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Home My WebLink AboutAATF November 18, 1992 () ~ CITY of ANDOVER ANDOVER AUTO RECYCLING/JUNK YARD TASK FORCE - NOVEMBER 18, 1992 MINUTES A Meeting of the Andover Auto Recycling/Junk Yard Task Force was called to order by Chairperson Jack McKelvey on November 18, 1992, 7:35 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, l685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Members absent: Also present: Councilmember Todd Smith Planning Commission Chairperson, Bonnie Dehn Planning Commission member, Steve Jonak Economic Development Committee member, Mike Auger Economic Development Committee member, Bill Coleman (arrived at 7:50 p.m.) Andover Auto Recyclers Association members - Penny DeNucci - Anoka Auto wrecking Harry Haluptzok - Best Auto Parts JoAnne Wilber - Wilber's Auto Parts None City Planner, Dave Carlberg Members present: o Ms. DeNucci and Ms. Wilber presented proposed landscaping designs for four of the auto recycling businesses. Best Auto Parts has nothing it can do until the road improvement project of Bunker Lake Boulevard is done. Ms. DeNucci stated they would like to reface their existing building to match the new building they wish to construct. Representatives of the Auto Recyclers Association stated one of the real issues is the desire to become conforming uses. If they are to invest large sums of money to upgrade their businesses, they need the assurance that they will be able to continue their operations in the event a catastrophe demolishes their buildings. They are willing to provide easements, etc., in order to be able to construct buildings in which they can conduct their business. '\ <...J Mr. Haluptzok suggested a five-year plan be established to change the appearances of the yards to what would be acceptable to the City and the residents. This would include landscaping, paving and striping parking lots, etc. In exchange, they want to be treated as legitimate businesses. He went through this same process in Blaine 14 years ago, and he had to invite every Councilmember to corne into the yard to see how business is conducted. Auto Recycling is handled by Special Use Permit in Blaine, and the annual permit to operate is $500. He suggested a first-year program that could be done in the spring and would consist of adding shrubbery and fencing, if needed. The amount of work will vary for. each yard. They would also be allowed to apply for building permits. By the end of the second year, they would have the blacktop parking lots and driveways. " Andover Auto Recycling/Junk Yard Task Force Minutes - November 18, 1992 Page 2 ) Mr. Carlberg felt the Council did not wish to allow any more auto recycling/junkyards in the City, which is why the use was made nonconforming, and stated the City Attorney must advise how the ordinance could be changed to allow the existing yards to construct their buildings, etc., without allowing any more yards. Councilmember Smith felt that the attitude toward these businesses has changed because of the awareness of recycling. If the yards improve their appearances and move from outdoor to indoor operations, they would look like an average business. (Bill Coleman arrived at this time, 7:50 p.m.) Mr. Carlberg explained the process other businesses must go through, including the commercial site plan. That same process would need to be followed by the auto recyclers. He also explained the proposed plan for the industrial area, including the proposed locations for Commercial Boulevard and several streets extending north to Bunker Lake Boulevard. " ) Ms. DeNucci stated some of them are in a much bigger hurry than others to put up their buildings. They would have liked to have theirs up before winter. If she would be allowed to have a building permit yet this year, she would be willing to provide a bond for the landscaping work that couldn't be done until next year to ensure that the work will be done. In the discussion that ensued, it was pointed out that permits cannot be granted while the yards are nonconforming uses, and that legal advise is needed on this issue. For their protection, Ms. Wilber felt they should be changed to conforming uses prior to constructing their buildings. Mr. Carlberg noted that any change in the ordinance would have to go through the Planning and Zoning Commission. If a conforming use is a problem for now, Ms. DeNucci suggested the possibility of allowing them by Special Use with a clause that they would be able to reconstruct in the event the business/buildings are destroyed. Commissioner Jonak suggested when the yards do their landscaping plans, that they look at the entrance. He hoped something could be done so when the gates are open, people do not see directly into the junk in the yards. Mr. Haluptzok asked about the balance in the City's Tax Increment Financing fund. It would take only $1,025,000 to buyout the four yards, which would start the area moving into a more industrial area. Those yards would be the ones along Bunker Lake Boulevard, Mom's, ATV, and Best, which present the greatest visual problems, and Andover Auto on Jay Street for the extension of Commercial Boulevard. That would also eliminate four of the seven yards. He felt the City should seriously look at that option. , / Discussion was also on the annual licensing fee. Ms. Wilber stated the $750 fee was raised to everyone because of problems the City had with one or two. The fees were never lowered and are now the highest in the nation. She ob;ected to havinq to pay for problems the City is having Andover Auto Recycling/Junk Yard Task Force Minutes - November 18, 1992 \ Page 3 with other businesses. Mr. Carlberg preferred to see the licensing year be from July to July. That would allow them to make any corrections necessary to meet ordinance requirements in the summer months. Now those recommendations are made in the fall and often times the work cannot be completed prior to license renewal because of the weather. Mr. Haluptzok suggested the City use its ability to require bonding for unfinished work. The Task Force generally agreed to propose to the Council that the license renewal for January I, 1993, be for a six-month period only; after which the licensing period would be annually from July through July. That also gives the Task Force six months to look at the amount of the licensing fee and make a recommendation to the Council. Before going any further, the Task Force asked Mr. Carlberg to do the following: Ask the City Attorney about declaring the uses conforming but preventing any new yards to begin. Ask the City Attorney about the possibility of allowing the yards to construct buildings under a Special Use Permit where, even as a nonconforming use, they would be able to rebuild in the event of fire, tornado, etc. Determine the amount of funds in the Tax Increment Financing fund and what funds are designated for specific purposes. Determine what other cities have done for nonconforming uses and how other cities handle the auto J recycling/junkyard businesses, licensing them, the requirements, etc. Determine a reasonable licensing fee which would increase to any particular yard if more than the normal inspections are necessary, such as an additional $lOO for the first special inspection, another $150 for the second special inspection, etc. Determine if the League of Minnesota Cities has any information on the licensing and regulating of junkyards. In addition, the Andover Auto Recyclers Association agreed to redraft a zoning proposal regarding the upgrading of their businesses. The Task Force agreed to hold its next meeting on Wednesday, December 9, 1992, 7:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall. Chairperson McKelvey declared the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, '~\ Cl--~=c&?~ ~a~lla A. Peach Recording Secretary