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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 04-28-1997 . , . MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 28, 1997 7:30 P.M. - NEW BRIGHTON COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDERlROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Dennis Probst called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. Present: Mayor Dennis Probst, Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Dale Hicks, Susan Keirn, and Paul Malone. Absent: None. Also present were: City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; Community Development Director, Kevin Ringwald; Parks & Recreation Director, Cindy Walsh; Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne Stafford; and Recording Secretary, Cindy Schneider. ADOPT AGENDA MOTION: Aplikowski moved and Keirn seconded a motion to adopt the agenda for the April 28, 1997, Regular City Council meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. April 14, 1997, Regular Council Meeting B. April 21, 1997, Council Worksession Brian Fritsinger, City Administrator, requested the following change be made to the minutes of the April 14, 1997, Regular Council Meeting: Page 8, paragraph 2: Change "deviance" to "variance". Brian Fritsinger, City Administrator, requested the following change be made to the minutes of the April 21, 1997, Council Worksession: Page 1, paragraph 3, second sentence: Should read, "Mayor Probst requested another Councilmember to volunteer to serve on the task force, and directed City Administrator to appoint 1 -3 City staff members to serve and provide inter-city contact with the Cities of Shoreview and North Oaks." . , . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL -APRIL 28. 1997 2 MOTION: Keim moved and Aplikowski seconded a motion to accept the Minutes of the March 10, 1997 Regular Council Meeting and the March 17, 1997, Council Worksession as corrected. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). CONSENT CALENDAR A. B. C. Claims and Payroll Resolution #97-16, Albjerg Settlement, 1996 Street Improvement Project Change to Summer Hours MOTION: Malone moved and Keim seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted and authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Planning Case #97-04, Enterprise Car Rental, 3761 Lexington Avenue, Amended SUP Kevin Ringwald, Community Development Director, gave a brief background of this case. He stated the applicant is requesting approval of a Special Use Permit to operate a vehicle leasinglrental company in a bay of the Goodyear building at 3761 Lexington Avenue. The applicant would have at most ten (10) leasing/rental cars onsite at anyone time. The applicant wishes to install an overhead garage door in the bay so that they may clean the vehicles onsite. Mr. Ringwald discussed issues that the Planning Commission had regarding this case, and how those issues had been resolved. They included the following: I. The applicant had modified the proposed signage so that two "canned signs" do not exceed 45 square feet each. This modification was consistent with Planning Commission recommendations. 2. The applicant had modified the site plan so that only two parking spaces would be eliminated on this site. This modification was consistent with Planning Commission recommendations. Mr. Ringwald stated the Planning Commission had approved this case contingent on the following five recommendations: 1. Provision of a "canned sign" on the south bay elevation not to exceed 45 square feet in area; 2. Provision of a "canned sign" on the east bay elevation not to exceed 45 square feet in area; 3. Maintenance of ninety-one (91) parking spaces, including the service bay as one parking space; ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL -APRIL 28. 1997 3 . 4. Limiting the number ofleasing/rental vehicles onsite at anyone time to a maximum often (10); 5. Limiting the parking of those ten (10) leasing/rental vehicles to the westernmost portion of the parking lot. Mayor Probst inquired if the proposed door on the south side of the building would replace the three windows shown on the exhibit. Mr. Ringwald replied that would be the case. and showed another exhibit showing the proposed appearance and location of the door. Mayor Probst inquired which space in this building was being taken over by the applicant. Mr. Ringwald replied the bay the applicant would be using was currently vacant, and had been previously occupied by the Packaging Store. Councilmember Hicks inquired ofthe applicant how many vehicles would be leased from this site. Syd Speer, Enterprise Car Rental, replied the applicant needed space for ten (10) vehicles, and if any more were necessary they would be brought in from another site. e Councilmember Hicks inquired the length of time for which the vehicles are rented. Mr. Speer replied the average length of a rental was ten (10) days. Councilmember Hicks inquired regarding parking requirements for these vehicles. Mr. Speer replied the majority of parking would be overnight parking. Councilmember Hicks requested clarification that the applicant was asking for nine (9) spots in the lot, and one (1) spot in the bay. Mr. Speer stated that was the case. Councilmember Malone inquired if the business would be selling vehicles on the site. Mr. Ringwald stated that would not be allowed under City ordinance. Mr. Speer stated it was not their intention to sell vehicles on this site, only to rent or lease vehicles. Councilmember Aplikowski inquired regarding the appearance of the proposed garage door. Mr. Ringwald referred to the exhibit, stating it would be the size of a residential garage door but otherwise would be similar in appearance to those already on site. MOTION: Hicks moved and Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve Planning Case #97- 04, subject to Planning Commission recommendation numbers 4 and 5. Councilmember Malone stated he was reluctantly voting in favor of this proposed use, as he is of the opinion this use will generate too much parking congestion for this particular site. . The motion carried unanimously (5-0). . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL -APRIL 28. 1997 4 B. Planning Case #97-05, North Heights Lutheran Church, 1700 West Highway 96, PUD Amendment Mr. Ringwald showed the original Master Plan for this site as an exhibit, and showed where the proposed addition was slated to be constructed. Mr. Ringwald then showed an overhead of the revised Master Plan. He stated the request currently before the Council was considered "Stage II" of construction, and a proposed addition/renovation of the sanctuary would be "Stage III." He stated the revised Master Plan would meet present and future needs of the applicant. Mr. Ringwald discussed Planning Commission recommendations in regard to this case, in particular the following: The addition of a fire access road, as required by the Lake Johanna Fire Department. The applicant is proposing a l2-foot wide gravel drive at the rear of the building. The Fire Department has yet to respond to inquiries from staff regarding whether the proposed gravel roadway is acceptable for a fire access road. Mr. Ringwald stated that, due to the substantial weight of fire fighting apparatus and to ensure ease of snowplowing, it may be in the best interest to construct the roadway out of asphalt, and also to possibly require a width of greater than 12 feet. The applicant had added sidewalks in tile areas recommended by the Planning Commission. The temporary truck trailers will be eliminated, and their contents stored inside the new building. The applicant has placed a timer on the existing religious symbol which will shut it off at 11 :00 p.m. The new religious symbol on the proposed tower will not be lit. Mr. Ringwald discussed a letter of concern from David Cmiel, 4549 Lakeshore Place, dated April 23, 1997, regarding drainage issues. Mr. Ringwald reported that drainage from the proposed church addition and related construction would not flow in the direction ofMr. Cmiel's property, and therefore Mr. Cmiel's property would not be affected. Councilmember Malone inquired regarding fire access road requirements. Mr. Ringwald stated the City had not yet received direction from Lake Johanna Fire Department, and was, therefore, basing their recommendations on staffs collective judgment. Councilmember Malone inquired if the existing building and the proposed addition had sprinklers. Orlando Logelin, of North Heights Lutheran Church, replied that both buildings had sprinklers. Councilmember Malone remarked there were other cases where gravel fire access roads overlaid with grass had been acceptable to the Lake Johanna Fire Department. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL -APRIL 28. 1997 5 . Mayor Probst stated his opinion that the fire access road not be constructed of gravel. He further stated the Fire Department will most likely require a fire access road around the entire building. . . A representative of Welsh Construction, contractor for the church facility, stated they had also asked the Lake Johanna Fire Department for direction, and had not yet received a reply. Councilmember Hicks requested clarification that drainage from this proposed addition was to the south of the David Cmiel property. Mr. Ringwald replied that was correct. Councilmember Hicks inquired as to the method of drainage from this site. Mr. Ringwald replied water drained into a storm sewer, which then drained into wetland basins. Councilmember Hicks inquired if the southern drainage pond was a temporary holding pond. Mr. Ringwald replied that it was a temporary holding pond, which then ran through a pipe and was discharged into the County highway system, which had a rate control system placed upon it. Councilmember Hicks inquired if this drainage method was now in place on this site. Mr. Ringwald replied this drainage would be included in the Phase II construction. Councilmember Hicks requested clarification that the temporary truck trailers would be removed from the site. Mr. Ringwald stated that was correct. Councilmember Hicks inquired when the lighting on the existing religious symbol was being turned off at night. Mr. Ringwald replied that it was their intent to have it turned off at 11 :00 p.m. Councilmember Hicks remarked that many surrounding neighbors had expressed concerns regarding this lighting at the Planning Commission meeting held on April 2, 1997. Mr. Logelin stated that a timer for the symbol had been ordered, and 11 :00 p.m. was the anticipated time for the timer to turn off the lighting. He stated the church would be willing to discuss resetting the timer to accommodate neighboring residences. Councilmember Hicks inquired ifthe applicant had been aware of the neighbors' complaints prior to the April 2, 1997, Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Logelin stated they had not been aware of any complaints before that time. Councilmember Hicks suggested the lighting timer be timed to coincide with church events and activities. He further suggested resetting it during times ofrain or snow, which seemed to enhance the light and make it brighter. Councilmember Aplikowski stated the lights also helped people find their bearings in inclement weather, but she had not been aware of the neighborhood concerns. She further stated she wanted to be certain the complaints had to do with the brightness of the symbol, and not the symbol itself. . ~ . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL -APRIL 28. 1997 6 Mr. Logelin stated the church buildings were normally open until 10:00 p.m., and possibly later during special events. Councilmember Aplikowski inquired if the fire access road were constructed of asphalt, would it conflict with the current drainage. Mr. Ringwald stated drainage would be managed much the same for either gravel or asphalt. Councilmember Aplikowski stated she wanted to make sure drainage issues would not surface after this phase of the construction was completed. She further inquired regarding Stage IV of construction of the revised Master Plan. Mr. Logelin replied the applicant did not have plans beyond Stage III at this time. Mayor Probst discussed the trails running along the east side of the church property. and suggested linking those trails to the new trails that would be along Highway 96 after its reconstruction. He stated Council was not making this a requirement, merely making a suggestion. Mr. Logelin stated the applicant would be open to discussing this issue. Councilmember Hicks inquired if the parking spots and green space requirements were being met under this new construction. He observed under Phase III of construction, this site will be full. Mr. Ringwald agreed the site was nearly full, and the applicant was aware of the available space they have available for construction. Councilmember Keirn inquired if a school was planned for this site. Mr. Logelin explained that, while the applicant had no plans for a school at this time, if the situation changed a new plan would be submitted to the City. MOTION: Hicks moved and Keirn seconded a motion to approve the PUD Amendment for North Heights Lutheran Church, subject to all Planning Commission recommendations with the exception of numbers 2, 9 and II, which had already been addressed by the applicant. Councilmember Malone suggested if the City had not received direction from the Lake Johanna Fire Chief in ten (10) days, staff should use their judgment, to allow construction to move ahead without delay. Mayor Probst inquired if gravel would be acceptable to the Fire Department. Councilmember Malone suggested leaving that issue to staff discretion, with input from the City Engineer. Mayor Probst observed the City had been rigorous in not allowing gravel for fire access roads in the past. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). . e . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL -APRIL 28.1997 7 C. Resolution #97-21, Accepting Bid and Authorizing Execution of Contract in the Matter of the 1997 Street Improvement Project Dwayne Stafford, Public Works Superintendent, requested City Council adopt Resolution #97- 21, accepting the bid and authorizing the execution of the contract in the matter of the 1997 street improvements. Mr. Stafford stated the bid has been awarded to Valley Paving, Inc. He stated they had done satisfactory work for the City in the past. Mr. Greg Stonehouse, MSA Consulting Engineers, stated the bid was for $384,000, which also included three portions of the trail segment, and the slurry seal of North Snelling Avenue. Mayor Probst inquired if the bid also included the sanitary sewer work for Hamline Avenue. Mr. Stonehouse replied that work had been included in the bid. Councilmember Keirn inquired if the trail coatings were to be pea gravel, and stated her concerns for use of this coating material. Mr. Stonehouse replied the trails would not be coated with pea gravel, but with a more finely-ground coating. Cindy Walsh, Parks and Recreation Director, commented that the City may not be able to accomplish all of the trail seakoating this year, due to the increased cost of the slurry coat. Mr. Stonehouse stated it may be possible that all three portions could be completed. Mr. Fritsinger commented there were still two days remaining for the 30-day appeal process for 1997 street improvement assessments. He stated one formal appeal had been received by the City as of to day's meeting. MOTION: Malone moved and Hicks seconded a motion to adopt Resolution #97-21, accepting the bid and authorizing the execution of the contract in the matter of the 1997 street improvement project. ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS Mr. Fritsinger stated he would be meeting individually with those architects scheduled for interviews with Councilmembers as potential architects for the proposed new City Hall, and if needed, offered to provide duplicates of the formal RFP's previously received from each firm. COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Probst stated the Ramsey County Parks & Recreation Department had begun planning for the redevelopment of Tony Schmidt Park. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL -APRIL 28.1997 8 . Councilmember Aplikowski replied there appeared to be spme confusion among City residents over City and County roles in the proposed project. Mayor Probst noted the importance of having the Arden Hills residents involved in this project. Councilmember Hicks expressed concern with the amount budgeted for planning, and inquired if volunteers from the community might be found to accomplish some of the planning, to allow more funds to be available for improvements. Mayor Probst commented that it was assumed the implementation documents were included in this cost also. Mayor Probst called attention to the recent press release by the 1-35W Corridor Coalition and the article in the Real Estate Journal. Mayor Probst stated Arden Hills had been asked to review its boundaries in relationship to the existing FEMA flood insurance program. Mayor Probst reported the next meeting of the Healthy Youth Coalition was scheduled for May 8,1997. Mayor Probst commented he had received positive feedback on the Committee Fact Sheet prepared and distributed by staff. e Mayor Probst commented on the Master Plan submitted for the Round Lake project, stating that while the general concept was satisfactory, he believes the buildings needed to be architecturally "finessed'" to some extent. Mayor Probst inquired where the City was on building projects in relation to previous years. Mr. Ringwald stated that, with the Round Lake project, the North Heights Church project and continuing residential housing construction, the City continues a little ahead of previous years. A brief discussion of various street and city sanitation issues ensued. ADJOURN MOTION: d and Keirn seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. carried unanimously (5-0). ~~ /(~..r,1. Brian Fritsr~g City Administrator NOTICE OF MEETINGS . The next regular City Council meeting will be held May 12, 1997, at 7:30 p.m. at the New Brighton Council Chambers.