03-27-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Bennett introduced Wendell Smith, local broker for the project who gave a brief overview of the project. Mr. Smith has talked with several area businesses who are in support of the project because they feel this will give a reason for people to come to the area and spend money at their businesses. In addition, the NB/MV Chamber of Commerce will be providing a letter of support to the City Council for the project. Mr. Smith said that if approvals are received that they are planning on completing the site work before winter with opening in the summer of 1998. The one area that is still being evaluated is the traffic circulation. Mr. Smith said that MnDot is not willing to provide a signalized intersection for the project and that exits/entrances were deleted from H2 to accommodate the neighborhood. This just leaves right in /right out access off Highway 10. It is doable for the success of the project but he would like to work in conjunction with the City to encourage MnDot to reconsider their decision. This decision was done at the staff level and there may be some leeway with City support to discuss the project with Directors at MnDot. Mr. Smith did mention his concern that the planning Commission would make the recommendation for a rezoning based upon being able to obtain a stop light. He said the project would still be successful without the stop light and did not want this issue to hold up the process for the project. Mr. Smith wanted to commend Pam Sheldon and her staff for all the work and research done on the project. Motion/Second: Carlson/Sjoberg moved the favorable support for the 16-Screen, office building development for Section 7 of the Highway 10 Redevelopment Plan. Motion Carried 4 ayes 0 nays Motion/Second: Goff/Sjoberg further moved that the City work with Anthony Properties to encourage MnDot to approve a signalized intersection for the project but would not recommend that approval for the rezoning be contingent upon gaining this approval from MnDot. Motion Carried 4 ayes 0 nays Commissioner Schmidt requested information regarding the office developments. He wondered if there was written analysis to support the need for 10,000 - 12,000 sq.ft. office uses in the area. Since Mr. Smith had already left, Schmidt requested staff to provide this information at the next meeting. In addition, Commissioner Sjoberg requested updated vacancies from the Business Park and retail centers. B. Discussion of the Recommended Concept Plan for the Redevelopment of Highway 10, Section 9 as proposed by SRF Consulting Group, Inc. Bennett noted that SRF had prepared a draft of the final report for EDC=s review prior to the final presentation to the EDA and community at the April 7, 1997 work session. The EDC briefly discussed the key components of the plan and requested that further emphasis be placed on the importance of design and coordinated development in the plan. Bennett will pass these comments along to SRF to be incorporated into the final plan.