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2 <br />feet. A big box could fit on the site. Mr. Miller also showed a concept of the Otter Lake Road <br />Extension, which would eventually come up and curve to connect to Elmcrest, ultimately an <br />arterial road that connects to Columbus and Forest Lake. It is in the County’s long term plans. <br />Mr. Miller proposes to do the first 300 feet to get it started and get his user in. Mr. Grochala said <br />the City would require dedication, the amount of Right of Way is yet to be finalized. <br /> <br />Mr. Grochala explained this one project could be stubbed out at the intersection, but this area <br />must ultimately be served by trunk mains from Elmcrest. The city typically uses trunk charges <br />from the city trunk fund to get the cost of the oversizing of trunk lines to an area. The rest would <br />be charged to the benefiting property owners. However, the trunk fund is close to depleted <br />because of limited development over the past several years. But it is important to get this trunk <br />line in because it would likely have to occur fairly soon anyway. <br /> <br />To get the 300 feet of road that would be needed to support this beginning development, the city <br />would have to assess Mr. Miller and the property to the west. That property owner is not <br />interested in putting in the road, because he has an investment in the southeast quadrant. This <br />relates to city policy as well, do we want to extend the road when the southeast is ready to be <br />developed? Mr. Miller said once the road is in, there will be interest in the west property. <br /> <br />Mr. Miller thinks if this project doesn’t go through, it’s likely nothing will happen for a long <br />time. He presented an engineer’s estimate of getting the trunk line and the road built. Connection <br />to the interceptor would cost approximately $300,000. The entire project is in the range of <br />$700,000. Mr. Grochala mentioned the city could take advantage of special legislation that is <br />allowing cities to create TIF districts for commercial uses. <br /> <br />Ms. Schwartz said this is an opportunity that the city needs to take advantage of while there is <br />interest. It will open up the area. Mr. Miller noted that property owners have pending <br />assessments for the 35E bridge with the assumption they would be able to develop. Mr. Grochala <br />noted that the council may be gun shy because in prior days assessments were a pretty safe bet. <br />But now things are going tax forfeit, and the city is facing debt on assessments in the Legacy <br />project. More securities may have to be in place. Ms. Schwartz said the sooner the area can be <br />developed, the less the risk long term. <br /> <br />Mr. Grochala said that the property owner to the west has stated he will not voluntarily sell the <br />right of way. Mr. Miller said condemnation for roads is a reasonable because it otherwise he’d be <br />holding up development of many properties. That is what will be needed if this will proceed. He <br />noted the city benefits through tax base, jobs, construction jobs and the start of larger <br />development. EDAC members thanked Mr. Miller for coming. <br /> <br />Members discussed the pros and cons of the project. It appears the market is starting to come <br />back and consumer confidence is better. Members are supportive of the City using whatever <br />tools it has available to do something on 35E now and not let the opportunity go, including <br />eminent domain, TIF for public improvements and assessments. TIF would be a funding source <br />for some of the trunk improvements. <br /> <br />Meeting adjourned.