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j1. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 22, 2000 Page 13 1 the right decisions. 2 Horst read a prepared statement suggesting this is a bigger question than if this project is 3 right or wrong but, rather, about how things are run in the City. He commented on the 4 involvement of the City Manager,planning staff, Planning Commission, and number of 5 meetings held, suggesting that to indicate the process is moving too fast is ludicrous. He 6 agreed that there may.be some risk but.cautioned the Council about losing an opportunity 7 to develop the most blighted property in the City under the notion that there are other 8 developers out there since there have been no other developers it the past 12 years. Horst 9 commented on the plan, vision, money, and track record of Hillcrest Development, 10 noting that when Apache Plaza was built, there was probably not 100%tenants. Horst 11 stated this proposal is to build a high.quality office complex and fill it with quality 12 tenants. He questioned if there are other developers willing to "jump through hoops"and 13 withstand the scrutiny this'.developer has had to endure. Horst suggested it is impractical 14 to develop housing due to the impact on the school district, major development costs, 15 need for more TIF assistance, and the high cost of demolition. He asked what it would 16 cost to demolish Apache Plaza and install sewers, roads, and drainage. Despite tax 17 compression efforts by the State, he felt commercial properties still paid higher taxes 18 than can be paid by homeowners and that this project would be valued higher than 19 housing. He asked how St. Anthony_can work with another developer when it is still nitpicking and playing word games with this developer. 21 Horst asked if residents want Apache Plaza redeveloped at all, noting staff has come up 22 with a plan to make that happen. He noted there is risk and uncertainty but that is 23 because all of the components-,have not yet been identified. However, this developer has 24 stated it will happen and h"7atrack record so he believes it will happen and so should the 25 residents. Horst urged the residents to look at the real issues and what is allowed under 26 the PUD. He stated this project would result in a new building that meets codes with new 27 landscaping. If the PUD is voted down and the opportunity lost,he predicted that when 28 he leaves office, Apache Plaza will look the same or worse than it does today. He stated 29 he served on the Planning Commission when the CUB Foods site was considered and 30 even though there were some nay sayers,the City got the CUB Foods store which is a 31 testament of what can be done if the City pulls together with a common goal. 32 Horst stated City staff and the consultants recommend approval because it is the right 33 deal and right timing. He urged approval.of the project so they can all stand before the 34 new St. Anthony Technology Center and say they had a part in it. 35 Thuesen read a prepared statement indicating that to say he is disappointed is an 36 understatement but he is much more disappointed as a resident of the City. He expressed 37 his desire to be true to himself and the community so they know where he is coming from 38 and to be the final judge. He stated he has never hidden or run away from a controversial •