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T~-'-.'-_. I I I Council Meeting Minutes September 22) 1987 because it was possibly a temporary use; however, if it becomes a permanent use) it would have to be done. Winfield agreed and now is willing to make the changes. Martens indicated Winfield Developments) Inc. has put a consider- able amount of funds into the area for improvements and will incur significant damages (approximately $15-$18 per square foot) in terms of converting it to another use which they did not contemplate as being absolutely necessary. With regard to traffic, odor, and pipelines, Martens indicated there was no record of accidents in the office center and sugges- ted it is perhaps safer than some city streets where children have to cross; also suggested the building is concrete and masonry structure, fully sprinkled, and is safer than a wooden structure without a pipeline beside it. Martens stated the school has made a commitment there will be no outside organized activities; and believes the safety factors are false. Brandt asked what remodeling would be different if a school was not asking to lease the space, and believed it could be a series of several businesses if some walls were removed; Martens indi- cated the costs are very high for converting from one use to another and, usually, what is currently in place is more of a lia- bility than an asset; and felt the chances of maintaining the cur- rent classrooms for another business would be the absolute mini- mum. Brandt asked if that was not the normal part of doing business; Martens stated Winfield agrees to bring that portion of the build- ing up to code, but stated it would be unreasonable to convert from one use to a totally different type of use (they usually get a five or a six year lease). Benke asked if the city would be as concerned about the use of the space if the students were adults; Mattila stated he would have to refer to the code regarding training centers, but noted an elemen- tary school needs a special use permit. Dolores Dunnett (3651 North Snelling, Arden Hills), principal of CGS, stated the school has been in existence for seven years and has been negotiating a lease with Winfield Developments, Inc. since February. At no time were they told by either the City of New Brighton or by Winfield Developments, Inc. they would have to obtain a special use permit. Dunnett further stated they had an Open House in June and all stu- dents and parents were delighted) no objections to the location were raised; MIS has tripled its growth over the two years it was there; in August she received a phone call from Mattila stating a special use permit was required. Pratt Realty and Winfield ad- vised her the application for a special use permit was a routine requirement and it would have to go to the Planning Commission for review. At the present time the 35 students are meeting in her home. Page 7