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COUNCIL MINUTES February 13, 2012 <br /> APPROVED <br /> 91 <br /> -- 92 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REPORT <br /> 93 <br /> 94 6A. Public Hearing, Otter Lake Road Extension Improvement Project—Community <br /> 95 Development Director Grochala explained that the purpose of the hearing this evening is for the city <br /> 96 to receive public testimony on the proposed improvements to Otter Lake Road. No action of the <br /> 97 council is required other than to open and close the hearing. Staff anticipates that the council may <br /> 98 want to have a discussion about the project at a future work session. Mr. Grochala introduced Jim <br /> 99 Studenski, TKDA, who briefly reviewed the project feasibility study. <br /> 100 <br /> 101 Mayor Reinert opened the public hearing at 6:58 p.m. <br /> 102 <br /> 103 Daniel Beeson, Levander, Gillen & Miller, P.A., noted that he is representing Richard Shreier and <br /> 104 related owners. He is present to voice objection to the project as proposed. They believe the project <br /> 105 is premature and ill timed for the current market. They believe that, as proposed, the costs should be <br /> 106 born differently, with public contribution for the benefit. There are many vacant properties in the area <br /> 107 and rather than focus development wider with these improvements, the area under development(Main <br /> 108 Street Village) should be the key. Since the roadway is designed to move people as a minor arterial, it <br /> 109 would seem to be properly paid for by the greater community and not just adjacent property owners. <br /> 110 Also they believe the project as proposed represents overbuilding. <br /> 111 <br /> 112 Bruce Miller, MFC Properties, owner of the northeast quadrant property. They believe the plans for <br /> 113 improvements have been in place for a long time, they have invested in the area and plan for <br /> 114 development and they await the improvement of Otter Lake Road. They see that this is the natural <br /> 115 next step after the recent bridge improvements and support the council moving forward with the plans <br /> 116 and specifications at this time. <br /> 117 <br /> 118 Property owner at 7473 24th Av N, spoke in favor of the project moving forward. <br /> 119 <br /> 120 Community Development Director Grochala also noted that the council received an email from Dale <br /> 121 Properties/Stonehenge USA, an area property owner, also in favor of moving forward on the project. <br /> 122 <br /> 123 A council member noted that it is no secret that the road will be moving north and while he <br /> 124 understands that they have also faced costs relative to the bridge replacement, he believes that getting <br /> 125 development going with improvements in the area will help the property owners recoup some of their <br /> 126 costs. The landowners will have some time (2-3 years) to find tenants before having to pay <br /> 127 assessments on this project. <br /> 128 <br /> 129 There being no further speakers, the public hearing was closed at 7:12 p.m. <br /> 130 <br /> 131 A council member asked staff to respond to the suggestion that the road is oversized and Mr. <br /> 132 Grochala explained that it is planned as an arterial street. It is planned to be commercial and certain <br /> 133 lane use is necessary. He believes this is a fairly standard layout for what is anticipated in the area. <br /> 134 <br /> 135 The council concurred that they will discuss the project at their next work session. <br /> 3 <br />