10-10-2001 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 26, 2001 enhancements to the site as well as any other special conditions the City determines necessary. The City Planner indicated that the Planning Commission voted in favor given the proposed redevelopment of the site. The Planner pointed out that he has seen proposals such as this in other communities as part of commercial areas given the opportunities for shared parking, etc. However, in these were typically on edges of commercial zoning districts rather than in the middle. Fahey indicated that the special zoning district idea intrigues him. He indicated that he is certain that the Church would add value to the community, but he struggles with taking property off the tax rolls. Dick Daniels, Pastor of Christ Community Church, reported on research that the Search Institute has done relative to community assets and how to improve community life by adding critical assets to a community. These assets include schools and churches. Daniels reported that the Church feels that Little Canada is prime for another church to come in. He reported that the Church would not isolate itself from the community, but would partnership with the community as well as St. John's Church to make Little Canada a great place to live. Daniels pointed out the visibility of the site, and noted that people driving along 35E /694 would not only see industrial development, but also a church campus and green space. Daniels stated that he hoped the City would seriously consider their rezoning request and the asset they would bring to the community. Fahey stated that he would like to explore the concept of a fee in Lieu of taxes indicating that he had a strong reluctance to take property off the tax rolls. Fahey suggested that City staff explore the possibility of developing a special use district that might address this option. Nicholson reported that there has been some discussion of the fee in lieu of taxes, and the issue would have to be brought to the membership for their approval. Fahey asked about the timing for removal of the Knox outbuildings. Schroeder indicated that since the Planning Commission meeting, the Church has decided that the first phase of the project would include remodeling the inside and outside of the main Church building as well as removal of the unusable buildings. Schroeder also pointed out the potential for use of the Church parking lots as an overflow park and ride lot. John Rauch, attorney and member of the Church, pointed out that the City's B -W zoning allows for theater uses. He noted that under the Federal Government's Religious Freedom Act if a permitted use is similar to a Page 39