Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 09/10/1992

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City Administrator Schroeder asked if Staff takes a "by the book stance" to enforce requirements, would Council be "willing to take the heat" from the business owners. Mayor Gilbertson stated he has no problem with "heat". Councilmember Peterson stated it could be more than a phone call, it could be lawsuits against the City. Mayor Gilbertson stated "no one else takes all this junk"! Zoning Administrator Frolik stated that what she's hearing is to step up code enforcement to match what the City does with site enforcement. The City's standards for site plan review are not out of line. She suggested maybe the City needs to budget more time for code enforcement and also more attorney time for same. She added that the new businesses are not really balking at the requirements the City has set. She also stated that enforcement of zoning regulations is more difficult. Mr. Schroeder stated that if increased code enforcement is what Council wants, it will cost money. Mayor Gilbertson stated the City has an obligation to the business people who do keep their businesses looking neat. Councilmember Peterson stated he didn't really think Ramsey was so different from other cities and mentioned that Coon Rapids has it's share of junk too. Ms. Frolik stated that sometimes, as standards are raised, these types of "junky" businesses move OI1. Mayor Gilbertson stated if an area is zoned for something and someone wants to put something else that isn't allowed there, why is it so "tough to say no". Councilmember Zimmerman suggested that if the City wants to clean up the junk around the industrial area, maybe a subcommittee should be formed which would include business owners. They could approach these business places as a group and maybe they would be more receptive because there are other business owners involved and not just people employed by the City. Councilmember Peterson asked if the types of businesses should be limited in Ramsey such as three liquor stores, four grocery stores, etc. Mayor Gilbertson replied the City can state what types of businesses can operate in certain zones but should not limit the amount of certain types. Police Chief Auspos stated that if the City gets a good level of code enforcement, it can then come up with a plan to have more industry move in. He inquired if there is enough Staff to do a comprehensive clean-up i:: the industrial area. He added that it would be very time consuming and an increase in dollars spent. Mr. Schroeder felt there is not enough Staff. Ms. Frolik stated that she's heard conversation about streamlining the City's development procedures. She suggested setting general standards and if the business meets all the standards, then maybe they wouldn't have to appear before both the Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission. City Council Goals Workshop/July 21, 1992 Page 2 of 8