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Center City Council met June 4 for a regular meeting.  Council member Ryan Pease was absent.

Council held an open forum where resident Garrett Franke of Park Island Road let the council know he was opposed to the potential split creating two properties on the end of the road, 516 and 520. Park Island Road.  Franke referenced lot size requirements within the city and told the council the split requested by homeowner Phil Dommer was far lower than city ordinances.

Dommer then spoke next, thanking the council for their hard work. Dommer pointed out the homes will not be “going anywhere” meaning torn down and new construction, but rather would remain for family members to own their own home instead of two on one property. Dommer pointed out that two homes on one lot is non-compliant with city ordinances right now. Council member Mark Wolcott reminded the council and Dommer that Center City had a lot of cabins in the 50’s and 60’s and many of those cabins have been grandfathered in and didn’t comply with modern code.  Dommer mentioned that he would like to see the planning commission meeting minutes to see where their opinion of his property split turned from yes to no.

The council then closed the open forum.

At the recommendations of the planning committee, the council then adopted three resolutions denying rezoning the property from a R-3 medium density to a traditional R-1 single family property. They next adopted a resolution to deny a variance of 7,995 sq feet and 6,362 feet to reduce the minimum lot widths.

Finally they adopted a resolution denying a preliminary and final plat known as Park Island Point. 

In new business, Jason Schultz who owns and operates Jake’s on the Lakes was seeking two event permits for events to be held in the restaurant’s parking lot.  There is live music planned on 6-22 and 7-6 with crowds anticipated around 500 at each show.  The council reminded Schultz it was his responsibility to hire security and to fence the area.  The council then agreed to issue permits to Jake’s on the Lakes.

The council then approved two other permits to Tony’s Bar (formerly Al’s Center Saloon).  The bar plans on two local brewery tasting events outside on June 9 and  June 22.  The events are expected to draw 50 to 150 at each event and will be fenced in as well.  

The council then discussed approving the on-sale of liquor at the new Nordic Market. The council had previously approved the sale but the state requires a separate address for on-sale and the off-sale.  The new on-sale will be designated as Suite A and the off sale Suite B.  City Clerk Dana Miron told the council the state only allows on-sale on Sundays when food is available for purchase.  The council then approved on-sale for Monday to Saturday noting if the Market decides to sell food upstairs where the bar will be located they can apply for Sundays as well.

The council then passed a resolution proclaiming September 9 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Day. Mayor Jill Behnke thanked the council for passing the proclamation and said it was an issue near and dear to her family.

Council adjourned at 8:09 p.m.

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