02/28/2005 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES February 28, 2005 APPROVED •145 146 Councilmember Carlson confirmed that all of the conditions of the original CUP, as well as the 2003 147 Amendment were included in this approval. Assistant Planner Bengtson indicated they are all listed. 148 149 Councilmember Carlson commented she will vote for this, but wants to make sure that the 150 recommended landscaping is properly installed and maintained. She noted this was an important 151 point for the neighborhood. She thanked Mr. Molin for holding an Open House and inviting the 152 neighbors and the City Council to address concerns. She noted one of the concerns had been 153 additional traffic; however, Mr. Molin was able to explain that the traffic may be less because they 154 will not have to move things around as much. 155 156 Motion carried unanimously. 157 158 Resolution No. 05-13 can be found in the City Clerk's office. 159 160 C. Consideration of Resolution No. 05-14, Approving Business Subsidy, Schwan's, Mary 161 Divine 162 163 Economic Development Coordinator Divine summarized the Staff report, indicating the Economic 164 Development Authority approved the subsidy previously, and Staff is recommending approval. 165 166 Councilmember Reinert moved to adopt Resolution No. 05-14 authorizing a Business Subsidy for 167 Schwan's. Councilmember Stoltz seconded the motion. •168 169 Councilmember Carlson commented that while she believes Schwan's is an excellent company, and 170 she believes in the right of commercial development, she wants to ensure the citizens get the best 171 situation possible when a subsidy is involved. She expressed concern that they do not know what will 172 go on the old Schwan's site when it is sold, which is the gateway to the City, and noted that the 2020 173 Committee voiced their opinion that they did not want to see a gas station on every corner of Town 174 Center. She noted that when the EDAC reviewed this application, there were only four of the eight 175 members present, with two members in favor of approval. She reviewed statistics of the City survey, 176 noting growth concerns and taxes were both large concerns. 177 178 Councilmember Reinert noted that Schwan's intends to move, and that move does not have to take 179 place in the City of Lino Lakes. He stated there would be advantages to Schwan's moving to another 180 city in the form of tax subsidies, and he does not want Lino Lakes to lose this business. He noted that 181 the Council cannot dictate land use, and providing this subsidy will improve the old Schwan's site by 182 removing the current building, which has been cited as a blight to the area. He noted without this 183 subsidy agreement, Schwan's has the opportunity to sell their current site to a business that could use 184 the old building, whereas this agreement requires the removal of the current building, and any new 185 building would be required to meet or exceed current architectural standards for the area. He 186 indicated they cannot dictate who Schwan's sells this site to, but by approving the subsidy they 187 ensure Schwan's will remain in Lino Lakes, and they provide the opportunity to tear down a sub - 188 standard building and replace it with a new building with the higher architectural standards, per the 189 City's current standards. He added this will also allow for the desirable realignment of 77`" Street that 190 was not previously possible. •191 4