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Planning & Zoning Board <br />January 11, 2012 <br />Page 3 <br />APPROVED MINUTES <br />Mr. Bengtson stated that board member packets included a review of actions taken by the <br />P&Z Board in 2011 , including subsequent council actions and administrative approvals . <br /> <br />B. Lakewood Apartments (added to agenda at meeting) <br /> <br />Mr. Bengtson stated that staff is seeking comment from the P&Z Board members <br />regarding the Lakewood Apartments. Staff explained that t he building was designed for <br />commercial on the first floor with apar tments above. There have been no commercial <br />users since the building was constructed. The c ity has been approached by an interested <br />party to convert the first floor commercial into rental residential use. Staff noted that the <br />user could likely create el even residential apartment units. Staff has not been given <br />specific information on apartment details as no formal plans have been submitted. Staff <br />is looking for direction from the board as to the interest in this transition. <br /> <br />Board members asked what it would take to make this change. Mr. Bengtson stated that <br />multiple amendments would be made to the Planned Unit Development. Staff noted that <br />this would take a significant amount of staff time to determine what would need to be <br />done. In addition, the ch ange in use could potentially change the uses of additional sites <br />within the Town Center. Staff noted that the vacant properties in the Town Center went <br />tax forfeit. <br /> <br />Board Member comments included the following: <br /> <br />• Is the commercial space being marketed? With the YMCA as busy as it is and <br />with the apartment building mostly full, it seems that there would be some interest <br />in commercial. <br />• Concerned about the domino effect that might change the PUD for the entire site. <br />• Could this provide an opportunity to wo rk with Anoka County regarding the <br />vacant land? <br />• It seems like the conversion would be a short -term fix that they may not like in <br />the futu re. <br />• Would like to keep the character and intent of the site the same. <br />• The original design of first floor commercial is still a good plan. <br />• The city should review the entire concept plan of the Town Center area before <br />they start piece -mealing individual sites. <br />• In general, the city should react to the market. Filling up eleven units could spark <br />additional development. <br />• The ci ty should not change what was envisioned and conceived in its entirety just <br />because the market is down right now. Would like to see the end result of what <br />was originally planned. That’s what planning is all about. The city shouldn’t let <br />the market dicta te everything that comes into the city.