08/27/2001 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST 27, 2001 the City should let Target go. The City won't have money for additional services that will be needed if the plan is approved. The tax plan will be risky to the employees that work at the retail outlets. If the taxes are raised they will not be able to afford to live here. It will be very hard to say no to other businesses if the City says yes to this one. The City should welcome businesses and growth at their expense. She stated she is glad there will be another meeting. She asked that the Council deny the tax abatement because it will end up costing the City and residents. Mr. John Johnson, 261 Elm Street, stated the property is currently bringing in some taxes. With the abatement those taxes will be lost. He asked that the Council think about this some more and if an abatement is given, it should be much less. Mr. Don Dunn, 6885 Black Duck Drive, stated he is definitely for this project because it will be good for the City and citizens. The Comprehensive Plan recognizes the land as shopping center. The property now only generates $21,000 in taxes. The land is vacant and does not generate revenue to support City services and amenities such as parks. The City can't afford not to do this. If the development does not come, what will there be to abate? Maybe the citize are confused because this is not going after the taxpayer's money. It is simply deferring mo "° th ty would not have without the development. The retailer does have a lot of money b o f y 1 not come here without the City participation. He asked if any development w • a c 4 :le on that property. Lake Drive is commercial and the buyers in that area kne t w't. ar will develop. People have a right to live somewhere and Lino Lakes is not an isl. an b parated. He stated he wished the numbers for the road were available this even _.. e l . gures were $1.3 million with the County having the majority of it and apparently t Co has lowered that. This decision should not be based on emotion but facts. The C. o a' ept that staff has done what they can. He stated he does not see Lino Lakes invest's because the City does not have the money to invest. Maybe a seminar shoul , � - d t figures. It takes money to run a City and commercial development is n -, indi & . ted he does not see any reason not to approve this. The City needs revenue and thi ea her opportunities. Tax structure is needed and there are ways to get it. It is se . mon- d is not very much compared to what it will bring into the City. Revenues need to be o - d t: • e able to better protect the environment. The Council needs to separate emotion from t. lot of our children will work there and invest that into their future. It will do a lot of good for;=the community. Those who do not like it can become elected officials themselves. The City needs this and it should be approved. Mr. Steve Baker, 7747 Carol Drive, stated he lives near the project and will be directly affected. He expressed concern about losing the ambiance of the county. He stated if he wanted to live in Shoreview he would have moved there. The developers are taking advantage of the City. Ms. Cindy Cook, 7748 Carol Drive, stated she moved here six (6) years ago and she believes people will leave the City if this project goes in. She stated she has a lot of wildlife in her backyard and does not want to lose that. If Target wants to come here they should pay. Mr. Mark Stone, 890 Oak Lane, stated the original plat showed a flat section and wetlands. It looks as though now the wetland has been taken out. There has been a lot of miscommunication. He