04/18/2001 - 00009160CITY OF FRIDLEY
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. APRIL 18, 2001
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Savage called the April 18, 2001, Planning Commission meeting to order at 7:30
p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Diane Savage, Barbara Johns, Dean Saba, Dave Kondrick
Members Absent: Larry Kuechle, LeRoy Oquist, Connie Modig
Others Present: Paul Bolin, Planning Coordinator
Stacy Bulthuis, Planner
Greg Asproth, 7178 University Ave NE
Man Ye Lewandowski, 13548 Heather St. NW, Andover
APPROVE THE APRIL 4, 2001, PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION by Mr. Saba, seconded by Mr. Kondrick, to approve the April 4, 2001, Planning
Commission meeting minutes as presented.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #01-03, by Greg Asproth to expand a
commercial recreation use in the M-1, Light Industrial District, generally located at 7178
University Avenue NE.
MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Saba, to open the public hearing.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED AT 7:32 P.M.
Mr. Bolin stated that the petitioner is seeking a special use permit for University Billiards to
construct an 8,752 square foot expansion at 7178 University Avenue into an adjacent vacant
tenant space within the Rice Creek Business Center. This will allow the addition of 15 pool
tables, expanded kitchen and dining area, and expanded pro shop. If the expansion is
approved, the total space would be 20,122 square feet.
Mr. Bolin stated City Code requires a special use permit for commercial recreation uses in an M-
1 zoning district. The properties to the north are for commercial uses also. The property was
platted in 1979, and in 1986 the multi-tenant building was constructed. In 1988, the first special
use permit was issued to City Billiards to be in this building. In 1989 and 1987 a special use
permit was granted also. The tenant put up attractive awnings two years ago. The expansion
will increase the area occupied by University Billiards to 36% of the total building. Ninety
parking stalls will be required after the expansion. The entire building, after the expansion, is
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. APRIL 18. 2001 PAGE 2
required to provide 157 parking stalls on site. It is met currently with 163 parking stalls. Staff
recommends approval with stipulations.
Mr. Kondrick asked if there were any objections to this request and when is the curfew in
Fridley?
Mr. Bolin stated that there were no objections to this request, and believed the curfew is 10:00
p.m. for 15 year olds.
Ms. Savage asked if the police department had any concerns.
Mr. Bolin stated the Police Department has no concerns at this time because of the
recommended stipulations.
Ms. Johns asked if there has been any suspicious activity in the parking lot.
Mr. Bolin stated he is not aware of any.
Ms. Savage stated she knows from her job at the Anoka County Attorney's Office Criminal
Division, there have been no complaints pertaining to adult suspicious activity.
The petitioner, Greg Asproth, owner and President of Billiard Street Cafe, stated he has no
problem with the stipulations. They have used stipulation No. 4 regarding any suspicious
activity when people are in the parking lot looking suspicious and the police are called. Years
ago they decided to communicate very well with the Police Department. Their goal is to run a
good business and be a happy part of Fridley. They want to keep customers safe.
Mr. Kondrick stated that was a major concern before when this came before the Planning
Commission. Trouble in the parking lot was on the Commission's minds back then. He asked
Mr. Asproth to continue to keep the reins taut and keep the present policies of watchfulness.
Mr. Saba stated he has heard a lot of good comments regarding the business.
Mr. Asproth stated they are proud of what they do and work real hard on it.
Ms. Johns asked if they were going to have an outdoor dining area and where would that have
been?
Mr. Asproth stated that at that time they wanted to leave that open with the landlord, but they
have not set it up for sure yet. There are reasons to do it and to not do it. They want to avoid
the safety issue. They do not know exactly where they would put it. It would mainly be for
lunch.
MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Johns, to close the public hearing.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED AT 7:41 P.M.
Mr. Saba stated this is a good plan.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. APRIL 18. 2001 PAGE 3
Mr. Kondrick stated that since Mr. Asproth has accepted all the stipulations, he does not have a
problem with this request. The landlord and Mr. Asproth agree on the parking situation.
Ms. Johns agreed.
MOTION by Mr. Saba, seconded by Ms. Johns, to recommend approval of Special Use Permit,
SP #01-03 with the following stipulations:
1. All proper permits shall be obtained prior to the start of remodeling.
2. No juveniles shall be allowed in the facility without their parents beyond the curfew time
for their age group.
3. The petitioner shall provide adequate adult staff at all times with at least two adults on
staff from 6:00 p.m. to closing on Fridays and Saturdays.
4. The petitioner shall patrol the parking lot and report suspicious activities to the police.
5. No alcoholic beverages shall be served or allowed on the premises.
6. The development owner shall notify the City of future additions/expansions of vacant
building space and shall accept limitations on occupancy of remaining vacant space,
should parking shortages result. The development owner shall agree in writing to accept
this stipulation prior to the approval of the special use permit by the City Council.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ms. Savage stated that it would go to Council on May 7.
2. PUBLIC HEARING:
Consideration of a Special Use Permit, SP #01-04, by Man Ye Lewandowski-King Club
Restaurant, to allow a bar in the C-3, General Shopping District, generally located at
1051 East Moore Lake Drive (Moore Lake Plaza).
MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Johns, to open the public hearing
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED AT 7:47 P.M.
Mr. Bolin stated that the petitioner is seeking a special use permit to allow a bar in the proposed
restaurant at 1051 East Moore Lake Drive in the shopping center along with many other
businesses. Fridley requires a special use permit for bars and taverns prior to issuance of a
liquor license including restaurants desiring to serve hard liquor. This property was platted in
1948 and the building was constructed in 1965. The restaurant would be right next to Great
Clips. Staff recommends approval with stipulations.
Ms. Savage asked what business was there before.
Mr. Bolin stated that he could not remember, but it is vacant space now.
The petitioner, Man Ye Lewandowski, stated that this is a Korean restaurant. It would serve all
types of liquor. There are no problems with the stipulations. In this Korean community, there
are no restaurants for Koreans to go, and she desires a nice restaurant for them. The provide a
van to drive intoxicated people home instead of having them drive.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. APRIL 18. 2001
Ms. Savage asked if it would be only Korean food.
PAGE 4
Ms. Lewandowski stated that it would be 70% Korean, and the rest would be American food.
They will be open for lunch serving mostly vegetables and wantons.
MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Saba, to close the public hearing
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED AT 7:51 P.M.
Ms. Savage stated this restaurant is a good idea.
Mr. Kondrick stated this is a nice location for the restaurant.
Mr. Saba agreed.
MOTION by Ms. Johns, seconded by Mr. Saba, to recommend approval of SP #01-04 with the
following stipulations:
1. All proper permits shall be obtained prior to the start of remodeling.
2. The petitioner shall obtain all necessary sign permits prior to installation.
3. The petitioner shall abide by all City liquor licensing requirements.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ms. Savage stated this will go to City Council on May 7.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Saba, to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SAVAGE DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE APRIL 16, 2001, PLANNING COMMISSION WAS
ADJOURNED AT 7:55 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Signe L. Johnson
Recording Secretary