Laserfiche WebLink
Mounds View Planning Commission September 15, 1999 <br /> Regular Meeting Page 12 <br /> . Economic Development Coordinator Carroll stated it was necessary for the Economic Development <br /> Commission to determine what their work should be. He explained that in his opinion, and the <br /> opinion of a majority of the Economic Development Commission members, they exist not so much <br /> to advise the City with regard to residential development, but primarily with the business and industry <br /> component, and as this was their purview, it should be reflected in the Economic Development <br /> section of the Comprehensive Plan. He suggested if the issue of housing was going to be addressed <br /> in the Comprehensive Update, it should be addressed by the Planning Commission, based upon staff's <br /> research regarding the City's short and long term residential plans. He added if they were to consider <br /> including more of the residential housing issues, this might necessitate changing this section to <br /> "Economic and Housing Development Section," and would require they start at the beginning, to <br /> determine how much housing development should be incorporated into the document. <br /> Economic Development Coordinator Carroll stated he believed there would be a fair amount of <br /> housing information in the final Comprehensive Guide Plan update, but the question was where <br /> should this information originate. He acknowledged that this was an important topic. <br /> Commissioner Berke stated he had brought this forward in light of Tax Increment Financing, and <br /> concerns among the residents that it assists the City with their development, but does not necessarily <br /> reduce the tax base for the residents. He explained that by increasing the residential development and <br /> redevelopment, they are actually providing tax relief to the residents, in that they are producing higher <br /> • property taxes, which is of benefit to the residents. <br /> Community Development Director Jopke stated ultimately they would have to look at the <br /> Comprehensive plan in its entirety, to determine how it reflects the goals and needs of the community. <br /> He added he believed it would address this issue. He explained the Housing section addresses the <br /> housing issues of the community, and if there are areas that should be emphasized, this can be done, <br /> and consolidated into the Plan. <br /> Commissioner Hegland inquired if the Comprehensive Plan would weigh the issues of residential <br /> versus business and industrial development. He stated he was concerned in that there is a list of the <br /> Economic Development Commission's priorities for development, but there are also priorities for <br /> residential development, and how would they balance these pi iorities in cost versus benefit analysis <br /> to the City. <br /> Community Development Director Jopke stated this was a good point. He explained that typically, <br /> the Comprehensive Plan is divided into sections, and each of those sections address the goals <br /> presented for the City. <br /> Commissioner Laube added this document was one division of the Comprehensive Plan, however, <br /> it is the entire economic development section, and the Comprehensive Plan and zoning of the City <br /> sets the goals. He explained that this section would indicate that economic development is strictly <br /> business development, unless some other area of the Comprehensive plan addresses the issue of <br /> • residential housing, which is important in the balance of the development of the City as a whole. He <br />