CCM 02/10/2014
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF FRIDLEY
FEBRUARY 10, 2014
The City Council meeting for the City of Fridley was called to order by Mayor Lund at 7:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Lund
Councilmember-at-Large Barnette
Councilmember Saefke
Councilmember Varichak
Councilmember Bolkcom
OTHERS PRESENT:
Wally Wysopal, City Manager
Darcy Erickson, City Attorney
Scott Hickok, Community Development Director
Darin Nelson, Finance Director
Jim Kosluchar, Public Works Director
PRESENTATION:
The Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award from the Minnesota Recreation and Park
Association was presented to Jack Kirk, Director of Parks and Recreation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
City Council Meeting of January 27, 2014.
Councilmember Varichakasked for the following changes to be made to the minutes:
when
Page 18, sixth paragraph from the bottom “ will it be done”
could
Page 18, fourth paragraph from the bottom “there be other costs”
APPROVED AS AMENDED.
NEW BUSINESS:
1.Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing on the Issuance of Educational Facilities
Revenue Notes and Authorizing the Publication of a Notice of the Hearing (Totino-
Grace High School Project).
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2014-16.
2.Resolution Adopting Rosenberg’s Rules of Order (2011) as the Parliamentary
Procedures for the City of Fridley.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2014 PAGE 2
Councilmember Saefke noted the following change to Rosenberg’s Rules of Order, Page 40, first
to
sentence, should read “members do not vote”.
APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 2014-17.
3.Approve Antenna Site Lease Agreement Between the City of Fridley and Verizon
Wireless (VAW) LLC, for Water Tower #2 (Ward 1).
APPROVED.
4.Claims (162591-162808).
APPROVED.
5.Licenses.
APPROVED THE LICENSES AS SUBMITTED AND AS ON FILE.
6.Estimates:
Sunram Construction
20010 – 75th Avenue N.E.
Corcoran, MN 55340
Springbrook Nature Center Weir Project No. 410
Estimate No. 1 ........................................................................................ $17,907.50
Blackstone Contractors, LLC
7775 Corcoran Trail East
Corcoran, MN 55340
Oak Glen Creek Erosion Control Project No. 380
Estimate No. 1 ........................................................................................ $70,080.79
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:
MOTION
by Councilmember Barnette to approve the Consent Agenda. Seconded by
Councilmember Varichak.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA:
MOTION
by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt the Agenda. Seconded by Councilmember
Saefke.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2014 PAGE 3
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
OPEN FORUM, VISITORS:
Larry Rundle,
Gaming Manager for the Fridley VFW, said their Cribbage Tournaments that are
held each week are considered illegal according to the City of Fridley ordinance. A number of
units have cribbage tournaments weekly. There is a charge of $4 to play and they award up to
$200 in prizes. 100% of the entry fee goes back into prizes, and the VFW makes no money on
the tournaments. Their tournaments are in line with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety
rules but not with the City.
Mayor Lund
stated Council had a discussion in a workshop prior to the meeting, and staff has
been asked to bring back a change in the ordinance so it would not be illegal. He said because
Fridley is a Charter City there are more restrictions. He asked if Fridley was the exception to
other communities that have cribbage tournaments.
Mr. Rundle
replied yes. Other communities run tournaments the same way with no issues.
Each tournament draws from 60 to 90 players.
Mayor Lund
said Fridley’s ordinance says an entry fee cannot be charged and staff is going to
propose an amendment.
Mr. Rundle
hopes that the new ordinance will be the same as the Public Safety rules and the
payout is $200.
Mayor Lund
said the item will be on the agenda for the next Council meeting on February 24.
Staff will send out a letter to business that would likely have tournaments.
Councilmember Barnette
asked if the VFW can continue to have tournaments.
Mr. Rundle
replied they had to stop the tournaments until a new ordinance is passed or they
could lose their liquor license.
PUBLIC HEARING:
7.Consideration of the Revocation of Special Use Permit, SP #93-01, for Exterior Storage
Generally Located at 505 Fairmont Street N.E. (Ward 3) (Continued January 27, 2014).
Scott Hickok,
Community Development Director, said staff met with Mr. Witzel on February 4
to review the history and specifics of the special use permit. Mr. Witzel presented staff with a list
of actions he plans to take to prevent subsequent violations, but staff felt more needed to change
on the site to prevent parking encroachments onto 513 Fairmont Street. Staff informed Mr.
Witzel that code requires now, and required back at the time of his permit, that curbing be
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2014 PAGE 4
installed around his parking areas and the outside storage area. Mr. Witzel explained that the
outside storage area is not paved as staff had assumed.
Mr. Hickok
said in reviewing the details of the 1993 case, it was evident the Planning
Commission changed the stipulations of the permit from staff’s original recommendations by
removing the paving requirement for the outside storage area. In reviewing the minutes of those
meetings in detail, however, there appeared to be no discussion or allowance for Mr. Witzel to
have an exemption from curb and gutter requirements for the additional pavement he was
required to install on the west side of the property.
Mr. Hickok
stated that Mr. Witzel had proposed at the City Council public hearing to install
curb stops on the west parking area on his site, but staff has not allowed any other business in the
City to use this temporary solution when the code requires 6” high curb and gutter. Mr. Witzel
could, however, explore other storm water treatment BMPs that may allow an exemption to
standard curbing when other means of storm water treatment are installed on a site. Any
alternative to standard curbing will need to be approved by staff. Staff also took this opportunity
to review other zoning requirements for the C-1 zoned property and gave Mr. Witzel a copy of
the code and the special use permit file contents.
Mr. Hickok
stated staff recommends that the City Council, rather than revoking this special use
permit, modify the stipulations of SP #93-10 to add a seventh stipulation to require Mr. Witzel to
install curb and gutter on the west side of his property at 505 Fairmont Street NE within 2 years.
Code requires the curbing to be placed 5 feet inside the residential lot, which could be developed
in the future. If that occurs, the owner of 505 Fairmont Street should be required to install a
screening fence or landscaping or both as code requires. Staff is not proposing installation of the
code required screening in this situation, however, as Mr. Witzel owns the adjacent lot and uses
it for snow storage. Staff advises that Mr. Witzel plant a row of evergreen shrubs or trees to
screen headlights if he ever plans to sell the adjacent lot at 513 Fairmont Street rather than use it
for snow storage. Staff also agreed that it would be permissible for Mr. Witzel to move the
storage shed at 513 Fairmont inside the approved fenced outside storage area.
Councilmember Bolkcom
thanked Mr. Witzel for meeting with staff to work out an agreement.
She asked if numbers 1-4 in his plan of action had taken place.
Mr. Witzel
replied yes, and they got rid of on one van and one box truck.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked if the shed could be removed within six months.
Mr. Witzel
answered yes.
Mayor Lund
asked if he was okay with the stipulations.
Mr. Witzel
answered yes.
MOTION
by Councilmember Bolkcom to close the public hearing. Seconded by
Councilmember Saefke.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2014 PAGE 5
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTOIN CARRIED AND THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 7:30 P.M.
OLD BUSINESS:
8.Resolution Revoking Special Use Permit, SP #93-10, for Exterior Storage of Materials
in a C-1 Zoning District at the Property Generally Located at 505 Fairmont Street N.E.
(Ward 3) (Continued January 27, 2014).
MOTION
by Councilmember Bolkcom to deny the Resolution Revoking the Special Use
Permit, SP #93-10 for Exterior Storage of Materials in a C-1 Zoning District at the Property
Generally Located at 505 Fairmont Street N.E. (Ward 3). Seconded by Councilmember Saefke.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW BUSINESS:
9.Resolution Amending Special Use Permit, SP #93-10, for Exterior Storage of Materials
in a C-2 Zoning District at the Property Generally Located at 505 Fairmont Street N.E.
Scott Hickok
, Community Development Director, stated now that the SUP is revoked an item
that came up in discussion is that there is a short segment of concrete curb that would have been
required in the late 1950s. Through staff discussion, it was decided that a period of 24 months
would be appropriate for Mr. Witzel to get this done. Staff recommends approval of the new
SUP adding a stipulation number seven requiring that curb and gutter be installed by February
10, 2016. Otherwise the SUP, is the same.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked if the curb and gutter should be part of the code or stipulation.
Mr. Hickok
replied that it was in the code back then and as a business owner, Mr. Witzel was
required to operate under that code. The hard surface needed to be surrounded by curb and
gutter.
Councilmember Bolkcom
said then the curb and gutter was not related to the SUP.
Mr. Hickok
replied correct. There would not have been code violations because trucks could
not get there because of the curb. Mr. Witzel does not like idea of installing curb and gutter, but
it has to be done. He did install curb around the planting area and approaching the building but
not on the west edge of the parking lot.
Councilmember Bolkcom
said removing the storage shed into the outside storage area is not a
stipulation but something that is part of the agreement. He has until April 15, 2014 to do that.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2014 PAGE 6
Mr. Hickok
replied yes; it can be moved inside the storage area.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked if Mr. Witzel was okay with the deadline of April 15 to move
the shed and in agreement with the stipulations including the curb and gutter.
Mr. Witzel
was comfortable with the curb and gutter but asked if the 5-foot setback from the lot
he owns next door could be waived. This would allow green space next to the residential lot
next door.
Mr. Hickok
replied that Mr. Witzel would have to submit a variance request and there is time to
apply for a variance between now and when the curb needs to be completed.
MayorLund
said the City would want green space around each property. He asked how much a
variance request would cost.
Mr. Hickok
answered $1,500.
Mr. Witzel
said that taking 5 feet of parking would have an impact on the lot.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked if he was okay with the stipulations.
Mr. Witzel
replied yes.
Councilmember Varichak
asked how much space the storage shed would take up when it is
moved and if there was room to do that.
Mr. Witzel
said it didn’t matter; he was using the shed to store lawnmowers. This will give him
some additional secure storage behind there.
MOTOIN
by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt Resolution 2014-18. Seconded by
Councilmember Barnette.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
10.Vacation Request, SAV #14-01, by Trident Development, LLC, and the City of
Fridley’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority to Allow for the Redevelopment of the
Gateway NE Properties, Generally Located along University Avenue Service Drive, east
thst
of University Avenue NE, from 58 Avenue NE to 61 Avenue NE. The Street
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Proposed to be vacated is a Portion of 60 Avenue NE from the University Avenue
Service Drive to the Alley on the East Side of the Subject Parcels. The Alley Proposed
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to be Vacated is Located to the East of the Subject Parcels and South of Vacated 59
Avenue NE;
and
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2014 PAGE 7
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Resolution Vacating and Reserving a Portion of 60 Avenue NE to Allow for the
Redevelopment of the “Gateway Commons” Properties, Petitioned by Trident
Development, LLC, and the City of Fridley’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority;
and
Resolution Vacating and Reserving the West Half of the Alley as Dedicated in the Plat
of Bennet-Palmer Addition and in the Plat of Hyde Park, Lying Southerly of the
Easterly Extension of the North Line of Lot 9, Block 3, Said Plat of Bennet-Palmer
Addition, and Northerly of the Easterly Extension of the South Line of Lot 10, Block 4,
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Said Plat of Bennet-Palmer Addition, Generally Located South of Vacated 59
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Addition, Generally Located South of Vacated 59 Avenue to Allow for the
Redevelopment of the “Gateway Commons” Properties, Petitioned by Trident
Development, LLC, and the City of Fridley’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority
(Ward 1)
Councilmember Saefke
asked for following corrections to be made:
notification
Page 110, second paragraph, third sentence, change “notified” to
Page 120, second paragraph, second sentence, change “elevations to response” to
elevations in response
st
exiting
Page 120, third paragraph, second sentence, change “existing” to 61
Scott Hickok,
Community Development Director, stated there will be one presentation and four
separate motions.
Mr. Hickok
stated petitioner is requesting three land use items to allow for the redevelopment of
5830-6071 University Avenue, known as, “Gateway Northeast.”
1.S-2 Master Plan
2.TOD Master Plan
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3.Street and Alley Vacation –a portion of 60 Ave and the west ½ of an alley
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located south of vacated 59 Ave.
At a later date, a vacation request will be submitted for the University Avenue Service Drive.
These properties were originally developed in the 1950s and 1960s for commercial uses,
restaurants and gas stations. When access was limited as a result of upgrading University
Avenue, several of the businesses began to suffer, and as a result significant vacancies occurred
and the buildings became blighted.
Mr. Hickok
stated the City and the HRA have wanted to redevelop this area for a number of
years. The HRA started to acquire some of the properties in 2006, after being approached by
property owners wanting to sell their obsolete retail buildings. Acquisitions of the properties
concluded in 2013 and demolition of the properties was done in three phases. If the HRA did not
have tax increment available to pay for acquisition, demolition, relocation, environmental
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2014 PAGE 8
remediation, infrastructure, and site preparation, this project would not have been able to
proceed.
Mr. Hickok
stated in 2007, the HRA partnered with the Corridor Housing Initiative Group to
brainstorm, collaborate and develop some plans for the future of the subject properties. The
buildings proposed by the petitioner are of similar height and scale as those buildings the
neighbors and other residents designed for the site in 2007.
Mr. Hickok
stated over the last few months, City staff and the HRA staff have spent a great deal
of time working with the petitioner, their surveyor, the HRA’s title company, Mn/DOT and
Anoka County to identify and clean up the issues always associated with the properties. There
have also been meetings with utility companies to identify locations of utilities to ensure that
existing utilities will be protected and to review new locations for any and all utilities.
Mr. Hickok
said the proposed development will have a total of 265 apartment units, contained
in three separate buildings. Each building is proposed to be four stories, with three stories of
living above indoor, ground-level parking. Two of the buildings proposed have 104 units and
the third building has 57 units. Buildings 1 and 2 are proposed to be connected to each other by
a skyway.
Mr. Hickok
stated the petitioner has designed the project with removal of the University Avenue
st
Service Drive. A new private drive will be constructed off of 61 Avenue to access the site. The
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project will also receive access from 60 Avenue with the installation of a roundabout and on the
south end of the site from the Service Road connected to 57 ½ Avenue. The City is currently
working with Anoka County and Mn/DOT on the University Avenue Service Road turn-back
documents. Once staff has the clarification needed on those documents, a street vacation request
of the service road will be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council.
Mr. Hickok
said due to the long, narrow shape of the site; the buildings are positioned in a lineal
fashion fronting on University Avenue. They are situated approximately 90 feet from the eastern
property line, where the rear yards of the single family homes are located. The surface parking is
located on the east side of the building so as to not be visible from University Avenue. A seven-
foot vinyl privacy fence is also planned to be installed along the eastern property line.
Mr. Hickok
stated that a portion of the development will be green space which will offer
outdoor amenities such as walking trails, a picnic and grilling area and a gazebo. This open
space will also allow for certain amount of storm water infiltration. Sidewalks are also included
in the design, providing convenient pedestrian access to public sidewalks and to other areas of
the neighborhood.
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Mr. Hickok
said a portion of 60 Avenue needs to be vacated, as well as the west ½ of a 12 ft.
thth
alley that is located south of vacated 59 Avenue. If the portion of 60 Avenue is vacated, the
entire land area would be turned over to the existing property owner, who is currently the HRA.
There are several utilities located within this right-of-way, so once vacated; the area will need to
be retained as an easement.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2014 PAGE 9
Mr. Hickok
said since the Planning Commission meeting, staff is suggesting that instead of
vacating the entire 12 ft. alley, that only the west 6 ft. of the alley be vacated. The west half is all
the proposed project needs to be successful. Current Code requires that the City needs to receive
written approval from 100% of the neighboring property owners before a right-of-way can be
vacated. The neighboring property owners have received notification of the proposed vacation
request; however 100% of the signatures have not been received. Staff will continue to work
with the neighbors to see if all the signatures can be received to vacate the east 6 ft. of the alley.
If that is achieved, staff will bring that vacation request along with the vacation of the University
Avenue Service Drive before the Planning Commission and City Council.
Mr. Hickok
stated when a property is zoned S-2, it requires that the accompanying site plan
become the Master Plan for the site. Once the Master Plan is approved by the City Council, any
modification to that approved plan would require a Master Plan Amendment. The HRA is also
required to review and make a recommendation to the City Council. They reviewed the request
at their February 6, 2014, meeting and unanimously recommended approval. The subject
properties are within the TOD Overlay District, therefore the project needs to comply with the
TOD standards. Within the packet is a list of all of the performance standards the petitioner is
required to meet as part of a TOD project. Some of those standards are related to lot coverage,
setbacks, height, façade articulation, building face, parking, landscaping, sidewalks, and lighting.
Mr. Hickok
said the petitioner has designed a project that meets the TOD standards that will
enhance the development and achieve what the City and HRA were hoping to see with
redevelopment of this land. The HRA is also required to review the project and make a
recommendation to the City Council. They reviewed the request at their February 6, 2014,
meeting and unanimously recommended approval.
Mr. Hickok
stated petitioner held a neighborhood meeting on Thursday, January 9, 2014. They
state it was a good meeting with good questions. There were 16 members of the neighborhood
present. A copy of the petitioner’s notes from the meeting is on page 173. Staff has heard from
four neighbors regarding the proposed project.
1 neighbor was inquiring if the petitioner’s neighborhood meeting would be on cable
television and 1 neighbor had some general questions, not stating if they were for or
against the project.
2 neighbors had questions about the development and were not happy to hear that it
was multi-family project.
1 of those neighbors did attend the Planning Commission meeting, and some of their
concerns seemed to be alleviated after getting more information from staff and the
petitioner.
Mr. Hickok
stated the Planning Commission held a public hearing for SAV #14-01, S-2 #14-01
and TOD #14-01 at their January 15, 2014, meeting. They unanimously recommended approval
of all requests. Staff recommends concurrence with the Planning Commission on the following
with the following 14 stipulations:
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2014 PAGE 10
1.The property shall be developed in accordance with the master site plan for “The Cielo”,
submitted by HMA Architects, dated1/31/14.
2.The building shall be developed in accordance with the architectural exterior elevations
sheets for “The Cielo”, submitted by HMA Architects, dated 2/4/14.
3.The petitioner shall obtain all necessary permits prior to construction.
4.The petitioner shall meet all Building code, Fire code, and ADA requirements.
5.The petitioner shall ensure that the any signage meet code requirements and shall obtain a
separate sign permit prior to installation.
6.Landscape plan to be reviewed and approved by City staff prior to issuance of building
permit.
7.A buffer between the residential properties to the east and the proposed project, through
the use of a fence, landscaping or a combination of both, shall be reviewed and approved
by City staff prior to issuance of a building permit. The petitioner shall install said buffer
at the same time Building #1 is constructed.
8.Replacement of chain link fence along the Mn/DOT right-of-way will be incorporated as
part of this project. The fence design and installation shall be agreed upon and approved
by Mn/DOT, the City’s HRA, the City, and the Developer and said agreement shall be in
place prior to issuance of a building permit for Building #1.
9.City Engineering staff to review and approve grading, drainage and utility plans prior to
issuance of building permits.
10.The petitioner shall pay all water and sewer connection fees prior to issuance of a
building permit.
11.All lighting in the development shall be shielded and downcast. Lighting shall be
provided through free-standing lighting that adequately illuminates the sidewalk.
12.All crosswalks shall be installed using a colorized pavement pattern when connecting the
sidewalk on each side of a driveway. All connections shall be accessible.
13.If the square footage of the footprint of any of the buildings proposed changes by more
than 10% at that phase of the development, an S-2 master plan and TOD master plan
amendment shall be required.
14.A Development Agreement outlining the Developer’s obligation to install utilities, etc.,
will be prepared by the City and shall be signed by the Petitioner prior to issuance of a
building permit for Building #1.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2014 PAGE 11
11.S-2, Redevelopment District Master Plan Request, MP #14-01, by Trident
Development, LLC, to Allow for the Development of the Gateway NE Properties,
with the Construction of Three (3) New Multi-Family Residential Buildings,
Generally Located along the University Avenue Service Drive, East of University
thst
Avenue NE from 58 Avenue NE to 61 Avenue NE;
and
Resolution Approving a S-2 Redevelopment District, Master Plan, MP #14-01, for
Trident Development, LLC, on Behalf of the Property Owner, the City of Fridley
Housing and Redevelopment Authority, to allow the Redevelopment of the
Properties Commonly Known as “Gateway NE”, Generally Located at 5831, 5865,
5895, 5905, 5925, 5943, 6005, 6041, 6061 and 6071 University Avenue NE (Ward 1).
12.Transit Oriented District (TOD) Master Plan Request, TOD #14-01, by Trident
Development, LLC, to Allow for the Development of the Gateway NE Properties,
with the Construction of Three (3) New Multi-Family Residential Buildings,
Generally Located along the University Avenue Service Drive, East of University
thst
Avenue NE, From 58 Avenue NE to 61 Avenue NE;
and
Resolution Approving a Transit Oriented Development Master Plan, TOD #14-01,
by Trident Development, LLC, on Behalf of the Property Owner, the City of Fridley
Housing and Redevelopment Authority to Allow the Redevelopment of the
Properties Commonly Known as “Gateway NE”, Generally Located at 5831, 5865,
5895, 5905, 5925, 5943, 6005, 6041, 6061, and 6071 University Avenue NE (Ward 1).
Councilmember Saefke three
notedcorrections on page 139; change thee to ; same correction
on page 163.
Councilmember Saefke
said there is a cast iron water main in the alley way and when the
townhouses were built they changed it. He recalls there were a number of water breaks along
those water mains and was curious if that water main would be replaced. If it is replaced, would
the water main be in a position so if there is a problem the fence line would not be in the way to
access the water main.
Mr. Hickok
said he was not sure, but Jim Kosluchar has reviewed the plan and made comments
relative to that utility and the issue has been discussed. At the developer’s request, a meeting
was held with all utility partners including power lines and cable. There has been a lot of
consideration to this type of concern.
Councilmember Barnette
said he has driven by the area and had a question about vacating the
service road and where the road would be vacated. If he drove by the existing buildings south of
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58 would the road be vacated to that point? Would the people who live there now still have a
road?
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2014 PAGE 12
Mr. Hickok
replied the road would serve them fine; there would be a cul-de-sac there with signs
saying they were entering a private development area.
Councilmember Barnette
noted on several pages under plan revision #8 there is reference to
the fence along University Avenue. He asked if an ornamental fence would replace the chain
link fence.
Roger Fink,
Trident Development, said they have proposed to continue the existing ornamental
st
fence similar to the one south all the way to 61 and demolish the old chain link fence.
Councilmember Barnette
asked if the developer would be comfortable without a fence.
Mr. Fink
replied that they are providing a public sidewalk between the east side of the building
and the west side of University. This is a narrow area and the neighborhood expressed an
interest in a public pedestrian walkway throughout this property. With the sidewalk being so
close to University, an ornamental fence would create a separation between the walkway and
traffic on University Avenue.
Mayor Lund
thought MnDOT may require a fence to be built there.
Councilmember Barnette
replied maybe not.
Councilmember Bolkcom
said that ongoing maintenance would be done by the developer. It
will look attractive.
Councilmember Barnette
agreed but noted that the fence across the road was not kept up very
well.
Mayor Lund
said the fence is the City’s responsibility.
Mr. Hickok
noted there is a distinct difference in the upkeep of the fence. Gateway does a great
job maintaining both sides of the fence. Staff would expect this developer to do the same and to
keep an impeccable site. The property owners across the street do not keep up with the fence
trimming. The City maintains it and does not trim the area very well.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked how many signatures had been received on the vacations.
Mr. Hickok
replied they have not gone out for signatures yet. Staff has not heard anything
positive or negative back, so they will go out door knocking.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked what would happen if not all vacation requests were received.
Mr. Hickok
replied the language reads if the alley would be vacated adjacent to their property,
leaving a 6’ separation, signatures are not needed to do that. Property owners can vacate if they
desire to vacate their half.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2014 PAGE 13
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked if there needed to be 100%.
Mr. Hickok
answered the code says 100%.
Councilmember Bolkcom
said in the comments from the neighborhood, someone was
disappointed that multi- family was being built. Did they say what they wanted instead?
Mr. Hickok
answered that one group came up with single family housing in that area.
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Councilmember Bolkcom
asked why they did not close 60 Street.
Mr. Hickok
replied that this is a nice compromise by the developer to create a roundabout so it
does not feel like a straight away. Street plowing would prefer to not have a dead end and they
need a way to get in there. A traffic study estimated that an average daily trip count of 881 trips
would come from this development with a morning peak and evening peak of 108 or 1 vehicle
every 30 seconds. Roadways are made to accommodate that kind of traffic. Traffic will not be
that intense for the neighborhood to notice a difference.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked if the roundabout met the standards of the City Engineer.
Mr. Hickok
replied yes.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked if a plan needed to be submitted for the fence.
Mr. Hickok
replied those details would be submitted with the permit application.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked if the fence would go in the first phase.
Mr. Hickok
said it would happen as part of the initial development.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked about the lighting in No. 11 of the stipulations on Page 121.
Mr. Fink
replied the lighting plan includes the parking lot free standing lights and wall-mounted
lighting on the building.
Mr. Hickok
added there will be lighting throughout the development meeting City standards but
some lighting will be shielded downcast lighting. This is proposed in the development plan.
There will not only be lighting on the sidewalk but throughout the development. The
development needs to be safe. Lighting standards in the City Code that need to be met do not
need to be stipulated.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked why the address on Page 136 is handwritten.
Mr. Hickok
replied that is a reference to take you back to the address.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2014 PAGE 14
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked what would happen if the first building was complete and the
developer wanted to change the second phase.
Mr. Hickok
replied if the changed plan does not meet the criteria, it needs to come back to
Council. Typically staff gives them 10%.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked what would happen if only 2 buildings were built.
Mr. Hickok
replied they would have to come back to modify the master plan.
Mayor Lund
said on Page 173, the fourth bullet under the suggestions from neighbors,
mentioned speed bumps. Are they necessary if the developer is building a roundabout instead?
Mr. Fink
said the neighbors did ask about speed bumps, but the engineers said speed bumps
were not needed between the traffic control features. With the roundabout and divided driveway,
speed bumps are not needed.
Mayor Lund
asked about the stacking space and the primary entrance.
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Mr. Fink
replied the primary entrance is off of 61 Avenue. As far as stacking, they have
enlarged the egress portion of the entrance drive to allow for additional car stacking and added
further width.
Mayor Lund
said there were discussions about ground level parking and asked if there was a
reason why the elevation was not dropped for underground parking.
Mr. Fink
replied they did consider underground parking and decided to keep it at grade level.
The reasons for this had to do with the shallow depth of the lot and location of underground
utilities restricting the underground parking.
Councilmember Varichak
asked how many signatures were needed from the neighbors.
Mr. Hickok
replied there are 10 properties backing up to the alley way and there are no garages
back there that use the alley way for access.
Mr. Fink
said at the neighborhood meeting, he brought different fence styles and he showed a
photograph of the one everyone picked. This afternoon, he met with his attorney to figure out
how to prevent encroachments with respect to the fence. They are working on creative ideas on
how to work through that.
Councilmember Saefke
asked where the snow would be stored.
Mr. Fink
said that came up at the Planning Commission Meeting. The development will have a
central park green space where snow can be stored.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2014 PAGE 15
Councilmember Bolkcom
noted that regarding the vacation, it is not a disadvantage to the
homeowner to have that vacated. This is at no cost to the homeowner and she asked if this
would be well spelled out in the letter.
Mr. Hickok
replied yes. If the full 12 feet was vacated right now, it could be done but
technically a full petition is needed in the City ordinance. This will not affect their property and
they will not have any added tax plus this will add value when they go to sell the lot.
MOTION
by Councilmember Saefke to approve Vacation Request, SAV #14-01, by Trident
Development, LLC, and the City of Fridley’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority to Allow
for the Redevelopment of the Gateway NE Properties, Generally Located along University
thst
Avenue Service Drive, east of University Avenue NE, from 58 Avenue NE to 61 Avenue NE.
th
The Street Proposed to be vacated is a Portion of 60 Avenue NE from the University Avenue
Service Drive to the Alley on the East Side of the Subject Parcels. The Alley Proposed to be
th
Vacated is Located to the East of the Subject Parcels and South of Vacated 59 Avenue NE; And
th
approve the Resolution Vacating and Reserving a Portion of 60 Avenue NE to Allow for the
Redevelopment of the “Gateway Commons” Properties, Petitioned by Trident Development,
LLC, and the City of Fridley’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority with the condition that
upon recording of the Gateway Commons Final Plat. Final street, drainage, utility easement will
be incorporated into the final plat at the discretion of the City Engineer. Seconded by
Councilmember Bolkcom.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION
by Councilmember Saefke to adopt Resolution No. 2014-19. Seconded by
Councilmember Bolkcom.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION
by Councilmember Saefke to adopt Resolution No. 2014-20. Seconded by
Councilmember Barnette.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION
by Councilmember Saefke to approve the S-2, Redevelopment District Master Plan
Request, MP #14-01, by Trident Development, LLC, to Allow for the Development of the
Gateway NE Properties, with the Construction of Three (3) New Multi-Family Residential
Buildings, Generally Located along the University Avenue Service Drive, East of University
thst
Avenue NE from 58 Avenue NE to 61 Avenue NE (Ward 1) with 14 stipulations. Seconded
by Councilmember Varichak.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2014 PAGE 16
MOTION
by Councilmember Saefke to adopt Resolution No. 2014-21. Seconded by
Councilmember Varichak.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION
by Councilmember Saefke to approve the Transit Oriented District (TOD) Master
Plan Request, TOD #14-01, by Trident Development, LLC, to Allow for the Development of the
Gateway NE Properties, with the Construction of Three (3) New Multi-Family Residential
Buildings, Generally Located along the University Avenue Service Drive, East of University
thst
Avenue NE, From 58 Avenue NE to 61 Avenue NE (Ward 1) with fourteen stipulations.
Seconded by Councilmember Varichak.
MOTION
by Councilmember Saefke to adopt Resolution No. 2014-22. Seconded by
Councilmember Varichak.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mayor Lund
asked when the anticipated start date of construction would be.
Mr. Fink
said he is hoping to start this building season; late spring/early summer.
13.Informal Status Reports
a.Organized Refuse Hauling Update
Wally Wysopal
, City Manager, said it has been 60 days since the City Council adopted the
resolution directing negotiations to proceed for organized refuse hauling. Meetings are
proceeding according to the terms of Minnesota Statute 115A.94. The City and representatives
of the licensed refuse haulers met on three occasions. Negotiations have been collaborative and
productive and are ongoing. It is premature to predict when the group will conclude its
proceedings. The minimum 60-day period is required by statute and will be met and the group
will take the time necessary to negotiate in good faith. Staff will be in touch with everyone in
about a month.
Mayor Lund
added that people can keep watching publications in the newspaper and on the
website to see when this item comes forward again.
Councilmember Saefke
said this year there have been 20 frozen water surfaces in town.
Because of the extreme weather this year, he advised residents to run a small stream of water,
about the width of a pencil, to prevent pipes from freezing. Homeowners will have to pay for the
water and sewer charge but it will keep pipes from freezing and cost less than unthawing frozen
water pipes. It is a safe method and generally works. If homeowners see discolored water that is
a sign you may have frozen pipes.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2014 PAGE 17
Mr. Hickok
added that the City webpage has an article about protecting your water from
freezing. Call 763-572-3566 during business hours or afterhours call 763-427-1212 if you have
problems with your water pipes.
Councilmember Bolkcom
asked if Fridley was any different because the service goes all the
way across the street.
Councilmember Saefke
said that Fridley takes on more responsibility than other communities.
Mr. Wysopal
said it is a standard in some suburbs for the ownership to go all the way to the
water main itself. Sometimes it depends on how the property was developed.
Councilmember Varichak
asked if some areas were freezing more than others.
Councilmember Saefke
said he was not sure. They used to keep a list of areas that usually
freeze up.
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Councilmember Barnette
said that it looks like the Citgo station on 61 Avenue will be
demolished in the near future.
Councilmember Varichak
congratulated the new firefighters that will be awarded new badges
next Monday; seven new members and a new Captain.
Mayor Lund
stated there are still tickets available for the Community Theater play, Barefoot in
the Park. Call the Community Center for tickets and more information.
ADJOURN:
MOTION
by Councilmember Barnette to adjourn. Seconded by Councilmember Varichak.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:10
P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Krista Peterson Scott J. Lund
Recording Secretary Mayor