HomeMy WebLinkAbout15.C.3. Heritage Development Sales Trailer
CITY OF SHAKOPEE IS: C.3.
Memorandum
CASE LOG NO.: NA
TO: Mayor and City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: R. Michael Leek, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Request of Heritage Development to Allow the Use of a Sales
Trailer on the Site of Shenandoah Apartments
MEETING DATE: October 7, 2003
INTRODUCTIONIDISCUSSION:
Heritage Development placed a sales trailer on the site of Shenandoah Apartments, and
was informed by City staffthat sales trailers are prohibited under a provision of the
zoning code adopted in 2001. That provision was adopted to clarify the City's preference
that sales trailers not be used in the city. (See attached copy of the ordinance) By letter
dated September 24,2003, Herb Tousley of Heritage asks the Council to consider letting
them use the sales trailer for a period up to 90 days.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Offer a motion waiving the restriction of City Code Sec. 11.61, Subd. 2, 5, to
allow the use of a sales trailer on the Shenandoah Apartments site for a period not
to exceed
2. Offer a motion directing Heritage Development to remove the sales trailer
immediately.
3. Table the matter and request additional information.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends alternative no. 2, direct Heritage Development to remove the sales trailer
from the Shenandoah Apartments site.
REQUESTED ACTION:
Offer a motion directing Heritage Development to remove the sales trailer from the
Shenandoah Apartments site immediately.
~~~-/
R. ichael Leek
Community Development Director
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September 24,2003 to) !7~ ~liTlrlr:'r:;.B
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Mr. Michael Leek !;!J; ,\r~p c;" i I
Community Development Director !,I,J!:' " , ,~. "::" /.~ /
129 Holms St. S. f:.L~~V Jl
Shakopee,~ 55379 "'.....,.,.. j
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Dear Michael,
I have spoken to Mark McNeill about possible options regarding the temporary sales
office at the Shenandoah Apartment project. One of the things that he suggested we
could do is to make a request to amend the portion of the code that covers temporary
sales offices at this type of a project. I would like to request such a change for the
following reasons. VIe have built several other projects of this size and we have found
that it is very important to have someone on site to talk to potential renters. It has been
suggested the we place a sign with a phone number on it so people who might be If>
interested can call and speak with someone, It has been our experience that it is much
harder to get a potential renter to make a commitment without being on site. Many
people will see the sign but won't be able to remember a number as they are driving by.
It has also proved to be difficult to set up meetings at the site and even if that can be
scheduled our agent would not be able to have all of the marketing materials and
infonnation that would be available at a sales office. Weare estimating that as many as
80% of our renters will come from the immediate area so it is important that potential
renters be able to stop in a talk with a sales agent. As you are probably aware the
apartment market has softened considerably in the last year and there is a great deal of
competition from other buildings in the area. Due to this change in the market it is
critically important that we are able to have a sales office open as soon as possible.
Our current situation is that the temporary office was placed on the site before we were
aware of the ordinance. The electricity and phone lines have been hooked up and we
were expecting to start using the office on October 1 st. We had intended to move the
office into the main building as soon as we get a certificate of occupancy. I spoke with
Jim Grampre about this and we think that we should be able to move in late in December.
I am hoping that we can find some way to be able to use this office for approximately 90
days. We will do some temporary landscaping and what ever else is necessary to make
the office look attractive. If you have any questions or other ideas please call me at 651
. 483-2600.
T~OU for your~ consideration,
"', ~
Herb Tousley
Heritage Developme
cc: Mark McNeill
HERITAGE DEVELOPMENT,INC
-122 EAST COUNTY ROAD D ! ST. PM. L. :vlJ.'\'.'ESUT\ 55! i '7
PH:65i,481-00171 FAX:651,481.ISIX XOO,6J.i.()(J! 7
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