02-21-1984 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Minutes February 21, 1984 Page Fiye on the concern that sometime in the futu~e, the Medisc~een bu~ine~s may terminate their lease and further, at the present time, there are two companies located in the lodge building. Mr. Gunderson indicated that the Lodge pay~ approximately $8,000 in taxes and indicated that should Mediscreen leave, they would be hard~ pressed to find one occupant to take up the total space of the Masonic Lodge. Mr. Gunderson indicated that the 100 members of the Lodge cannot meet the taxes, therefore, it is necessary that they lease part of the space. Mr. Gunderson indicated that Industrial Health and Hygiene, Mediscreen, at the present time employs approximately 20 people and further indicated that should four office- type occupants rent the space, they may not have more than twenty people combined. Mr. Gunderson indicated that the Masonic Lodge's intent is to rent the space, primarily because of tax reasons, and that their intent is to have occupants that would not distract from the neighborhood or cause an adverse impact on the neighborhood. Councilmember Schuldt expressed his concerns regarding the Masonic Lodge variance request. Councilmember Schuldt indicated that he was concerned about the character of the neighborhood with a commercial business and further indicated that he felt the allowing of three more additional businesses in that building in that neighbor- hood would create increased traffic in the neighborhood. Councilmember Schuldt indicated that he felt the increase of businesses in the neighborhood would create a devaluation of the property and of future development in the neighborhood. Councilmember Schuldt further indicated that recently the City Council denied a zone change to allow for two-family housing in the neighborhood due to the increased traffic that the two-family housing would create. Councilmember Schuldt indicated that the City Council would not allow more than one home occupation in a residence in the particular neighborhood and that the allowing of up to four businesses in the Masonic Lodge would create an unfair situation to the family environment created in the neighborhood. Councilmember Schuldt indicated that by granting the variance, the Masonic Lodge could, in fact, rent to three more Mediscreen- type businesses. Councilmember Schuldt further indicated that the City Council does not have any control over the types of businesses that would occupy the space, the amount of vehicles, people and traffic that those businesses could create. Councilmember Schuldt indicated that inasmuch as Mediscreen is not leaving the Masonic Lodge location, the request for four businesses to occupy the space is premature and therefore, he was opposed to granting the variance request. Mayor Hinkle opened the public hearing. Mr. Ralph Garner, a resident of the area, indicated that he felt the Mediscreen operation was an eye-sore to the neighborhood and requested that the City Council put a stop to it as soon as possible. Mr. Tom Johnson indicated that he was opposed to the variance request by the Masonic Lodge, as the residents of the area are unhappy with the one occupant now located in the Masonic Lodge. Mr. Johnson indicated that he felt the parking lot of the Masonic Lodge looked like a recreational vehicle sales lot. Mary Beck indicated that Councilmember Schuldt expressed their concerns very well. Mr. Jim LaRock, member of the Coon Rapids Lodge, indicated that Mediscreen is not requesting the opportunity to put four businesses in at the present time, but further, that should Mediscreen move out in the future, the Lodge would be able to place up to four businesses in their building. Mr. LaRock expressed his