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2002-11-05 City Council minutesPage 1 November 5, 2002 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MIISMSOTA Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, November 5, 2002 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, was held at 8:00 o'clock P.M. on Tuesday, October 1, 2002 at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Mayor Mertensotto called the meeting to order at 8 :00 o'clock p.m. The following members were present: Mayor Mertensotto, Council members Dwyer, Krebsbach, Schneeman and Vitelli. AGENDA ADOPTION Council member Schneeman moved adoption of the agenda for the meeting. Council member Krebsbach seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 CONSENT CALENDAR Council member Dwyer requested that item f. "Approval of Purchase order for Hoist Replacement" be removed from the consent calendar. Council member Schneeman moved approval of the consent calendar for the meeting, revised to move item f, to the regular agenda, along with authorization for execution of any necessary documents contained therein. a. Acknowledgement of the October 8, 2002 Park and Recreation Commission Minutes. b. Acknowledgement of the October 9, 2002 Airport Relations Commission Minutes c. Acknowledgement of the October 22, 2002 Planning Commission Minutes d. Acknowledgement of the October 2002 Building Activity Report e. Authorization of Purchase of Pagers for Fire Department f. (REMOVED) Approval of Purchase Order for Hoist Replacement g. Approval of Sign Permit for 2010 Centre Point Blvd. h. Approval of List of Contractors i. Approval of List of Claims Council member Vitelli seconded the motion Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page 2 November 5, 2002 HOIST REPLACEMENT Council member Dwyer stated that he understands that this equipment needs to be replaced. He stated that two options were presented in the memo. The first was to split the cost between the four departments and repair it as soon as possible. The second option was to amend the 2003 budget and include it there. He asked where the remaining cost of the hoist would come from as the hoist costs $28,075 and there is only $22,626.67 left available in the four budgets. Mayor Mertensotto stated that the funds could come from unspent general fund revenue. City Administrator Lindberg stated that the Council could also take the funds from equipment reserve. Council member Dwyer moved to accept Jim Danielson's recommendation to approve the purchase order for the hoist with the understanding that the remainder would be paid from equipment reserve. Council member Vitelli seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Clifford Timm addressed the City Council about the geese problem in Mendota Heights and West St. Paul. He informed the Council about a DNR policy regarding special hunts to help eradicate the goose population. Mayor Mertensotto expressed concern about discharging a firearmm within the City limits. He also expressed concern about what is to be done with the geese once they've been shot. Council member Krebsbach stated that she thought there was a Goose Control Agency that would take care of this— similar to the Mosquito Control Agency. City Administrator Lindberg stated that she would contact Brian Leuth at the DNR and report back to the Council. VARIANCE Mr. Thomas Marks, 2556 Whitfield Drive, appeared before the City Council to discuss his application for an eight foot side yard setback variance for a garage addition. The Planning Commission, �. at their meeting in October voted 4:1 to approve the variance and listed the hardship as: the unusual shape of the lot, restrictive Page 3 November 5, 2002 neighborhood covenants prohibiting accessory structures and an additionally wide setback because of the street on the side yard. Mayor Mertensotto asked Mr. Marks about the curb cut for the driveway and if it was going to be changed. Mr. Marks indicated that there would be no change to the curb cut. Mayor Mertensotto stated that should be worked into the resolution that there will be no change to the existing driveway entrance /curb cut. Council member Krebsbach and Dwyer expressed concern about the line of sight with this change but stated that they now felt it would not be compromised. Council member Dwyer moved approval of Resolution No. 02 -63 "A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN EIGHT FOOT SIDE YARD VARIANCE FOR A GARAGE ADDITION AT 2566 WHITFIELD DRIVE," with the condition that there will be no change to the existing curb cut/driveway entrance. Council member Vitelli seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 VARIANCE Mr. Keith Heaver, on behalf of Sherwin and Diana Sieden, future residents of 1423 Knollwood Lane, appeared before the City Council to discuss his clients' application for a variance to allow two garages for a new single family home. The Siedens would like to construct a single family home that will have a garage on the main level facing Knollwood Lane, as well as a garage on the lower level that would face Ivy Lane. The design is to accommodate the parents of the Siedens that would occupy the lower level and give them direct access to the garage. Mr. Heaver said that he is required to construct a one -story home on this lot to comply with the City's conditions for approval of this subdivision, and that this home as proposed will be compatible with other homes in the area. The alternative to the variance would be the less desirable four garage stalls facing Ivy Lane. Mr. Heaver indicated that Mr. Sieden has received feedback from all the surrounding neighbors that they do not want to have a four car garage on the lower level and are supportive of the Heaver design. Mayor Mertensotto stated that the reason that there is a one -story restriction on this home is due to the high elevation of the lot. Mr. Heaver agreed. Council member Vitelli stated that he supports this proposal. Council member Dwyer stated that he is encouraged that there is Page 4 November 5, 2002 neighborhood support for this design, as this area has been the subject of a great deal of controversy and neighborhood strife. Mayor Mertensotto stated that he understands that this design is to accommodate the parents that will be living with the Siedens. He stated that his only concern is that this home should not be remodeled to have two separate living quarters any time in the future. Council member Krebsbach stated that she would support the variance with that addition and because of the 40 -foot drainage and utility easement on the lot. She added however that this is a departure from the ordinance and she would not like to see this replicated in other areas of the City. Mr. Heaver was also asked about a retaining wall. He indicated that he is building one on the lot to protect the neighbors. Council member Vitelli moved approval of Resolution No. 02 -64, "A RESOLUTION APPROVING A VARIANCE TO ALLOW TWO GARAGES FOR A NEW HOUSE AT 1423 KNOLLWOOD LANE" with the addition of a provision in the resolution prohibiting the home from ever being remodeled into two separate living quarters. Council member Dwyer seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 IX.3&I71 J wn7 VARIANCE Administrative Assistant Patrick Hollister stated that Mr. Kammueler is unable to attend due to an illness in the family. He indicated that Mr. Kammueler would like the item tabled until the next meeting. Council member Dwyer made a motion to table the Kammueler Variance item until the next Council meeting. Council member Schneeman seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 s_ _U_•T1.., ICE ARENA Mr. Charles Freiberg of RSP Architects, on behalf of St. Thomas Academy appeared before the City Council to discuss his client's application for a Preliminary Plat, Wetlands Permit and Preliminary Development Plan for a Planned Unit Development for a Hockey arena. The arena would occupy the eastern half of the STA's property south of Mendota Heights road. The arena will also be operated in part by the University of St. Thomas. Mr. Freiberg indicated that one of the Planning Commission recommendations was that the parking be increased to 333 stalls. RSP would like, instead, to accommodate a portion of the arena's parking demand through the existing parking lot on the school site north of Mendota Heights road. In doing so, RSP is proposing to have a crosswalk designated across Mendota Heights Road to access the parking lot. Page 5 November 5, 2002 Mr. Freiburg also stated that they would like to place a small sign on the building and a small sign at the western and eastern entrances to the building. Council member Krebsbach stated that she hoped they would enhance the campus feeling of the arena and school by using the same design for the arena. Mr. Freiburg stated that they will be using the same colors as in the school building for the St. Thomas Arena. Mayor Mertensotto expressed concern over the name "St. Thomas Arena" instead of St. Thomas Academy Arena. Mr. Freiburg stated that both the St. Thomas Academy and the University of St. Thomas would be owners and users of the building. Council member Dwyer stated that he feels that the name is an elegant solution to the problem of two owners. He added, however, that he thinks there is too much signage. People entering the City will start to think this is the City of St. Thomas with too much signage. Council member Vitelli stated that he does not have a problem with the signage. Mayor Mertensotto stated that the sign issue does not have to be decided with the preliminary plat approval. Council member Krebsbach asked about the plans for the future sheet of ice. Mr. Freiburg stated that the second sheet would be for practices only and would have less than 400 seats. Council member Krebsbach also asked about the lighting of this parcel, particularly if the lit signage will be visible from the monastery. She stated that she just wants to be sensitive to them. Mr. Freiburg stated that the building signage would not be backlit. Mayor Mertensotto stated that he thinks the arena should have 333 parking spaces. He indicated that the school already does not have enough parking spaces. Students park along the street as it is. Mr. Freiburg stated that they really don't need 333 spaces. This number came from the ordinance requirement of one stall per three seats. There will be 1000 seats in the arena. However, this was merely a requirement from the University of St. Thomas and the NCAA. If they ever want to hold an NCAA tournament there, they have to have an arena with 1000 seats. The facility does not really need that much seating and it will be a rare occasion when it is full. The majority of the daytime use will be for practices where there are only 22 kids on the ice. Mr. Freiburg indicated that 274 spaces, plus 8 handicapped stalls would be sufficient for the parking. Council member Vitelli stated that he supports the parking proposal of 281 spaces. If there are not enough spaces, he is confident that the City will Page 6 November 5, 2002 hear about it in the future. Mayor Mertensotto disagreed, stating that if the City doesn't get it in the original proposal it will never happen. Council member Dwyer asked about the cost of the stalls. Mr. Frieburg indicated that the stalls are $6000 -$7000 per space, so that the additional parking will cost them $30,000 440,000. Mr. Frank Lange addressed the Council. He stated that they are very concerned about the aesthetics of the building and don't want to have too much blacktop. Council member Schneeman stated that she doesn't like all of the impervious surface that would be created by additional parking spaces. Council member Dwyer asked about the pre -cast concrete walls. Mr. Freiburg explained the exterior of the building which includes exposed aggregate panel with a stone cap. They are matching the colors to the school buildings. Council member Schneeman added that she was pleased to see that there are women's locker rooms and showers in the facility. Council member Krebsbach asked if we don't include the parking now, can it be added later? Council member Dwyer, Schneeman and Vitelli stated that they support the parking at 274 stalls plus 8 handicap spaces. Council member Vitelli made a motion to approve Resolution No. 02 -65, "A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PRELIMINARY PLAT, WETLANDS PERMIT AND PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT FOR A HOCKEY ARENA AT ST. THOMAS ACADEMY," with the modification that condition number 14 of the resolution be amended to 281 stalls. Council member Schneeman seconded the motion. Ayes: 4 Nays: 1 (Mertensotto) GARRON /ACACIA. CONCEPT PLAN Mr. Ron Clark and Mr. John Uban appeared before the City Council to discuss their Concept Plan for owner occupied multi family housing on the Garron/Acacia sites on the north end of Pilot Knob Road. Mr. John Uban stated that the original proposal was to construct a 165 -unit town home development. The northwest portion (Garron) is currently zoned 13-1A and is guided for high density residential, and the property located to the east (Acacia) is zoned R -3, and is guided for medium density residential. In the northern portion, a total of 39 classic style town homes is proposed, and to the east a total of 126 verandah style town homes is proposed. The density of this plan is 6.5 units per acre. Page 7 November 5, 2002 Since the Planning Commission meeting, Mr. Uban has developed a second plan for the site which he outlined for the City Council. This new plan would increase the number of verandah style town homes in a more fluid pattern. There had been some criticism that the previous layout looked too close to army barracks. The town homes will now be clustered in different size groups. This new design is more spread out and incorporates more open space with a village green. Council member Krebsbach stated that she has always been an advocate for housing on this site. She would like there to be a significant marker on the bluff that is visible when motorists come across the bridge. She would also like this to be accessible to the general public so that everyone can enjoy the amazing views. She indicated that she has always envisioned some structures like those town homes behind the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis. She does not want the view of the bluff from the bridge to look as though we are looking into someone's backyard. Mayor Mertensotto stated that he feels the second design is more suitable than the first. (At 10:15 Council member Mary Jeanne Schneeman had to leave the meeting.) Council member Krebsbach stated that she wants the architecture on this land to demonstrate that this is a significant site in the City. Council member Dwyer stated that he has concerns about putting families on this site so close to the airport. He understands that they would sign disclaimers and that their homes would be insulated. However, they may not realize what they are signing up for until it is too late. Council member Dwyer stated that the City's own Airport Relations Commission is also opposed to residential housing on this site. Council member Vitelli stated that he could go either way with this site — residential or commercial. He recently attended a dinner party in Augusta Shores and indicated that the airplane noise was not a problem there. Mayor Mertensotto stated that he is concerned about tax capacity. The City already lost tax base in the early 1970's with the loss of 55 homes. Page 8 November 5, 2002 Mr. Jim Albrecht addressed the Council. He indicated that he believes that this site should not be developed because of its historical significance. Mr. Jerry Duffy, attorney for the landowner, addressed the Council. He stated that they have tried diligently to find an acceptable land use for this site that would satisfy the City Council. He and the landowner would like to see this move forward. Mayor Mertensotto stated that this is just a concept plan review. If the parties wish to make formal application, they should work with the City staff on the process required. JAZB INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT Mayor Mertensotto stated that he would like to table this item to the next City Council meeting. The Council agreed. COUNCIL COMMENTS There were no Council comments ADJOURN There being no further business to come before Council, Council member Dwyer moved that the meeting be adjourned. Council member Krebsbach seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 10:55 PM K thleen M. Swanson City Clerk ATTEST: Charles E. Mertensotto Mayor