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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 5, 1996 DATE: TO: FROM: RE: Attached is a copy of a memorandum I have received from Planning Commission Chair Bill Criego. Bill's memo, I expect, is submitted as a resident living in the vicinity of Green Heights Supper Club. As you can see, the memorandum identifies some ten points of concern with respect to operation of the Club and its impact on the surrounding neighborhood. Don Rye and I will be meeting to discuss what actions we can take to mitigate against these problems. As a first step, it seems to me that we need to be sure that the neighbors and Green Heights have made a reasonable attempt to resolve these issues between one another before involving the City. If they have not, I would expect that we would facilitate a meeting between neighbors and Supper Club representatives in an effort to begin to respond to these issues. Failing this, the next step would be to undertake enforcement actions as set forth in the City Code. att. GRNHTS.DOC DATE: September 3, 1996 TO: Mr. Donald Rye Planning Director and Enforcement Officer City of Prior Lake 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 f ..t(/r" , .. .;'j., ',;y BIll Cnego /t;l _ __/ 16350 Park Avenue Prior Lake, MN 55372 FROM: CC: Frank Boyles, City Manager The purpose of this letter is to make an official complaint regarding Green Heights Restaurant/Bar. Many residents of the south east Prior Lake area have been voicing their concerns about the current operations at Green Heights. Green Heights is operating under a conditional use permit. In addition to other things, this permit requires them "to produce a total visual impression and environment which is consistent with the environment of the neighborhood." The area is zoned ResidentiaVS-D. In actuality, Green Heights impacts this neighborhood from 5:00 am to 2:00 PM in a negative fashion. There are a number of issues that need to be addressed. Specifically: 1. During business hours, the lighting at Green Heights is excessive and is farther magnified by the light reflection off the lake. This creates a glare that is disruptive to the neighborhood. There are four high power parking lot lights, a large flood light on the building, another flood light shining out on the lake, and numerous flood lights on the deck and dock areas. Decorative lights are also used on the deck areas and the Green Heights sign is illuminated. Green Heights, it is believed, does not have a permit to light their business sign and it does not appear to meet electrical code specifications. Lighting should be reduced to eliminate any glare beyond Green Heights property lines. Signage lights and decorative lights should not be permitted. 2. After Green Heights is closed for business their lighting continues to dominate the bay beyond what is typical for security lighting. This is distracting to those of us who wish to enjoy the peaceful, natural essence of lake living. Only minimum security lighting should be used, with no glare beyond the property lines. 3. New docks were installed last year. They go out approximately 150 feet which narrows the access to the small bay to the east and causes a hazard to navigation in the area. Water skiing and windsurfing to and from shore can be very hazardous. In addition, the number of permitted slips and their use, may be different than granted under their permit. Docks should not go out beyond 75 feet, which is still farther than any of the residential docks. 4. Garbage collection and some deliveries happen between 4:45 and 5:30 am.. The garbage truck is very loud when driving on Pleasant Avenue, Park Avenue and Green Heights Road. Once it arrives at Green Heights, the noise it makes hooking up to and emptying the large commercial garbage bins is excessive. We are awakened by the noise at an hour that is earlier than typical for this neighborhood. The garbage collection and deliveries at Green Heights should occur no earlier than then the current neighborhood garbage collection [7:30/8:00 AM]. 5. Trash containers are clearly visible and are not screened. Trash containers should be in a screened area. 6. RestaurantlBar patrons on the deck and docks, people who rent boat slips, or people who are just using a slip temporarily can be very loud, particularly on weekend nights. Radios are played and people whoop and scream so loudly we have to shut our windows. One night, for example, a person showed up with a boom box and we had to listen to a drunk man shout, "take it off!!" accompanied by much profanity. This is not appropriate for Prior Lake. After Green Heights closes, people sit in their boats, crank up their stereos and then yell to be heard over the music. Residents should not have to make calls to Green Heights management and/or the Sheriff in order for this to be stopped. Outside food and drink services should be prohibited after dark. 7. When some patrons leave Green Heights in both cars and boats they are excessively loud and often speed. It is not unusual to find broken beer bottles on Park and Pleasant Avenues. If this level of use is to be allowed in a residential area, police and water patrol will be needed from 9:00 PM to 2:00 am. 8. The Green Heights owners' family also owns the land next to Green Heights. This land is being used as a common lake access for automobiles, snowmobiles, and hovercrafts. Multiple slips have been installed and possibly rented. This land is being used to enhance Green Heights business, which was not intended in the conditional use permit. This property is not zoned for lake access or slip rental. Rental of slips should be stopped A permanent barricade should be built. 9. The property across the street from Green Heights is also owned by the Green Heights owners' family and is being used for overflow restaurantlbar parking and storage of trailers, docks, etc. This property is not zoned for this use. Parking there should be stopped and if storage is required a fence erected 10. We believe that the conditional use permit requires a six foot fence on the east side of the property. If so, it would be helpful in screening some of the activity of Green heights. If this is a condition, it should be enforced The situation is getting bad enough that it is impacting how we use our property. One neighbor sold his home and moved out of the area. Some of us no longer invite company over on weekend nights. We should not have to close our windows to be able to sleep between 10:30 PM and 6:00 am. Green Heights is impacting our freedom, the desirability of our neighborhood and our property values. This does not need to be the case. We believe that we can all co-exist. Green Heights can have a successful business without impacting our neighborhood adversely.