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BRA Minutes Page 3 <br /> November 24,2003 <br /> 1111 regarding parking is not available at this time. She stated that she anticipates the businesses <br /> will be part of the team to address the parking concerns. <br /> Ms.Mehelich noted that the comments from St.Cloud State students are attached to the Ms. <br /> Steinmetz's memo. Also,City Attorney Peter Beck and city staff presented a case study <br /> report of the Elk River Downtown Revitalization project at the MN Real Estate Journal <br /> conference. Ms.Mehelich stated that an article was included in the Commission's packet <br /> regarding the Grand Forks downtown as a community asset and downtown's role in <br /> economic development. <br /> Commissioner Motin stated that he felt it should state in the developer agreement that the <br /> project cannot continue if the parking is not addressed. He stated that he feels they are close <br /> on meeting the parking needs,but that this issue has to be resolved before the ground can be <br /> broken for the project. <br /> Chair Toth asked if the number of parking stalls meets the ordinance. Ms.Mehelich stated <br /> that there is no ordinance for parking in the downtown. Chair Toth stated that he does not <br /> want to see the project be abandoned because of parking issues and felt that the City should <br /> do all they can to provide additional parking,i.e.the King Avenue/Utilities site parking <br /> proposal. <br /> Commissioner Wilson expressed his support for staff's proposal to meet with the business <br /> owners to resolve the parking issues. <br /> Jim Prosser of Ehlers&Associates stated that Elk River's concerns are consistent with <br /> • other communities'concerns with redevelopment projects. He stated that the developer has <br /> to be able to provide parking for his own site and replace what is lost. He stated that the <br /> downtown business owners are concerned regarding the replacement of lost spaces and the <br /> location of the replaced spaces. He stated that they will attempt to force the developer to <br /> build and pay for as much parking as possible,but that staff and the developer need to come <br /> to an agreement. He noted that any unresolved issues will be brought back to the HRA. <br /> Tammy Weeks,owner of The Jungle Salon,stated that if the City goes ahead with the <br /> project,they do not have her support and she will relocate her business somewhere other <br /> than Elk River. She stated that she would not consider moving her business into the <br /> proposed new building because of the parking. <br /> Ms.Mehelich stated that the owner of Kemper Drug also has concerns regarding parking <br /> near the store entrance for senior citizens. <br /> Chair Toth stated that the HRA would continue to work on the parking issues. <br /> 7. Discuss HRA Meeting Schedule <br /> Ms.Mehelich explained that the City Council would begin meeting the 1st,2nd and 3rd <br /> Mondays when the remodeling of the Council Chambers at City Hall is complete.It has <br /> been suggested that the HRA change their meeting date to the 1st Monday of the month,in <br /> order to make the meetings more convenient for the Councilmembers and the public. The <br /> first HRA meeting on the new schedule would likely be in March. Ms.Mehelich stated that <br /> Commissioner Lieser stated that she has no objection to meeting the first Monday of the <br /> month and that she will speak with Commissioner Thompson. Commissioners Motin, <br />