CC MINUTES 07242001 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes July 24, 2001 Page 9 • I Councilmember Thuesen expressed his concern over the possibility of mismanaged apartment 2 buildings. He added that it was important to him to have certain safeguards in place to prevent 3 apartment buildings from falling in the hands of negligent managers. 4 Councilmember Thuesen asked if they would be considering the higher density housing with 69% of the 5 housing being rental unit if they were not in a financial bind. Mr. Rapp stated that the more value dollars 6 they can create, the less tax increment subsidy and the better the project works, regardless of the type 7 of dollar it is. 8 Councilmember Thuesen referred to some cookie-cutter housing developments he saw recently, and 9 stated that structures like that would be an aesthetic nightmare in the City of St. Anthony. Mr. Rapp 10 stated that is exactly why they have the framework in place. I t Mr. Prosser stated that if they do not like the higher density Concept Plan then they should not approve 12 it. He added that the housing densities mentioned are very consistent with the patterns working in other 3 parts of the Metropolitan area, and that more people are looking for that type of residential living. Mr. 14 Prosser also stated that they would not recommend a Concept Plan that was not a solid plan with 15 sound principles from a planning perspective. 06 Councilmember Thuesen referred to the possibility of cutting corners on quality as the project goes 17 along, and his concern to prevent this from happening and leaving them with cheaply made housing. 18 Mr. Rapp stated that they have direct control in this process to prevent that from happening. 19 Councilmember Thuesen asked about the Herberger's lease. Mr. Prosser indicated that the 20 Herberger's lease was not identified in the cost, which indicated that the numbers could go up. 21 Councilmember Thuesen stated that the TIF amount made him nervous. 22 Councilmember Thuesen stated it would be a good idea if the superintendent of the schools would 23 provide a statement to the city they were on board with the project, as well as any concerns they are 24 having regarding a potential enrollment increase. 25 Councilmember Thuesen indicated that he would support this tonight, although he feels there is a lot of 26 legwork ahead of them to make the project work. 27 Councilmember Sparks asked Planning Commissioner Chair Melsha how the public hearing went at 28 their meeting. Chair Melsha stated that the meeting was nearly filled to capacity with residents. He 29 added that a few residents addressed the Commission, and that, as a community, they seemed 30 informed of what was happening. 0 31 Councilmember Sparks asked about the Market Analysis and what the research firm thought that the 32 City could accommodate, she stated the Concept Plan we exceeded the capacity provided by the 33 Market Analysis by five units. Geoff Betzel, DSU, stated that the total number Councilmember Sparks