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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />APRIL 14,1999 <br />may be interested in selling. However, they purchased in this area well <br />after the establishment of the redevelopment district. In the past the <br />Ketchmark's have indicated they are not willing to sell. While the Gagne <br />site was previously available, the situation may be different at this time. <br />Scalze asked why a hotel would not work on the site pointing out the <br />scenic beauty and high visibility from the freeway. <br />Allen felt it would not work because of the lack of proximity to other <br />commercial uses, such as restaurants and shopping. It may be a site for a <br />hotel whose clientele is truckers since they are interested in immediate <br />access to the freeway system. Allen reported that hotel development is <br />very difficult right now and lenders are very tough on this sort of <br />financing request. Allen felt a hotel on Country Drive would have a <br />difficult time. <br />Scalze suggested that office/wazehouse is easy to build and rent and asked <br />if there was a two or three story development which would work. <br />Allen reported that he is proposing oFfice/showroom that is very high tech <br />in nature. Exteriors would be glass and brick. Allen reported that this is <br />not an office site, although the City may be talking with an office user <br />who has interests in staying in Little Canada. Allen felt that if the market <br />evaluated this as an office site, it would have been developed as such <br />already. Allen reported that a few years ago this would not have been <br />considered an office/showroom site. Allen felt the visibility and access for <br />the site would serve an office/showroom, but indicated that he wanted to <br />take another look at traffic issues in light of the comments made this <br />evening. Allen commented, however, that he did not know of too many <br />sites that did not have traffic problems at peak times. <br />Fahey suggested that Maxwell Research Group be contacted to obtain <br />their opinion on what was the highest and best use of this site. Fahey <br />pointed out that given the problems neighboring cities have had in <br />attracting hotel development, he did not believe it was feasible for this <br />location. Secondly, there is the traffic issue to consider which does not <br />provide for easy access to the freeway. Fahey asked if Allen was looking <br />for the City to assist in acquisition of the redevelopment site. <br />The City Administrator suggested that in the event there are unwilling <br />sellers, the Council will have to decide whether or not the City will step in <br />to assist in assembling the site. <br />Allen reported that a site smaller than what has been discussed tonight <br />would not make economic sense. Allen further reported that his company <br />6 <br />