Adopt Ordinance #22-02 Vacating a Drainage and Utility Easement at 6815 McKinley Street NW (Project No. 21-136); Case of Cullinan Rigging

Cullinan Rigging (the "Applicant") is proposing a building expansion project at 6815 McKinley Street NW (the "Subject Property").  The expansion would add approximately 37,000 square feet to their existing facility.  The Applicant is also pursuing an Administrative Subdivision to acquire approximately 2.5 acres from Molin Concrete to accommodate the expansion.  There is a drainage and utility easement along the common lot line between the Subject Property and Molin Concrete that needs to be vacated (any utilities within the easement would need to be relocated as well, at the cost of the Applicant).  New drainage and utility easements are proposed along the realigned boundaries.

The City attempted to send a mailing via standard U.S. mail to property owners within 350 feet of the Subject Properties, as noted in the Anoka County Property Records, notifying them of the public hearing that the City Council held on January 11, 2022. The notice was also published in the Anoka County UnionHerald.

There is a ten (10) foot wide drainage and utility easement along the northern boundary of the Subject Property.  The Applicant is requesting that this easement be vacated so their building expansion can proceed.  The submittal package includes a legal description of a new, ten (10) foot wide drainage and utility easement that would be centered over the realigned common boundary between the Subject Property and Molin Concrete, as well as along the east and west boundaries of the land being acquired.  The attached Administrative Subdivision exhibit shows the roughly 2.5 acres being purchased by the Applicant (Parcel A on attachment).

The building expansion itself meets the criteria for an Administrative Site Plan review, as the addition does not exceed the square footage of the originally approved building, meets all bulk standards, and will match the exterior finish of the existing building.  Thus, the Applicant's next step (assuming the easement is vacated) is to complete the land acquisition and apply for a Building Permit.

The City Council held a Public Hearing on this request on January 11, 2022.  There were no written or verbal comments received.  Per the City Charter, Ordinance #22-02 is now eligible for adoption.  At that same meeting, the City Council also adopted Resolution #22-004, contingent upon adoption of Ordinance #22-02, accepting new drainage and utility easements on the Subject Property.

The Applicant is responsible for all costs associated with this request.

Staff recommends adopting Ordinance #22-02 vacating a drainage and utility easement on the Subject Property. 

Motion to waive the Charter requirement to read the ordinance aloud and adopt Ordinance #22-02 vacating a drainage and utility easement on the Subject Property.

Roll Call Vote:

Councilmember Howell
Councilmember Riley
Councilmember Musgrove
Councilmember Specht
Councilmember Woestehoff
Councilmember Heineman
Mayor Kuzma
-and-

Motion to adopt Resolution #22-004 accepting new drainage and utility easements on the Subject Property.