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