Agenda Packets - 2005/09/26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council September 12, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 25 Director Ericson provided an update on the Harstad Red Oak Estates Townhome Project. He 1 advised that correspondence was sent to let residents know what is happening. Harstad is 2 moving forward with plans to develop the area consistent with the Judge’s orders of 2004. 3 Director Ericson explained that if there is a desire to make an offer to purchase some of the Red 4 Oak Estates lots, now would be the time to so direct Staff. If purchased, the City would have 5 control and could solicit proposals to develop the property consistent with the City’s 6 Comprehensive Plan. That would cost something but could potentially be mitigated when the 7 properties are developed. Director Ericson stated Staff is looking for direction if Council wants 8 to discuss making an offer on the lots before trees are removed and permits are pulled. 9 10 Mayor Marty stated he talked about this briefly with Staff and feels the City does not have 11 anything to lose. He stated he would like to know if there is an interest in holding a brief five to 12 eight-minute closed session to discuss this matter. He advised that Mr. Harstad found out from 13 the Rice Creek Watershed District and Fire Department that some of his buildings, primarily 14 those with long driveways and higher density areas, are going to cost him considerably more than 15 he originally planned. He noted that spot is high density and asked if the Council is willing to 16 hold a short closed session. 17 18 Councilmember Stigney stated he is not interested in discussing this matter in a closed session. 19 20 Councilmember Thomas stated she just got this information tonight and needs more time to think 21 about it. She noted that a close session has to be on a three-day notice. 22 23 Mayor Marty asked Staff to place this item on the next Council agenda. He reviewed the history 24 of this project and advised that last spring Mr. Harstad was asking about revising the 25 requirements of his development so he may be amenable to considering an offer. Mayor Marty 26 stated if the City has control of the property it could be developed into something more 27 compatible with the Comprehensive Plan. 28 29 1. Library Town Meetings 30 31 Councilmember Gunn announced that residents from Arden Hills, Mounds View, New Brighton 32 and St. Anthony are invited to attend a Town Hall meeting to share their thoughts regarding 33 library services in the northwest quadrant of Ramsey County. She read the meeting schedule as 34 follows: 35 36 Meetings will be conducted: 37 • Thursday, September 15 at the Mounds View Community Center, 5394 Edgewood Drive, 38 starting at 7 p.m. 39 • Tuesday, September 20 at the Arden Hills City Hall, 1245 West Highway 96, starting at 7 40 p.m. 41 • Wednesday, September 28 at the New Brighton Family Center, 400 10th Street, starting at 42 7 p.m. 43 44 Councilmember Gunn also read the questions that will be considered: 45