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• • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 7, 2011 DRAFT 89 would also like to look at the general benefit derived and use a pool of funds that is 90 collected district wide (taxing authority). 91 92 When the mayor asked how often these improvements occur, Attorney Kolb explained 93 that this is considered a one -time cost; past completion of this project only regular 94 maintenance is expected. Mr. Kolb added that the financing of the project that they 95 propose is more economical (saving approximately $200,000) and they plan to solicit 96 public input on the plans. 97 98 The council will consider the resolution consenting to the proposal at the March 14, 2011 99 council meeting. 100 101 3. 49/J Development Proposal — Economic Development Coordinator Divine 102 introduced Oppidan development representatives Joe Boone, Paul Tuski and Patrick 103 Barrett as well as Attorney Peter Coyle, all present to discuss a grocery development 104 proposal for County Road 49 and J. Ms. Divine explained that there are issues that make 105 the area in question challenging for development and the development team is present to 106 discuss them with the council and seek some direction on the council's interest. 107 108 Attorney Coyle explained that there are questions on infrastructure (roads, water, sewer) 109 as well as gaining control of all the necessary properties. 110 111 Mr. Tuski distributed and then reviewed development plans for the site. A grocery 112 operation is the catalyst for this proposed development and, based on research, they are 113 comfortable the market is there. The cost of necessary infrastructure is one item that 114 they'd like to discuss with the council. 115 116 The mayor recalled that there have been issues raised regarding development of this site 117 in the past, mainly relating to neighborhood intrusion (24 hour operation, lighting and 118 noise). 119 120 A member of the development team replied that they have dealt with similar concerns in 121 the past. He is comfortable that they can deal with those concerns and he provided the 122 council with a picture of a grocery site in St. Paul that indicated how they dealt with 123 keeping lighting from intruding on a neighborhood. They are aware of concerns and 124 ready to address them. 125 126 Attorney Coyle remarked that the team is interested in knowing if the proposed 127 development is a basic possibility. They are estimating a cost of about $1.5 million to 128 extend utilities to the area. Those utilities would obviously provide benefit to other 129 properties and so they wonder if the city would be interested in assisting through the use 130 of tax increment. He reminded the council that the state is allowing the use of tax 131 increment for retail but that allowance has an end date that is approaching. For the 132 developer to handle the cost alone would be an impediment to development. 133 3 P5E