08/04/2005 EDAC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 VHC has met with the three school districts (Centennial, Forest Lake, and White Bear) and have letters from all stating the school districts can handle the growth. Mr. Hayes said the project will be phased. The road infrastructure and connections were discussed, the style of the access is not defined. He said they were trying to bring in commercial of the scale and quality of the Blaine Village. Ms. Schwartz asked how the 40 acres on the interchange not under VHC control would enter into the mix. Mr. Hayes explained Dick Schreier isn’t interested in selling and that the new interchange design will take approximately half of Mr. Schreier’s piece. VHC doesn’t know yet how the connection to Cty. Rd. 14 will occur. Mr. Corson asked about the residential cap on growth. Ms. Divine stated a Comp Plan Amendment will be required. Council will need to decide whether this project warrants an exemption from the ordinance. Ms. Lindahl stated they intend to apply as a Conservation Development. With a master planned development, the growth management ordinance does not work. Mr. Hayes stated the housing phasing is probably 3-5 years, with commercial at about 3 years. The next phase of the concept plan will be brought back to the next EDAC. Mr. Rymer stated that connections from the housing to the commercial area do not seem conducive to limiting the amount of time people spend in their cars. Residents want to feel like the retail is a part of their neighborhood, rather than something that attracts cars from other areas. Mr. Hayes maintained that studies show if a consumer has to walk more than 300 feet from one store to another, they get in their car. He stated they are working with the site plan to try to get some walkways from the housing to the commercial. He referred to the Blaine Village as an example of providing a walkable area. They are looking at creating nodes with walkable choices within the nodes. Mr. Hayes stated greenways and open space would stay private and be controlled by associations. They are trying to preserve the agricultural heritage. Members asked about public art and ballfields, and other amenities. They are not planning ballfields, but there are landscaped greenways and private pocket parks. The largest green space park is about 7.5 acres. Opportunities for places to stay and linger are being planned. The landscaping plan will include streetlights, water features, street trees, pedestrian crossing, etc. Ms. Schwartz asked how a softening of the commercial market would impact the development. Mr. Hayes he thinks the Minnesota market shows a long term growth cycle, and they are not expecting a softening of the market. Members asked if developers would ask for public incentives. TIF would not be used, but Mr. Hayes expects there will be issues with Anoka County, because they should not expect this project to carry the cost of large scale traffic improvements, including the interchange.