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recommended. Changes include adding the Lake Drive properties in The Village to the <br />Highway Commercial area, and also changing the specific boundaries for different uses to <br />flexible boundaries. Staff recommendation is that the standards move forward in <br />ordinance form to ensure the city’s vision. Mr. Smyser completed a chart that shows how <br />current zoning standards compare to the new ones. <br /> <br />Mr. Milbauer asked about requiring parking behind stores so that retailers must have <br />double entries. He is concerned about the security aspects. Mr. Smyser explained parking <br />behind with a main entrance on the street is fundamental to the standards. The standards <br />do not mandate that the retailer use the back entrance. Staff said retailers could close their <br />back entrance if they wanted. Mr. Chase said there must be flexibility. Today we may <br />think we know what we want, but if it doesn’t work, the city needs to be flexible. <br /> <br />Ms. Divine pointed out which retail areas in the plan are affected by the double entrances. <br />Mr. Jensen said the standards are creating an environment. Ms. Divine discussed the <br />issues regarding the YMCA as an integral part of the Village, and how it would <br />completely undo the purpose of the Village if they put the parking in front. While it is a <br />design challenge, it is essential the main entrance be on the street. Mr. Jensen noted Coon <br />Rapids community center has two entrances. <br /> <br />Mr. Milbauer asked what the grant money would be for. It will be for the phase one <br />infrastructure. Mr. Johnson asked how Mr. Fefercorn responded to the design standards. <br />Ms. Divine said he had made detailed comments, which were considered while making <br />revisions, but he is in favor of standards. <br /> <br />Ms. Schwartz questioned that if the developer could not develop without the grant, didn’t <br />it mean that the design standards are cost prohibitive? Ms. Divine responded that was the <br />case because the Tagg family has set its price and it is not feasible to build housing at that <br />price. Most of these developments do have some public money involved. If the city does <br />not get the grant, some other public money will be needed or the land will sit there for <br />awhile, which could mean that the market is dictating the price is too high. Ms. Schwartz <br />that the city is devaluing the land because of the high standards the market cannot bear. <br />Mr. Smyser said the market is doing nothing with it now. It is a risk, but staff believes it <br />is a risk that will lead to higher value in the future. <br /> <br />Mr. Milbauer said his bank cost more than he anticipated, but this area was worth the <br />risk. He questioned whether Mr. Fefercorn had the ability to do the project. Ms. Divine <br />said she believed he did. Other developers were also interested. Mr. Milbauer said he <br />feels more comfortable knowing double entrances aren’t required. <br /> <br />Staff is requesting that EDAC consider the following endorsement: “endorse the Town <br />Center standards as recommended by staff with the understanding that the city may revise <br />specific requirements in the standards. Signage standards will be temporarily pulled for <br />further review. Such revisions would occur as part of the process for amending the city’s <br />zoning ordinance to include standards for a new Town Center zoning district.” Mr.