01-915ORIGI�IAL
RESOLUTION
C1TY OF $QINT PAUL, lyt}�NESOTA
Presented
Referred To
Council File # O� � s
Green Sheet # 106170
tq
Committee Date
VJHEREAS, the Legislative Hearing Officer recommends that license applicarion (ID # 0030828) for Extension
of Service Area to Third Flooz and Upper Balcony Areas and Liquor License Upgrade from Liquor on Sale over
100 Seats to Over 200 Seats by The Vintage, 579 Selby Avenue, be approved with the following condifions:
1) Patio close no later than 11 p.m. on Sundays,
2) Forty-seven (47) off street parking spaces must be provided and the pazking lot must be developed in
accordance with the zoning approved site plan;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Saint Pau1 hereby approves this license
application with the recommended conditions.
Yeas Nays Absent
Blakey ✓
Coleman �
Hazris
Benanav �
Reiter �
Boshom ��
Lanhy ��
R o
Requested by Department of:
�
Form Approved by City Attomey
�
Adopted by Council: Date .S 7 a O
=�-- � Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council
Adoption Certified by Council Secr� B
By: '� �i -
• y .y/y
Approved by Mayor: Date �( I1fa�!
By: - �\ `�r��-�'�%%��" '���"��
b1�415
oFrnan�exrro��cF.tcoutaa� ow�wm��o - ' � ,
�"` 106170
c�t Council Offices s-��-o� GREEN SHEET No
CONiACT PERSON 8 WiONE ' '- Y�maIID�b MNbYDb
Gerry Strathman, 266-8560
mµ,�raw�,aR wrcaana
MUST BE ON COUNCILAGHJR4 BY (0ATE)
11DEIGII
. . �� arvAilOINlY CIIYCIfIlR
NOlRiib
� ❑Rt�11WLfFllUCFlOR n1�IrJ�tiF1NI11CCfa
� ❑ WYORPRYiRl11f11 ❑
TOTAL # O� SIGNATURE PAC,ES (CLJP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE)
criont �uESrm
Approving application with conditions for Extension of Service Area to Third Eloor and Upper
Balcony Areas and Liquor License Upgrade from Liquor on Sale Over 100 Seats to Over 200 Seat
by The Vintage, 579 Selby Avenue.
RECOM ENDATION Approve (A ar ReJed (R PERSONALSERYIQ CONTRAGTS MUSTANSWERiHE FOLLAWIN6 QUESTIONS:
� � 1: Hmtlirepe'euJfumeuerv.arkedunderaoonGactforihistlepaihneM7
PLANNINGCOMMISSION VES NO
CIB CAMMCREE 2. Flastttls perpaNfirm aer Eem e ary empbyee9
CIVILSERVICECAMMIS$ION , - , , VES , NO
3. Dae¢ Mis PeisaNfirm poesece e sldll not namalbPOeaeaeetl M a�Y curteM cily empioyee7
YES NO
' 4. �611116p2180MIR118�3fQE18C�lf1U0Y7
�S �
• . . , .. EJ�IBIII2H y08 2118�4CI8 p1�82p818fE STIBBI elltl Blf8d1 W QIBlM18�IfM
INI7IATMG PROBLEM ISSUE, OPPOR7UNIN (Who. What, When, Nfhere, Why) �
ADVANTAGESIFAPPRQVED
C�uncil Res�arch �errter
� � . � � AU6 7 `� 2001.
DISAWANTAGES IFAPPROVED �
DISADVANTAGES IF NOT APPROVED ` � �
TOTAL AMOUNT OF 7RANSACTION S COET/REVEHUE BUOfiE7m (GRCLE ON� YES NO
FUNDINC SOURCE ACTNITY NIWBER �
FlN4NCI41INFORMATION(pWWNj . . • � ' � . . , �
o�-`tl
MINUTES OF'TF� LEGISLATIVE HEARING
TT� VINTAGE - 579 Selby Avenue
Thursdap, August 16, 2001
Room 330 Courthouse
Gerry Strathman, Legislative Hearing Officer
STAFF PRESENT: Corinne, Asuncion, License, Inspections, Environmental Protection (LIEP);
Kristine Schweinler, LIEP
The meeting was called to order at 133 p.m.
Gerry Sirathman stated this hearing is being held to heaz objections to the license application for
The Vintage, 579 Selby Avenue.
Kristine Schweinler reported the request is for an eactension of azea to the Third Floor and upper
balcony. Staff recommends approval of the licenses with the conditions that were on the license
previously, which aze as follows: 1) The patio close no later than 11 p.m. on Sundays, 2) Fourty-
seven (47) off street parking spaces must be provided and the pazking lot must be developed in
accordance with the zoning approved site plan.
Mr. StratYunan asked does the expansion of service have an nnpact on the nuxnber of off street
spaces required. Ms. Schweinler responded that Tom Beach (LIEP) says it is sufficient to handle
the expansion.
Paul Bergstrom, 579 Dayton Avenue, appeared and stated he lives closer to The Vintage than
anyone in the City. His back fence is less than 20 yuds from their building. The Vintage is a
good neighbor. The neighborhood has become better since The Vintage moved in. Whenever
commercial businesses are in predominantly residential azeas, there aze going to be issues. The
issue Mr. Bergstrom wrote about is the dumpster. He has spoken to Troy DeWitt and Dan
Nelson, and they aze willing to talk about tYus issue. The odor has gotten somewhat better, but is
still a problem May through September, especially when the weather gets hot. There may be up
to eight occasions in the sununer when the smell is strong and odor from the dumpster prevents
him and his neighbors from enjoying their backyazd. He would like some conditions placed on
the license that the owner take steps to make sure the garbage problem is cleared up. If they are
going to expand and serve more food, Mr. Bergstrom expects they will have more gazbage and it
will become more of a problem.
Mr. Strathman stated he contacted Bill Gunther, the City's d'uector for Environmental Protection.
He reported that inspectors were sent out on two occasions to check the dumpster and that on
both occasions they found the conditions to be acceptable. He did say that restaurants and places
with food are suppose to bag all their gazbage prior to putting it into the dumpster, which
eliminates the odor emanating from the dumpster. The unacceptable levels of odors aze the result
of them not bagging the garbage going into the dumpster. Mr. Bergstrom responded that the
problem usually occurs on the weekend. Unless an inspector went out duriug that time, they
might not detect anything.
c � -9,ts
TF� VINTAGE - LEGISLATIVE HEARING MIN[JTES FOR AUGUST 16, 2001 Page 2
Mr. Strathman stated no one is allowed to deprive Mr. Bergstrom of the use of his property by
creating noxious odors. If The Vintage is doing that, it is a violation of CiTy code and can be
dealt with independent of their licensing matters. If the problems reoccurs, Mr. Bergstrom
should call LIEP, tell them there is a problem, and they will send out an inspector. Mr.
Bergstrom responded he will do that as a last resort after talldng to Mr. Dewitt and Mr. Nelson.
lYlr. Stratluuau stated he xeceived two ob}ection letters. The fizst letter is from Paul Bergstrom
who just spoke. The second letter is from the Dayton Avenue Rowhouse Association, which is
at 568, 570, 572, 574 Dayton Avenue. They indicate they have concerns about the expansion.
They were assured by the owners that special steps would be taken to ensure that noise from the
customers and smell from their gazbage would not be a problem. This has turned out not to be
the case. Their primary concerns aze that the increase in the number of customers will magnify
the problem of the gazbage smell. It will cause additional noise for the residents, and will
contribute towazd a parking shortage in the neighborhood.
Troy Dewitt, owner, and Dan Nelsen, general manager, appeared. Mr. DeWitt stated he would
agree with everything Mr. Bergstrom said. Last sunvner, there was an issue with the dumpster
smell. Mr. Nelson ordered a larger dumpster with a heavier lid that cannot freely stand open. It
also has a rubber gasket so that the garbage will stay below the top level and the lid by gravity
will stay shut. The cleaning staf£would prop the dumpster open in order to throw in items, and
they would sometimes forget to close the duxnpster. There is a policy now that the dumpster
cannot be propped open in anyway. It has been very hot, and NIr. DeWitt feels the duxnpster has
retained the scent very well.
Mr. Strathman asked are they bagging the garbage. Mr. Nelson responded they aze, but bags tear
periodically. He parks neaz the dumpster everyday. If the lid is down, there is no noticeable
odor. Last summer, the dumpster was not big enough. On a busy week, they could not get the
lid down. Now, they have a dumpster that is nearly double the size. Previously, a stafFperson
would prop the lid open and forget to close it. There is an odor even if the gazbage is bagged;
however, this has not been a problem for some rime.
Mr. Strathxnan asked about the noise issue raised by the Rowhouse Association. Mr. Nelson
responded he has been at The Vintage four yeazs and has received one phone call about the noise.
That was the aberration of a lazge group of people that were having a pariy in the bar that got out
of hand. The Vintage is a quite, romantic place. In their letter, the Rowhouse Association
writes "numerous complaints." Mr. Nelson is the person they would tallc to about this issue, and
numerous complaints have not taken place. He has received up to four calls on the smell issue.
Mr. Strathman asked if they had anytlung to say about pazking. Mr. DeWitt responded they were
not going to expand with the variance, which is why they made the effort to purchase the
adj acent house. They remodeled it to increase the pazldng azea. The bulk of the parking takes
place on the lot behind Mr. Bergstrom's house and an apartment building. Where The Vintage
butts up to Mr. Bergstrom's property, there is a drive lane. There should not be much foot
traffiq loitering, people leaving the building. There is a small amount of pazking on the east
o�.g�5
T'HE VINTAGE - LEGISLATIVE HEARING MINUT'ES FOR AUGUST 16, 2001 Page 3
side. Their lots occupy 250 feet of frontage on Selby. There is often good pazking rigJrt in front.
Mr. DeWitt does not feel The Vintage has encroached on the neighborhood in terms of parking
pressure. Mr. Bergstrom is the closest resident to The Vintage and the patio azea. If there was
noise from the pafio, he would be the first one to notice.
Mr. Bergstrom stated he does not see any problem with pazldng. There is noise when people
leave, but that is to be expected. He lives in the CiTy because he likes to be azound people. He
knows that The Vintage cannot gag people before they get to their cazs. Mr. DeWitt and Mr.
Nelson have taken steps to ask people to be quiet when they exit the restaurant.
Gerry Strathman recommended approval of the license application with the condifions that haue
been previously been placed on the license, which are as follows: 1) The patio close no later than
11 p.m. on Sundays, 2) Forty-seven (47) off street pazking spaces must be provided and the
parking lot must be developed in accordance with the zoning approved site plan.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:51 p.m.
fii4t
ORIGI�IAL
RESOLUTION
C1TY OF $QINT PAUL, lyt}�NESOTA
Presented
Referred To
Council File # O� � s
Green Sheet # 106170
tq
Committee Date
VJHEREAS, the Legislative Hearing Officer recommends that license applicarion (ID # 0030828) for Extension
of Service Area to Third Flooz and Upper Balcony Areas and Liquor License Upgrade from Liquor on Sale over
100 Seats to Over 200 Seats by The Vintage, 579 Selby Avenue, be approved with the following condifions:
1) Patio close no later than 11 p.m. on Sundays,
2) Forty-seven (47) off street parking spaces must be provided and the pazking lot must be developed in
accordance with the zoning approved site plan;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Saint Pau1 hereby approves this license
application with the recommended conditions.
Yeas Nays Absent
Blakey ✓
Coleman �
Hazris
Benanav �
Reiter �
Boshom ��
Lanhy ��
R o
Requested by Department of:
�
Form Approved by City Attomey
�
Adopted by Council: Date .S 7 a O
=�-- � Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council
Adoption Certified by Council Secr� B
By: '� �i -
• y .y/y
Approved by Mayor: Date �( I1fa�!
By: - �\ `�r��-�'�%%��" '���"��
b1�415
oFrnan�exrro��cF.tcoutaa� ow�wm��o - ' � ,
�"` 106170
c�t Council Offices s-��-o� GREEN SHEET No
CONiACT PERSON 8 WiONE ' '- Y�maIID�b MNbYDb
Gerry Strathman, 266-8560
mµ,�raw�,aR wrcaana
MUST BE ON COUNCILAGHJR4 BY (0ATE)
11DEIGII
. . �� arvAilOINlY CIIYCIfIlR
NOlRiib
� ❑Rt�11WLfFllUCFlOR n1�IrJ�tiF1NI11CCfa
� ❑ WYORPRYiRl11f11 ❑
TOTAL # O� SIGNATURE PAC,ES (CLJP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE)
criont �uESrm
Approving application with conditions for Extension of Service Area to Third Eloor and Upper
Balcony Areas and Liquor License Upgrade from Liquor on Sale Over 100 Seats to Over 200 Seat
by The Vintage, 579 Selby Avenue.
RECOM ENDATION Approve (A ar ReJed (R PERSONALSERYIQ CONTRAGTS MUSTANSWERiHE FOLLAWIN6 QUESTIONS:
� � 1: Hmtlirepe'euJfumeuerv.arkedunderaoonGactforihistlepaihneM7
PLANNINGCOMMISSION VES NO
CIB CAMMCREE 2. Flastttls perpaNfirm aer Eem e ary empbyee9
CIVILSERVICECAMMIS$ION , - , , VES , NO
3. Dae¢ Mis PeisaNfirm poesece e sldll not namalbPOeaeaeetl M a�Y curteM cily empioyee7
YES NO
' 4. �611116p2180MIR118�3fQE18C�lf1U0Y7
�S �
• . . , .. EJ�IBIII2H y08 2118�4CI8 p1�82p818fE STIBBI elltl Blf8d1 W QIBlM18�IfM
INI7IATMG PROBLEM ISSUE, OPPOR7UNIN (Who. What, When, Nfhere, Why) �
ADVANTAGESIFAPPRQVED
C�uncil Res�arch �errter
� � . � � AU6 7 `� 2001.
DISAWANTAGES IFAPPROVED �
DISADVANTAGES IF NOT APPROVED ` � �
TOTAL AMOUNT OF 7RANSACTION S COET/REVEHUE BUOfiE7m (GRCLE ON� YES NO
FUNDINC SOURCE ACTNITY NIWBER �
FlN4NCI41INFORMATION(pWWNj . . • � ' � . . , �
o�-`tl
MINUTES OF'TF� LEGISLATIVE HEARING
TT� VINTAGE - 579 Selby Avenue
Thursdap, August 16, 2001
Room 330 Courthouse
Gerry Strathman, Legislative Hearing Officer
STAFF PRESENT: Corinne, Asuncion, License, Inspections, Environmental Protection (LIEP);
Kristine Schweinler, LIEP
The meeting was called to order at 133 p.m.
Gerry Sirathman stated this hearing is being held to heaz objections to the license application for
The Vintage, 579 Selby Avenue.
Kristine Schweinler reported the request is for an eactension of azea to the Third Floor and upper
balcony. Staff recommends approval of the licenses with the conditions that were on the license
previously, which aze as follows: 1) The patio close no later than 11 p.m. on Sundays, 2) Fourty-
seven (47) off street parking spaces must be provided and the pazking lot must be developed in
accordance with the zoning approved site plan.
Mr. StratYunan asked does the expansion of service have an nnpact on the nuxnber of off street
spaces required. Ms. Schweinler responded that Tom Beach (LIEP) says it is sufficient to handle
the expansion.
Paul Bergstrom, 579 Dayton Avenue, appeared and stated he lives closer to The Vintage than
anyone in the City. His back fence is less than 20 yuds from their building. The Vintage is a
good neighbor. The neighborhood has become better since The Vintage moved in. Whenever
commercial businesses are in predominantly residential azeas, there aze going to be issues. The
issue Mr. Bergstrom wrote about is the dumpster. He has spoken to Troy DeWitt and Dan
Nelson, and they aze willing to talk about tYus issue. The odor has gotten somewhat better, but is
still a problem May through September, especially when the weather gets hot. There may be up
to eight occasions in the sununer when the smell is strong and odor from the dumpster prevents
him and his neighbors from enjoying their backyazd. He would like some conditions placed on
the license that the owner take steps to make sure the garbage problem is cleared up. If they are
going to expand and serve more food, Mr. Bergstrom expects they will have more gazbage and it
will become more of a problem.
Mr. Strathman stated he contacted Bill Gunther, the City's d'uector for Environmental Protection.
He reported that inspectors were sent out on two occasions to check the dumpster and that on
both occasions they found the conditions to be acceptable. He did say that restaurants and places
with food are suppose to bag all their gazbage prior to putting it into the dumpster, which
eliminates the odor emanating from the dumpster. The unacceptable levels of odors aze the result
of them not bagging the garbage going into the dumpster. Mr. Bergstrom responded that the
problem usually occurs on the weekend. Unless an inspector went out duriug that time, they
might not detect anything.
c � -9,ts
TF� VINTAGE - LEGISLATIVE HEARING MIN[JTES FOR AUGUST 16, 2001 Page 2
Mr. Strathman stated no one is allowed to deprive Mr. Bergstrom of the use of his property by
creating noxious odors. If The Vintage is doing that, it is a violation of CiTy code and can be
dealt with independent of their licensing matters. If the problems reoccurs, Mr. Bergstrom
should call LIEP, tell them there is a problem, and they will send out an inspector. Mr.
Bergstrom responded he will do that as a last resort after talldng to Mr. Dewitt and Mr. Nelson.
lYlr. Stratluuau stated he xeceived two ob}ection letters. The fizst letter is from Paul Bergstrom
who just spoke. The second letter is from the Dayton Avenue Rowhouse Association, which is
at 568, 570, 572, 574 Dayton Avenue. They indicate they have concerns about the expansion.
They were assured by the owners that special steps would be taken to ensure that noise from the
customers and smell from their gazbage would not be a problem. This has turned out not to be
the case. Their primary concerns aze that the increase in the number of customers will magnify
the problem of the gazbage smell. It will cause additional noise for the residents, and will
contribute towazd a parking shortage in the neighborhood.
Troy Dewitt, owner, and Dan Nelsen, general manager, appeared. Mr. DeWitt stated he would
agree with everything Mr. Bergstrom said. Last sunvner, there was an issue with the dumpster
smell. Mr. Nelson ordered a larger dumpster with a heavier lid that cannot freely stand open. It
also has a rubber gasket so that the garbage will stay below the top level and the lid by gravity
will stay shut. The cleaning staf£would prop the dumpster open in order to throw in items, and
they would sometimes forget to close the duxnpster. There is a policy now that the dumpster
cannot be propped open in anyway. It has been very hot, and NIr. DeWitt feels the duxnpster has
retained the scent very well.
Mr. Strathman asked are they bagging the garbage. Mr. Nelson responded they aze, but bags tear
periodically. He parks neaz the dumpster everyday. If the lid is down, there is no noticeable
odor. Last summer, the dumpster was not big enough. On a busy week, they could not get the
lid down. Now, they have a dumpster that is nearly double the size. Previously, a stafFperson
would prop the lid open and forget to close it. There is an odor even if the gazbage is bagged;
however, this has not been a problem for some rime.
Mr. Strathxnan asked about the noise issue raised by the Rowhouse Association. Mr. Nelson
responded he has been at The Vintage four yeazs and has received one phone call about the noise.
That was the aberration of a lazge group of people that were having a pariy in the bar that got out
of hand. The Vintage is a quite, romantic place. In their letter, the Rowhouse Association
writes "numerous complaints." Mr. Nelson is the person they would tallc to about this issue, and
numerous complaints have not taken place. He has received up to four calls on the smell issue.
Mr. Strathman asked if they had anytlung to say about pazking. Mr. DeWitt responded they were
not going to expand with the variance, which is why they made the effort to purchase the
adj acent house. They remodeled it to increase the pazldng azea. The bulk of the parking takes
place on the lot behind Mr. Bergstrom's house and an apartment building. Where The Vintage
butts up to Mr. Bergstrom's property, there is a drive lane. There should not be much foot
traffiq loitering, people leaving the building. There is a small amount of pazking on the east
o�.g�5
T'HE VINTAGE - LEGISLATIVE HEARING MINUT'ES FOR AUGUST 16, 2001 Page 3
side. Their lots occupy 250 feet of frontage on Selby. There is often good pazking rigJrt in front.
Mr. DeWitt does not feel The Vintage has encroached on the neighborhood in terms of parking
pressure. Mr. Bergstrom is the closest resident to The Vintage and the patio azea. If there was
noise from the pafio, he would be the first one to notice.
Mr. Bergstrom stated he does not see any problem with pazldng. There is noise when people
leave, but that is to be expected. He lives in the CiTy because he likes to be azound people. He
knows that The Vintage cannot gag people before they get to their cazs. Mr. DeWitt and Mr.
Nelson have taken steps to ask people to be quiet when they exit the restaurant.
Gerry Strathman recommended approval of the license application with the condifions that haue
been previously been placed on the license, which are as follows: 1) The patio close no later than
11 p.m. on Sundays, 2) Forty-seven (47) off street pazking spaces must be provided and the
parking lot must be developed in accordance with the zoning approved site plan.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:51 p.m.
fii4t
ORIGI�IAL
RESOLUTION
C1TY OF $QINT PAUL, lyt}�NESOTA
Presented
Referred To
Council File # O� � s
Green Sheet # 106170
tq
Committee Date
VJHEREAS, the Legislative Hearing Officer recommends that license applicarion (ID # 0030828) for Extension
of Service Area to Third Flooz and Upper Balcony Areas and Liquor License Upgrade from Liquor on Sale over
100 Seats to Over 200 Seats by The Vintage, 579 Selby Avenue, be approved with the following condifions:
1) Patio close no later than 11 p.m. on Sundays,
2) Forty-seven (47) off street parking spaces must be provided and the pazking lot must be developed in
accordance with the zoning approved site plan;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Saint Pau1 hereby approves this license
application with the recommended conditions.
Yeas Nays Absent
Blakey ✓
Coleman �
Hazris
Benanav �
Reiter �
Boshom ��
Lanhy ��
R o
Requested by Department of:
�
Form Approved by City Attomey
�
Adopted by Council: Date .S 7 a O
=�-- � Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council
Adoption Certified by Council Secr� B
By: '� �i -
• y .y/y
Approved by Mayor: Date �( I1fa�!
By: - �\ `�r��-�'�%%��" '���"��
b1�415
oFrnan�exrro��cF.tcoutaa� ow�wm��o - ' � ,
�"` 106170
c�t Council Offices s-��-o� GREEN SHEET No
CONiACT PERSON 8 WiONE ' '- Y�maIID�b MNbYDb
Gerry Strathman, 266-8560
mµ,�raw�,aR wrcaana
MUST BE ON COUNCILAGHJR4 BY (0ATE)
11DEIGII
. . �� arvAilOINlY CIIYCIfIlR
NOlRiib
� ❑Rt�11WLfFllUCFlOR n1�IrJ�tiF1NI11CCfa
� ❑ WYORPRYiRl11f11 ❑
TOTAL # O� SIGNATURE PAC,ES (CLJP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE)
criont �uESrm
Approving application with conditions for Extension of Service Area to Third Eloor and Upper
Balcony Areas and Liquor License Upgrade from Liquor on Sale Over 100 Seats to Over 200 Seat
by The Vintage, 579 Selby Avenue.
RECOM ENDATION Approve (A ar ReJed (R PERSONALSERYIQ CONTRAGTS MUSTANSWERiHE FOLLAWIN6 QUESTIONS:
� � 1: Hmtlirepe'euJfumeuerv.arkedunderaoonGactforihistlepaihneM7
PLANNINGCOMMISSION VES NO
CIB CAMMCREE 2. Flastttls perpaNfirm aer Eem e ary empbyee9
CIVILSERVICECAMMIS$ION , - , , VES , NO
3. Dae¢ Mis PeisaNfirm poesece e sldll not namalbPOeaeaeetl M a�Y curteM cily empioyee7
YES NO
' 4. �611116p2180MIR118�3fQE18C�lf1U0Y7
�S �
• . . , .. EJ�IBIII2H y08 2118�4CI8 p1�82p818fE STIBBI elltl Blf8d1 W QIBlM18�IfM
INI7IATMG PROBLEM ISSUE, OPPOR7UNIN (Who. What, When, Nfhere, Why) �
ADVANTAGESIFAPPRQVED
C�uncil Res�arch �errter
� � . � � AU6 7 `� 2001.
DISAWANTAGES IFAPPROVED �
DISADVANTAGES IF NOT APPROVED ` � �
TOTAL AMOUNT OF 7RANSACTION S COET/REVEHUE BUOfiE7m (GRCLE ON� YES NO
FUNDINC SOURCE ACTNITY NIWBER �
FlN4NCI41INFORMATION(pWWNj . . • � ' � . . , �
o�-`tl
MINUTES OF'TF� LEGISLATIVE HEARING
TT� VINTAGE - 579 Selby Avenue
Thursdap, August 16, 2001
Room 330 Courthouse
Gerry Strathman, Legislative Hearing Officer
STAFF PRESENT: Corinne, Asuncion, License, Inspections, Environmental Protection (LIEP);
Kristine Schweinler, LIEP
The meeting was called to order at 133 p.m.
Gerry Sirathman stated this hearing is being held to heaz objections to the license application for
The Vintage, 579 Selby Avenue.
Kristine Schweinler reported the request is for an eactension of azea to the Third Floor and upper
balcony. Staff recommends approval of the licenses with the conditions that were on the license
previously, which aze as follows: 1) The patio close no later than 11 p.m. on Sundays, 2) Fourty-
seven (47) off street parking spaces must be provided and the pazking lot must be developed in
accordance with the zoning approved site plan.
Mr. StratYunan asked does the expansion of service have an nnpact on the nuxnber of off street
spaces required. Ms. Schweinler responded that Tom Beach (LIEP) says it is sufficient to handle
the expansion.
Paul Bergstrom, 579 Dayton Avenue, appeared and stated he lives closer to The Vintage than
anyone in the City. His back fence is less than 20 yuds from their building. The Vintage is a
good neighbor. The neighborhood has become better since The Vintage moved in. Whenever
commercial businesses are in predominantly residential azeas, there aze going to be issues. The
issue Mr. Bergstrom wrote about is the dumpster. He has spoken to Troy DeWitt and Dan
Nelson, and they aze willing to talk about tYus issue. The odor has gotten somewhat better, but is
still a problem May through September, especially when the weather gets hot. There may be up
to eight occasions in the sununer when the smell is strong and odor from the dumpster prevents
him and his neighbors from enjoying their backyazd. He would like some conditions placed on
the license that the owner take steps to make sure the garbage problem is cleared up. If they are
going to expand and serve more food, Mr. Bergstrom expects they will have more gazbage and it
will become more of a problem.
Mr. Strathman stated he contacted Bill Gunther, the City's d'uector for Environmental Protection.
He reported that inspectors were sent out on two occasions to check the dumpster and that on
both occasions they found the conditions to be acceptable. He did say that restaurants and places
with food are suppose to bag all their gazbage prior to putting it into the dumpster, which
eliminates the odor emanating from the dumpster. The unacceptable levels of odors aze the result
of them not bagging the garbage going into the dumpster. Mr. Bergstrom responded that the
problem usually occurs on the weekend. Unless an inspector went out duriug that time, they
might not detect anything.
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TF� VINTAGE - LEGISLATIVE HEARING MIN[JTES FOR AUGUST 16, 2001 Page 2
Mr. Strathman stated no one is allowed to deprive Mr. Bergstrom of the use of his property by
creating noxious odors. If The Vintage is doing that, it is a violation of CiTy code and can be
dealt with independent of their licensing matters. If the problems reoccurs, Mr. Bergstrom
should call LIEP, tell them there is a problem, and they will send out an inspector. Mr.
Bergstrom responded he will do that as a last resort after talldng to Mr. Dewitt and Mr. Nelson.
lYlr. Stratluuau stated he xeceived two ob}ection letters. The fizst letter is from Paul Bergstrom
who just spoke. The second letter is from the Dayton Avenue Rowhouse Association, which is
at 568, 570, 572, 574 Dayton Avenue. They indicate they have concerns about the expansion.
They were assured by the owners that special steps would be taken to ensure that noise from the
customers and smell from their gazbage would not be a problem. This has turned out not to be
the case. Their primary concerns aze that the increase in the number of customers will magnify
the problem of the gazbage smell. It will cause additional noise for the residents, and will
contribute towazd a parking shortage in the neighborhood.
Troy Dewitt, owner, and Dan Nelsen, general manager, appeared. Mr. DeWitt stated he would
agree with everything Mr. Bergstrom said. Last sunvner, there was an issue with the dumpster
smell. Mr. Nelson ordered a larger dumpster with a heavier lid that cannot freely stand open. It
also has a rubber gasket so that the garbage will stay below the top level and the lid by gravity
will stay shut. The cleaning staf£would prop the dumpster open in order to throw in items, and
they would sometimes forget to close the duxnpster. There is a policy now that the dumpster
cannot be propped open in anyway. It has been very hot, and NIr. DeWitt feels the duxnpster has
retained the scent very well.
Mr. Strathman asked are they bagging the garbage. Mr. Nelson responded they aze, but bags tear
periodically. He parks neaz the dumpster everyday. If the lid is down, there is no noticeable
odor. Last summer, the dumpster was not big enough. On a busy week, they could not get the
lid down. Now, they have a dumpster that is nearly double the size. Previously, a stafFperson
would prop the lid open and forget to close it. There is an odor even if the gazbage is bagged;
however, this has not been a problem for some rime.
Mr. Strathxnan asked about the noise issue raised by the Rowhouse Association. Mr. Nelson
responded he has been at The Vintage four yeazs and has received one phone call about the noise.
That was the aberration of a lazge group of people that were having a pariy in the bar that got out
of hand. The Vintage is a quite, romantic place. In their letter, the Rowhouse Association
writes "numerous complaints." Mr. Nelson is the person they would tallc to about this issue, and
numerous complaints have not taken place. He has received up to four calls on the smell issue.
Mr. Strathman asked if they had anytlung to say about pazking. Mr. DeWitt responded they were
not going to expand with the variance, which is why they made the effort to purchase the
adj acent house. They remodeled it to increase the pazldng azea. The bulk of the parking takes
place on the lot behind Mr. Bergstrom's house and an apartment building. Where The Vintage
butts up to Mr. Bergstrom's property, there is a drive lane. There should not be much foot
traffiq loitering, people leaving the building. There is a small amount of pazking on the east
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T'HE VINTAGE - LEGISLATIVE HEARING MINUT'ES FOR AUGUST 16, 2001 Page 3
side. Their lots occupy 250 feet of frontage on Selby. There is often good pazking rigJrt in front.
Mr. DeWitt does not feel The Vintage has encroached on the neighborhood in terms of parking
pressure. Mr. Bergstrom is the closest resident to The Vintage and the patio azea. If there was
noise from the pafio, he would be the first one to notice.
Mr. Bergstrom stated he does not see any problem with pazldng. There is noise when people
leave, but that is to be expected. He lives in the CiTy because he likes to be azound people. He
knows that The Vintage cannot gag people before they get to their cazs. Mr. DeWitt and Mr.
Nelson have taken steps to ask people to be quiet when they exit the restaurant.
Gerry Strathman recommended approval of the license application with the condifions that haue
been previously been placed on the license, which are as follows: 1) The patio close no later than
11 p.m. on Sundays, 2) Forty-seven (47) off street pazking spaces must be provided and the
parking lot must be developed in accordance with the zoning approved site plan.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:51 p.m.
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