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8.g) Admin ReportJ SCAlVDIA Staff RepoVt Date of Meeting: April 21, 2015 To: City Council From: Kristina Handt, City Administrator Re: Administrator's Report Administrative Permit -Historic Structure Exception: Per Chapter 2, Section 3.2 subd (5) of the Development Code the City may grant exceptions to the requirements for the number and/or total square footage of accessory structures permitted on a parcel, to the maximum height requirement, and to the requirement that accessory structures be located no closer to the roadway right-of-way than the primary structure, to permit the preservation of historic buildings and structures, based on a set of criteria. The ordinance allows requires the City Administrator to inform the Council of any permit approved or denied under this provision. On April 3, 2015 I approved an administrative permit for the number and total square footage of accessory structures at 12680 Scandia Trail N. This is the Gacek property that was granted a variance for a garage closer to the road than the house last summer. The parcel also has four other accessory structures totally 5,900 square feet which exceeds the limit of 3 on a 10 acre parcel. However, since the other structures are being maintained in a historic farmstead group consistent with the Scandia Architectural Guidelines and other requirement of this section of code, an exception was granted so the buildings would not have to be removed or the lot combined with the one to the north. NE Metro Water Summit On April 9, 2015 I attended this meeting in Hugo along with Council Member Ness and City Engineer Goodman. We were updated on legislation related to the White Bear Lake Settlement Agreement and heard from the DNR. The DNR was seeking feedback on SF 1910 and hoping cities would either be supportive or neutral on the bill. The bill, authored by Sen Wiger, creates legislation required by the settlement to appropriate money for additional study of water sustainability on the North and East Metro. It does not seek funding for the design of a regional water system and delays further action until after the USGS study is released in 2016. This is likely the bill that may move forward or be included in an omnibus bill or amended to another bill. The DNR would be open to adding language about augmentation from the Dean/Wiger bill if some changes were made. Concerns about SF 1910 that were shared by the cities include the lack of a definition of "north and east metro." I echoed this concern on behalf of Scandia. Technically we fall into the NE Groundwater Management Are but we are not named in the lawsuit/settlement and were not invited to meet with the DNR earlier this month as 13 other communities were. I requested we either be taken out of the area or start being included in the conversations. Other concerns were expressed about sustainability challenges, removing cities where science clearly provides evidence they don't impact White Bear Lake, and preferring a bottums-up approach to include affected City Engineers and watershed folks. The group will continue to meet as needed. Coffee and Conversations The EDA will be co -hosting a meeting with the Forest Lake Chamber of Commerce on Wed, May 13t'', 8:30-9:30am at Meisters and inviting local businesses to come and network and hear from a speaker. Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast Attended the breakfast on April 14' and shared concerns about need for funding of Border to Border Broadband Grant Program. Follow up on possible amendment with Sen. Housley after the meeting. Funding has been included in the Senate omnibus jobs and economic development bill (SF 804) but not in the House. Capital Improvement Committee After a couple of attempts we have found a date for the Capital Improvement Committee to begin meeting. They will meet on Monday, April 27t' to take a road tour and begin review/discussion of public works related improvements. Union Negotiations Negotiations are continuing. Next meeting scheduled for April 23rd. Citizen Complaints/Contacts/Misc.: ➢ Completed Data Practices request for resident in Bliss Addition regarding wastewater system and neighbor's building permit. ➢ Concerned citizen about waterfowl hunting on Hay Lake. Doesn't think hunting should be allowed in residential areas. Scandia has no ordinance banning hunting in the City. State statutes however prohibit hunting within 500 feet of a structure. Concern passed on to Deputy Yetter for further follow up. ➢ Complaint from a renter on Oldfield about sealed windows and other safety concerns. Referred to state since we don't have a rental inspection ordinance. ➢ Concern about ATVs riding on Pomroy Ave. Scandia doesn't prohibit ATVs on City streets. State safety laws still apply. Shared concern with Deputy Yetter for further monitoring. ➢ Mr. Kramer is not happy with street vacation we did last year (Birch Lane-Kronmiller request) because he is concerned the property line is too close to his driveway. I'm working with Attorney Pratt who has contacted Landmark for further information. We may need to amend the vacation. ➢ Worked with Attorney Pratt and Landmark on survey for A/E drain field ➢ Complaint about exterior storage violation (vehicles, campers, trailers, boats, etc.) and home based business on Pomroy. Haven't had time to review. Plan to visit the site the week of April 20th. ➢ Calls/emails about activity at Sadowski property (corner of 97/Manning). Contacted Steve Sadowski for update as no permits were obtained prior to activity. In the process of reviewing an after the fact land clearing permit application. Site visit planned with Washington Conservation District to review wetlands on April 2 Pt. Property owner says land was cleared to expand farming operation and septic land application. ➢ Complaint about well on City property. See later agenda item for more details. Continuing to coordinate with others on a shore land violation on this property as well. ➢ Complaint about road chunks being plowed into the ditch on 236"' and snow being plowed too wide. Road chunks have been cleaned up by Public Works. 236t'' is recommended for reconstruction in 2016. ➢ Assisted in review of complaint about snow plows taking out flowers on 182nd. Grass will be restored but not flowers since they were planted right along the road (closer than the utility pole) and within the right of way area needed to maintain the road. ➢ Follow up with City Prosecutor on permit for roof violation on Olinda Trail. As of April 15th, the permit was still not paid for or picked up by property owner. ➢ Numerous contacts related to planning including accessory structure allowances, lot line adjustments/driveway easements, bluff line setbacks in the St. Croix River Overlay District and availability of broadband services. ➢ Responded to youth about Barn Quilt Trail ➢ Responded to grad student survey on public participation ➢ I've received a subpoena to appear in Hennepin County Court in the case involving Philip and Virginia Carlson. This relates to the Crane variance. ➢ Attended Youth Service Bureau Luncheon thanking community supporters ➢ Attended planning meeting at the County regarding MN Ironman Bike Ride ➢ Completed annual safety training requirement