08/08/1977 - 000144231�, ;
THE MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING MEETING OF THE FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL OF AUGUST 8, 1977
The Pu61ic Hearing ofi the Fridley City Council of August 8, 1977 was called to order
at 7 35 p.m. by Mayor Nee.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIAPlCE:
Mayor Nee led the Council and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL•
MEMBERS PRESENT
MEMBERS ABSENT
ADOFTIdN OF AGENDA:
Councilwoman Kukowski, Councilman Schneider, Mayor Nee,
Councilman Hamerm k, and Counc�lman Fitzpatrick
None
MOTION by Councilman Hamernik to adopt the agenda as presented. Seconded by Council-
woman Kukowski. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Nee declared the motion
carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HtARINGS:
PUBLIC HEARING ON FINAL PLAT SUBDIVISION P.S. #77-05
E TERRACE 2N� ADDITI
MOTTON by Councilman Schneider to waive the reading of the Public Hearing notice and
open the Public Hearing Seconded by Councilman Hamernik. Upon a voice vote, all
voting aye, Mayor Nee declared the motion carried ur�animously and the Public Hearing
opened at 7:37 P.M
Ms Karla Larson was present representing Mr. D'Aigle.
Mr. Sob�ech, Public Works D�rector, explained this is the proposed plat generaliy
located east of Central Avenue and West of Arthur Street, on the south side of 76th
Avenue. He said that the plat would consist of 13 single family lots.
Mr. Sobiech stated thatthe Planning Commission recommended approval of the preliminary
plat at the July 13, 1977 Planning Commission meeting, with the stipulattons that
a walkway easement be provided off of Arthur Street which would provide egress to
the park �roperty owned by the City of Fridley south of the proposed lots.
Mr. Sobiech explained that at a previous City Council hear�ng the question had
come up, "Would development of this proposed plat lock in the park property to
the South and would the developer of the lots be making use of the park prcperty7"
Mr. Sobiech continued to exp7ain that a Proposed Parks and Open Space P]an was
presently �n the Parks and Recreation Commission and would 6e forwarded to the
City Council for approval soon. Mr. Sobiech said that the Proposed Parks and Open
Space Plan had considered dotng away with that particular piece of property.
Mr. Sobtech indicated that after he had done some �nvestigation as to the
possibility of the development of that park property and the effect it would have on
the people in the neighborhood had led him to consider two alternatives:
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Mr Sobiech showed the two alternatives on the screen. The first would allow the
development of Lhe property to the South to be done by the developer (petitioner). ,
He said that the alternative miqht tend to be difficult in that it would be hard
for the City to make neyotiations with the petitioner at this time. He said that
it would resuit �n the same number of lots wiih the addition of five lots to the
south
Mr. SobTech indicated that the other alternatTVe, the most agreeable one, would
alow the development of the proposed plat keeping in mind the poss�bility of develop-
ment of the parkproperty to the South. He explained that this alternative would
entail a similar design as the first alterrative which would sti]1 result in 13 lots,
PUBLIC HEARING MEETING OF AUGUST 8, 1977
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He said that what the City wou7d do is provide access to the park property by means
of dedication of a certain amount of public right of way.
Mr. Sobiech said that with the second alternative the City would get involved with
some lot w�dths that would be less than the 75 foot standard lot width. Mr. Sobiech
pointed out that from the City Engineering standpoint the second alternat�ve
would be possible. He also indicated that from the 6uilding stardpoint it also
� was a possib7e alternative. He said that the City had checked the water table on
the lots in question and it was seven to eight feet below the ground surface at
the present time, and considering there would be some land-fill taking place,
there shouldn't 6e any problems at all with the water table. Mr. Sobiech said
that the only drawback in the alternative was that the dedicatton of the property
as park property had 6een done by a"quick claim" deed that said it was for park
property. He said that he had talked w�th the City Attorney.
Mr. Herrick, City Attorney, sa�d that he had done some preliminary research and
there would be some legal problems. He said that he hadn't seen a copy of the
deed but he was under the understanding that the land was meant for park property.
He said the minimum that could be done would be for the City to get the consent
of the person that had dedicated the property as park property, and the City would
also have to get the approval from the neighborhoad. He said that the sttuation
would take some additional research and work. He said that the second option
could be considered with the City retaining easEments for access to the property.
He said that the easements would be needed for future development of the Park or
a future subdivision of the property.
Mayor Nee asked the size of the out-lot. Mr. Sobiech said that it was between one
and two acres.
Councilman Schneider asked when the lots idere dedicated. Mr. Sobiech said in
January, 1965.
� Councilman Fitzpatrick asked about the early proposed plat. Mr. Herrick explained
that the owner of the property had developed many lots in the area. He said that
because the lot had heen left as an out-lot, that it was assumed tha± it was to
be dedicated for park prcperty purposes
Mayor Nee wanted to know if other lots dt-ained into the park property lot. Mr.
Sobiech said that the land did not serve as a drainage pond He said that the
surrounding lots were all served by sewer systems.
Councilman Schneider wanted to know if there would be any additional stor�m sewer
development in the area. Mr. Sobiech said that the proposed development would
have everything in. He said that there were existing easements to help handle
the storm sewers, etc. that would be needed. He also indicated that the City
would get additional easements from the proposed plat.
Councilman Schneider asked if the storm sewer development would be �ust for the
proposed area. Mr. Sobiech said it would be limited to the area. He explained
that the street already contained everything, as far as water, sewers, etc.
A person from the audience stated to the C�ty Council that the entire neighborhood
wanted the park property to remain exactly as it was. She indicated that when they
bought their homes in that area they had been under the understanding that the
lots would remain as they were. She explained that the city was not expected
to maintain the lot, she said that the neighbors kept the lot mowed and maintained.
� Mayor Nee asked for a show of hands of the neighbors that agreed with the state-
ment that had just been made. Fourteen people raised the�r hands Mayor Nee
asked for a show of hands of tBe neighbors that disagreed with the statement.
Ms. Karla Larson raised her hand,
Ms, Karla Larson didn't want to see the lots made smaller. She felt that a sub-
standard lot would not gross the money that the developer wanted. She felt that
a lot that wasn't even 75 feet wide would not enable the developer to get the
proper amount of money for the lots.
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PUBLIC HEARING MEETING OF AUGUST 8, 1977
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Mayor Nee ind�cated that if the land rematned as public land, then the lots would
remain 80 feet wide. Mr. Sobiech satd that if the developer went with the present
plans, then his lots would be in excess of the minimum standard.
Mayor Nee indicated to the audience that as long as they didn't expect the City
to put in tennis courts, playground equipment, etc. the idea of leaving the land
as public land could be considered. The neighbors all said that they wanted the
land to be left exactly as it was. They weren't asking for City development of '
the land.
Councilman Schneider indicated that if the lot was left in its natural state,
than the five-foot walkway easement should oe sufficient. Mr. Sobiech said that
the City wanted something more substantial. He felt that a 30 foot easement
would be what the City would want to enable all City equipment easy access to
the park property. Mr. Sobiech pointed out that walkway easemerts would have
to be obtained separately.
Mr. Quresht, City Manager, said that the 30 foot easement would be required so
that in the future if the land were developed, the City would not �nfringe on
any private property if they had to put in some type of sewer system or water system.
Councilman Schneider said thai if the land was to be left in its present state,
no development would be necessary or done.
Mr. Sobiech sa�d that if at a later date, the City of Fridley decided to develop
the land, they would already have the land easements.
Councilwoman Kukowski said that the Council was telling the neighbors that they
plan to leave the land as �t presently was - in its natural state - but the
Council is making plans for easements to enable the development of the land into
a park She questiored this procedure.
Councilman Fitzpatrick said that in that type of situation where the neighbors ,
wanted the land left in its natural state and the City allowed it; the City would
have to still provide for the day that neighbors would decide that since the land
was City land, then let the City maintain it. At that poini. in time, the City
would need to have access to the land and he could understand the need for the 30
foot easement.
Councilman Fitzpatrick said that he had a problem with the fact of the City own�ng
land of that amount that wouldn't be accessahle to the publc.
Mayor Nee asked that even w�th the easements, would the lots be standard lots.
Mr. Sobiech said that every lot in the proposed subdivision would be at least
the standard size. He sa�d that the City had to have the easements for some
future time that the City would have to have access to t.he land.
Councilman Schneider didn't think the City would have to run water and sewer
mains just to develop a small park. Mr. Sobiech satd that any minimum size
park area had to have water and sewer accesses.
Mr. Qureshi said that the City didn't want to be put into the position of having
to buy property back from the people. He said that he merely wanted the land
to be made available to the City if it needed it. He said that the land could
always 6e vacated at a later date
Councilman Schneider said that his concern for the 30 foot easement was that ,
the City could �ust go into the area and start developing the land without the
neighbors ever being not�fied. Mr. Qureshi said that there was a process that
had to be fo1lowed before the City developed anything. He said that the City
always took into consideration what the neighborhood wanted.
Mr. Herrick said that he thought that the public access provision would have to
be met. He said that the land would have to accessable to more people than �ust
the adjacent neighbors.
PUBLIC HEARING MEETING OF AUGUST 8, 1977
151
PAr,E 4
A person from the audience questioned that statement on the Public Hearing notices
that had beeri sent out, "Reapproval of this plat may have the potential of future
assessnients on the ad�o�ning property due to utility and roadway improvements
required by this plat". He wanted to know about any future assessments. Mr. Sobiech
said that bas�cally the paraqraph was a standard form paragraph. He said that
many times people won't appear at a Public Hearing 3ust because they weren't
interested. 7he City felt that if the person knew that the decision could mean
� an assessment to them, then usually their 7nterest would be engaged The person
from the audience said that it most certatnly had made him most interested.
Mr. 5obiech said that if the proposed plat was approved it would cost nothing
to the neighbors. He said that the developer would be the only person that would
be involved in any costs.
Ms. Larson indicated that the 30 foot easements were fine with her. She said that
her ma�n intent was that she didn't want to see sub-standara sized lots developed
out of the land As long as the lots remained acceptable sizes, she said she
could live with the 30 foot easements. Mr. Sobiech said that the 30 foot easements
could be taken fr�om lots 3 and 4, block 2. Ms. Larsor said that the 30 foot ease-
ments were agreeable to her.
Mayor Nee indicated to the audience that the way the discussion was moving was that
the out-lot would be left as it was - in its natural state He said the easements
would be requtred, should same time tn the future, if everyone agree they wanted
the land deVeloped, and the City was in agreement, the land could be developed
without infringing cn anyone's property.
A person from the audience said that she realiy en�oyed the lot and wanted it to
stay in �ts natural state. She satd that there were hirds on the lot that
didn't exist anywhere else }n the City
Mr. Herrick wanted to know tf the 30 foot easement would also be used for people
� on foot. Mr. Sobiech satd that the easement could 6e used by anyone that needed
io use it or wanted to use it.
Ms Larson wanted to know of anymore delays that would be put on the proposed
olat. Mr. Sobiech said that a har�d shell would have to be drawn up. He said
that the only change was to extend the five foot easements by ten feet, making 15
foot easements on both sides.
Mayor Nee said that thts plat wouldn't requ�re any more proceed�ngs from City
Councll.
A person from the audience asked Ms. Larson about the density of the proposed
development and the possibility of 1ow �ncome housing Ms. Larson sa7d that
the lowest priced house would by $53,50D and she didn't believe that that would
encoinpass low �ncome housing. She also indicated that the lot sizes would be
the same as most of the lots in Fridley. She sa�d it would involve the 6uild�ng
of 13 family dwellings.
A person from the audience asked Ms. Larson about the reputation of the builder
Ms. Larson explained that he had tnvested money in the development, and she
and the builder were anxious to get their money out of the development She
said that he had 6uilt several other homes in the area that anyone could look at
to see the quality of work he did. Ms. Larson indicated that the builder dtd
ltve in Cambridge 6ut that if there were any questions anyone could ca11 her
and she could answer them,
� MOTION by Councilman Schneider to c7ose the Public Hearing. Seconded by
Councilman Fitzpatrick. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Nee declared
the motion carried unanimously,
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PUBLIC HEARING MEETING OF AUGUST 8, 1977
NEW BUSINESS•
CONSIDERATION
FINAL PLAT SUBDIVIS
D'AIGLE:
PAGE 5
MOTIDP! by Councilman Schneider tha± City Council approve the Final Plat
Subdiv�s�on P.S #77-05, Meadowmoore Terrace 2nd Addition, by Gary D'Aigle
with the stipulat�on that there be a 30 foot easement between lots 3 and 4, 61ock 1,
for drainage, utilities, walkways, and access for equipment to the park property
and there be ad�ustments on the existing lots to be sure they meet nnnimum plot
size and there be a five foot walkway easement off south side of lots 1 and 2,
block 1 and a 5 foot easement from the north line of lot 1, block 1 Don's 5th
Additton. Seconded 6y Councilwoman Kukowski Upon a voice vote, all voting
aye, Mayor Nee declared the motion carried unanimously The Final Plat Sub-
division P.S. #77-05 was approved at 8 20 P.M.
MO7ION by Councilman Schneider that tt is the intent of the City Council at this
time, tha± there be no development on the out-lot without going through proper
procedures which �NOUId include appear�ng before the City Council. Seconded by
Councilman Namer m k. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Nee declared the
motion carried unanimously.
ESTIMATE
Allied 6lacktop
3601 48th Nvenue North
M�nneapolis, Minnesota 55426
FINAL ESTIP1ATE #1 for Street Improvement
Pro�ect ST 1977-10 (Sealcoating)
N D.H. Inc.
5400 Industry Avenue Northwest
Anoka, Minnesota 55303
PARTIAL Estimate #2 for ST 1977-1
PARTIAL Est�mate #2 for St 1977-2
Donald Frantz Construction Inc.
3501 Xenwood Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota
ESTIMATE FOR Concrete Work for Shelter
Bu�7ding at Islands of Peace Par�k
$ 10,272.60
$ 39,660,53
$ 10,390,68
$ 3,227.00
P10TIQN by Councilwoman Kukewski to approve the Estimates. Seconded by Council-
man Schneider.
Councilman Hamerntk questioned the Se�lcoating estimate.
Mr Qureshi exp1ained that the sealcoating did not over run the budget He said
that the undercoating ran over but that the overlay ran under due to utilizing
different spec�fications. He sa�d that seaicoating was done by square foot
and not by Job
UPON A VOICE UOTE, ali voting aye, Mayor Plee declared the moiion carried
unammously
AD�OURNMENT•
MOTION by Counc�lwoman Kukowski to ad�ourn the meeting Seconded by Councilman
Schneider. Upon a vo�ce vote. all voting aye, Mayor Nee declared the motion carried
unantmously and the Publ�c Hear�ng Meet�ng of the Fridley City Council of
August 8, 1977, ad,7ourned at 8.20 P.M.
Respectfully submitte ,,,/)
i J%c�^'�'�-eFi �����
MaryLe�Carhill
(Act�ng) Secretary to the City Council
Approved �� /� �
Will'iam J. Nee
Mayor
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