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Mounds View Planning Commission August 21, 2002 Regular Meeting Page 10 ________________________________________________________________________ key pieces of property. He further commented that he feels this is a case of another bold developer coming into the City and purchasing property for development before looking into what would be allowed on the property and trying to force the City to approve the plans. He also said he had heard a rumor that the applicant has said that he knows he already has three votes in his favor. Mr. Matthews indicated he met with the property owner George Deretich and did a market on the property and the market for townhomes that would fit the price range for the area dictated how much they could offer on the property. He then indicated that Mr. Johnson is asking more than twice what Mr. Deretich accepted, on a per-square foot basis. He further commented that nobody knows anyone on the Council and no one has said that they are sure they have three votes. Mr. Matthews indicated that he had received a call from Mr. Johnson’s agent encouraging them to bring an offer and that is what they did. He then commented that the offer made to Mr. Johnson was $100,000 more than the offer to George but it was thrown in their face. He further commented that they do not want to be forced to purchase property that Mr. Johnson is asking an inflated price for. Duane Waldoch, 2935 Highway 10, indicated he has no problem with what goes into the piece of property next to them as long as screening is provided to protect privacy. He then said that he has a problem with someone buying property in the City for investment purposes and then tries to cram a development down the City’s throat. Mr. Johnson indicated it does not matter whether or not the offer is contingent as the bottom line is that approval of this rezoning breaks up the PUD and the PUD is what the City wants in that location. He then said that there are enough small lots on Highway 10 and this would break up the last big chunk of good tax base along this highway. George Deretich, 2925 Highway 10 and property owner of the lots in question, addressed the Commission and indicated that people in the audience have been having a difficult time hearing the speakers. He then said that Mr. Johnson has a vested interest here and his interest is he wants to make as much money as he can and wants to gouge someone to make that money. He said the City put a lot of money into this and he is trying to convince the Commission not to split up the property because the only viable and best way is to develop it as a whole. He further commented that Mr. Johnson listed his two lots alone because he wanted to split it up. Mr. Johnson said that is not true because he owns the two key pieces and has the one on Groveland Road listed. He then said the question is whether the City wants to break up the PUD. He then said that he has an appraisal from the City and has the right to ask what he wants for the property that he owns. He also commented that he has the right to make money just as anyone else does.