10/05/2000 EDAC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Mr. Johnson asked why the city council wanted lower density. Ms. Carlson said the council discussed each member’s preference for density. There is not a consensus, but the council is committed to working together. The council is concerned about the economics, that it works for the landowner and the city. She said Hugo was able to put together a good traditional neighborhood development without Livable Communities funding. Ms. Divine responded that the developer was doing a single family home project that and likely didn’t pay anywhere near what the Village site is going for. The same developer brought in a plan for a large tract of land he owns in Lino Lakes but became aware he could not develop for some time because of the status of the Comprehensive Plan. Staff talked to this developer several times about the Village project, but this developer does larger single family projects. He was interested in the project, but it was too small. Ms. Carlson said the lower density was in the rental apartments. Mr. Johnson noted there is a huge demand for rental. Mr. Chase said the city has selected the location so now it has to make it work on that site. That’s different from when a developer comes in to a city with a tract of farm land with low land costs and services available and wants to develop. Ms. Carlson said the council is going to start looking at cost variables for developing the Village and the impact on the city. Mr. Wessel said revisions will be made on the plan and then discussed with the collaborative team to see if it makes economic sense. He said he also has two hotel developers. Calthorpe may also review the revisions. Ideally, a master developer would pick up the whole piece. The mixed use lends itself to small developers. Mr. Chase said this is the best spot in the city for high density. Mr. Wessel said the council asked staff to provide a clarifying letter to the Livable Communities application. It says the city has not yet concluded the best method for using the funding to get site control. The financial context for this project will be explored over the next few months. Ms. Carlson said the city as “development lead” and a city commitment to purchase property was a concern of four council members. She suggested the “council is concerned” raises a red flag and perhaps it should be dropped if council agrees. Mr. Johnson questioned if the Met Council committee was concerned about the acquisition. Ms. Carlson said the council was concerned. Mr. Wessel said the application was made general and had no commitment to acquire the land. That commitment could not be made until the financial scheme was studied. Mr. Wessel said the Livable Communities committee will have to find reasons to eliminate applications. If Lino Lakes is eliminated it will be because we don’t have the design standards or the Comprehensive Plan in place. Ms. Carlson said the council is close to settling the most divisive issue regarding MUSA.