CC_Minutes_2008_0128 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, January 28, 2008 Page 24 c. Consider Request by Emmes Realty Services LLC for an Amended Planned Unit Development at Har Mar Mall, 2100 Snelling Avenue (Firestone Build- ing) (PF07-053) City Planner Thomas Paschke briefly reviewed the three items before the City Council related to this request. Mr. Paschke also noted that the City's Consulting Transportation Engineer was present to address any Council questions. Mr. Paschke addressed the additions in Section 6.11 of the staff report dated January 28, 2008, of the Council's requested revisions related to traffic mitigation conditions. Mr. Paschke noted that the City Engineer Debra Bloom and City At- torney Jay Squires had worked on the traffic mitigation condition; however, that staff was still recommending approval as per the draft resolution related to the right-in/right-out exception. Councilmember Ihlan noted that in the bench handout from the applicant they were requesting different language from that recommended by staff. City Attorney Anderson advised that his office had reviewed the applicant's letter, and the language was very similar to that recommended by staff, and therefore, opined that there was no need to change the staff-recommended language. Councilmember Ihlan spoke in support of the applicant-recommended language. Mayor Klausing requested comment from the applicant. Tom Hart, Winthrop/Weinstein, legal counsel for the applicant (225 South 6`h Street; Mpls., MN) Mr. Hart concurred with Councilmember Ihlan's perceptions of staff recom- mended language versus applicant preferred language regarding Section 6.1 l.a for traffic considerations, and ingress and/or egress from the westerly driveway, and the applicant's perception of the City demanding unilateral access closure in the future, and lease issues and agreements with anchor tenants. Mr. Hart assured Councilmembers that the mall owners were pro-active regarding safety considera- tions; however, wanted to retain a seat at the discussion table when safety con- cerns or future improvements considered. Mr. Hart opined that the difference in language between the two versions clarified granting of expanded City rights, or acknowledging that the City had those rights. Discussion ensued regarding traffic/intersection improvements, with staff reiterat- ing their concerns; and the applicant reiterating their concerns as well. Further discussion included proposed language in the PUD Agreement (page 7 of 14); specifics of the 2008 MnDOT signal/intersection project at Snelling and County R Road B, and cost allocations to the City, and agreements in place with Ramsey County for cost allocations, estimated at $63,000; proposed cost-sharing to bene-