5.5. SR 06-15-2009REQUEST FOR ACTION
To Item Number
Ci Council 5.5.
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Communi Develo ment une 15, 2009 erem Barnhart, Plannin Mana er
Item Description Reviewed by
Request by George Larson for Extension on Code Enforcement
Issues Relating to the Bowling Alley at 13161 Hwy 10 Reviewed by
Action Requested
The property owner requests an extension of one year for completion of the work (remove and replace
the tarps with painted plywood, seal the roof openings, and seal the building from intrusion).
Staff recommends an extension of two months to complete the work. In the future, if the work has not
been completed, the Council could consider a formal abatement process and assess the fees on Mr.
Carson's property taxes.
Background/Discussion
The City has identified the condition of the former bowling alley owned by Mr. George Larson as one
being a nuisance as defined by the City Code. The City initially notified Mr. Larson of the violations on
September 15, 2008.
After snow collapsed a portion of the bowling alley in the winter of 2006, tarps were placed as protection
from the exterior elements. These tarps have been destroyed by the elements in the years since their
installation. Also, the grounds have not been mowed forcing the City to abate the grass growth in 2008.
Lastly, a site inspection on May 8, 2009, with the property owner, City's Code Enforcement Official Dave
Hetrick, and the Interim Fire Chief Cliff Anderson found that the building has been vandalized, including
what appears to be individuals entering the building. This inspection was in response to code
enforcement action taken by the City in a letter dated March 17, 2009. Originally, staff required work to
be completed by Apri19, 2009; this was postponed allowing for Mr. Larson to return to town. After the
meeting on May 8, correspondence was sent on May 27 requiring the issues to be resolved by June 28,
2009.
On May 29, the Planning Manager met with Mr. Larson, explaining the gravity of the concerns and
outlining options. Mr. Larson has expressed his reluctance to put more money in a building he is trying
to sell. Mr. Larson has elected to request an extension of one year, allowing him to complete the sale of
his property (currently scheduled for auction on July 21, 2009) and the new property owner to complete
the work requested by the City or remove the building. Mr. Carson's letter of request is attached.
Staff has some concern with a year extension. The building, currently exposed to weather, will only
deteriorate further over time. There is no guarantee that the sale will conclude in July. Additionally, the
S:\PLANNING MAIN\Code Enforcement\Action Requested Bowling Alley extension.doc
building has already experienced what appears to be break-ins, highlighting the importance of securing
the building as soon as possible.
Staff would recommend an extension of two months to complete the work (remove and replace the tarps
with painted plywood, seal the roof openings, and seal the building from intrusion). If the work has not
been completed, the City would abate the nuisance and assess the fees on Mr. Carson's property taxes.
Financial Impact
None.
Attachments
^ Mr. George Carson's letter dated June 1, 2009
^ Code Enforcement history
Action Motion by Second by Vote
FOIIOW Up
S:\PLANNING MAIN\Code Enforcement\Action Requested Bowling Alley extension.doc
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13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
May 27, 2009
George Larson
606 East River Road
Monticello, MN 55362-8752
Dear Mr. Larson,
Please be advised that the city has identified your property at 13161 Hwy 10 (parcel ID 75-132-1200) in
Elk River as having a substandard building in accordance with Sec. 30-232 of the Elk River, Minnesota
Code.
The building must be repaired. The work must be completed by June 28, 2009 or an alterative
schedule be agreed upon. This order may also be appealed. If the work is not completed within the
time specified, the city council may proceed to cause the work to be done and charge the costs thereof
against the properly or its owner. It is also unlawful for the owner of any structure who has received a
compliance order to sell, transfer, mortgage, lease or otherwise dispose of such structure to another
until the provisions of the compliance order have been complied with, or until such owner shall first
furnish the grantee, transferee, mortgagee or lessee a true copy of the compliance order.
This order may be appealed to the City of Elk River board of appeals. The appeal shall be made in
writing and filed with the building official by June 28, 2009. Failure to appeal will constitute a waiver of
all right to an administrative hearing and determination of the matter.
Sincerely,
Dave Hetrick
Code Enforcement Official
Phone: 763.635.1000
Fax: 763.635.1090
www.ci.el k-river.m n.us
.ver
MEMORANDUM
TO: Jeremy Barnhart
FROM:. Dave Hetrick
DATE:. May 4, 2009
SUBJECT: Bowling Alley Cleanup
As you know, I spoke with George Larson, the owner of the bowling alley at 13161 Hwy 10,
during the winter and he said that when he returns from wintering in Florida on May 1, that
he would meet with me at once concerning the cleanup of the bowling alley. He called me
on Monday, May 04, at 8:30AM and requested an on site meeting. He indicated that he
would like his contractor there to better understand the goals of the city.
He also stated that he has no intention of spending any money on the site. I told him that
that was not acceptable and that we need to come up with a solution that the city can live
with. I told him that the site needs to be completely sealed from weather, people getting
inside and the east side wall to be repaired with an appearance that is acceptable by the city.
Based on an inspection on May 15`, the grounds still have an excess of debris that needs to be
cleaned up. I advised him that the site is now being used by skateboarders and there has
been a hole punched in some plywood that provides entrance into the building. The meeting
is scheduled for Monday, May 11 at 9:00 AM. I will provide and update after tlss meeting.
City of
Elk -
River
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
April 3, 2009
Mr. George Larson
600 E. River Road
Monticello, Mn. 55362
Dear Mr. Larson,
As a follow up to our conversation on April 1, I am looking forward to meeting with
you when you return.
As I'm sure you understand, the condition of your property at 13161 Hwy. 10
continues to be a nuisance, and must be addressed immediately. On May 1St, we can
discuss the action you plan to take, and your schedule for completion.
Sincerely,
Dave Hetrick
Code Enforcement Officer
cc: Lori Johnson
cc: Jeremy Barnhart
Phone: 763.635.1000
Fax: 763.635.1090
www ci.elk-river.mn.us
City of
Elk -
Rive'r
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
March 17, 2009
Larson Properties of Monticello
606 East River Road
Monticello, MN.55362-8752
Re: 13161 Hwy 10, Elk River, MN. 55330
Dear Mr. Larson,
Last summer, we worked together on addressing some of the issues surrounding the condition of
your property at 13161 Hwy 10 in Elk River. I appreciate your assistance in mowing the grass to
reduce the issue there. As we discussed, a larger concern is the condition of the building, and the
deterioration of the tarps which have large holes, exposing interior portions of the building to water,
rodents, and further deterioration and decay.
After an inspection on March 3, 2009, I found that the building is in serious need of repair on its east
side. Specifically, the east wall and roof opening must be repaired weather tight with an attractive
enough covering as to no longer be deemed a nuisance. It appears that the tarps are not an
appropriate solution to address the problem adequately.
This inspection identified the following violations of the City's adopted ordinances:
2006 International Property Maintenance Code-301.3 as adopted by reference in Sec.30-157 of the
City of Elk River Code. City of Elk River Code-Sec.46-31(1) and Sec.46-35(a-3)
I attach applicable regulations for your information. Please make arrangements to address the issues
identified here by April 9, 2009. If these repairs are not completed by that time, or alternative
arrangements made, the city will be forced to pursue a citation or abatement to rectify the problem.
If you feel this notice is in error, you have the right to appeal this notice and order by filing a written
application for appeal with the Board of Appeals for the City of Elk River.
Sincerely,
Dave Hetrick, Code Enforcement Officer
City of Elk River
763.635.1067
Encl.
Phone: 763.635.1000
Fax: 763.635.1090
wwwci.elk-river.mn.us
Page 1 of 1
Hetrick, Dave
From: Hetrick, Dave
Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 12:59 PM
To: Johnson, Lori
Cc: Barnhart, Jeremy
Subject: Bowling Alley
Attachments: BOWLING ALLEY 001.jpg; BOWLING ALLEY 002.jpg; BOWLING ALLEY 003.jpg; BOWLING
ALLEY 004.jpg; violations 004.jpg; violations 005.jpg; violations 006.jpg; violations 007.jpg
Lori,
This is a response to yesterdays meeting in regards to the bowling alley. The property (grounds) was cleaned up
last summer and the tarps in the poorest shape were removed. The attached pictures show the difference
between last fall and today. Although not beautiful, the owner did react to the violation. If the Council wants to act
further, we can site both the local ordinance and the 2006 International Property Maintenance Code.
Local ordinance states in Sec.46-31 (1) that whoever maintains or permits a condition which
unreasonably annoys, injures (possible) or endangers the safety, health, morals, comfort or repose of any
considerable number of members of the public.
The International Property Maintenance Code in Sec.301.3 says: All vacant structures and premises
thereof or vacant land shall be maintained in a clean, safe and secure and sanitary condition as provided herein
so as to not to cause a blighting problem or adversely affect the public health or safety. In Sec.304.6 it states that
all exterior walls shall be free from holes, breaks, and loose or rotting materials; and maintained weatherproof and
properly surface coated where required to prevent deterioration.
Dave
2/24/2009
City of Elk River: CEView
Page 1 of 4
~c CE Case Details
Print Close
LC l.aSe I.CLUUa'173
cE case #: CE2008-193
eFM Case #: Iv/A
case assigned to: Hetrick, Dave
Priority: Medium
status: NOV issued
Date Opened: 09/15/2008
Follow Up Date 06/01/2009
Follow Up Action reinspect
i_ocation 13161 Hwy 10
Elk River, MN 55330
open violations Long grass- grass
Refuse
Vacant land/house
Other Violation
Other Violation
Refuse
Violations
Date Rio/ation Submitted By Status Disposition Notes
05/26/2009 Other Violation Hetrick, Dave Open
05/26/2009 Other Violation Hetrick, Dave Open
05/26/2009 Refuse Hetrick, Dave Open
10/08/2008 Refuse Hetrick, Dave Open
10/08/2008 Vacant land/house Hetrick, Dave Open
09/15/2008 Long grass- grass Hetrick, Dave Open
History
Date Entered By Action/Note/Activity
10/08/2008 03:54:16 PM Hetrick, Dave Added: Refuse
__ _ _. ~ __
10/08/2008 03:54:16 PM Hetrick, Dave Added: Vacant land/house
09/15/2008 01:19:03 PM Hetrick, Dave Added: Long grass- grass
https://clients.comcate.com/ce/ceCaseDetail.php 6/10/2009
City of Elk River: CEView
05/26/2009 04:08:13 PM Hetrick, Dave Added: Other Violation
_ - _ __._
05/26/2009 04:08:13 PM Hetrick, Dave Added: Other Violation
05/26/2009 04:08:13 PM Hetrick, Dave Added: Refuse
Page 2 of 4
Status and Follow l1p
Status Fo/%w Up Date Fo!/ow Up Action
NOV issued 06/01/2009 reinspect
History
Entry Date Employee Description
06/10/2009 10:45:40 AM Hetrick, Dave Case Status changed to NOV issued
_ . __
06/10/2009 10:45:40 AM Hetrick, Dave Followup Date edited from:
11/15/2008 to 06/01/2009.
05/26/2009 04:08:13 PM Hetrick, Dave Case Status changed to Abatement
issued
10/24/2008 03:19:35 PM Hetrick, Dave Followup Date edited from:
10/22/2008 to 11/15/2008.
10/08/2008 03:51.37 PM
_._ Hetrick, Dave Case Status changed to NOV issued
_ _
10/08/2008 03:51:37 PM Hetrick, Dave Followup Date edited from:
10/06/2008 to 10/22/2008.
09/22/2008 03:40:27 PM Hetrick, Dave Case Status changed to Abatement ~
issued
09/22/2008 03:40:27 PM Hetrick, Dave Followup Date edited from:
09/22/2008 to 10/06/2008.
_~_ __.. _ ~ ___ _ ~_ __ ... __ . _ __ .. _ __ ... __...e ___ ~
09/15/2008 01:19:03 PM Hetrick, Dave Initial Case Status NOV issued
Notes
Entry Date Entered By Action Date Note
06/10/2009 Hetrick, 06/10/2009 letters were sent to Mr. Larson and
10:45:40 Dave are in the file. Different format was
AM used so all direct letters are not in this
https://clients.comcate.com/ce/ceCaseDetail.php 6/10/2009
City of Elk River: CEView
history. All letters are in this addresses
file.
10/24/2008 Hetrick, 10/24/2008 The owner called me and agreed to
03:19:21 Dave clean up refuse and remove tarps that
PM are hanging on east side. No time
frame.
History
Entry Date Emp/oyee Description
Page 3 of 4
Attachments
Date Tit/e Description Uploaded By Upload Date
No Files Uploaded
History
Entry Date Employee Description
Forms
'; History
'', Link Name Generation Date Generated By ~
_ - ___ _,__
_
view __. _ _ . ..._. ,_ _m_. m .
Notice of Violation . ___ ____
05/26/2009 16:23 Hetrick, Dave
view Notice of Violation 10/08/2008 15:55 Hetrick, Dave
_.. _
view _ .. __ ... ___ ~_ . a . ___..
Grass Violation Letter _. _.. , .. ~ __
09/22/2008 15:40
Hetrick, Dave
view Notice of Violation 09/15/2008 13:19 Hetrick, Dave ~
Location
Addesss
13161 Hwy 10
Elk River MN
55330
Additional Census Block COBG Property
APN Information Tract Group LowModPct E/igib/e Type
NO
hops://clients.comcate.com/ce/ceCaseDetail.php
6/10/2009
City of Elk River: CEView
Page 4 of 4
Contacts
Initiation: complaint
Contact Open
Ro% Name/Business Address Phone Cases
_. _ _~
Larson Property of 606 East River Rd Moticello
Owner Monticello MN 55362-8752 1
_.~..~,
Time Tracking
CE Officer Date Hours
Total 0
a .__ ~.
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