Minutes - 2005/09/26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council September 26, 2005 Regular Meeting Page 24 • time, he was putting twin homes along County Road H2 and that was more amenable than any other plan. Mr. Harstad wanted to tie it to Long View Estates on Silver Lake Road but the Council felt it was two separate projects so they were dealt with separately. Mayor Marty stated he would be amenable to discussing this and thinks the residents in this area would also. Councilmember Thomas stated it is talking about 33 units along Greenwood Drive. .She noted the City will not be able to purchase per acre because Mr. Harstad would want it purchased by unit. Mayor Marty stated there are actually 34 units. Mayor Marty referenced the staff report indicating: "... if the City felt the interior lots (taking access from Louisa and Clearview) would be better suited for open space, wetlands preservation or stormwater management, perhaps grants could be obtained to assist in that preservation." He asked what are the possibilities for grants for wetland preservation. Director Ericson stated that from time to time grant programs are available for green corridors that connect and staff can explore all opportunities for funding. However, it is not realistic to think that one hundred percent of the acquisition could be covered by a grant. Mayor Marty stated when the theater was constructed, it was counted as an overflow to handle the drainage from the theater. He stated it seems to him that the wetland was taken into • consideration as far as the 100-year storm excess run off. Director Ericson stated it is not his recollection that the property was considered as overflow but the water does flow in that direction from the theater. He noted the historical direction of water flow did not change with the construction of the theater site and the amount of flow did not increase. Mayor Marty asked if there is Council consensus to discuss this matter in closed cession. Councilmember Stigney stated Mr. Harstad won his law suit and should be able to develop as awarded. Councilmember Flaherty stated he thinks the Council should look at it and determine whether it would be fiscally prudent to even consider. He stated that he is willing to talk about it in closed session, make an offer, and see what the City gets. Mayor Marty asked if that would have to be discussed in closed session. Director Ericson answered in the affirmative. City Administrator Ulrich stated the City is not yet at a point to make a specific offer and maybe the Council direction would be to direct Staff to start working with other developers to try and bridge the gap between the cost to Mr. Harstad and end development sale. He stated it may be possible to talk .with developers to see if there is even potential for a different type of • development.