6. Staff Report-Annex
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: January 7, 2015
To: City Council
From: Kristina Handt, Administrator
Re: Annex/Old Fire Hall
Background:
For several years the Scandia Marine Lions have used the Annex/Old Fire hall for storage and
their charitable gaming activities. The Boy Scouts also use part of the building. In 2008, the
Council considered turning off the utilities to the building as it was not used for municipal
functions. Instead the City entered into a lease with the Lions for $100/month to help cover the
utility costs. The rate was raised to $150/month in 2011. In exchange for the rent the City
maintains the electricity and minimal heat. It is a month to month lease.
Issue:
Should the Annex/Old Fire Hall be put to a different use?
Proposal Details:
This fall during the EDA business meetings we learned that one business may be considering
leaving Scandia if their current lease is not renewed as there are few other buildings in the City
that would meet their needs. They are a business that needs a building with high ceilings and a
large service door for vehicles to enter. When I was asked what other options there are for
keeping this business in town the only option I could think of was the old fire hall. While this
business may no longer be in jeopardy of leaving Scandia, should the City consider alternative
uses for the Annex that may benefit the City in the future?
One option to consider is giving the building to the EDA for a small amount ($1) and allowing
them to lease it out to pay not only for the utility costs but to also provide a revenue stream to the
EDA that does not rely on tax dollars. This example is used in Neenah, WI where the
Community Development Authority (CDA) was gifted an office building that they now lease out
and collect money from to finance their other programs.
Being a landlord may not be something the EDA is interested in, so the City could consider just
selling the property. However, this could impact future plans for the Gateway Trail as a trail
head is to be located on this site. The property is located in the VMU A zoning district which has
the following permitted uses:
(A) Antique shops
(B) Appliance sales and repair
(C) Art gallery and sales
(D) Bicycle sales and repair
(E) Book, school supply, art supply, or stationary stores
(F) Boutique shops
(G) Candy, ice cream, popcorn, nuts, frozen desserts, and non-alcoholic beverage sales
(H) Clothing sales
(I) Delicatessens/coffee houses without drive-through service
(J) Dry cleaning pick up and laundry pick up stations including incidental repair but not
including processing
(K) Essential Services
(L) Flower shops, retail
(M) Furniture stores
(N) Gift or novelty stores
(O) Hardware stores
(P) Hobby and craft stores
(Q) Jewelry stores
(R) Leather goods and luggage stores
(S) Locksmiths
(T) Music stores
(U) Offices
(V) Pharmacies or drug stores
(W) Plumbing, television, radio, electrical and related sales and repair
(X) Public Parks and Recreation Facilities
(Y) Residential Facility, State Licensed (serving 1 to 6 persons)
(Z) Seasonal Plant and Plant Materials retail sales
(AA) Shoe sales and repair
(BB) Single family residence
(CC) Studios - artist, dance, health and fitness, decorating, music, portrait photography, and
similar uses
(DD) Tailoring services
(EE) Toy stores