HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-06-10 Public Hearing Minutes - Approved Page 6 - Minutes 06/10/96
Public Hearing - Reduction of Front Yard Setback From 30 Feet to
26 Feet - Robert and Pearl Torgerson, 15242 64th Street - Mayor
O' Neal opened the public hearing at 7 : 58 p .m. Mr. Torgerson,
Robert and Pearl ' s son, was present to discuss the proposed
variance . Torgerson said their request would allow for an
addition onto the porch, and that the homes on either side had
similar setbacks from the street . Hearing no further comments,
Councilmember Kern, seconded by Schaaf, moved to close the Public
Hearing at 8 : 00 p.m. Carried 5-0 .
Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Kern, moved to approve the
variance granting a front yard setback of 26 feet due to safety
concerns because of the narrow street . Carried 5-0 .
Public Hearing - Proposed Establishment of Development District
No . 1 and Housing Tax Increment Financing District No . 1 -
Anchobaypro, Inc . - Mayor O'Neal o•ened the Public Hearing at
8 : 01 p.m. Tim Nolde of . c . was present to answer
questions . Mr. Nolde rep.rted that a recent environmental study
recently completed by an independent firm found no pollution on
his proposed site .
Councilmember Robert asked whether Anchobaypro would abandon the
project if contaminates were found at the proposed site . Nolde
stated that they would not abandon the project if they could
clean up the site . Councilmember Robert questioned whether the
Washington County HRA intended to purchase the property from
Anchobaypro. Nolde stated that, per State law, if they received
tax credits Anchobaypro could not sell the property for 15 years .
Councilmember Robert said that Oak Park Heights has a current
ratio of 56 percent owner occupied housing and 44 percent renter
occupied housing, and that this was a more than adequate levels
of rental housing.
Mayor O'Neal stated that the project should be judged on its
compliance with city guidelines and staff recommendations rather
than making a distinction between renters and homeowners . Mayor
O'Neal stated that the Comprehensive Plan identifies the proposed
use as an acceptable for the area.
John Kern, 5469 North Stillwater Boulevard, questioned what this
development would do to the City' s ratio of rental versus owner
occupied housing.
Councilmember Schaaf stated that he is opposed to the project
because of the area where it is located and would prefer the
project be located south of 58th. Councilmember Schaaf stated
that he believes the area should be used for commercial purposes .
After considerable discussion of land use issues, Councilmember
Swenson, seconded by Kern, moved to close the Public Hearing at
9 : 10 p.m. Carried 5-0 .