02-26-2018 CC - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council February 26, 2018 Regular Meeting Page 14 B was removed. Mayor Mueller discussed the developer’s agreement with INH which included a 124-unit market rate four story apartment complex with a small amount of retail. She indicated their proposal also included a 16,000 to 20,000 square feet of specialty retail. She reported the developer has been very up front stating they had an investor (Heartland Gun Club) who would like to utilize this portion of the development. She explained the market rate apartments would be owned and managed by INH. She reported INH had no fear of renting these units with the full understanding a gun club would be located on the same property. She stated the developer told the City Council there were a couple of issues, one being access directly onto Mounds View Boulevard. After many discussions with the County, the City was told the Crossroad Pointe development would have access from Edgewood Boulevard. She feared how this would impact traffic in the area. She reiterated the fact that the City Council does not have a final plan before them. She commented on the discussions that were held regarding City managed garbage collection and stated she understood, in the end, the public wanted to maintain the right to choose their garbage provider. She discussed the proposed amendment on the floor and asked if the public honestly believed the City Council was not looking out for the best interests of the public. She commented without deliberate actions, a gun was no more lethal than a rock. She stated she was not for or against the project but commented the proposed project would offer tax relief for all residents in the community. However, if the exception was removed, she was confident the INH developers would present a proposal that does not include a gun club and may require a City subsidy. She explained she wished the Council could answer more the questions being raised by the public but noted the City was still gathering information. She discussed the number of Mounds View and New Brighton residents that had the right to conceal and carry. She commented on the history of Simon’s which allowed for the sale of guns in Mounds View. She questioned why the public was so afraid of allowing people to practice the safe use of a gun. She understood some of the public may support a gun range if it was proposed for another location in the City. She stated she appreciated the public’s patience as the Council worked through this issue. She commented on the amendment on the floor and noted she would be voting against it because she would like to table action on the Ordinance to allow staff and the City Council to gather more information. She discussed how Mounds View would be adversely impacted when TCAAP began to develop. Council Member Bergeron commented the Council was still waiting to receive a market analysis from INH that was talked about over six months ago. He added that INH indicated during their first proposal that the market analysis was pending at that time and added that perhaps they were having a difficult time finding another apartment complex/shooting range to compare it to. He explained that the Council, when this proposal was first before them, expressed contentment for the gun club with a 4-1 vote and to go ahead with the INH plans which is why he believes INH has not pursued other specialty retail for the site. He commented that by voting for this amendment, the City would be forcing INH to find more suitable specialty retail or they would need move forward with only the market rate housing portion of the development. He added that if TIF was offered, the City would still be getting a portion of the property taxes. He thanked the residents that came out commented that the majority of the public was not against 2nd Amendment rights, but rather were focused on safety and economics. He added that based on the