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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />NOVEMBER 21, 2001 <br />Therefore, the City offered to purchase the property and is proposing its <br />redevelopment with senior housing and retail. <br />The Council began a review of the draft Request for Qualification that is part <br />of the RFP. Fahey noted that the RFP will hopefully result in submission of <br />development proposals for the Council's consideration. He noted that <br />Sherman Rutzick and Wally Johnson are present at this evening's meeting and <br />would like to persuade the Council to allow them to develop the Phase 1 <br />project. Fahey noted that another developer, Brad Farnham, would also like to <br />develop this site. Fahey indicated that the City is on a tight timeline and is <br />proposing to utilize the RFP process to get the best proposal possible. <br />Roycraft mentioned the Planning Commission's lack of knowledge that the <br />City was considering a senior project on this corner. Had the Commission <br />known, Roycraft indicated that they would have had a different perspective <br />when considering the Montanari Homes senior development proposal. Fahey <br />noted that the Council denied the Montanari Homes proposal based on the fact <br />that the density was too intense and pointed out that the Council previously <br />approved a concept for 4 to 5 townhome units on that site. LaValle noted that <br />the Montanari proposal was essentially an apartment building, and the <br />consensus of the Council is for no more apartments in the City unless they are <br />senior apartments. <br />The City Administrator also pointed out that The senior building proposed by <br />Montanari Homes was not in close proximity to services that are necessary for <br />seniors. <br />Fahey pointed out that the focus of tonight's meeting is the Rice Street/Little <br />Canada Road site. Fahey indicated that the Council is interested in seeing the <br />development of assisted living facilities for seniors and not just apartments for <br />people aged 55 and over. Fahey noted that it has not been a secret that the <br />Council has been considering a combination senior housing/retail development <br />for The Venetian Inn site. The project is becoming a reality at this point <br />because of the interest in the property by another user. <br />The City Administrator indicated that senior housing alone was not felt to be <br />appropriate, and the Council added the retail component with senior housing to <br />be located above. <br />Wally Johnson indicated that their hope is to convince the Council that they do <br />not need to go to the RFP process. <br />Fahey noted that the Council's hope is to have a full menu of senior housing <br />options in the area ranging from market rate housing to assisted living. The <br />2 <br />