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Mounds View Planning Commission December 20, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ Director Ericson explained Concept E includes the potential of doing the Roberts site, coming down four more lots, pushing O’Connell Drive through to Edgewood Drive, closing off Greenfield, and access to County Road 10 from Jeffery Drive. He pointed out this option would close off Greenfield and capture the area as a larger residential redevelopment site. He explained the City would not want to do that if residents on Greenfield did not support it. Director Ericson expressed Staff feels these concepts provide the City with ideas and a vision. He stated the next step is to seek comments and feedback from residents. He explained this is new ground for the City in that it is the first step in dealing with a situation proactively. Chair Stevenson commended the effort, stating this is what the Planning Commission would also like to see. He commented this is looking forward instead of reacting to a developer taking a property without considering the City’s ideas. He stated he has no negative response to any of the proposals and could envision any of the scenarios. Chair Stevenson stressed that because these are phases they could all be done together or one phase at a time. Director Ericson replied the City owns one acre of the 12 acres discussed and the property owners located in the triangle area near Woodale and County Road 10 could come forward with a developer and state they like the plans. He said if it is something City Council feels is the vision for the property, it does not matter who goes first. Commissioner Meehlhause agreed with the comments he heard, however, he questioned whether more townhomes are needed given the two townhome developments currently under way. He indicated that if the new townhomes sell quickly or if they take three to five years to complete, that should dictate the direction for additional townhomes. Director Ericson replied next year may dictate what happens as to whether it makes sense to add more townhomes or if there is a better use to consider. He indicated businesses are coming, but so too are townhomes and residential units. He stated the City needs to start looking at supporting businesses that meet the needs of the residents not only directly in Mounds View, but in surrounding communities as well. Commissioner Hegland asked if anyone looked at, as residences are added versus business, what it would take tax wise or tax base to support it with infrastructure and services to keep the City viable relative to its financial commitments. He suggested a plan be developed to address what mix it would take for the City of Mounds View to support the mix it has. He indicted the City is highly developed and this area is an opportunistic piece of property to give this mix a chance to happen. Commissioner Hegland stated this is good planning, but a step to look at the tax base is also needed. Economic Development Coordinator Backman addressed the Planning Commission and explained that at the EDA meeting on December 11, 2006, questions were asked on what it would cost relative to the infrastructure. He indicated the only plan that significantly impacts roads is Concept E. He stressed the nice thing is these plans are scalable. Coordinator Backman