HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-2004
MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION
July 7, 2004 -- 7:00 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approve Minutes: May 19, 2004
4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda
CITIZENS: BEFORE SPEAKING, PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM,
AND GIVE YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE MINUTES
5. Planning Case VR2004-006
Public Hearing and Discussion Regarding a Variance Request for a Non-Conforming Curb Cut
at 7090 Silver Lake Road
Applicant: Michel Mourad
6. Planning Case VR2004-001
Public Hearing and Discussion Regarding a Variance Request for a Reduction of Spacing
Requirements and to Exceed the Maximum Height for Billboards
Applicant: Clear Channel Outdoor
7. Planning Cases VR2004-007 and CU2004-002
Public Hearing and Discussion Regarding a Variance for the Width of a Garage and a
Conditional Use Permit for an Oversized Garage
Applicant: Mari Scotch
8. Planning Case AV2004-001
Consideration of Resolution 765-04 Granting Final Approval for an Administrative Variance
APPLICANTS: YOUR ATTENDANCE AT THIS MEETING IS REQUESTED.
PLEASE NOTIFY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AT
763-717-4020 IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND.
9. Next Planning Commission Meeting: July 21, 2004
10. Adjourn to Agenda Session.
AGENDA SESSION
1. Review Minutes: June 16, 2004
2. Staff Reports
A. Housing Replacement Program Review
B. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Review
3. Chairperson and Planning Commissioners’ Reports
Item No: 6
Meeting Date: July 7, 2004
Type of Business: Public Hearing
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Mounds View Planning Commission
From: James Ericson, Community Development Director
Item Title/Subject: Public Hearing and Consideration of a Variance for
Billboard Height and Reduced Spacing between
Billboards
Introduction:
Clear Channel Outdoor is requesting variances to increase the height of the billboards
proposed for the Bridges Golf Course from 35 feet to 45 feet, plus a variance to reduce the
separation between four of the six billboards from 750 feet to 600 and 500 feet. A map is
attached which shows the billboard locations and the proposed spacing. The basis for the
height request stems from the height of the existing tree cover and the desire to retain the
trees rather than remove them. As for the reduction in separation between billboards, the
variance will preserve a natural area between the golf course and Sysco also in an effort to
avoid significant tree lose.
Background:
On March 27, 2000, the City accepted a proposal submitted by Eller Media (now Clear
Channel Outdoor) and adopted a resolution approving an Interim Use Permit for six billboards
at the Bridges Golf Course. The graphic below represents the original design selected by the
Council.
Clear Channel Variance Request
July 7, 2004
Page 2
Discussion:
At the February 2004 City Council worksession meeting, Clear Channel presented the City
Council with an alternative design and location plan and informed the Council of the
anticipated loss of hundreds of trees associated with the implementation of the billboards.
The alternative design was brought forward for Council consideration after it was determined
that the original design would be too much of a disruption to course play. In addition, it was
pointed out that former golf course management had counted on a nine-hole expansion of the
course as the source for the amount of fill needed to create the earthen berms upon which
the billboards would be located. There are no plans for an expansion of the golf course and
the City no longer desires the berm, which would have given the signs the additional ten feet
of height currently being requested by variance. The billboard design now supported by the
City Council is shown below.
Height:
Mounds View’s City Code limits the height of a billboard to no more than 35 feet above the
grade of the adjacent roadway. There are many trees within and alongside the MnDOT right
of way that would block the view of the signs if their height were limited to 35 feet. (Originally,
the height of the trees was not considered an issue as the height of the berm had elevated
the billboard faces above the tree line.) Because the City is no longer pursuing an expansion
of the golf course and is no longer interested in constructing an earthen berm in this area,
Clear Channel requests an additional ten feet in height to make up for the loss of the berm.
The benefit to the City of the increased height is two-fold: most of the existing trees will be
preserved and the taller sign faces become less of a physical and psychological impediment
to golf play. To aid the Commission’s review of this component of the request, Clear Channel
has submitted graphics illustrating the height differences between 35 feet and 45 feet.
The new design
incorporates a single
pole construction with
a brick façade
column and brick trim
under the sign face.
This design
minimizes the extent
to which the billboard
face projects into the
golf course. Because
the cart paths could
be located under the
billboard, there would
be little disruption to
the facility and no
need to relocate cart
paths.
Clear Channel Variance Request
July 7, 2004
Page 3
Freeway View *
Height: 35 Feet Height: 45 Feet
Golf Course View *
Height: 35 Feet Height: 45 Feet
* While intended to be reasonably accurate, these images are computer generated and
generally represent the difference between the two sign heights.
Clear Channel Variance Request
July 7, 2004
Page 4
Spacing:
The City Code requires that billboards be separated by no less than 750 feet as measured
from the center of each billboard. This standard is more restrictive than MnDOT standards,
which allows separation of no less than 500 feet. The City is no longer entertaining a
proposal to expand the golf course by nine holes; as a result, the area between the Sysco
and the golf course will remain natural and undisturbed. In an effort to preserve this natural
area and to minimize the potential loss of hundreds of trees due to the construction of the
billboard and associated service road, the separation between billboards 2 and 3 and
billboards 3 and 4 are proposed to be reduced from 750 feet to 600 feet. In addition, the
separation between billboards 4 and 5 would be reduced to 500 feet, the minimum spacing
allowed by MnDOT. (Refer to Exhibit A.)
Variance Considerations:
For a variance request to be approved, the applicant needs to demonstrate a hardship or
practical difficulty associated with the property that makes a literal interpretation of the Code
overly burdensome or restrictive. Minnesota statutes require that the governing body (the
Planning Commission, in Mounds View) review a set of specified criteria for each application
and make its decision in accordance with these criteria. These criteria are set forth in Section
1125.02, Subdivision 2, of the City Code. The Code clearly states that a hardship exists
when all of the criteria are met. The criteria are as follows:
a. Exceptional or extraordinary circumstances apply to the property which do not apply
generally to other properties in the same zone or vicinity and result from lot size or shape,
topography or other circumstances over which the owners of the property since the
effective date hereof have had no control.
The original billboard applications were predicated on their being a berm upon which the
billboards would be located. Without the berm, the signs would be partially obscured by
trees, some of which cannot be cut as they are MnDOT property. The City’s decision to not
expand the course and not construct the berm has caused a hardship for the applicant.
b. The literal interpretation of the provisions of this Title would deprive the applicant of
rights commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same district under the terms of this
Title.
The literal interpretation of the provisions of the Zoning Code would create a hardship for the
applicant due to the City’s action regarding the berm and course expansion. Lease agreements
were signed in good faith with the expectation of the additional height provided by the berm.
c. That the special conditions or circumstances do not result from the actions of the
applicant.
The special conditions do not result from the actions of the applicant. The City has expressed
its desire to retain the natural area, preserve trees and protect the play of the course and no
longer intends to construct the originally proposed berm.
Clear Channel Variance Request
July 7, 2004
Page 5
d. That granting the variance requested would not confer on the applicant any special
privilege that is denied by this Title to owners of other lands, structures or buildings in
the same district.
The applicant has demonstrated that the billboard faces would be partially obscured by tree
cover without the berm construction, which the City no longer desires. Granting the variance
would not appear to be a special privilege given the City’s actions and preferences.
e. That the variance requested is the minimum variance which would alleviate the
hardship. Economic conditions alone shall not be considered a hardship.
The ten-foot height increase to 45 feet is the minimum variance to ensure the billboard faces
will be clearly visible from the adjacent freeways. The reduced separation as shown on the
attached Exhibit A is the minimum variance needed to preserve the natural area in between the
golf course and Sysco.
f. The variance would not be materially detrimental to the purpose of this Title or to other
property in the same zone.
Approval of the variance will not be materially detrimental to the purposes of the City Code.
g. The proposed variance will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent
property or substantially increase the congestion of the public streets or increase the
danger of fire or endanger the public safety or substantially diminish or impair property
values within the neighborhood.
The proposed variance would not result in any of the above-cited adverse effects.
Recommendation:
Open the public hearing and discuss the variance request for the additional ten feet of sign
height from 35 feet up to 45 feet and a variance for reduced spacing as illustrated in Exhibit A
of Resolution 766-04. Staff supports the approval of the variances in light of the absence of
the expansion of the course and the elimination of the berm originally considered along 35W
and Highway 10.
_____________________________________
James Ericson
Community Development Director
Attachments:
1. Planning Application
2. Zoning Map
3. Location Map
4. Golf Course Layout
5. Resolution 766-04
Zoning Map
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Mounds View Planning Commission will hold a public
hearing on Wednesday, July 7, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at Mounds View City Hall, 2401 Highway 10, Mounds
View, Minnesota, 55112, to consider a request by Clear Channel Outdoor for a variance in reduction of
billboard spacing and a variance from the maximum height requirements for billboards at The Bridges of
Mounds View Golf Course located at 8290 Coral Sea Street. The property identification numbers are as
follows:
053023130001
053023210005
053023240059
053023240060
Anyone desiring to be heard with reference to this matter may be heard at this meeting. If
you are unable to attend the meeting but wish to comment, you may submit a letter to
Kristin Prososki, 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112. The letter will be forwarded
to the Planning Commission.
Copies of the plans are available for review at City Hall. If you have any questions regarding this
meeting or if you want to make an appointment to review the plans, please contact me at (763) 717-4022.
Kristin Prososki
Planning Associate
This notice is mailed to property owners within 350 feet of subject property.
This notice published in the New Brighton-Mounds View Bulletin June 23, 2004.
MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. 766-04
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION APPROVING A VARIANCE REQUESTED BY CLEAR CHANNEL
OUTDOOR TO EXCEED THE MAXIMUM BILLBOARD HEIGHT AND REDUCE THE
MINIMUM BILLBOARD SPACING REQUIREMENTS; PLANNING CASE VR2004-001
WHEREAS, the applicant, Clear Channel Outdoor, has applied for a variance to
exceed the maximum height and to decrease the minimum separation for the billboards
proposed for the Bridges Golf Course in the City of Mounds View; and,
WHEREAS, the Property Identification Numbers for the site are as follows:
05-30-23-13-0001
05-30-23-21-0005
05-30-23-24-0059
05-30-23-24-0060
WHEREAS, Section 1008.10, Subd 6 of the Mounds View Municipal Code indicates
that the maximum height for a billboard is 35 feet and the minimum distance between
billboards is 750 feet; and,
WHEREAS, The Planning Commission reviewed the following materials relating
to this request:
1. Application
2. Zoning Map
3. Location Map
4. Golf Course Layout
5. Site Plan
6. Photographic Documentation
7. Staff Report
Resolution 766-04
Page 2
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing regarding
this variance on Wednesday, July 7, 2004; and,
WHEREAS, according to Section 1125.02, Subdivision 2 of the Mounds View
Municipal Code, the Planning Commission is to review a standard set of criteria, of which all
must be satisfied, in order to grant a variance to the Zoning Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Mounds View Planning Commission
makes the following finding of facts related to this request:
1. The exceptional or extraordinary conditions relating to the variance request are
that the City is no longer considering an expansion of its golf course and no
longer desires to construct an earthen berm around the periphery of the golf
course adjacent to Interstate 35W and Highway 10.
2. The literal interpretation of the Zoning Code would create a hardship for the
applicant in that in the absence of the berm, the existing tree cover would
obscure the billboard advertising faces.
3. The applicant has not caused the condition which prompted the variance request.
4. Granting the variance would not confer upon the applicant a special privilege.
5. The variances requested are the minimum variances which would alleviate the
hardship in that they are the minimum necessary to allow for maximum tree
preservation and sign face visibility.
6. Granting a variance to allow for increased sign height and decreased sign
separation would not be materially detrimental the Code.
7. Granting the variance would not impair an adequate supply of light and air to
adjacent property or substantially increase the congestion of the public streets or
increase the danger of fire or endanger the public safety or substantially diminish
or impair property values within the neighborhood.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mounds View Planning
Commission, based upon the above identified finding of facts, does hereby approve the
variance requested for a 45-foot maximum sign height and a reduction in the minimum
separation between signs as generally illustrated on the attached Exhibit A.
Adopted this 7th day of July, 2004.
____________________________________
Gary Stevenson, Chairperson
ATTEST:
____________________________________
James Ericson, Community Development Dir.
(SEAL)
Exhibit A.
The Bridges Of Mounds View
Billboard Location and Spacing Map
1
2 3
4
5
6
Distances Between
Billboards (in feet):
1 and 2: 750 +
2 and 3: 600
3 and 4: 600
4 and 5: 500
5 and 6: 750
Item No: AS 2
Meeting Date: July 7, 2004
Type of Business: Staff Reports
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Mounds View Planning Commission
From: Jim Ericson, Community Development Director
Item Title/Subject: Review Housing Replacement Program Guidelines
and Criteria
Introduction:
Created in 1995, the Housing Replacement Program is a voluntary program that allows
the City to purchase blighted residential properties from willing sellers. Because the City
has not used the program for a few years, however, the Planning Commission may be
unfamiliar with the purpose, objectives and guidelines of the program. As such, this
report will serve as an opportunity to provide that background and to review the guidelines
for any necessary revisions or corrections.
Discussion:
On June 16, 2004, the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed modification to the
Project Plan for the Economic Development Project, approving a resolution that
recommended to the City Council adoption of the modifications. One of the components
of the modification involved the creation of a map and identification of parcels the City
could potential acquire utilizing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars. The parcel list
included both commercial and residential properties. Most of the residential properties
identified would be potential candidates for the Housing Replacement Program.
Purpose: The purpose of the Housing Replacement Program, as stated in the attached
program summary, is to reduce the social costs of blight, improve residential
neighborhoods and increase the tax base.
Objectives: There are three stated objectives for this program—replace deteriorated
lower value housing with larger, higher valued housing; eliminate blight; and increase the
availability of quality housing for families.
Criteria: The home will likely be substandard in some way or exhibit some level of blight.
This is defined as follows:
1. Substandard as to condition, property value, size or usage.
2. Obsolete and having a faulty design for block and area in which it is located.
3. Deterioration which has caused blight to other adjoining properties
4. Detrimental to the safety or health of abutting properties in the block.
Recommendation:
Review the attached program guidelines. If the Commission feels amendments are in
order, they would need to be forwarded on to the City Council for consideration and
approval.
_____________________
Jim Ericson
Item No: AS-2B
Meeting Date: July 7, 2004
Type of Business: Staff Reports
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Mounds View Planning Commission
From: James Ericson, Community Development Director
Item Title/Subject: Review Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Program
Introduction:
It was brought to my attention that the Planning Commission could benefit from a brief and
general overview of Tax Increment Financing (TIF)—how it works and the intent of the laws
associated with TIF. While TIF is not ordinarily an issue the Commission would discuss or
debate, having a general understanding of Minnesota’s laws in this area may be beneficial.
Unfortunately, the TIF experts will be the first to tell you that TIF laws are difficult to
understand and with each passing legislative session, it becomes even more confusing.
Because of this and the need for legal compliance, most cities with TIF districts utilize the
services of a TIF advisor and/or TIF attorney; someone particularly specialized in this field.
Mounds View is no different in this regard.
General Overview:
As federal funds for urban renewal projects became more restrictive in the 1970s, tax
increment financing (TIF) became a popular redevelopment financing tool nationally.
Minnesota enacted TIF enabling legislation in 1969 and was one of the first states to do so.
Since then, the scope of TIF has gone beyond redevelopment and encompasses general
development activities — from affordable housing development to contaminated soil
remediation. The most common type of district is a “redevelopment” district. Mounds View’s
three TIF districts are redevelopment districts.
Tax increment financing is a tool used by local development authorities — usually cities — to
fund certain types of development. A city can use or “capture” additional property taxes
generated by a new development to pay for certain development costs. As a result, the
captured property taxes are not distributed to other taxing jurisdictions, such as the county,
city or school district, as would be the case in absence of TIF. The captured property taxes
are based upon the difference between the tax capacity following development and the
original tax capacity of the property. If the original tax capacity of the property was $10,000,
for example, and the tax capacity following improvements to the property was $50,000, the
captured net tax capacity would be $40,000. In this example, the property taxes paid on
$40,000 could be used to finance improvements to the properties within a TIF district.
The TIF statutes impose limits on activities for which tax increments can be spent.
Permissible costs covered by TIF include but are not limited to acquisition or demolition of
blighted property; street and public parking lot or ramp construction; relocation benefits for
occupants of acquired properties; construction or rehabilitation of housing for low- and
moderate-income households; planning, engineering and legal services; and construction of
agricultural processing projects.
TIF Report
July 7, 2004
Page 2
Materials Attached:
At the risk of overwhelming the Planning Commission with too much information, I’ve
attached two publications from the Office of the State Auditor (OSA), the agency charged
with TIF oversight and compliance. In addition, an article dated August 19, 2001 from the
Star Tribune is included, as is a short article from the MN House of Representatives
concerning redevelopment districts. Last, I have attached a map of the City which indicates
the locations of the City’s three TIF Districts. While the TIF districts comprise very little of the
City’s area, the dollars generated from these three districts can be spent anywhere in the
City so long as they are TIF eligible expenses.
Uses in Mounds View
In Mounds View, the City has used TIF to foster development and redevelopment. From a
large scale perspective, TIF helped establish the Mounds View Business Park and TIF notes
were authorized for a variety of developments such as Sysco, Building N, CG Hill, Silver
Lake Pointe, The Mermaid, ZEP Manufacturing and Multi-Tech. Limited business subsidies
have been approved on a case-by-case basis; most recently for demolition assistance
associated with the former Amoco Gas Station and before that the former Perkins
Restaurant building. TIF dollars have been used to fund various redevelopment studies such
as the Highway 10 Redevelopment and Revitalization plan and smaller projects such as the
Remodeling Planbooks. TIF dollars support the Housing Replacement Program and also a
Business Improvement Loan program. TIF dollars are also used to offset some personnel
and administrative costs incurred by the City and EDA and cover the contracts with the TIF
advisor and attorney. (This list is of course not meant to be exhaustive, simply a summary of
the uses of TIF in Mounds View.)
Recommendation:
If the Commission has an interest in learning more about TIF as a redevelopment tool, and
its specific use in Mounds View, Aaron Backman, the City’s Economic Development
Coordinator, and I can provide you with additional information.
_____________________________________
James Ericson
Community Development Director
Attachments:
1. Tax Increment Financing: A Discussion with the State Auditor’s Office (Oct 2003)
2. Tax Increment Financing Report (May 1, 2003)
3. The Other Side of TIF -- Star Tribune (August 21, 2001)
4. TIF Redevelopment Districts – House Research Brief (Oct 2003)
5. Mounds View TIF District Map
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Regular Meeting
June 16, 2004
Mounds View City Hall
2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112
______________________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Stevenson at 7:00 p.m., June 16, 2004.
Chair Stevenson indicated that the first meeting of the month was not held due to the death of
Greg Johnson.
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Commissioners Miller, Stevenson, Scotch, Hegland, Zwirn and Song
Members Absent: Hegland (excused)
Also Present: Planner Prososki, Community Development Director Ericson and
Economic Development Coordinator Backman
________________________________________________________________________
Index to Minutes Page
Review Modification of the Mounds View Economic Development 2
Project
_____________________________________________________________________________
3. Approve Minutes
a. May 5, 2004
MOTION/SECOND: Scotch/Zwirn. To Approve the Planning Commission Minutes for May 5,
2004 as Presented.
Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried.
______________________________________________________________________________
Mounds View Planning Commission June 16, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 2
_______________________________________________________________________
4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda
None.
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Review Modification of the Mounds View Economic Development Project
Economic Development Coordinator Backman indicated that the City’s TIF Plans are a
collection of several documents separated by district and the development plan. He then
indicated that Mounds View has three active TIF districts and explained where they are located.
Coordinator Backman indicated that in 1994 the EDA consolidated the three development
programs and plans into one master plan. The consolidation resulted in one development district
(the whole City) with one development project known as the Project Plan. In 2000, budgets for
TIF Districts 1, 2, and 3 were modified and statutes require that the Planning Commission review
program modifications to determine if they are in compliance with the City’s Comprehensive
Plan.
Coordinator Backman indicated that Staff has identified 211 parcels in the City that could be
acquired with the City’s TIF funds. He then reviewed the map with the Commission and asked
for questions or comments.
Commissioner Miller asked how these parcels had been chosen, especially the individual
residential parcels.
Coordinator Backman indicated that Staff went out and traveled the areas on residential and
commercial. He then said that he has worked with Jeremiah Anderson for properties with
compliance issues as well as looking at the exterior of the properties.
Chair Stevenson asked why Staff did not consider the property south of Johnson’s all the way to
Spring Lake Road for a commercial site for that two block area west of Groveland.
Coordinator Backman explained that the list may not include all potential parcels but it is what
has been noticed to the other governmental entities and it would not be possible to add to it at
this time but it could be considered for future updates to the plan.
Chair Stevenson indicated he was okay with leaving off Colonial Village Mobile Home Park
since that was the one determined most likely not to be redeveloped.
Chair Stevenson thanked Staff for the efforts on this program.
Commissioner Zwirn asked what kind of criteria was used for residential lots to be included.
Community Development Director Ericson indicated that Staff looked at the Housing
Replacement Guidelines and there are four criteria to identify a blighted home and that was used
Mounds View Planning Commission June 16, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 3
_______________________________________________________________________
as a guideline. He then said that the homes on the list may not qualify for that program but, from
a windshield perspective, these are the properties that Staff felt should be added.
Commissioner Zwirn asked if the standards were taken from other communities or if they were
arbitrary.
Director Ericson indicated the courts have not determined standards and the courts give huge
deference to the City when determining blighted property however the City would need
something legitimate to base it upon. He then pointed out that if property owners approach the
City it gives them the opportunity to sell to the City and clear it for development at market value.
He further explained that this is a voluntary program and that is the difference with other cities
with targeted acquisition programs.
Commissioner Zwirn said he understood the volunteerism of the plan but that for certain houses
on larger lots not utilizing the lots he is concerned that a developer could come in with a plan and
could potentially force people to sell and develop, even if they do not want to develop.
Director Ericson agreed and said he does not think that the City would want to utilize the
program in that fashion.
Commissioner Miller asked if Staff is expecting feedback from the public on this project.
Coordinator Backman indicated the public hearing would be held on June 28, 2004. He then said
that the designation does not provide any restrictions or encumbrances to selling the property.
Commissioner Zwirn asked for clarification of the repeated addresses and the addresses with 0 in
them.
Planner Prososki explained that the County has not assigned an address to those properties
because it is a vacant lot and that there are a number of them.
Commissioner Zwirn asked if this action is being taken as a result of discussions a few weeks
ago regarding acquisition of property on Long Lake Road and Highway 10.
Coordinator Backman indicated that the process was started well over a year ago and thanked the
other Staff for help. He then said that this process began with the settlement reached with the
Office of State Auditor, as that office determined that the City needs to identify parcels before
purchasing them with TIF dollars.
Director Ericson indicated the purchase of 2525 Highway 10 was to come out of special project
funds and not TIF funds. He then said that Council had discussed that once this was adopted, if a
developer had not come forward the EDA could then acquire the parcel from the City to
reimburse the City or the City could have sold it without utilizing TIF dollars.
Mounds View Planning Commission June 16, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 4
_______________________________________________________________________
Commissioner Zwirn commented that the presentation at the last meeting indicated TIF dollars
would be used.
Coordinator Backman indicated that TIF funds would be used long term because there are
limited dollars in the special project fund and it was estimated that the fund could support the
expenditure for 6 to 12 months but eventually the City would need to sell it or utilize TIF funds.
He then said that he has had a good amount of interest from developers on the property.
Commissioner Song asked what would happen if other property owners approach the City.
Coordinator Backman indicated that there would be activity beyond these parcels and this does
not say that economic development would only occur in these parcels.
Director Ericson indicated that the Housing Replacement Program offers a second component
and that is if a property is underutilized or blighted and they want to stay in the community there
is a component where they would enter into an agreement with the owner and the City
contributes the amount to demolish the property with the understanding that a bigger and larger
home is constructed on the property.
MOTION/SECOND: Stevenson/Miller. To Approve Resolution 762-04, a Resolution
Recommending Approval of the Modification to the Project Plan for the Mounds View
Economic Development Project.
Ayes – 4 Nays – 1(Zwirn) Motion carried.
Commissioner Zwirn indicated that he understands the state auditor requiring this process be
taken care of but he has some issues with TIF financing and the “shell game” that goes on with it
so he does not feel comfortable endorsing it.
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Next Planning Commission Meeting: July 7, 2004
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Adjournment to Agenda Session
There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chair Stevenson adjourned the
meeting at 7:33 p.m.
(The meeting immediately adjourned to the Agenda Session)
Mounds View Planning Commission June 16, 2004
Regular Meeting Page 5
_______________________________________________________________________
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Ericson
Community Development Director
Transcribed by:
Joan Lenzmeier
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.