05-27-08 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
May 27, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Fred Wroge and Bill Kilian.
Members Absent: Sue Sandahl.
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; John Stark, Interim Community
Development Director; Karen Barton, Community Development Manager;
Corrine Heine, City Attorney; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item # I DISCUSSION REGARDING PENN AVENUE MORATORIUM
Interim Community Development Director Stark stated at the April 22, 2008 City Council
meeting, Tom Rublein, resident and member of the Penn Crossings Neighborhood Advisory Committee
(PCNAC), requested on behalf of the PCNAC that the City enact a moratorium on all building
expansion, new construction, and/or other land use changes along Penn Avenue, while the City
creates a Master Development Plan for the area. In follow-up to Mr. Rublein’s request, staff is
requesting City Council direction in the process of preparing a moratorium for the Penn Avenue corridor
between Highway 62 and 68th Street. The area is zoned mostly industrial which is the most permissive
in the community.
Interim Community Development Director Stark continued that the maximum length of a
moratorium is one year but it could be less. He added it is very difficult to extend the length of a
moratorium.
City Attorney Heine stated that the statute allows a moratorium to be initially established for
one year. There are restrictive provisions on extensions on which attorneys may not agree. The safest
position for the City was to establish a one-year moratorium and then shorten it when the review
process is completed.
Interim Community Development Director Stark suggested a moratorium could be established
on certain development and zoning aspects until there is a better vision for the area.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- May 27, 2008
Council Member Kilian asked about building and property maintenance continuing during a
moratorium.
Interim Community Development Director Stark said maintenance would continue to be
required.
Mayor Goettel asked about the impact of a moratorium on a school’s expansion.
Interim Community Development Director Stark explained the expansion would be on hold.
Developers inquiring of the area are told of a possible moratorium.
Council Member Rosenberg stated she did not want to discourage improvements in the area
but did not anticipate a lot to be done due to all the road construction. She said she would support a
moratorium to protect the neighborhood.
Council Member Kilian said a moratorium might protect against certain businesses coming into
the area.
Council Member Wroge commented that it is not about liking a business that may come in
since it is a business area. If a developer wants to build with their own financing, they should be able
to do so if it is legal. He said he believed it to be premature to establish a moratorium since there is no
focus or vision now. He added he did not support a moratorium other than to not permit industry.
Interim Community Development Director Stark stated a moratorium could be as simple as no
industry.
Steve Lindgren, Richfield Chamber of Commerce, stated the Chamber Board has concerns
and is not opposed to discussing this matter at length. He referenced a document distributed by Mr.
Rublein that appears to be from the City but it was clarified tonight that it was not. He said the Board
does not want to potentially discourage developers.
Interim Community Development Director Stark suggested a shortened versus longer
moratorium which gives the consultant time to produce a vision for the area.
Council Member Kilian said that was reasonable.
Mayor Goettel suggested a segregated moratorium but not one that could have the City lose
development opportunities.
Council Member Wroge questioned how a moratorium could be discussed when a vision for
the area has not yet been heard.
Council Member Rosenberg agreed with a shorter moratorium and development of a
framework.
Special Worksession Minutes -3-
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 5:57 p.m.
Date Approved: .Tone 10. 2008
Cheryl K umho
Recording Secretary
May 27, 2008
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