05-21-2012 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Minutes Page 3 May 21, 2012 ----------------------------- MOTION CARRIED 5 -0 • 7.2 Request by Duffy Development Company for Conditional Use Permit to Amend Elk River Station Planned Unit Development — Outlot G Use, Case No. CU 12 -08 Mr. Barnhart presented the staff report. Mayor Dietz opened the public hearing. Ms. Lenz, Elk River Station resident — Stated she is opposed to the conditional use permit for the following reasons: • safety of unsupervised children • cost of repairs • lack of parking • Bluffs development sitting vacant for long period of time • Would like to see more industrial development John Duffy, applicant — Stated this building will have its own playground. Florence Schuldt, 171St Avenue — Stated concerns with children playing in the area and with a daycare center being constructed. Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing. Mr. Barnhart stated the original master plan included a daycare center and additional office uses along with some other proposed uses but the lot hasn't been subdivided. Councilmember Motin stated he is not in favor of an apartment complex at this location. He stated commercial areas need to be expanded and preserved. He stated residents would like to see more community commercial development such as daycare centers or coffee shops. He further stated concerns with putting a residential development with many kids on a small 2 acre parcel around busy roads and a train track. He expressed concerns with developers coming in with a proposal that the Council approves and then coming back later to change the development to something different. Councilmember Motin stated he realizes there is a demand for apartments but feels they should be part of an overall plan and not built on a lot -by -lot basis. Councilmember Westgaard questioned if the intent of the developer is to keep an element of land as retail. He stated the subject parcel would fit in as a mixed use development per the Focus Area Study. He further noted that in addition to the gas station, he would like to see a retail element that could occupy the first floor with housing overhead in order to maintain some destination retail. Councilmember Westgaard stated this is not a good location for commercial use because it drives heavier traffic and has poor access. He stated he is not against the apartment complex but would like to see more detail before fully supporting it. He noted the details that need to be worked out include the mix of residential and retail and how both parts of the oudot would be developed. Councilmember Zerwas and Gumphrey concurred with Councilmember Westgaard. Councilmember Gumphrey noted he would like to see a larger play area, along with parking and resident's concerns being addressed.