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6.4. SR 03-16-1998ity of ver Item #6.4. MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: DATE: Mayor & City Council Pat Klaers, City Administr~~ March 16, 1998 SUBJECT: CUP for Recreation Center The City Council has been kept advised as to the process and progress in Jeff Asfahl's attempt to temporarily use the former Prairie House restaurant as a recreation center. This effort is being undertaken partially as a result of the youth survey which was conducted a few years ago. An overwhelming response in this survey was that the teens and youth in Elk River desired "a place to go to be among friends outside of a school environment." Obtaining a conditional use permit is the first step in having this project move forward. The follow up step is to enter into a lease with the owners for use of the facility. It is anticipated that this project will be somewhat short lived as I think everyone hopes that the building will be sold and put back to its original restaurant use. Additionally, the city may not be able to afford to operate a recreation center in this facility for the long run as this project is being funded through the city recreation budget and bruited funds are in the youth initiatives hne item. As this project moves forward, a common question has been how the operation would conflict with a future Boys & Girls Club and a future Watz Up? Cafe. The general response from city staff has been that this activity and project would compliment those proposals and provide more opportunities for the teens to participate in acceptable leisure time activities. One big concern of the city is that this project has "no adverse effect on neighboring properties." If this project does have a negative effect, the city would be forced to discontinue its lease and end the program. At this time we want to do everything possible in order to ensure that the project is successful. To this end, it is appropriate to put "tough" conditions in the city's permit, including but not limited to, adequate supervision for inside and outside the facility, restrict smoking in the area, and provide sufficient outside lighting. Without a doubt, we have seen private businesses of this type become a problem, but we believe with public management of this 13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425 recreation program, the rec center can have a positive influence on the neighborhood. This recreation program, to a certain extent, will be like an arcade business with the youth being involved in the management and operation of the program. Over the past few years we have seen the Community Recreation programs grow and become more successful in Elk River. This rec center in the former Prairie House is something that has been requested by the youth for a long time and staff feels that it is appropriate that we give it a try to see how things work out this summer. \\elkriver \sys\shr doc\councilXr eccup .doc ity of ver TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Item # 6.4. MEMORANDUM Mayor and City Council Steve Wensman, Planning Intern March 16, 1998 Request by City of Elk River for Conditional Use Permit, Public Hearing Case No. CU 98-3 Request Consider a request by Community Recreation and the City of Elk River for a conditional use permit to operate a nonprofit recreational facility. Location 600 Dodge Avenue, Lot 2, Block 6, Barrington Place (former Prairie House Restaurant) Zoning/Land Use PUD (Planned Unit Development) / HB (Highway Business) Attachments · Location map · Memo From Jeff Asfahl, Director of Community Recreation · Memo from Police Department · Floor plan · Site plan Background The City of Elk River, in conjunction with Community Recreation, is proposing to use the dining area of the former Elk Hills Restaurant as a nonprofit recreational facility. The facility will include vending machines, pool tables, arcade games, jukebox, card and board games. 13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425 Memo to Mayor and City Council/CU 98-3 March 16, 1998 Page 2 The proposed hours are Monday through Thursday 3 - 8 p.m., Friday 3 - 9:30 p.m. and Saturday I - 9:30 p.m., and closed on Sundays. The hours are likely to change depending on what works best. The center had initially planned to be staff by one adult. Please refer to the memo from JeffAsfahl which explains in further detail the proposal for the recreation center. Public Hearing The Planning Commission held a public hearing on February 24, 1998. At the hearing Jeff Asfahl, Director of Community Recreation, provided background information leading up to their efforts to establish the proposed recreational facility. Concerns regarding the facility were voiced by Gary Santwire, representing the neighboring business owners. The concerns were as follows: 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Need for outside supervision Lighting be addressed as per police recommendations Noise Vandalism Litter Trespassing JeffAsfahl addressed the above mentioned concerns. Several others including Michele Bergh, Jeanine Holmberg, Jenny Mulvany and Darrell Nordland had favorable comments regarding the facility. Parking The former restaurant site has adequate parking with 46 stalls in the front lot, 36 in the rear, and 9 on the south side of the building. Two of the stalls on the south side of the building are handicap accessible. There is an adequate drop-off area to serve the facility. The site has three access point; two entrances off Dodge, and one off a shared drive south of the property in the rear. The shared drive serves two office buildings; one behind the restaurant, and one adjacent. The curb cut of the southwest front entrance off Dodged is misaligned with the driving lane and allows entering vehicles to conflict with parked cars. These 9 parking stalls could be eliminated if adequate parking remains. s:\council\cu98-3.doc Memo to Mayor and City Council/CU 98-3 March 16, 1998 Page 3 Landscaping The existing landscape consists of 3 trees in the front lot (south lot line), 3 trees north of the building and 4 trees in the back (north lot line). There is 3'- 4' shrubbery around the entrance of the building and south foundation. Additional shrubs surround the entrance sign by Dodge. The shrubs around the building entrance are overgrown and should be trimmed or removed. No additional landscaping is needed. Signage If there is to be any signage, the space on the freestanding pylon will be utilized. Police Department Recommendations See the attached Police Department memo. Recommendation Staff recommends the City Council approve this request with the following conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission: SHRUBS TO THE SOUTH AND NORTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING BE TRIMMED OR REMOVED TO ALLOW FOR NATURAL SURVEILLANCE. 2. KEEP ALL WINDOWS FREE AND CLEAR OF ITEMS, POSTERS, ETC. 3. MAKE THE PAY PHONE UNABLE TO RECEIVE CALLS. MAKE THE FRONT DOOR THE ONLY ENTRANCE AND EXIT; ALL OTHER DOORS FOR EMERGENCY ONLY. THE MANAGEMENT SHALL ESTABLISH AN ENTIRELY "SMOKE-FREE" SITE. THIS WILL ASSIST POLICE IN KEEPING THE FACILITY A PLACE FOR ALL TO COME. 6. PROVIDE LIGHTING PER POLICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS. Staff also recommends approval of the following additional recommendations at the request of neighboring business owners: 1. OUTSIDE SUPERVISION BE PROVIDED AS NECESSARY. THE USE OF THE PRAIRIE HOUSE AS A "REC CENTER" WILL NOT ENDANGER, INJURE OR DETRIMENTALLY AFFECT THE USE AND ENJOYMENT OF OTHER PROPERTY IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY, OR THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, MORALS, COMFORT, CONVENIENCE OR GENERAL WELFARE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR THE CITY. s:\council\cu98-3.doc Memo to Mayor and City Council/CU 98-3 March 16, 1998 Page 4 3. DEBRIS SHALL BE PICKED UP ON THE SITE TWICE WEEKLY. 4. ADDITIONAL STAFF BE PROVIDED AS NECESSARY. s:\council\cu98-3.doc ~ LOCATION ~ °~ ~,~ MAP Ell~'~R" ~ver o~: ¢~ t3~65 Oreno ?xrwav · ?,C. Box ~90 ~[k River. >~ ~525~ February 18, 1998 To: Steve Ach - City Planner Fr: Jeff Asfahl- Recreation Director Re: Youth Facility Concept Since December of 1995, at the urging of Mayor Duitsman the Community Recreation program has been working with various other groups, organizations and individuals to develop leisure opportunities that will better serve our communities youth. This vehicle for community input, support, and action as developed into what is now known as the "Youth Initiatives" committee. As part of our extensive work with many youth and adults through the Youth Initiatives, it was learned that the youth desired a "place" other than a school building that they could spend their leisure time with friends. One of the desired goals from the outset to achieve this request was to research the potential use of existing facilities - other than a school. We investigated avenues such as the county fairgrounds, the old County Market, & Pamida and none of them were available for this intended use. 'q November of 1997 Michele Bergh - Recreation Program Supervisor noticed the sign at the now ,acant Elk Hills Restaurant (the old Prairie House) that stated free rent. Upon our enquiry we explained our concept and supporting background and the owners of the building looked favorably upon this type of interim use. Please find attached some additional information related to our intended use. I believe that this project not only accomplishes precisely what we have heard is desired by the youth, it will also serve as an excellent clearinghouse and place for networking for the promotion of other worthwhile youth opportunities throughout the community. It will also serve as a "pilot" to learn from for future considerations. Thank you for your careful consideration of this project. Prairie House Proposal The City of Elk River/recreation program would be using the dining area as a "youth center". Gwen Segelstrom from Edina Realty is looking for someone to use the kitchen area. Expenses would be $2,200 per month gross rent (no additional cost for utilities, etc.) for each party. There would be separate lease agreements on a month to month basis, including something that would state the City could not be held liable for anything the other party does (unpaid rent, etc.) The Vision Bring in vending machines; including pool tables, arcade games, jukebox, candy, pop, and a change machine. The jukebox would be music of our choice (no offensive lyrics or foul language). We would also bring over board and card games from Lions' Den to have available for the youth. Hour of Operation Monday - Thursday 3-8pm, Friday 3-9:30pm and Saturday 1-9:30pm. We would be closed on Sundays unless there was demand for it to be open. Total weekly hours would be 35. Staffing Staff would be one adult at $11/hour x 39 hours/week (this includes 1/2 hour for opening and closing each day). $429/week for 4.35 weeks is $1,866.15. Objectives Set up a governing body of youth to help in the running of the facility Involve youth in choosing games and music for the center Involve youth in setting rules and policies Increase marketing opportunities for all community organizations who works with youth Provide a facility for youth to spend their leisure time Decrease loitering and similar issues for local businesses E1 From: ver Date: Police Department Subject: Memorandum STEVE WENSMAN M. MASICA, C. EDINGER, K. PETERSON FEBRUARY 11, 1998 TEEN CENTER After reviewing the site plan for the new teen center we would like to make the following recommendations: Shrubs to south side and front north side of building be trimmed back to allow for natural surveillance. Keeping all windows free and clear of items, posters, etc. Making pay phone unable to receive calls. Making the front door the only entrance and exit door. Ail other doors for emergency use only. The parking lot needs more illuminance(footcandles) to deter crime and create a secure atmosphere. The lighting that is there now has no uniformity and creates many dark spots and shadows. We want to encourage the management to make this a completely "Smoke-Free" establishment. This will help the police in keeping this a teen center that all will want to come to. See attached diagram for lighting suggestions. 13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 723 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-2324 · Fax (612) 441-8937 FEB--04--98 WED 19:30 HIGH VIEW INVESTMENTS 4410136 P. 02 Drive 1,10' /' Asphalt / Parking [" Pedestrian ' '-xl \~ ~e 35' ~ _-31 S' Asphalt / Parking 170' ~ Exterior light Trash Enclosur~ The lot was purchased from Gary Santwire whom we assume did the plat and was the original developer. No wetlands exist on the property. ~-~ (iD 0 CD LIJ U j~r~-z'2-9~ THU 15 ;4~ HIGH VIEW4 INVESTMENTS ~4101~6 P.05 26 Table Dining 23'8". i! Lobby Rooth Dining -23'4" Dry Sb 1' 8"-- 17'10" Walk In 12x8 rage [ Copk uo, j Stools ~Oish Wash Area, 7xl 2 Walk in i Office Break 12x8 jJ 8x6 ,, Area '1 Worllens Il ~ 15'6" ~--~ ',, ..... ~? 23'9".. 12'8" Mens 33'2" Mech Rm lOx16 Elk Hills Floorplan