LAND USE COMMITTEE REPORT

Dania Encroachment Resolution

The Land Use Committee met on Tues, July 17. Judy Cedar, Senior Project Coordinator, City Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) presented a solution to the encroachment of Bina Investment Company to the City by 2.55 feet and 102.97 feet long (262.574 square feet). The property is located at 425 Cedar Ave. All work was ceased on the new building by the City on Feb. 22, 2006. The city proposed the sale of the encroached area to Bina Investments for $9,375. This would include an additional easement of 1.4 feet. Cedar-Riverside Business Organization (CRBO) doesn’t support the sale of the property.

The Land Use Committee recommended to the board that it oppose the sale of the encroachment property to Bina Investment. The committee requests that the City take a more aggressive approach to explore other options and to return to the committee with more information about other options. The Land Use Committee also recommended that the board oppose the Dania Encroachment motion and the City is just giving it away for incompetence. The motion brought by the Land Use Committee to the WBCC was passed.

Seven Corners Ramp Resolution

Robin Garwood, Council Aide to Second Ward Member Cam Gordon, presented a proposal to the WBCC for the language of the Seven Corners Parking Ramp. Here is the approved language:

Seven Corners Development Commitment-Develop a housing project (most likely apartments) having total development cost of at least $9.85 million and obtain LEED Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Propose development to the City within six months of closing to initiate the City zoning and permitting approval process.
Complete construction within 18 months of closing.
Penalty for non-performance, $455,582.
In considering any application for increased building height for the Seven Corners Development Commitment, the City shall take into account whether Alatus has made parking accommodations to the local businesses.

A motion was passed to approve the proposed language.

Bedlam Theater Request for Outdoor Performances Variance

Bedlam Theater requested a variance to vary the enclosed building requirement to allow for an outdoor theater as accessory to an existing indoor theater. The Land Use Committee recommended to the WBCC that they oppose the variance to the Bedlam Theater.

Tenants of Riverside Plaza are concerned about the noise. They have already experienced the March performance and expressed their annoyance. Residents felt they have a no choice about experiencing the theater if it is held outdoors. Noise is a major issue for all tenants of Riverside Plaza. Residents felt the Bedlam Theater needed to talk with the community before planning their events. Even without amplified sound, the outdoor performance disturbed residents and made it difficult for parents and small children to sleep.

The Land Use Committee recommended to the board that they not support the variance for outdoor performances by Bedlam Theater, 1501 South Sixth Street.

A temporary permit has already been issued for outdoor theater performances held on July 22 and Aug. 2—5.

Bedlam Theater felt without the amendment to the variance for the outdoor performances it would disrupt the already scheduled Shakespeare shows during the Minnesota Fringe Festival.

With much discussion the WBCC voted to oppose the Bedlam Theater’s request for variance. A public hearing will be held Thursday, July 26.

COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT

Second Ward Council member, Cam Gordon, was unable to make the WBCC board meeting. Robin Garwood, Council Aide, gave his report.

Garwood reported that this year, one process will make it possible to register your National Night Out event and apply to close your street. To do one or both visit: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/nno or if you don’t have the internet call 311. If you register by Tuesday, July 24, you’ll be eligible for a door prize drawing, and street closure will be free. Mustafa Adam, Gordon’s Cedar-Riverside Intern, is available to help anyone interested in hosting a NNO event this year. Mustafa’s goal is to organize three NNO parties east of Cedar Avenue, between Riverside Avenue and I-94.

The proposed sale of seven City-owned parking ramps (including the Seven Corners ramp) goes before the Council on Fri, July 20. Cam’s currently undecided on the issue, due to concerns about the City employees who may lose their jobs as part of this deal. If the developers and the employees’ labor union can come to a compromise deal, he will support the sale of the ramp. Cam feels that the sale of the Seven Corner’s ramp will not negatively impact local businesses. There have been commitments from Alatus, the possible new owners, that the ramp will stay available for public parking, and that local businesses will still have good deals with parking validation. For more information, log on to: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2007-meetings/20070629/Docs/08_Parking_Ramp_Set_PH.pdf

Garwood also announced that the Bedlam Theater has been accepted for one of the City’s $1,000 Climate Change Micro Grants. Their idea for reducing carbon dioxide emissions is to give a two dollar bill to every attendee of Bedlam shows who uses different modes of transportation such as bicycle, walking or public transit and not automobiles.

City staff is researching more alternatives for curing the Bina encroachment, including working with Bina to ascertain whether he would sell the building that is encroaching on the Dania Hall site to the City, and if so for what price. Gordon is waiting for his staff’s report, and the neighborhood’s reaction to it, before he decides on any plan to cure this encroachment.

The Council has passed a 10-year Transportation Action Plan for Downtown. It includes plans for increasing transit capacity on Marquette and Second Avenues, turning a number of one-way streets into two-way streets (including Hennepin and First Avenues), as well as various bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Gordon moved an amendment that passed unanimously, requiring staff to explore what he calls the “Copenhagen Model” in Downtown—including curbed bike lanes between sidewalks and parking lanes and bicycle signalization. The final Plan, along with a summary of public comments received, is posted at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/public-works/trans-plan under the project documents section.

The many infrastructure projects in the Second Ward will be funded by the recently-announced Non-motorized Transportation Grants. The City will add bike lanes on East Franklin Avenue from Riverside Avenue across the bridge, along the whole length of Riverside Avenue from Franklin Avenue to the Cedar-Riverside LRT Station, Minnehaha Avenue from 31st Street to Franklin Avenue, South 20th Street from Minnehaha Avenue to Riverside Avenue, South 19th Street from Riverside Avenue across the bridge to SE 10th Street. For more thoughts on these projects, and a map of all funded projects citywide, see Cam’s blog: http://secondward.blogspot.com

According to the U.S. Census Bureau statistics released for the month of July on the 50 cities with the most workers, Minneapolis has 2.4 percent, the second highest of people who bike to work.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Jim Ruiz announced that the Worker’s Compensation has not been paid for October of 2007 and is working with NRP and Nathan White to resolve they issue.

Ruiz will also be reading notes from the Small Area Agenda meeting and the LRT Safety Committee meeting that were emailed to him on July 18.

Ruiz also announced that Jean Lawrence Caron, WBCC board member, has survived open-heart surgery and is back after just three weeks of recovery.

President Ruiz also announced two vacancies for the WBCC board, Muhammed Issa had to resign his position due to family business and Muhammed Ali had too many unexcused absences from meetings. Board member Todd Smith suggested that the board ask anyone who previously lost the last board election to see if there is still any interest in becoming a member. Nomination forms were handed out to each board member and should be returned by Friday, Aug. 10.

SECRETARY’S REPORT

The secretary recommended the board purchase a .mac account for the new WBCC website for around $100. The .mac account is more expensive, but has access to a webmaster when problems arise and is easier to use. The motion was approved. The board will purchase a .mac account.

The secretary also noted that she, Treasure Abia Ali, and Laura Silver received their Quick Book training and is now able to make their own reports.
TREASURE’S REPORT

Treasure Ali announced that she was unable to meet with Finance Committee Treasure, Jim Erchul about transferring all accounting activity to the accounting service. The meeting will be rescheduled.

NRP UPDATE

Robert Thompson was invited to attend the meeting to answer any questions about extending the NRP contracts, but was unable to attend the July meeting. President Jim motioned for approval to sign the two-year extension of the NRP contracts. The motion was passed.

NEXT MEETING: Weds, Aug. 15, 6 p.m.
MEETINGS: Third Wednesday of the month Brian Coyle Community Center, 420 15th Ave. S
CONTACT: 612-338-5282, ext. 224 or www.westbankcc.org
EMAIL: cedarriversidenrp@hotmail.com or nrp@westbankcc.org
BORDERS: The neighborhood is bounded by I-35W on the northwest, I-94 on the south and the Mississippi River on the northeast.

last revised: October 4, 2007

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