Laserfiche WebLink
Mounds View Planning Commission July 5, 2000 <br />Regular Meeting Page 12 <br /> <br /> <br />Planner Ericson stated he does not feel they can go through the merits of the transaction on a <br />point by point basis regarding the positives and negatives in the next five minutes. He noted <br />however that there would be tax consequences that would benefit the City tremendously, not to <br />mention the fact that if this does not go forward they would retain the land but could potentially <br />lose the eight acres that is right now a very pristine natural wetland and upland area. He stated in <br />his personal opinion, the remnant parcel is a great piece of land with the pond in it, but he would <br />much rather save the woods and the wetland and the eight acres. Granted, the wetland cannot go <br />away as they are protected, however, certainly the 3 1/2 acres of developable land could be <br />developed commercially. Planner Ericson stated the Planning Commission can talk about if the <br />City could have purchased the land, but now the proposal is before them and they can either act <br />now or live with the consequences. <br /> <br />Commissioner Thomas stated this property has been for sale and on the market for eight years <br />and she wonders exactly how developable it is. She said she does not see any imminent danger <br />of this property going to something they cannot stand anytime in the near future, as it is going to <br />have to go to what would work well on the property. <br /> <br />Commissioner Thomas said if it comes down to working with the developer she has been <br />incredibly impressed with the desire of this developer. The question is what the community <br />wants. <br /> <br />Planner Ericson agreed these are very weighty issues that have to balance out. <br /> <br />Acting Chairperson Stevenson commented they are not only talking about Walgreens, but also a <br />Culver’s Restaurant. Since putting this on television, he stated people have told him they want to <br />have the Culver’s Restaurant since it is a favorite family-restaurant of many. He noted that when <br />the theater developed, it was to have a Chili's Restaurant, which was lost due to the amount of <br />time it took for the development approval. He said this was looking positive with not only a <br />Walgreens, but also a Culver’s Restaurant. <br /> <br />Commissioner Johnson stated a restaurant was the number one thing that the people in the <br />community wanted when they discussed it two years ago. <br /> <br />Mr. Moses stated the City’s remnant parcel is triangular and hard to fit a square building on the <br />land. Regarding the value to the City, it is being used for a pond. However, with the current <br />scenario, the City will get a bigger pond, a pathway, more sidewalk, and a new, tax-paying retail <br />development. The Walgreens alone will generate between $60,000 and $80,000 per year in new <br />taxes, plus the restaurant. He noted the residents on the east would be assured that nothing will <br />be developed in the woods and wetlands, and the development is farther away. He stated this <br />property and the owners go back 50 years, and for 50 years there have been problems with every <br />proposal Mr. Videen brought forward. Mr. Moses stated he personally has been working on this <br />for ten years and believes this proposal is the right thing for everyone. He stated Commissioner <br />Thomas is off base and it is too late to say no, that all this has all been discussed. <br /> <br />Commissioner Thomas stated it is not too late, this is clearly the time to bring up these concerns <br />and issues, as it is a public hearing.