Minutes - Council - 01/09/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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opposing the proposed 24 hours of operation for the convenience/gas station. The Planning Commission recommended that the City Council grant site plan approval contingent upon compliance with City staff review letter dated December, 1, 2000, revised January 3, 2001, and consider evaluating the proposed hours of operation to be consistent with gas stations that are located in close proximity to residential developments. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that the Tom Thumb store on Ramsey Boulevard closes at 11:00 p.m. and inquired if that is mandated by the City or if it was a business decision. Community Development Director Frolik replied that it was a business decision. Mayor Gamec stated that he is not comfortable with putting limitations on the hours of operation. In his opinion, a business should be making that decision rather than the City. Susan Volavka, 5060 - 143ra Avenue NW, Ramsey, stated that she is a recent resident to the City of Ramsey. She explained that prior to purchasing their home they called the City to inquire about what could be built on the adjacent property. Staff informed them that the property was zoned B-1 Business which excluded gas stations. If they would have been informed that a gas station was a possibility, they would not have purchased their home. They expected a small business or shopping mall, not a gas station which is very noisy business. She stated that they have called appraisers who have indicated that the construction would have a negative impact on the value of their property. She talked to the representative of Holiday and told them that they should purchase the neighboring homes and sell them to people who feel that being located that closely to a gas station is beneficial. She noted that traffic from the gas station will back up on Xkimo Street and cause more cut through to C. R. #116. Also, kids from the neighborhood will not be able to get to the park or the sliding hill because there will be too much traffic along Xkimo Street. After the last few snow falls, the snowplow has had difficulty getting around the median and yet they feel that tanker trucks will have no problems. Ms. Volavka stated citizens have taken a strong participation in cleaning up the Rum River and inquired if all of their work will take a major setback since there is already three gas stations in the area. She questioned what will happen with the fumes that are emitted from the station. Ms. Volavka stated that she understands they have a stage one vapor system, but who will make sure they are using it. The City is fighting about buffer zones between residential developments, but no one seems to care about a buffer between businesses and residential properties. All they have been offered is 2 ½ foot sh'rubs. In Maple Grove, when they widened the streets, the City built a privacy fence. There are already three gas stations in a two mile area and the residents look at a vacant gas station proving that the City does not have a need for so many gas stations. T.H. #47 is a main through fare in the City of Ramsey and she wonders how many eyesores they want in that area. Most of the residents from the area have stopped coming to the meetings because of the City Council's indifferences. Mayor Gamec stated that this piece of property has been looked at for many different developments ranging from apartment buildings to shopping malls. It is the opinion of the Council that this company should be allowed to move forward with the development. City Council/January 9, 2001 Page 27 of 35