09/10/2001 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 2001 because it is right. He indicated he understands the needs of businesses for abatement and believes the same argument would be made five (5) years from now about any development from the same people. The City needs businesses and the YMCA. He added he is very happy that the rezone was approved and glad that Council Member Dahl and Carlson had agreed to reconsider. Target does not need the City for their future but the City needs them for its future. All citizens in the Forest Lake School District will benefit immediately. The County will get their money right away and that will also benefit the City, similar to the County Park. He stated he believes Lino Lakes has become a better community in the last 13 years and this is another step in the right direction. The City has a great opportunity right now and the Comprehensive Plan support this and calls for a structure to lower the tax rate. That will only happen with commercial development. He indicated he believes the majority of residents are in favor of this understanding that there are some dollars to be paid for it. The City absolutely needs this now. He asked the Council to approve the abatement and move forward. The project is in conformance with the City survey and new Comprehensive Plan. He stated he sees this as part of the overall approach to make Lino Lakes better. He asked the Council to make this happen as soon as possible. Ms. Ina Liljedahl, 726 Vicky Lane, came forward and read comments ade at a church service relating to large businesses and money compared to hum .'s' e asked how many people present knew that Target was already advertising for jo o She stated that by advertising already, the public hearing is a waste of timems's not listening. She stated she is angry that the Council says they represent the res' lout m ple people present are against the project. She asked the Council to think very c m p be `a e a multi billion -dollar company is asking for everything they can. She stated it is s efu : at the Council is even considering this and the Council should use their power tom. +' b vot Commercial development is not the issue. The City should make them pay their o ' a he sed the Council to not vote yes to abatement. Target thinks this is already a don e. �. ` on them for that. The Council should vote no and see what Target does. She as = e Co cil please not make this a waste of time. Ms. Nancy (?), 873 O . Lane, e f:rward and gave facts about Target's profits, revenues, sales and financial statements. , .tee e can not believe Target is asking the City for an abatement. She asked why the compan . a "the City for a tax break. An abatement is corporate welfare and the City should not particip. -. Residents present are adamantly opposed to the project. She stated there are very few residents present who are in favor of the project. If the project is completed, there will be three Target's closer than the high school. This development is not within the scope of the 20/20 Vision. Traffic and safety are also issue. She stated this is the third time she has spoke in opposition to this issue. She asked the Council to please vote no. Mr. Jeff Rutz, 6996 Second Avenue, stated he has several facts. Anoka County, the school district and the City of Blaine told Target no. Target wants this land and they will pay for it because it is the last exit not developed. This is Target's last chance because there will be significant changes to tax abatement. He read an article from the June Star Tribune regarding the proposed abatement changes. Target is asking to take money away from the children of Lino Lakes and the Council should not allow that. He stated he is very disappointed about the ad in the paper for employment and the fact that the YMCA representative is in favor of the project. The 90% growth rate over the last 10 years should be enough for the YMCA. He stated the project should not be allowed on the taxpayers dollar.