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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP November 18, 1993 ~ ......¿ ~ -. 1~)Îlq3 ~ CITY of ANDOVER SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - NOVEMBER 18, 1993 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on November 18, 1993, 7:36 p.m., at the Andover Public Works Building, 1785 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Dalien, Jacobson, Knight Councilmember absent: Perry Also present: City Planner, Dave Carlberg JOINT MEETING WITH AUTO RECYCLING/JUNKYARD TASK FORCE Task Force Members present: Councilmember Larry Dalien Andover Auto Recyclers Association members - Penny DeNucci - Anoka Auto Wrecking JoAnne Wilber - wilber's Auto Parts Economic Development Committee member, Mike Auger Planning Commission Chairperson, Bonnie Dehn Hembers absent: Planning Commission member, Jay Squires Economic Development Committee member, Bill Coleman Andover Auto Recyclers Association member - Harry Haluptzok - Best Auto Parts Also present: Other owners of recycling yards The Task Force reviewed the verbiage on proposed amendments to the non- conforming uses and structures section of the ordinance to allow the auto recycling yards to construct environmental and warehouse buildings. After reviewing those recommendations which were submitted by the various Task Force members, the Task Force generally agreed with the verbiage submitted by Councilmember Jacobson with the exception of Item (3) , Outside storage of vehicle carcasses must be reduced by twice the square footage of all such structure(s) upon the completion of the structure. There was agreement, however, that the wording on Item (4) should be "Should any buildings be destroyed..." Councilmember Jacobson explained his proposal treats the environmental buildings and warehouse buildings separately. The first paragraphs deals with the environmental buildings; the second deals with warehousing which would be allowed if certain criteria is met. Because one of the issues for the City has been to see the size of the junkyards reduced, the warehouse structures would be contingent upon a reduction in the square footage of outdoor vehicle carcass storage. The City wants to see that area cleaned up so other industrial uses would be attracted to that vicinity. Councilmember Knight stated his goal would be to encourage inside storage and reduce the amount of carcasses outdoors to make the area more attractive for other commercial businesses. He does not want to shut down the junkyards, but some how the area has to be made more attractive to others. .- ~ - .- . Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - November 18, 1993 Page 2 (Joint Meeting with Auto Recyc1ers/Junkyard Task Force, Continued) The auto recyclers were concerned with that provision, even questioning the legality of forcing them not to use their land. At this point there is nothing they can do with the bare land because in most cases there is no access to it, yet they must continue paying taxes on it. There is also the issue of forcing the smaller yards, such as those with less than two acres, to vacate the same portion of their land as those with much larger acreages. Councilmember Jacobson suggested the property could be used for additional parking, shrubs, or green spaces. That property would be put to a different use. Councilmember Knight would be satisfied if the areas were made more attractive with berming, the planting of trees and shrubs, etc., that is create a buffer zone around the yards. He preferred that to the fencing, which is not that aesthetically pleasing. Ms. Dehn explained one standard for a vegetative fence is three staggered rows of trees -- one stand of small seedlings, one of two- to three-year old evergreen trees and a third stand of poplars because they grow very fast. After considerably more discussion, one suggestion that most agreed to was to use the vacant+Jand ~e~~.e,y I~em¿3tt!t~ç-SJ~~emb~f,¡:ffi2.l?,sonj s proposed amendment be f¡)~ 0 crco.to""':a )'e';) 0 a~ufla c 'tára'J -beFm-it QRd adù a vEgctative feRCO. That vacant land could also be used to increase the size of the parking lot. Five of the auto recycling yards in the City were represented at the meeting, and they tended to agree with the vegetative fence proposal. 0... IO-tOO+ :,.w;p 1:>,,1>'(\ ,",seò o.~ o.¥\.e.~l~ \V\.~ó\~~s\o"'-. J Various scenarios were noted for specific yards as to how this proposal affects them plus the widening of Bunker Lake Boulevard affecting those yards fronting on that road. Mayor McKelvey stated by giving up land on which carcasses were stored to the county for road easement, those yards would technically be meeting the condition proposed by Councilmember Jacobson. Those along Bunker Lake could position their building such that there is sufficient easement for the road and parking in the front, that the building would create a screen to the rear of the yard, plus they would provide a 10-foot vegetative berm around the remaining three sides of the property. The reduction per Item 3 in the proposal would only have to be done once. Councilmember Knight said any berming and vegetative screen must be done according to a City-approved plan. At this point it was agreed that everyone would give further thought to the proposed use of the vacated storage areas for berming and vegetative fence, parking, green space, etc. The auto recyclers agreed to discuss the issue among themselves and submit their recommendations for verbiage to Item (3) of Councilmember Jacobson's proposal. It was further agreed that all recommendations on the proposed amendment would be submitted to Mr. Carlberg by Friday, December 3, 1994, 4:30 p.m. He will ask the City Attorney to review the proposal as to its legality. Another joint meeting of the Andover City Council and Auto Recyclers/Junkyard Task Force will be held on Wednesday, December 15, 1993, 7:30 p.m. at the City Hall. Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - November 18, 1993 Page 3 APPROVE MOBILE HOME PERMIT/3541 153RD AVENUE NW MOTION by Jacobson, Seconded by Knight, that we allow Les Dalenberg to move a mobile home to 3541 153rd Avenue NW for a period of three months; the reason being a fire damaged the home and this is temporary housing during the rebuilding of the structure. Motion carried on a 4-Yes, 1- Absent (Perry) vote. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET/CROWN POINTS EAST AND WEST Mr. Carlberg stated the Environmental Quality Board has stated that the Weybridge development and the proposed Crown Point developments are not contiguous because the Burlington Northern Railroad owns a 300-foot strip of land between them. Since they are not contiguous, the motion passed by the Council at the November 16 meeting is not legal because it was based on the developments meeting the 250 unit threshold to require an EAW. Since the developments are not contiguous, that threshold is not met and the EAW is not mandatory. Mr. Carlberg stated he has scheduled the discussion of an EAW at the regular meeting on December 7, 1993. If an EAW is to be ordered, the Council must specify the significant environmental effects and findings of fact. Staff will do nothing with the EAW until the Council discusses it on December 7. The Planning commission will also be reviewing the rezoning per the Council directive at a special meeting on November 30, 1993. Mr. Carlberg also advised the Council that in researching the legality of Mr. Windschitl continuing to work on the property, he found that the City cannot legally require Mr. Windschitl to stop the grading as all of the necessary permits were received prior to the petition for an EAW. There was a brief discussion on having the City look at the process of issuing grading permits prior to the conclusion of the other processes such as the rezoning and preliminary plats. Nothing specific was agreed to. MOTION by Jacobson to adjourn. Motion carried on a 4-Yes, I-Absent (Perry) vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Respectfully ~ L- ~lc [~ Marc 1 A. Peach Recording Secretary