Minutes - Council - 07/27/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

has not been moved to date, and the City Attorney does not recommend a variance due to issues with State building Code. Planning Technician McCann stated City Staff recommends adopting Resolution 21-216 approving abatement of 7009 Highway 10 NW. Jim Frampton, owner of JCF Auto Inc., dba Star Auto and Truck, 7009 West Highway 10, stated he purchased the property in April 2019. He respectfully asked the City Council to grant a variance for the semi-trailer that has been parked on the property for 30 years and is not a storage unit. He added he has been unable to get a title for the trailer so he can remove it. Mr. Frampton stated this is the first notice of violation that he has received, and he had 14 days to respond. He added he requested information from Mr. McCann about getting a variance but did not receive a response. He noted he was informed the item was placed on the Consent Agenda to automatically approve abatement. Mr. Frampton stated City Code states that businesses in the H-1 Highway 10 Business District can utilize gravel, recycled concrete or recycled asphalt and with the issuances of an Interim Use Permit. He asked why the City wants to penalize his business rather than figure out a solution. He added his business has had numerous auto thefts and property damage in the last 12 months and has filed police reports but apparently this is considered a low-level offence. He noted everyone has come through very difficult economic times, and now his business is faced with disruption from the City, County and State with Highway 10 improvements and reconstruction. Mr. Frampton stated many other businesses on this corridor park vehicles on unimproved surfaces. He asked the City Council to approve a variance for the trailer and work with him to obtain an Interim Use Permit. Councilmember Howell stated it is hypocritical for the City to work with Oak Terrace Estates to resolve violations that far exceed Mr. Frampton’s issues. She added Mr. Frampton’s case was on the Consent Agenda two weeks after he received a violation notice. She noted she would like Ramsey to be a City that works with its businesses and resolve issues amicably. Councilmember Heineman asked why the issue was placed on the Consent Agenda only two weeks after the first date of issuance. He asked whether there is generally a second notice. Planning Technician McCann stated Mr. Frampton contacted him after receiving the July 9, 2021 notice of violation, and he requested alternative solutions. He added he contacted Mr. Frampton to set up a meeting to discuss the issue further, but Mr. Frampton indicated he would seek legal counsel. He noted City Staff decided to put the abatement on the Consent Agenda for tonight’s meeting with the knowledge that there was still an additional time frame to be considered, and additional notice of abatement would be sent, giving the property owner another 14 days. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl stated typically there is a second notice, but in this case, this is a repeat offender with 10 violations going back to 2013, and the threat of a lawsuit. She added City Staff sought advice from the City Attorney and decided to bring this issue to the City Council for City Council / July 27, 2021 Page 19 of 25