04-25-1990 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION April 5, 1990 Esterbrooks reported that EMC would have three shifts, which would minimize employee traffic to and from the site. The City Planner again stated that the Commission's charge this evening is to determine whether or not the project is in conformance with the Comp Plan for the purpose of providing TIF assistance. Bendel pointed out that the resolution before the Commission asks for approval of the use of TIF as well as whether the project is consistent with the Comp Plan. The City Administrator pointed out past City action a few years ago establishing this site as a TIF Development District along with 6 or 7 other sites within the City. The Administrator referred to BDS's report dated March 31st, pointing out that the approach outlined in that report is somewhat agressive. However, the details and numbers have yet to be worked out. Costa asked which other cities were soliciting EMC. Balyk replied that Minneapolis, St. Paul, Mendota Heights and Oakdale have approached EMC. Bendel pointed out the issue of communities competing against one another at the cost of taxpayer subsidies. Costa asked if the proposal would be built without TIF. Feinberg replied that that would depend on total costs. Costa stated that he could not see the taxpayers of Little Canada subsidizing EMC when the company appears to be a prosperous one. Bendel stated that he could support the request based on the guidelines of comparing the cost of this project against Mr. Howe's project. Bendel stated that the EMC project was more attractive and there are some economic advantages to doing it. The Administrator pointed out that assuming the project had a market value of $4 million, land and building, the City's policy has been to provide 10% TIF assistance, therefore, the amount of EMC's assistance would be $400,000. The Administrator stated that the Page 14