Agenda Packets - 2005/10/24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council July 25, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 14 have expressed an interest lose that interest once they see the property and realize that there is 1 shared access with Walgreen’s and has an odd shaped lot. He stated that Staff has really worked 2 to get something in this location adding that he is not going to make any promises but he believes 3 that they can get a restaurant but it won’t be this year or at this location. 4 5 Council Member Gunn clarified that Dr. Belting is proposing to take an empty piece of land that 6 has been sitting there empty for almost five years, with no usage at all, and is willing to build an 7 office building that provide the City with more tax base and improve the appearance of the 8 property. She stated that she would encourage Dr. Belting to go for it. 9 10 Council Member Thomas stated that this piece of property has been a thorn in her side since this 11 whole thing started. She recalled that she was the lone voice against the land swap that created 12 that development in the beginning because she didn’t think it was necessary to swap the land that 13 allowed it to switch over. She stated that she did not think this was a good use of City property 14 at that time noting that she did support the development agreement in the end because it had the 15 restaurant. She indicated that this was the general consensus of everyone at that time was to 16 agree to the restaurant noting that as soon as the restaurant deal fell through she knew it would 17 not happen. She stated that once a deal like this falls apart you cannot come in afterwards and 18 develop the property as a retrofit. She stated that she is excited that someone wants to build on 19 this property and put it to a good use. She stated that it fits with the concept of the corner and is 20 very excited to see the property go to a good purpose. She stated that this is one more business 21 and is all for it. 22 23 Council Member Stigney stated that if Dr. Belton could find some other space to build his office 24 building he would be all for it but this property was set up for a PUD with one purpose and that 25 is a restaurant. He stated that it has been sitting there for four and half years and with Medtronic 26 coming in other opportunities for a restaurant could present itself. He suggested leaving it as it is 27 and see what happens in the next four to five years. 28 29 Mayor Marty stated that he is aware that City Staff has been working very hard in trying to bring 30 a restaurant to this location noting that Culvers had considered the location but eventually 31 changed their minds. He stated that Staff has tried hard to attract other restaurants adding that he 32 honestly does not believe it is going to happen. He stated that he sees this as a positive asset to 33 the City noting that it signals that the owner is in it for the long haul. He stated that he does not 34 have a problem with this proposal and would support the request. 35 36 Council Member Flaherty further clarified his position stating that he does not have anything 37 against Dr. Belting and explained that he does not like looking out the City Hall window and 38 seeing the Walgreen’s sign. He stated that he would never have agreed to the Walgreen’s 39 development noting that he would have preferred to see this area be developed as a hub and 40 differentiate itself from the rest of the City. He stated that it is his feeling that if the City were to 41 develop this area further that it would clutter the area and the City Hall would be amongst 42 commercial buildings. He stated that he likes green space and would like to see if there is an 43 opportunity or possibility for something to be worked out at the newest building in the City. 44 45