04-04-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 4,2011 APPROVED 90 When City Attorney Langel was asked for his opinion on the contract, Mr. Langel 91 reported that he is okay with the contract language (legal terms); the policy issues are for 92 the council's consideration. 93 94 The council discussed the city's current connectivity services and determined that the cost 95 is lower now but the service that would be offered by this new system would be much 96 more powerful. 97 98 City Administrator Karlson said that he is confident that staff can do the necessary 99 background work on the contract within the next week; he received council authorization 100 to place the matter on the next city council meeting agenda. 101 102 5. Oppidan, 49/J development proposal - Economic Development Coordinator 103 Divine introduced two individuals representing the Oppidan project team to discuss their 104 prospective grocery store project in the area of Hodgson Road and Ash Street. The 105 representatives are Paul Tuczi of Oppidan and attorney Peter Coyle of Larkin Hoffman. 106 They have provided graphics through which they wish to illustrate some means for 107 addressing some of the issues discussed at the previous work session. 108 109 Mr. Tuczi reviewed the illustrations (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). He noted the 110 discussion points previously raised by the council regarding access points and noise and 111 lighting buffering. The plans have been amended to move the building back, add six 112 foot high berms and privacy fencing to minimize light and noise intrusion and have the 113 access points in line with the master plan for the area. For building design,they've 114 moved lighting inward and downsized the building. He noted that the proposed liquor 115 store would be articulated from the building itself. They propose storm water ponding to 116 a greater extent than regulations call for. In the area of roadway planning,the plans 117 include accommodation for future access to County Road J even though it isn't feasible 118 for them to purchase the land adjacent to that roadway at the current time. Retail in 119 addition to the grocery store is difficult to fill with the current economy but they plan to 120 develop the best site possible for those opportunities. Regarding the operator of the 121 grocery store, Mr. Tuszi reported that he had mentioned that it wouldn't be a Cub store 122 however, he can now report that there are three possibilities, one being a scaled down 123 Cub. 124 125 Attorney Coyle added that it is clear that there are public improvements required for this 126 project. There is a critical mass needed to support that type of effort and the economic 127 reality is that, absent this large a user, you probably couldn't justify the improvement 128 costs. The developer is interested in knowing the city's level of support. 129 130 The mayor asked if there has been a neighborhood meeting scheduled and Mr. Tuczi 131 replied that such a meeting would be the natural next step if there is any city interest in 132 proceeding. A council member noted that there's been some concern raised by an area 133 liquor store owner about over saturation of stores; he asked if the developer has 134 considered the viability of that use? Mr. Tuczi responded that they haven't done a 3