Rooftop protectIon. ! c. Screening for compactor. 3. Slgnage and graphics resubmittal. 4. Usage of second floor (or remova I ) . 5. Park DedIcation. 6. Landscape Plan. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Orth, attorney for C. G. Re In, said they realize their respon- sibilities and will accept the costs entailed in rectifying the problems which have been caused. He sa id he is certain that these matters. can be resolved and thanked the Counc il on behalf of C. G. Rein Company. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR: Treasurer Richard O'Kelly, speaking as a Village re sid en t , comp I i - mented the Pub! Ic Works Department on the excellent job of sanding Village street& so promptly, after the recent freezing rain storm. Request for ~xyension of Time to Remove Fi f I - Mr. Heimbach said his contractor has had some problem in locating a site on which to deposit the fill which must be removed from his property on Ingerson Road a~d Hamline Avenue, and asked CouncIl to grant an extension of time to enable him to find a site. Wingert expressed concern because of the h a za r d involved; already has had 3D-day grace period. Heimbach said he is doing all he can to locate a site; he had a recent death in his family which caused some delay In his pur- suing the matter, but his contractor has assured him that as soon as a site is found, the fill wi II be moved from the Ingerson and Ham I I ne site. Feyere i sen said he i s inclined to move for the maximum penalty, if fill is not removed I n the a I lotted time, and aS,ked If this removal , can be effected by December 13, 1974. Heimbach said he felt sure this could be ach I eved . , Feyerelsen moved, S~O~~'b~~ichton, that the Council grant a time extension forA? gr the fi I I from the H~jmbach property to December 13, 1974; premises 10 be restored to "as good as it was" prior to 1'i" ing. Motion carried unanimously. Storaile Building Relocation Requ~ Squires presented School District 621 request to change location of storage shed at Lake Johanna Elementary School. OSHA and Fl re Marshal are anxious to have flammables moved. Winge rt moved, seconded by Feyerelsen, that Counc II approve the re-sitlng of the storage building to the rear of lake Johanna Elementary School, as sho~n on plans dated 11/15/74 signed , , ",-~'.- -" --- ---.-- - -----,--