02-11-2004 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 11, 2004 serves students from Little Canada, and having the school in the City would bring a greater sense of community ownership. He felt the school would be an asset to the City and the garage space would service Public Wor]<s' needs. The question was whether the proposal works financially for Family Academy. Anderson stated that he did not want to say that the City does not want the school just because it is a school and just because the proposal is to locate it in an industrial area. Anderson viewed the proposal as protecting the site from a less desirable use. Fahey stated that he did not support locating a school in an industrial park. Fahey felt that if the decision is that the Frattalone property would be a good location for the Public Works garage, then the City should acquire the property and dispose of the portions of the site it does not need in a manner appropriate for an industrial park. Anderson felt that put the City at greater financial risk than the Family Academy proposal. Fahey felt the issue of financial risk was unknown at this point. Fahey indicated that he has never supported spot zoning, and felt that putting a school in an industrial park was that. Fahey pointed out that there is enough undeveloped property on the site that would allow for the construction of a new Public Works garage as well as the City's selling off the office and garage space to an industrial user. Fahey stated that he would rather explore the potential for an industrial user for the property, tha~i to have someone else own the property and propose a use that is inconsistent with the industrial zoning. Anderson asked if Fahey supported the City's outright purchase of the property. Fahey stated that he felt the water issue had to be decided first because that drives the size of the facility that Public Works needs. Fahey noted that the City also has the County Road B property as a potential Public Works site, therefore, the City does not have to rush to judgment on the Frattalone property. He indicated, however, that if Public Works needs a larger facility, he would favor the Frattalone site including the redevelopment or Marketing of any unneeded portiars of the site to an industrial user before he would support putting a school in the middle of an industrial area. Anderson pointed out that if the City waits until the water system issue is resolved, the Frattalone property may not be there. Fahey acknowledged that, but pointed out that the City can communicate its potential interest in a portion of the property should an interested purchaser step forward on the Frattalone property. Anderson felt that the Family Academy proposal has public benefit because it resolves the issue of the Public Works site and also resolves any