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ity of <br /> <br />ver <br /> <br />Item #6.4. <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />TO: <br /> <br />FROM: <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />Mayor & City Council <br /> <br />Pat Klaers, City Administr~~ <br />March 16, 1998 <br /> <br />SUBJECT: CUP for Recreation Center <br /> <br />The City Council has been kept advised as to the process and progress in Jeff <br />Asfahl's attempt to temporarily use the former Prairie House restaurant as a <br />recreation center. This effort is being undertaken partially as a result of the <br />youth survey which was conducted a few years ago. An overwhelming <br />response in this survey was that the teens and youth in Elk River desired "a <br />place to go to be among friends outside of a school environment." <br /> <br />Obtaining a conditional use permit is the first step in having this project <br />move forward. The follow up step is to enter into a lease with the owners for <br />use of the facility. It is anticipated that this project will be somewhat short <br />lived as I think everyone hopes that the building will be sold and put back to <br />its original restaurant use. Additionally, the city may not be able to afford to <br />operate a recreation center in this facility for the long run as this project is <br />being funded through the city recreation budget and bruited funds are in the <br />youth initiatives hne item. <br /> <br />As this project moves forward, a common question has been how the <br />operation would conflict with a future Boys & Girls Club and a future Watz <br />Up? Cafe. The general response from city staff has been that this activity <br />and project would compliment those proposals and provide more <br />opportunities for the teens to participate in acceptable leisure time activities. <br /> <br />One big concern of the city is that this project has "no adverse effect on <br />neighboring properties." If this project does have a negative effect, the city <br />would be forced to discontinue its lease and end the program. At this time <br />we want to do everything possible in order to ensure that the project is <br />successful. To this end, it is appropriate to put "tough" conditions in the <br />city's permit, including but not limited to, adequate supervision for inside <br />and outside the facility, restrict smoking in the area, and provide sufficient <br />outside lighting. Without a doubt, we have seen private businesses of this <br />type become a problem, but we believe with public management of this <br /> <br />13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425 <br /> <br /> <br />