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City of Mounds View Staff Report May 9, 1997 Page 4 1111 other is in the seven mile radius. The 14-screen theater in White Bear Township is not on the map because it is outside the seven mile radius. The map shows that Mounds View is in the center of a substantial area that is not served by movie theaters, with more population growth occurring to the north, northeast and northwest. A question has been raised whether 16 screens are needed. Recent articles have indicated that these"big box"theaters are the new trend, and smaller theaters will no longer be built. Also the"big box"theaters may cause the smaller ones to close because they will not no longer be competitive. It is interesting to note that on the map showing existing theaters,they are clustered in twos where the total screens for both theaters is the same as the big box theater. This trend may represent consolidation of who owns the screens and not a new level of how many are clustered together. A question was also raised whether the theater portion was consistent or inconsistent with the Feasibility/Highest and Best Use Analysis prepared by Towle Real Estate as part of the Highway 10-Area 9 Study, which was commissioned by the City. We have received a letter from Rodger L. Skare, MAI, who prepared the Towle Report clarifying that they see one multi- screen movie complex as feasible in the Mounds View-Northtown area. There is no active proposal for a multi-screen theater at Northtown at this time. Residents in the adjacent neighborhood have expressed concerns over what will happen if the theater fails and the building is left vacant. A condition has been included in the PUD . stipulations that the theater site must be cleared if the building is left vacant for 24 months, and that the property must be maintained during the interim period. A article regarding Carmike Cinema, Inc. which appeared in Bottom Line magazine indicates high earnings and healthy growth for this company. #2: Analysis of General Concept Plan The three reports prepared for the Planning Commission contained detailed discussions of issues raised by residents in the discussion of this project. What follows is a summary of this information. • Wetland and Wetland Buffer The site contains a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)protected wetland of approximately 8.5 acres. A wetland delineation study was done in September, 1996. No construction work is proposed in the wetland. Comments received from DNR state that if no work is done in the wetland,the proposed development will conform to this agency's requirements. A permit from Rice Creek Watershed District will be required. The proposal shows the necessary water quality ponds used to filter runoff before it enters the wetland. Wayne Jacobson, a wetland expert in the City Engineer's Office, has stated that the higher water levels in the wetland will improve its ecology, with the exceptionof floral diversity and integrity. Higher water elevations will tend to support more cattail growth and less reed canary grass and willow edge, until this type of vegetation is re-established along the new water edge. The City of Mounds View has an adopted a wetland zoning district which establishes a 100-foot buffer S area abutting identified wetlands. Grading and construction in the buffer area requires approval of a wetland alteration permit. These permits may be granted as long as certain criteria were met, drainage controlled and the adjacent wetland was protected from degradation. The applicant is proposing to build a portion of the theater building and both detention ponds in the wetland buffer. Detention ponds