HomeMy WebLinkAboutRe: condition of property Page 1 of 1
���e�,��`,;'����:�1�,L
Evelyn M. Turner
From: Evelyn M. Turner
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 5:43 PM
To: 'dandan@boulderprop.com'
Subject: AMSTAR Motor Fuel Station, Co Rd 19 & 15, Navarre
Mr. Daniels:
I visited the Amstar Station last week. Before I visited I reviewed the file on the
property. Information in this type of file from before 1980 is usually not complete.
For this property the oldest information in the file are permits from 1956 for an
addition to the rear of the Minnetonka Oil Station for a barber shop. There is no
information the file about the original building or when it was built. That building
was demolished in 1967 and replaced by the current building the following year.
Because the business predates much of the current zoning code, the provisions you
reference in your email cannot be applied to the property. When I checked the
property I was looking for vehicles offered for sale, junk and debris, and the condition
of the fence. I saw no vehicles marked for sale. There were one or two vehicles that
might not have been operable. But there were none that were to the point they could
be considered junk. There was nothing I could call junk and debris. The fence does
need to be repaired or removed. A notice will be issued to the property owner about
this.
I understand that you may not like the appearance of the property but other than the
fence there were no zoning code violations present when I was there. If you do see
cars with for sale signs or an accumulation of junk/debris/trash please let us know
and we will investigate.
Evelyn Turner
City Planner
City of Orono
952-249-4623
952-249-4616 (fax)
5/1/2008
Page 1 of 2
�����������L
Christine Mattson
From: George Daniels [dandan@boulderprop.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 2:50 PM
To: Christine Mattson
Subject: FW: BLIGHT--AMSTAR Motor Fuel Station, Co Rd 19 & 15, Navarre
Attachments: P4200026.JPG; P4200027.JPG
Chris,Thank you for the phone call and taking a look at a property owner that "blights"the entire Navarre
Shopping District. George Daniels
From: George Daniels [mailto:dandan@boulderprop.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:37 PM
To: 'eturner@ci.orono.mn.us'; 'mcurtis@ci.orono.mn.us'; 'jwhite@ci.orono.mn.us'; 'rahnx041@umn.edu';
'jmuphy@goldengate.net'; 'Imcmillan@ci.orono.mn.us'; 'cbremer@ci.orono.mn.us'
Subject: BLIGHT--AMSTAR Motor Fuel Station, Co Rd 19 & 15, Navarre
Mayor, Council persons and planning staff,
I am an Orono resident residing at 1375 Park Drive. I also happen to be in the commercial real estate business.
Having done many small shopping center developments, I think I have a reasonably good understanding of
Zoning and Zoning Districts.
I live close to Navarre and more specifically Co Rd 15 and Co Rd 19 and seem to be there often buying groceries,
going to the hardware store and occasionally eating at Culvers or The Narrows. Being in the business I am
always aware of the various uses and retailers in the general area and the general maintenance of the buildings.
Most are maintained well with a number of older buildings needing updates and upgrades. Then there are
those one or two that are "eyesores" and using a planning definition taken out of your building code, "Blighted"
which means, a deteriorated condition, something that impairs or destroys.
The Navarre intersection has Culver's/Snyder's/Holiday Station, Holiday Station and Lund's Grocery. All, I think,
do an adequate job of maintaining their buildings, cleaning their parking lots and generally maintaining their
common areas for the general public and customers.
However the other corner is blighted.The name of the gas/motor fuel station is currently AMSTAR. Last
weekend I counted 17 cars, trucks and wreckers in their lot. I have counted more at various times. Many
appear to be inoperable and stored. Some appear to be "for sale". Most are older and appear to be
"Junkers". My point is this. It is an "eyesore" not only for the general public but for the other businesses trying
to maintain a good image.
The zoning for this corner is B-1 with a requirement of a Conditional Use for a motor fuel use. Looking under Sec
78-1373. Gas Stations, and the 10 sections which cover everything from Fencing, Signs, Curbs, Prohibited sales
etc. it would appear to me that not many of the conditions are met.
Under Sec. 78-644. Conditional Uses (1) "Garages for the servicing and repair of automobiles, provided repair
functions are totally enclosed in a building". By my observation the repair functions are not operating under
your code.
Please also note under(3)Vehicle storage, "all vehicles parked or stored on an property within the city shall be
4/24/2008
Page 2 of 2
operable and currently licensed". Many "Junkers"or parts cars stored on the property.
On the west end of the building tires are stored in a rack outside as well as other junk. Again an eyesore. The
fence on the back of the property is falling down and some cases propped up by a 2'x4's.
I have attached photos for your review.
I don't wish to put anyone out of business but knowing how difficult it is for commercial development today;the
stringent requirement zoning codes place on building development and the need for communities to upgrade
their downtowns in order to not only maintain but to retain retail business, It would seem that your planning
department or your code enforcement department may want to review with the current property owner what is
expected,what needs to be changed and if that doesn't happen, enforcement procedures.
Thank you in advance for you help.
George Daniels
Resident of Orono and a Navarre shopper
4/24/2008