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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes <br />May 24, 2005 <br />Page 7 <br />1 too much being planned for the site, and should a variety of businesses be sought. She noted <br />2 there is some concern with the number of coffee shops in town. <br />Mr. Foster noted that James Winkels is present; he is part owner of the project and a Principal in <br />the project as it is today. He introduced Mr. Forsheen, one of the owners of the restaurant. <br />7 Mr. Foster stated that what is being presented today accomplishes the goals the City set out when <br />8 this project started. In terms of replacing a blighted corner, this project goes far in making this a <br />9 gateway to the city. Since the request to put in a drive thru was removed, he said they anticipate <br />10 there will be the potential for a small patio attached to a small coffee shop and the remainder of <br />11 the space will be landscape. The removal of the drive thru accomplishes four more parking <br />12 stalls. He noted that Paul Tucci with Oppidan will coordinate the landscaping between the land <br />13 owned by the City, and that owned by the developer. The architectural features will be <br />14 consistent with the existing building. He noted the City was looking to take the old liquor store <br />15 out and put it in a building. That was accomplished. The City wanted to generate cash to assist <br />16 in moving the Fire Station, and that was accomplished. The City also wanted to replace the <br />17 Stonehouse with something that would allow charitable gambling and this is accomplished and <br />18 incorporated into the plan. This is not a change in the plan the City made. This project is <br />19 planned to be available in the early fall, and if it were an outlot, it would take longer to build. <br />20 The parking situation is better in this plan. He noted there is less tax revenue since it is a smaller <br />21 building. He said the applicant agreed with City Staff that they would match the taxes for a <br />22 6,000 square foot building, even though the proposed site is 4,500 square feet. They will sign an <br />23 agreement that will match this forever, including the cost of living. He said they are asking that <br />24 the Resolutions be adopted and reflect changes such as the liquor store moving to the end cap. <br />25 <br />26 Mayor Faust stated the Development Agreement notes there is supposed to be a restaurant on <br />27 that site on or before September 1, 2004. <br />28 <br />29 Mr. Foster responded the Development Agreement states a restaurant should be there by <br />30 September 1, 2004, but if not, it gives the developer a chance to secure a lease agreement by <br />31 September 1, 2005. <br />32 <br />33 Mayor Faust pointed out the Agreement states a restaurant should be depicted as a separate <br />34 building. <br />35 <br />36 Councilmember Thuesen commented that it was implied that there would be a stand -alone <br />37 restaurant on that pad and now the proposal is for a smaller restaurant and a coffee shop on that <br />38 pad. He asked what happened from being a stand -alone restaurant to the current proposal. <br />39 <br />40 Jim Winkels, AMCON, answered that they were in discussions with another restaurant/bar in the <br />41 beginning for that site. He said they did propose that a 6,000 square foot restaurant would come <br />42 on the site. It was a disappointment to his group when that did not work. Since then, he said <br />43 they are trying to live up to their plan. There were numerous discussions with the City Manager <br />44 and he noted they have not given up nor tried to hide anything. He said they have identified a <br />45 good potential tenant on the site. It is the same type of use as originally planned, but a little <br />46 smaller. They chose to move to the end cap because they believe it fits better there. The <br />47 difference is only 1,500 square feet. He said if the Council prefers the restaurant be put on the <br />