Jessica Foster
Staff WriterThe owners of Ruddyís Rental are looking to improve their business.
They came to the city council meeting Monday asking for a variance reducing the required side yard setback, number of parking stalls and parking setbacks.
The Ruddyís asked for the variances to make way for a new facility at the existing site.
Ruddyís is operating out of a 4230 square foot main building and a 2400 square foot accessory building. They are seeking to replace the main building with a 6000 square foot building attached via breezeway to the existing assessory structure.
The planning commission and staff recommended denial of the variances citing a lack of hardship, too small of a site, use of public right-of-way for private use is not allowed, the site could be redesigned and outdoor storage will remain an issue. Planner Doug Borglund also mentioned future plans to redevelop the corridor and said improvements should coincide with the cityís long term plans.
Still, members of the council expressed a desire to make it work.
Councilman Bruce Carlson said a rental business is needed here.
ìI think this would be a devastating thing if they thing pulled out of here,î he said. ìI think itís important we have a rental facility in this town.
Councilman Rick Ashbach said he wasnít against the idea of Ruddyís making improvements, but wanted the improvements to accommodate the site.
ìIím not at all opposed to seeing change there,î he said. ìI really think thereís just way too much variance requested there. We still need to have reasonableness.
Chris Ruddy, representing the family business, said it was time to grow.
ìYouíve seen my building. Itís served its purpose. Itís exceeded its purpose,î he said. ìItís an eyesore. Iím trying to make it better. It cannot be fixed up.î
Ruddy said it was not feasible to moveóstaying in the same place is important.
A decision on the variances was tabled to give the Ruddyís time to modify their plan to make it more agreeable to city staff.
Signage
The council approved a master sign plan for Park Place Commons. On the developing building along Lake Street and Broadway, the council approved a plan with 48 possible sign locations (though all will not be used concurrently) with a total 533 square feet of signage.
The building developer had requested more signage, up to 720 square feet over the space of the building.
The plan passed with a 3-2 vote with Carlson and Councilwoman Susan Young in opposition.
Park person
The council approved hiring a park board assistant. Donna Daniels will report to the park board and will cost the city about $15,000 annually.
Meetings
The Forest Lake City Council regularly meets 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of every month. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, Nov. 24. The second meeting in December, slated for December 22, was cancelled due to the Christmas holiday. The council traditionally cancels the second meeting in December.
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