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Mounds View Planning Commission January 18, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 4 ________________________________________________________________________ the only individuals interested want to maintain the property as an independent gas station. There is no guarantee there would be any investment in the property. Director Ericson explained that the condition of the property is likely inhibiting the sale. Chair Stevenson asked if the City would be better off owning the property than waiting for someone to purchase the property as it is. Director Ericson stated that the first priority is to eliminate the blighted buildings from the site, indicating he did not want it to be similar to the Amoco property that sat vacant for 3 to 4 years. He advised that the Council does not want to wait 4 years to see what will happen. Also, if the City controls the property, it can help dictate what goes into that corner, rather than keeping it a gas station, or another drug store or car wash. In addition, there would be the benefit of the resale of the property once it is cleared. Chair Stevenson asked about the total cleanup with removal of gas tanks and possible contamination. He noted the level of contamination (if any) is not known nor whether the purchase price would be reduced because of that potential. Director Ericson stated that is a good point and explained that those issues would be negotiated into the purchase agreement. He assured the Planning Commission that the City would not want to buy this property unless the City knew if there were spills or contamination. The City would likely conduct a Phase I environmental analysis and, if warranted, a Phase II analysis. Director Ericson stated the City is not aware of any spills on the property and have not been notified by the MPCA of issues on the site. But, given the nature of the present operation, there is certainly that risk. Director Ericson advised that staff would make sure any agreement with the property owner would include a contingency for it being a clean site. If not a clean site, the purchase price would either be adjusted accordingly based on the cost to clean the site or the City would not purchase the site. Chair Stevenson asked about removal of the gas tanks. Director Ericson stated that would be negotiated as a condition of purchasing the property, that the tanks be removed under MPCA guidelines, whether with Oasis or the property owner. Commissioner Scotch asked about the property on County Road 10 that used to be a gas station where they sell Christmas trees. Director Ericson stated that is not City owned property and is owned by Integra Homes. Chair Stevenson stated clean up on that property was on going, about a three-year project. He commented that almost every gas station vacation has had problems. Commissioner Meehlhause stated that should be the responsibility of the seller and owner, not the buyer. He explained that with the company he works for, they are always responsible for soil contamination issues when they sell a property. Commissioner Scotch asked if the proposal is for reuse as sushi bar property. Director Ericson explained that the Donut Connection property is being re-purposed as a sushi bar and that renovation is currently underway but he is not sure when it will open.