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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJul 19, 1982OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING JULY 19, 1982 The hearing was called to order by Mayor Nawrocki at 7:00 pm. 1. Roll Call Hovland, Petkoff, Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki--present 2. Purpose of Hearing To consider approval of proposed plat to be named Northwestern Addition located at Columbia Junior High School. The Mayor made some comments regarding the purchase of the building and the land. He felt that the selling price, which included the building and the land, was a considerable bargain. The Mayor noted that to build a facility of this size would cost about $50 a square foot whereas the sale amounted to about $8.50 a square foot. He reminded those at the hearing that all of the public hearings and recommendations required before this replatting was decided were required by ordinance. It is the policy of the Council to.assure that all of the residents who would be affected should have the opportunity to be heard and informed. Matters such as traffic flow, parking arrangements and water disposal are legitimate concerns of affected resi- dents and the Mayor saw a need for the public hearings to respond to these concerns. Lengthy discussion followed regarding some of the aforementioned concerns of resi- dents. The 6ngineer retained by Northwestern Electronics Institute gave a present- ation of the proposed changes to be implemented on the property. The changes are to accommodate requests that resulted from the public hearings held by the Traffic Com- mission, by the Planning and Zoning Commission, and previous meetings of the City Council, the Park Board and the Engineering Department where this replatting request was being considered. The City Attorney presented a list of five considerations the Council must undertake before this replatting request may be decided and these considerations were discussed. It was noted that the park dedication by the School Board had not been addressed. The Mayor felt dedication of the use of the gym space in Columbia Junior High School should also be considered. Various proposals for park dedication and for access to 41st Avenue from the property was discussed. The City Attorney was requested to draft a motion that woOld incorporate ali of the comments and suggestions discussed at this hearing. Motion by Norberg, second by Hovland to approve the Plat of Northwestern Addition provided: 1. That the plat contain the necessary easements for drainage, public utilities, alleys, and streets as approved by the City Engineer. 2. That the plat contain a dedication of an additional ten (10) feet along the western alley boundary for alley purposes. 3. That the persons executing the plat dedication have marketable title to the property as determined by the City Attorney. 4. That the school enters into a development agreement to provide an access and egress from and to 41st Avenue to the proposed parking lot in the rear of the building, and posts adequate security to do so. Public Hearing July 19, 1982 page 2 5. That the City first receive the sum of $80,846.30, representing 10% of the unimproved value of the land being platted based upon recommendation of the Park Board for the following reasons: a. That the applicant has failed to provide the i0% dedication of parklands as required by Statute 9.406(6) of the City Code. b. That the location of the proposed plat is so near other parks within the City so that no other lands are required, but that existing parklands are not yet suitably prepared for the additional burden of the large influx of people that will be placed upon City parks by the use of lands enabled by this plat. c. That the influx of 700 or more sLudents from the use of the property enabled by the approval of this plat will cause an increased need for open space such as picnic grounds, outdoor eating and play areas now existing. d. That the use enabled by this §ubdivision will cause greater need for park- lands including ballfields and the maintenance thereof. That this ~ubdivi- sion will enable the property's use as a school ~hich will bring in many young people who are heavy users of park facilities. e. That the subdivision will enable uses that bring in many more persons who will cause a greater use and burden upon the City's recreational lands and services. Councilwoman Petkoff felt that some of the Park Board recommendations, as stated in the motion~were exaggerated, particularly with regard to increased use of parklands by students of rlorthwestern Electronics Institute. She emphasized the Park Board'§ intent in requesting cash in that there is no need for additional parklands in the City. Councilman Norberg held the opinion that point number five in the motion should be a negotiable one, and that the title to Wargo Park is substitutable for this cash amount. Councilman Hentges cited three instances where money was donated in lieu of land dedication by three developers of property in the City. The Mayor noted that al- though Wargo Park had been maintained by the City since it was developed, it had been a project of many organizations in the community. Roll Call: Hovland, Petkoff, Norberg, Nawrocki--aye Hentges--nay Adjournment ~ Motion by Norberg, second by Hovland to adjourn the hearing at ll:O0 Ali ayes , Nawrocki, Mayor BrOc~ G. Anne Student, Cou~'l't- Secretary