Letters to the Editor - City is working with businesses - City is working with businesses

I wanted to take this opportunity to correct and clarify a few of the issues relayed in Mr. Aldwaik’s letter to the editor in the November Camden News regarding the regulatory issues faced by his store. The City’s business licensing staff relays that since 1996 newly established grocery stores have been required by ordinance to have at least 2,000 square feet of sales floor area. This requirement was in place long before Mr. Aldwaik purchased the building at 1701 44th Avenue North.  

The 2,000-foot rule was adopted by the City Council in 1996 in an effort to address an avalanche of new grocery store licenses being requested for very small storefront locations near residential areas. The basic footprint of  Aldwaik’s building is less than 2,000 square feet so it was easy to determine from the very beginning that this property would not qualify for a grocery license. Aldwaik was advised by licensing staff of this requirement immediately and was told that one option would be to add on to the building. The City held several meetings with Aldwaik and provided hours of plan review assistance to make sure that if an addition was built, he would qualify for a grocery license.  

The planned addition design was approved by the City several years ago but Aldwaik put the project on hold and chose not to begin construction until this year. When Aldwaik did obtain a building permit for the addition he applied for a permit to build a storage shed for his refuse dumpster rather than a mercantile premise addition. The addition was then not designed to have heat, ventilation, electricity, lighting, or be handicap accessible. 

City licensing staff continues to patiently work with Mr. Aldwaik on his project and has requested plans from his architect that can allow the building addition to be used as retail space. Once the building can qualify for a license, staff expects to be able to make a positive recommendation for a grocery license to the City Council and Aldwaik — as with any business license applicant — can expect to receive full, complete and proper consideration from the City Council at that time.  

I strongly disagree with Mr. Aldwaik’s statement that he was met with “disregard and indifference” when he contacted my office. My office and City staff have been responsive to his calls. It is his responsibility to complete his project. 

Barbara Johnson

Council Member – Fourth Ward

Minneapolis City Council