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