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Economic Development AuthoriryMinutes Page 3 October 11, 2004 8. Consider Recommendation to City Council on Land Use Amendment and Zone Change Elk River Busmess Pazk Ms. Mehelich reviewed the request by the owners of Elk River Business Pazk, Fischer Sand & Aggregate/Associated Investors of Elk River for a Land Use Amendment, Rezoning and Preliminary Plat. Approval of the requests would allow the applicants a Tractor Supply and Maxsun Fumiture store to be constructed. Ms. Mehelich reviewed staff's findings for their recommendation of denial of the requests. Rick Martens, Brookstone, discussed his reasons why he fek the request should be approved, including: the quality of the buildings/users; the higher value of this site; the Business Park District does allow some showroom/retail space; economic conditions have created a weak mazket for potential light industrial users; and, a number of quality jobs would be created. Troy Tufto, representing Jimmy Yang of Maxsun Furniture, provided information regarding Mr. Yang's business experience, and the type of store and number of employees they are proposing for the Elk River site. Gary Santwire, EDA Marketing Committee member, stated that this property is included in the Development Agreement for Elk River Crossing and an amendment to the Development would be required to remove it. He noted the request does not comply with Comprehensive Plan adopted only 45 days ago. Mr. Santwire noted that if Rich Deziel's property located next to the courthouse were rezoned to Highway Business, it also would be developed immediately. He felt it would be logical for this property to be rezoned (if the entire park is rezoned), since it is located next to a commercial area. Commissioner Dwyer stated that when this TIF District was set up, a condition of approval was that the industrial park be developed. He felt that since the industrial park was built as part of the TIF, the zoning should remain Business Park. Commissioner Tveite concurred with Commissioner Dwyer. He noted that it has been the goal of the City to create a mix of uses in their tax base. Commissioner Kuester stated that she was not satisfied with the land use of this site during the Comprehensive Plan review and felt there were mixed opinions whether it should be commercial or industrial. She recalled that there was support for commercial use of the site. Commissioner Motin concurred with Commissioners Dwyer and Tveite. He felt that the jobs proposed for the Maxsun Furniture store were acceptable, but that this use would generate more traffic than a business park use. He felt that the Maxsun business would be a better use for the commercial site than Tractor Supply would be, and encouraged Maxsun to build on the Elk River Crossing site, instead of the business park site. Commissioner Klinzutg stated that she felt this was a borderline issue that could be argued either way. She did not feel the issue was discussed much during the Comprehensive Plan review because of the Development Agreement already in place for the property. Commissioner Dwyer stated that he recalled Rusty Fifield, Coordinator for review of the Comprehensive Plan, recommended commercial use for this property, because of its location. Commissioner Dwyer felt that the property falls in a gray area.