09-26-01 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SUPTENII3T'iR 26, 2001 these same concerns. Scalze felt that the Church proposal was wonderful one and that it would succeed wherever it goes given the enthusiasm of the Church's members, however, she could not support taking this land off the tax rolls given the amount of laud that Little Canada already has that is off the tax rolls. She noted that larger cities such as Maplewood have a much stronger tax base that could support proposals such as this. Schroeder pointed out that the tax issue is the same in every community, and again pointed out that what the Church can bring to a couunwiity is sometimes worth more than the tax dollars. Montour pointed out the issue of where is a good location for a church noting that in the past they were typically located in residential areas. Montour noted the various businesses along Country Drive a~~d felt that a church just did not fit in with those uses. Montour felt that the Church presented a wonderful proposal, but indicated that this is just not the right location. Fahey noted that Little Canada is fully developed and taking property off the tax rolls reduces the City's tax base. Schroeder indicated that as far as the Church knows, they are the only entity interested in the site. Schroeder pointed out that the property could sit vacant for some time. Fahey felt the property was au attractive one and there would be interest in it. He noted that the even if the property is vacant, the taxes continue to accrue. Fahey pointed out that the Council's job is to look for the highest and best use of a property. Fahey did not believe the Church use was the highest and best use of a property that is zoned Business-Warehousing. Rezoning the property to public would tale it off the tax rolls. This would result in the loss of the current level of taxes and the potential for increased taxes because of enhancements that could be made to the site. John Nicholson, Christ Community Church, suggested that the Church may be willing to enter into an agreement with the City to make a t~ayment to the City in lieu of taxes. Scalze reported that this option has been explored in the past, and she noted that the concern is that once the City rezones a parcel of land to Public it loses control. Scalze noted that Christ Community Church could sell the property to another church or to a school While Christ Community Church may be willing to make a payment in lieu of taxes, another public use may not. Fahey questioned whether this would be the Kind of use the City would wvit in the middle of a B-W area. Fahey was also concerned about the City's loss of control under a Public coning. IIe suggested that perhaps a special zoning district or a PUD District would be appropriate if the City can require future R