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Mounds View Planning Commission October 6, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 12 worked through the issues. He commented that he believed the Commission has always done a very thorough job with every issue that has come before them, and he would like to keep staffs recommendations. Commissioner Hegland stated he could not imagine a situation in which staff provided a positive recommendation that would be contested. He stated the only cases this might apply to, would be those with negative recommendations, and this was not often the case. He explained the general concept is to attempt to find a way to approve the majority of the requests, with some exceptions. Commissioner Kaden pointed out that if there were some reason pursuant to the City Code that a particular case can not be approved, staff would provide a recommendation that the Commission not approve it, and other cases are either recommended for approval or left with no recommendation from staff. He stated staff's recommendations were more helpful than harmful. He added that the Commission does not "rubber stamp" staffs recommendation. Commissioner Berke stated he considered the information provided by staff to be almost vital to his work as a new Commissioner. He explained this assists him in making more logical decisions, rather than spending his time researching all of the details. Chair Peterson commented that in the past, the Commission brought their Code books and would look up the ordinances during the meeting in order to determine the requirements, and most of the cases required more time and discussion at the Commission level than they presently do. He remarked that the Commission could not do their business without the information provided by staff, in the time allowed. He expressed his appreciation to Community Development Director Jopke, Planning Associate Ericson, and the entire staff. C. Previous Council Actions Community Development Director Jopke reported on previous Council action from their meeting on September 27. He noted discussion regarding the Mermaid Project, which is presently attempting to acquire property for their development. He explained they have come to an agreement with two of the four properties under consideration, however, the Lampert site does not wish to move, and is requesting a higher price for this property. He commented that this property was the proposed site of the Mermaid's stormwater holding pond, therefore, they were examining other options to handle the stormwater. He explained that staff would authorize SEH to study this issue. Community Development Director Jopke stated a joint meeting between the EDC and EDA would be held on October 21, 1990, to discuss Tax Increment Financing, in terms of how it has been utilized, and to determine if the current policies are still appropriate. He stated the Planning Commission is requested to attend this meeting. Community Development Director Jopke stated the Council upheld the Planning Commission's 11110 recommendation and approved the conditional use permit request for an oversized garage at 8011