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Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 September 22,2015 they did not feel it was in their best interest in the long run to approve the application for -� Big Tex Trailers. Mark Fleischer,Big Tex Trailer World, stated that trailer sales are a destination-based and do not generate a lot of traffic. He stated that he did not feel the business would be offensive to the neighborhood. Mr. Fleischer explained that these are smaller trailers,not large or semi size trailers. He stated that they have many stores throughout the country and some are in rural areas and some are in inner city areas. He stated they have not had any problems with neighbors or traffic at their businesses. Mr. Fleischer stated that Big Tex is a very civic and social minded company,proving local sports team sponsorships, fundraiser donations, loaner trailers for use by civic groups and local schools and employee volunteer participation projects. Mr. Fleischer stated that it would be a shame to let the property sit there and continue to deteriorate. Brent Richter, 17107 Yale Street NW,asked for the hours of operation. Mr. Fleischer stated that the hours are generally 8 a.m.—9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Mr. Richter stated that he is very concerned about the activities and kinds of people that are renting Mr. Briggs extended stay units. Mr. Richter stated that he was not originally opposed to the business,but that he would not want to see this project go through if the proceeds are going to fund an expansion of the Elk Lodge use. Bob Rudy, 17187 Yale Street NW, stated that he is also on the homeowner's association. He stated that the street is not very big and did not see how the street could support any new businesses. He stated he would like to see the city stick to the comprehensive plan. He noted that he would like to see this company come to Elk River,but not in this location. He encouraged the Planning Commission to vote no. Mr. Briggs stated there are approximately 20 acres total including the former Saxon site,the Elk Lodges site,and the two smaller strips in between the two sites. He stated that the plan calls for residential and approximately 120— 140 units could be built. He stated that multiplying the number of units times 2 trips per day would be a huge amount of traffic, compared to what would be generated by the Big Tex business and expansion of Elk Lodges he is proposing. He stated that he has recently met with a number of people from MnDOT and they have told him that the interchange plan is a 20-year plan and it is not set in stone where the interchange will be exactly. He stated that MnDOT indicated they would be interested in the property if Big Tex does not buy it. He stated he had concerns regarding how many more years it would sit vacant. He stated that the buildings have been stripped of copper and will continue to be vandalized. He stated that he has ownership in the lot north of the Napa building and he commented when he reviewed the PUD on that particular site; "we could actually put Big Tex Trailers right there." Edward Greenwaldt, 17163 Yale St. NW, stated that he recently walked off the subject property to measure the frontage,as well as the townhome sites on Yale Street. He stated that based on his rough estimate,approximately 11 more townhomes similar to his home could be built on this site,which likely would sell immediately. He stated that something beautiful could be designed for this site, or the alternative,which is being proposed. .� Chair Johnson closed the public hearing.