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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER I0, 2001 CHURCH of the church to discuss options. Based on that meeting and staff s analysis of the rezoning request, the City Administrator and City Planner prepared and submitted their report dated October 5, 2001. Fahey also reported that he received a telephone call as well as a letter from Father Fitzpatrick of St. john the Evangelist Church in support of Christ Community Church. Paul Schroeder, Christ Community Church, appeared before the Council to present some additional comments regarding their rezoning application. Schroeder noted that the Church owns approximately 10 acres of property in White Bear Township on which they could locate. I-Iowever, given ponding on the property, there is about 7'/z acres of usable area on the site. Christ Community Church prefers the site at 3203 County Drive given that it is larger and more visible. Schroeder reported that they are a modern community church and need the visibility and room to grow. Schroeder pointed out that the B-W zoning of the property does not allow a church as either a permitted or conditional use. The only zoning district that allows this use is the Public District, therefore, they have applied for a rezoning to Public. Schroeder pointed out that their rezoning request has been reviewed by the Planning Commission. At the Planning Commission they presented both the tangible and intangible benefits that their church would bring to the community. The Planning Commission voted in favor of the rezoning with some comments that resulted in a revised site plan being presented to the City Council. The rezoning proposal was then presented to the Council at its September 26°i meeting. The Council considered a couple of issues related to the rezoning, the first being whether or not a church was an appropriate use for the area and the second was the loss of income the City would realize if the property became non-taxable. At the September 26'x' meeting, the Council voted to table the matter for two weeks so that representatives of the church could meet with City staff to discuss the City's needs and come up with some creative options. At this meeting there was a discussion of the recreational amenities that the church could provide. Given that usage of the City's recreational facilities are not being maximized, this was not a high priority for the City. Schroeder reported that there was also discussion about the church providing conference and rental areas as well as the possibility of a hybrid zoning that would allow some taxable commercial uses. Schroeder reported that Christ Community Church prefers the Public zoning so that it has full control of its property without limitations. As a result, the church offered the possibility of a payment in lieu of taxes to make up for the lost revenue to the City. In order to afford this, the church is exploring the possibility of renting out a portion of the site for outdoor storage to generate income to make a payment in lieu of taxes as well as to help improve the property.