Minutes - Council - 10/14/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case #4: Request for Site Plan Approval; Case of Sharp and Associates Zoning Administrator Frolik noted the City of Ramsey has received a request for site plan approval from Dennis Sharp of Sharp and Associates. The plan proposes to construct a 73,920 square foot multi-tenant office and manufacturing building on Lots 3 and 4 of the AEC Energy Park 3rd Addition. The facility is proposed to be constructed in two phases with a zero lot line concept; the first consists of 41,808 square feet and the second at 32,112 square feet. The facility would meet City Code compliance. This is a tax increment financing project under the instant equity program the City has been operating. The City expenses toward the project are recovered within the time frame of the TIF district. The Planning Commission and City staff are recommending approval. Motion by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Beahen to approve the proposed site plan for Sharp and Associates in AEC Energy Park 3rd Addition contingent upon compliance with the City staff review letter dated October 2, 1997. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Beyer, Beahen, Haas Steffen and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Case #5: Review Request for Deferral of Special Assessments; Case of Art Raudio City Attorney Goodrich explained that Mr. Raudio approached the City Council on September 23, 1997, and requested deferring existing levied assessments on two parcels adjacent to T.H. #47 near the intersection with County Road #5. Mr. Raudio stated that he has addressed this in the past, however, there is no record of this request. Conversations have, however, taken place outside of a Council meeting. He continued that the assessments were levied in conjunction with projects related to several phases of the Rivers Bend additions. The parcels, due to the development of the Rivers Bend addition, have a history of changing PIN numbers and, in 1988, an error at the County dropped $93,161.86 of assessments that should have remained on the unimproved parcel. The error was discovered in 1994, but at the County's direction and City Council approval, it was recertified with no penalty for the remainder of the life of the assessment. Mr. Goodrich continued that the City has the ability to defer assessments on undeveloped land for specified reasons, but after some research, in his opinion, the City cannot defer an assessment after the first installment has been paid. However, the City can abate assessments and re-certify with deferral stipulations if any part is excessive. He reported that the market value for the first parcel is $35,000 (according to Anoka County) and this parcel is current on all taxes and assessments as of September 25, 1997. The second half of 1997 was not yet payable. The second parcel has a determined market value of $144,800. This parcel is currently in its "year-of-redemption" under the tax forfeiture proceedings. There have been no payments to the County for taxes or specials since 1993. Mr. Goodrich pointed out that in conversations with the County, it came to light that the property owner has the opportunity to approach them under a "confession of judgment" and work out a payment plan to pay the delinquent amounts, stay current on existing payments, and avoid tax forfeiture proceedings. It was the recommendation that the City not abate the delinquent and future assessments and recertify due to the fact that if the property did go tax forfeit after abatement the City would have no recourse to collect on the special assessments. In the event that there is no abatement and the City Council/October 14, 1997 Page 7 of 15