03/14/1994 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 14, 1994 extend services was extreme. Mr. Wessel said that coming to some figure regarding residential unit starts was important to him. When prospective commercial developers talk to him, the questions most often asked are how many residential units per year is the City organized to respond to or what does the City expect to build per year for the next several years. Mayor Reinert expressed concern regarding how much income each residential unit would generate and how does each unit affect the community in terms of the need for additional schools, police and fire protection and public works expansion. At what point will the City need an additional officer, another fire station or additional administrative staff? Mr. Schumacher explained that there is no formula for answering these questions. Council Member Kuether noted that society also dictates what needs have to be met and at what level. Council Member Elliott noted that preparing a policy such as suggested by staff is a marketing tool and can be used by Mr. Wessel to secure commercial economic results to help residents finance the additional services. Mayor Reinert said he felt that 250 homes per year would be manageable. Mr. Schumacher felt that no more than 300 is manageable. Mr. Wessel said that commercial interests were very impressed by the 375 new home permits in Lino Lakes in 1993. He felt that 300 would be very comfortable for him. A plan identifying 300 new home starts per year would let a prospective commercial interest know that the 375 new starts in 1993 was not a "blip". Mr. Schneider said that he had spoken to Centennial School District Superintendent, John McClellan who had said he saw no need to limit population growth. Mr. Schumacher asked the City Council if they would feel comfortable with a projection of 250 new home permits per year. Mayor Reinert said that would project out to about 1500 to 2000 new homes in Lino Lakes by the year 2000 and a population of about 17,000 or 18,000. Mr. Brixius noted that Metro does not forecast population figures in the same manner as municipalities do. He suggested that staff prepare a plan which would include a history of what has happened in Lino Lakes and demonstrate a plan for 250 new homes per year. He noted that Metro does not want to see urban sprawl, and suggested that he be given some flexibility for negotiation and advised the City Council to go forward with a plan for 250 to 300 new homes per year. Council Member Kuether said she would like to see 300 new homes per year because of the economic development impact. Council Member Bergeson noted that the most developable PAGE 3 113