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SUMMARY MINUTES OF
THE SAINT PAUL CITY COUNCIL
Wednesday, January 4, 2005 - 3:30 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 3RD FLOOR
City Hall and Court House
15 West Kellogg Boulevard
The meeting was called to order by Council President Lantry at 3:35 p.m.
Present — 7 — Benanav, Bostrom, Harris, Helgen, Lantry, Montgomery, Thune
Absent ry-- 0
CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1 - 45)
NOTE: ALL ITEMS LISTED UNDER CONSENT AGENDA WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION, THERE
WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS. IF DISCUSSION IS DESIRED BYA
COUNCILMEMBER, THAT ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND
CONSIDERED SEPARATELY.
Councilmember Benanav requested items 29 and 30 be removed for discussion.
Items 4 through 28 were removed for discussion.
Councihmember Benanav moved approval as amended.
Adopted as amended Yeas - 7 Nays - 0
COMMUNICATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS
Claims of Raelee Boyce, Nathan Brezniak, Stacia Merritt and Michael Duncan, Christina
Reisner, Tim Sieber, Emily Topinka, and Michael Zakrzewski.
Referred to Risk Management
2. Notice of Condemnation Commissioners Hearings, Parcel No. 1, in the matter of the City
of Saint Paul vs. Hillcrest Shopping Center, et al.
Referred to the City Attorney's Office
FOR ACTION
3. Approval of minutes of December 7, 14, and 21, 2005.
Adopted Yeas — 7 Nays — 0
Items 4 through 28 were presented for separate consideration after the Consent Agenda.
29; (Discussed after Consent Agenda)
30. (Discussed after Consent Agenda)
January 4, 2006 City Council Summary Minutes
Page 2
31. Resolution — 06-28 — Approving the Memorandum of Agreement between the City of
Saint Paul and the Saint Paul Supervisors Organization (SPSO),
Adopted Yeas — 7 Nays — 0
32. Resolution — 06-29 --- Adopting an Out -of -State Travel Policy for elected officials.
Adopted Yeas - 7 Nays — 0
33. Resolution — 06-30 — Approving the Iicense application, per the Legislative Hearing
Officer, for Wine On Sale, Malt On Sale (Strong), and Restaurant Licenses .by Jaro
Investment, Inc., d/b/a Italian Pie Shoppe & Winery, 1670 Grand Avenue.
Adopted Yeas — 7 Nays — 0
34. Resolution -- 06-31 — Deleting the assessment for property at 1143 Van Buren Avenue.
Adopted Yeas — 7 Nays — 0
35. Resolution -- 06-32 — Approving payment in the amount of $57,500.00 to Oleatha Curtis,
and her attorney Nicholas G.B. May, in full settlement of their claim against the City of
Saint Paul.
Adopted Yeas — 7 Nays — 0
36. Resolution — 06-33 — Authorizing the Department of Fire and Safety Services to conduct
various fire training exercises at 11626 University Avenue, Coon Rapids.
Adopted Yeas — 7 Nays — 0
37. Resolution — 06-34 — Amending the 2005 Capital Improvement Budget for the Lilydale
Park Trail Connection project, and authorizing the proper City officials to execute
agreements.
Adopted Yeas — 7 Nays — 0
38. Resolution -- 06-35 — Authorizing the Police Department to enter into a grant agreement
with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for the 2005 Buffer Zone Protection
Program,
Adopted Yeas — 7 Nays — 0
39. Resolution — 06-36 — Authorizing the Police Department to enter into a grant agreement
with the State of MN for the Gang Strike Force,
Adopted Yeas — 7 Nays — 0
40. Resolution -- 06-37 — Authorizing the Police Department to accept a First Light
Accountability Response and Enforcement (FLARE) grant from the U.S. Department of
Justice and establishing a 2005 financing and spending plan for the grant.
Adopted Yeas — 7 Nays — 0
January 4, 2006 City Council Summary Minutes Page 3
41. Resolution — 06-38 — Authorizing the proper City officials to enter into a Cooperative
Construction Agreement with West Saint Paul for reconstruction of Charlton Avenue
from Annapolis Street to 105 feet south of the south property line of Sidney Street,
Adopted Yeas — 7 Nays — 0
42. Resolution — 06-39 — Accepting conveyance of two properties near Ivy/Forest and
Wabasha/Fifth from the Housing and Redevelopment Authority for dedication as park
land.
Adopted Yeas — 7 Nays — 0
43. Resolution — 06-40 — Establishing the Right -of -Way permit fees for the period April 1,
2006 through March 31, 2007,
Adopted Yeas -- 7 Nays — 0
44. Preliminary Order — 06-41 — In the matter of improving Burlington Road from Totem
Road to Totem Road by constructing a new bituminous surfaced street with concrete curb
and gutter, concrete driveway aprons, boulevards landscaped with sod and trees,
installation of a lantern style street lighting system, construction of a new storm sewer
system, and all other work necessary to complete the project, and setting date of public
hearing for February 15, 2006. (File No. 19019)
Adopted Yeas — 7 Nays — 0
45. Preliminary Order — 06-42 — In the matter of improving Londin Lane from Burlington
Road to McKnight Road by constructing a new bituminous surfaced street with concrete
curb and gutter, concrete driveway aprons, boulevards landscaped with sod and trees,
installation of a lantern style street lighting system, construction of a new storm sewer
system, construction of a sidewalk on the south side of Londin Lane and all other work
necessary to complete the project, and setting date of public hearing for February 15,
2006. (File No. 19020)
Adopted Yeas — 7 Nays — 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29. Resolution --- 06-26 — Approving Memorandum of Agreements between the City of Saint
Paul and the Classified Confidential Employees Association (CCEA) for the pu orp se of
raisingthe_grade and rate of pay for the classifications of Human Resources Consultant I,
Human Resources Consultant III and the Workers Compensation Claims Processor in
order to maintain the City's compliance with the Minnesota Pay Equity Act.
30. Resolution — 06-27 — Approving Memorandum of Agreements between the City of Saint
Paul and the Professional Employees Association (PEA) for the purpose of raising the
grade and rate of j2gy for the classifications of Administrative/Legislative Assistant-PED
and Human Resources Consultant III in order to maintain the Cit 's compliance with the
Minnesota Pay Equity Act.
January 4, 2006 City Council Summary Minutes
Page 4
Councilmember Benanav requested Human Resources return to the Council with
recommendations on how it is determined which grades and classifications it
recommends for increases under the Minnesota Pay Equity Act prior to the next filing
report period. Councilmember Benanav moved approval of items 29 and 30.
Adopted' Yeas — 7 Nays 0
4. Resolution — 06-01 — Approving the appointment of Ann Mulholland, by Mayor
Coleman, as Executive Assistant to the Mayor and Acting Mayor effective January 3,
2006,
5. Resolution — 06-02 — Approving the appointment of Nancy P. Homans, by Mayor
Coleman, as Assistant to the Mayor VI effective January 3, 2006.
6. Resolution — 06-03 — Approving the appointment of Anne Hunt, by Mayor Coleman, as
Assistant to the Mayor IV effective January 3, 2006.
7. Resolution — 06-04 — Approving the appointment of Kris Fredson, by Mayor Coleman, as
Assistant to the Mayor III effective January 23, 2006,
8. Resolution — 06-05 — Approving the appointment of Vallay M. Varro, by Mayor
Coleman, as Assistant to the Mayor III effective January 17, 2006.
9. Resolution --- 06-06 — Approving the appointment of Melvin Carter III, by Mayor
Coleman, as Assistant to the Mayor II effective January 3, 2006,
10, Resolution — 06-07 — Approving the appointment of Bob Hume, by Mayor Coleman, as
Assistant to the Mayor II effective January 3, 2006.
11. Resolution — 06-08 — Approving the appointment of Christine H. Rider, by Mayor
Coleman, as Assistant to the Mayor II effective January 9, 2006.
12. Resolution — 06-09 — Approving the appointment of Joseph Spencer, by Mayor Coleman,
as Assistant to the Mayor II effective January 31, 2006.
13. Resolution — 06-10 — Approving the appointment of Va-Megn Thoj, by Mayor Coleman,
as Assistant to the Mayor II effective January 31, 2006.
14. Resolution — 06-11 — Approving the appointment of Juanita Lewis, by Mayor Coleman,
as Assistant to the Mayor I effective January 3, 2006.
15. Resolution — 06-12 — Approving the appointment of Milyon Tekle, by Mayor Coleman,
as Assistant to the Mayor I effective January 3, 2006.
16. Resolution --- 06-13 — Approving the appointment of Nicolas T. Shuminsky, by Mayor
Coleman, as assistant to the Mayor I effective January 3, 2006.
17. Resolution — 06-14 — Approving the appointment of Carol Washington, by Mayor
Coleman, as Assistant to the Mayor I effective January 9, 2006.
18. Resolution — 06-15 — Approving the appointment of Bruce Beese, by Mayor Coleman, as
Acting Director of the Department of Public Works effective January 3, 2006.
19. Resolution — 06-16 — Approving the appointment of Robert L. Bierscheid, by Mayor
Coleman, as Director of the Division of Parks and Recreation effective January 3, 2006.
20. Resolution — 06-17 — Approving the appointment of John Choi, by Mayor Coleman, as
City Attorney effective January 17, 2006.
January 4, 2006 City Council Summary Minutes
Page 5
21. Resolution — 06-18 — Approving the appointment of Kathleen Flynn, by Mayor Coleman,
as Acting Director of Libraries effective January 3, 2006.
22. Resolution — 06-19 — Approving the appointment of Robert W. Kessler, by Mayor
Coleman, as Director of the Office of License, Inspections and Environmental Protection
effective January 3, 2006.
23. Resolution — 06-20 — Approving the appointment of Shari A. Moore, by Mayor Coleman,
as City Clerk effective January 3, 2006.
24. Resolution — 06-21 — Approving the appointment of Angela S. Nalezny, by Mayor
Coleman, as Director of the Office of Human Resources effective January 3, 2006.
25. Resolution -- 06-22 — Approving the appointment of Matthew G. Smith, by Mayor
Coleman, as Director of the Office of Financial Services effective January 3, 2006.
26. Resolution -- 06-23 — Approving the appointment of William H. (Tyrone) Terrill, by
Mayor Coleman, as Director of the Office of Human Rights effective January 3, 2006,
27. Resolution — 06-24 — Approving the appointment of Cindy Mullan, by Mayor Coleman,
as Acting Director of the Office of Technology effective January 3, 2006.
28. Resolution — 06-25 — Approving the appointment of Tony Schertler, by Mayor Coleman,
as Acting Director of the Department of Planning and Economic Development effective
January 3, 2006.
Council President Lantry swore in Shari Moore as City Clerk. Shari Moore, City Clerk,
swore in the Mayor's appointments to his staff.
Councilmember Montgomery moved approval of items 4 through 28.
Adopted Yeas — 7 Nays — 0
FOR DISCUSSION
46. Resolution — 05-1134 — Ordering the owner to remove or repair the building(s) at
724 Seventh Street East within fifteen (15) days from adoption of resolution. (Public
hearing held, closed, and laid over December 21) (Legislative Hearing Officer's
recommendation is forthcoming)
Marcia Moermond, Legislative Hearing Officer, appeared and stated that she was
informed there was a signed purchase agreement. The new owner planned to demolish
the building, Ms. Moermond recommended the building be removed within 15 days.
Councilmember Thune moved approval of the Legislative Hearing Officer's
recommendation.
Adopted Yeas — 7 Nays - 0 (remove or repair within fifteen (15) days)
January 4, 2006 City Council Summary Minutes Page 6
ORDINANCES
NOTE; AN ORDINANCE IS A CITYLA WENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, IT IS READ AT FOUR
SEPARATE COUNCIL MEETINGS AND BECOMES EFFECTIVE AFTER PASSAGE BY THE
COUNCIL AND 30 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION IN THE SAINT PA UL LEGAL LEDGER.
47. Final Adoption -- 05-632 -- An ordinance amending certain sections of Chapter 64 of the
Saint Paul Legislative Code pertaining to the regulation of advertising signs. (Laid over
December 7, 2005)
Councilmember Benanav moved a two week layover.
Laid over to January 18 for final adoption Yeas — 7 Nays — 0
48, Second Reading — 05-1212 — An ordinance amending Chapter 410,03 of the Saint Paul
Legislative Code to impose a distance between 3.2 percent malt liquor establishments in
order to protect the public health, safety, morals and general welfare.
Laid over to January 18 for third reading/public hearing
The meeting was recessed from 3:45 to 5:35
Present — 5 Absent — 2 (Bostrom, Harris arrived after Roll Call)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
49. Public hearing to consider the application of Wellington Management to rezone property
from B2 (Community Business) to TN2 (Traditional Neighborhood) for a 7-story mixed
use building with 24 residential units at 2318 Marshall Avenue, southeast corner at Otis
Avenue, (Zoning File 05-184-704)
Patricia James, PED, distributed new minutes for the packet. The current zoning would
allow a mixed use residential/commercial building, and at least half of the first floor
would have to be commercial use. The applicant is requesting the property be rezoned to
TN2 which permits total residential use for the entire building. Staff recommended
approval, the Planning Commission recommended approval and the Zoning Committee
recommended approval.
Jerry Hendrickson, City Attorney's Office, stated the matter before the Council was to
rezone the property. The height variance was not appealed and testimony should be
limited only to the rezoning.
Tanya Bell, Wellington Management, applicant, appeared and stated they had worked
with the Merriam Park Community Council before they created a site plan for the
development. Their major issues were architectural design and quality, traffic and
parking. With the current zoning, they would need to create half retail on the bottom
January 4, 2006 City Council Summary Minutes
Page 7
floor of the building. Additional retail clearly was not the desire of the community as it
would increase traffic congestion and create additional parking problems. They were
requesting the TN2 designation so they could design the entire building as residential. To
satisfy the parking issue, they designed an underground parking ramp with 2.2 stalls per
resident.
Council President Lantry reminded those testifying in opposition that their testimony
needed to limited to the rezoning only and that the height variance was not for discussion
as it had not been appealed.
The following appeared in opposition:
Rick Thorne, 344 Griggs;
Irene Jones, Friends of the Mississippi River;
Peck Tierney, 264 Pelham Blvd.;
Michael McDonough, 200 N. Mississippi River Blvd.;
Councilmember Benanav moved to close the public hearing. Yeas --- 7 Nays — 0
Councilmember Benanav stated the proposed project was not in the critical River
Corridor and the height of the building was not being appealed, He found no errors in the
Planning Commissions recommendations and therefore, recommended granting the
application.
Councilmember Benanav moved to grant the application.
Motion of Intent — Application Granted Yeas — 7 Nays -- 0
50. Public hearing to consider the appeal of Michael McDonough to a decision of the
Planning Commission approving height and setback variances in order to construct a 21-
unit condominium at 205 Otis Avenue (between Dayton and Marshall Avenues). (Zoning
File 05-184-397)
Patricia James, PED, distributed corrected copies of the resolution, minutes and staff
report. This property is zoned RM2, multiple -family residential. She described the
plans for the development of the building. The grade of the property slopes downhill
towards Otis Avenue, the underground parking would not stay consistently underground.
The applicant requested variance in height of 10 feet, however, the property is in the
critical river corridor area which only allows a height of 40 feet. Twenty-five feet of
front yard setback is required and they were requesting a 22 foot setback. They are also a
side yard variance setback 7.8 feet where 25 feet is required. The staff recommendation
was the property could not be put to reasonable use under strict provision of the Code,
therefore, they recommended approval. The Planning Commission also recommended
approval.
January 4, 2006 City Council Summary Minutes
Page 8
Michael McDonough, 200 N. Mississippi River Blvd., appellant, appeared and presented
a written statement which is attached and made a part of these minutes.
The following appeared in support:
John Gryzbak, 1330 St. Paul Avenue,
The following appeared in opposition;
Pete Keely, Wellington Management, architect of the project;
Song Lo Fawcett; attorney representing Wellington Management; and
Tom Welna, 2152 Carroll Avenue.
Councilmember Benanav moved to close the public hearing and a two week layover.
Public hearing held, closed and laid over to January 18 Yeas — 7 Nays — 0
51. Public hearing to consider the application of Ron Becker to rezone property at 1136
Montreal Avenue, between Selma Lane and West 7'b Street, from B 1 (Local Business) to
TN2 (Traditional Neighborhood) to construct an office and retail building. (Zoning File
05-194-490)
Ron Becker, 639 Cleveland Avenue, the applicant, appeared and stated he had two
parcels of property on Montreal Avenue. When the neighborhood was rezoned, one
parcel was changed to TN2 and the other was left as B1. It was his desire to have both
properties zoned TN2 to operate his business.
Kristen Koeppen, 1821 Ivan Way, appeared and stated she was not in complete
opposition to the rezoning, however, she had no information on the proposed use for the
property and requested further information.
Councilmember Harris moved to close the public hearing.
Yeas — 6 Nays — 0 (Benanav not present)
Councilmember Harris moved a two week lay over.
Public hearing held, closed and laid over to January 18
Yeas --- 6 Nays —,0 (Benanav not present)
52. Public hearing to consider the application of Global Construction and Investment
Company, Inc. for a Combined Plat for La Dey Commons, 678 Concordia Avenue,
southeast corner at St. Albans Street. (Zoning File 05-187-416)
No one appeared in opposition; Councilmember Montgomery moved to close the public
hearing and to grant the application.
Motion of Intent — Application Granted
January 4, 2006 City Council Summary Minutes Page 9
Yeas — b Nays — 0 (Benanav not present)
53. appeal of James Suski and Tammy 1-look to a Notice of Condemnation for property at
624 Idaho Avenue East. (Legislative Dearing Officer recommends denying the appeal)
No one appeared in opposition; Councilmember Bostrom moved to close the public
hearing and to deny the appeal.
Appeal denied Yeas — 6 Nays u-- 0 (Benanav not present)
Councilmember Thune moved to adjourn the meeting; ---
ADJOURNED AT 7.05 P.M.
4 iL
Kathy Lant , Council Tresident
ATTEST:
Minutes approved by Council
Mary Eric son January 25, 200
Assistant Council Secretary
Sub nitted by:
Vicki Sheffer
The Mississippi River is a wonderful resource
Examples of nature.....birds deer, fall color, often see photographers along the gorge vision of
Cleveland and other to make it a parkway —which has since had trails added -- The Mississippi
Gorge is the Ya most visited regional park in the metro area out of 70 park units — almost 2
million annual visits in 2004--people come for the .nature the river, the fall color the birds and
wildlife -- eagle on the ice, Great blue heron, green heron, egrets and even a Black Crowned night
Heron, Ducks -- mallards- wood ducks, diving ducks like mergansers, golden eyes, a deer --
Franklin and the river are the population center of the entire region. I don't think people would
be as attracted if it was lined with tall buildings and covered with impervious surface right up to
the edge,
Local citizen - I have had the good fortune of living along the river for more than 20 years —
virtually all of my adult life. I served 5 years on the community council and various task forces
like striping g the bike lane on Mississippi Blvd, Lake Street bridge redesign, and St. Thomas
expansion.
Play by the rules — The public should be able to expect the city staff and elected officials to up
hold the existing zoning except in extraordinary circumstances.
City significance -Turn of the century both cities planned and implemented world renowned
parkway systems.
City is out promoting great river park which is great idea — this body approve a bonding initiative
for $11 million for the Great River park on one hand conserving the resource ----while the other
hand is allowing more impervious surface and making it less natural by allowing for taller
buildings than the zoning code calls — starting to line with a wall of buildings — Miami Beach a
down town environment — NOT what the plan calls for in the gorge
State significance — Critical Area designation in 1975 — partnership with State - may have gotten
a letter from DNR but they said it was low work priority because St. Paul often ignores their
comments.
Federal significance — MNNRA- Should have a letter from Superintendent Kyral
Non profit groups
- Friends of St. Paul and Ramsey Parks - board unanimously approved sending the letter to
respect critical area zoning.
- Friends of Mississippi River — sent letter did balloon test
- (DPIA) Desnoyer Park Improvement Association - letter Home improvement association
next to both proposals board voted 9 -1 in favor of a letter asking the city to respect the critical
area zoning.
5 variances — front, side, rear, impervious cover and height. I don't think that they should get
any of them. I mostly object to the increased height and surface cover because they negatively
affect the river. The height starts a precedent for lining the gorge with tall building instead of the
pastoral park setting that has been they for all to enjoy since the habitat needs the support of green
space in the critical area adjacent to the river and public park land. — the impervious surface help
infiltrate and filter water so that it doesn't run directly in to the storm sewers that drain untreated
directly to the river causing erosion and washing oil and other pollutants in the street into the
river.
current
Developer
amount of %
zoning
request
'increase/decrease increase
front set back
25
22
3.0 12%
rear set back
25
9
16.0 64%
north side set back
25
7.8
17.2 69%
south side setback
25
31.5
na na
Entrance to partial underground
parking
is on this side
so the building set back exceeds the 25 required setback
height - feet
40
50
10.0 25%
height -Above existing
grade
40
59.5
19.5 49%
% surface cover - sq. ft.
35%
53%
18% 51%
Parking spaces
31
44
(42 partially underground and 2 surface spaces)
1.5/unit?
30 for a 20 unit building or 32 for a 21 unit building
Flawed public process
Presented a 3-story /21 unit condo building with underground parking at the public meeting
attended by about 100 people. (Presumably with in the 40 foot height limit.) — This shows that the
developer themselves thought that this was a reasonable use.
Bait and Switch
Later the developer convinced the land use committee and Merriam Park Community Council to
approve the taller and bigger project. —The Council members said they approved it because there
were no objections and they only remember a discussion about parking, They were not familiar
with the Critical Area zoning and said they were glad I made them aware of it and would consider
it next time. — they said that they would not rescind their approval because they had already spent
too much time on it.
Should have held another public meeting because the project increase in height by 25% and now
violated the maximum height of the Critical area zoning. 40 feet to 50 feet — on the river side up
to 59 feet. The staff rebuttal references a different plan sheet but the point is the variance rules.
The zoning code says that the variance should not be primarily on the desire to increase
value or income. Developer said they increase the size because they could make more money
They said they did more market studies and found out that they could sell for a higher price so
they changed from 18 units on 3 floors to 18 units on 4 floors — 4 larger units on the 3d with 2
penthouse units.
View from the river - The staff report says the building will not even be seen from the river --
see the picture. It could be seen from the trail on MRB. It could be seen over 200 MRB from
thesouth overlook in the center of the Marshall lake Street Bridge. See plan view of the block.
There are a one-story rambler and a 1 % story house SW of the proposed building and a 2 %2 story
house ( St Germain Society) NW. The proposed building can be seen over all of these buildings.
Developer and staff provided selective information
No cross section, height only from Otis side, inconsistent plan sheets.
Staff finding say twice that there is a taller building between the proposed building and the river.
This is false. — they say that the underground parking is 9.5 feet above the existing grade on the
IA
river side of the property --- they are asking for a variance for a 50 foot building. The info
provided to the planning commission has in consistent heights on different plans — the point is the
variance is for 10 feet and the city code does not count under ground parking — there fore if you
don't over turn these variances the developer can build a build that is 59.5 feet above the existing
grade --- I went out last night and remeasued — the garages at the back of 200 MRB are built in to
the slope — the height of the concrete wall at the back of the garage is at least 4' in this corner and
the land slopes up from there - Therefore the top of the proposed building with the variance
could be up to 63.5 above the base of 200 MRB — 200 MRB is 49 feet 4 inches. The new building
could be more than 14 feet taller than 200 MRB.
Economic hardship to pay for the underground garages and brick exterior- the city does not
have, did not ask for or received any proforma info on the project to justify this. The also said that
there were cost associated with underground parking but they had no cut and fill data, no quantity
estimate of purported shale — which lead one to wonder if we really want to be going that far into
the earth any how.
- Reportedly going to sell for $350K to $$50K later raise to $460K -$1.3 MiIlion— even a modest
$500K for 20 units would be $10 Million with a profit of 20 to 25% $2 to $2.5 million = as if
people at that price would buy without a garage -- also the propose increase in impervious cover
would not leave enough area to put cars. It they can't provide for all of the cars they want maybe
the building it s too big. There is no god given right that I know that says that Steve Wellington
gets to have as many units as be wants
No Public benefit for the variance
- no affordable units
- Less green space than the code calls for 53 percent — more than half instead of 355
allowed for under the code.
The action approved five variances that allow too large of a building to be built in the Mississippi
River Critical Area. The building should be built to meet the existing zoning code. Some
exceptions could be made on the parking level to allow for more underground parking.
Some times it is shocking hove much develops ask for — and even more shocking how much
they get by working the system.
Tip of the iceberg /Precedent --- Developer tried to buy the St. Germaine /l Am Temple, a
developer owns 1 of 4 houses on the block, one owner would sell for the right price, even the
older brick apartments on the corner of MRB/Marshall would be vulnerable to being torn done if
a developer can expect this big variances to be approved by the city - 200 MRB was built in
1963 grandfathered as non conforming use so it should not be used as a precedence but a new
building allowed today would surely be used as a precedence.
Kill the goose golden that laid the golden egg -- choke the gorge with tall buildings and
increased impervious surface that reduce green space — this will reduce the attractiveness of the
"wild river in the center of both cities.
Met Council 2002 Survey" As areas develop, government should do more to protect the natural
features, such as wetlands, woodlands, lakes and rivers, 72 % Strongly agree, 20 % agree —
therefore 92% of the public surveyed agrees,
In this case each of you represents the "government" I ask you to do the right thing for protecting
natural features!
All my neighbors and 1 are asking is that the development be built within the existing zoning code
with no variances because they are no hardship and no extra public benefits are being offered as
mitigation.
Cleveland quote. "Look forward century when the city has a population of 1 million, and thinks
what their wants will be. They will have wealth enough to purchase all that money can buy, but
al their wealth cannot purchase a lost opportunity, or restore natural features of grandeur and
beauty"
Please over turn the variances to help conserve the river and parks and trail along it for the public.
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