4.1 PCSR 03-22-2016 DRAFT MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Minutes Page 7 February 23,2016 Pat Briggs, applicant, 19021 Freeport St. NW, stated he was present with his associate,Jim Thears. Mr. Briggs discussed existing business projects he has completed in Zimmerman, Big Lake, and Elk River. Mr. Briggs discussed his plan to expand the Elk River Lodges site to include 60 high density residential units by acquiring property to the south of the existing site. Mr. Briggs discussed his difficulty moving forward with his plans when the Saxon site sale fell through. He stated that he could covert the building to apartments without expanding,but it would not be the project he has envisioned. He stated he would like to do an all"green"building similar to what Modern Construction was proposing. Mr. Briggs discussed his request for a five-year Interim Use Permit (IUP), stating that it would take at least a year to obtain financing, complete the land acquisition and then he would need to hire an architect and develop construction plans. He stated that he would be able to provide assurance of the termination of the IUP,by basing certain events on a particular date. Commissioner Larson-Vito asked if Mr. Briggs would be agreeable to a condition that the IUP could not be extended. Mr. Briggs stated yes. Vice Chair Konietzko asked if there could be some type of benchmarks put in place to assure that plans were moving along. Mr. Briggs stated that he has already paid the rental license unit fees to the city. Commissioner Larson-Vito asked if there was a lodging license required, as well. Mr. Briggs stated that he was told the rental fees and rental licensing was processed by the city. Commissioner Larson-Vito stated that she would like some sort of proof that a lodging license from the State was not required. Mr. Carlton stated that he would obtain that verification. There being no further public comment,Vice Chair Konietzko closed the public hearing. Commissioner Larson-Vito stated that she was open to approving the IUP,with specific benchmarks in place to ensure that the project was moving forward. She also stated she would like clarification on whether or not there are State licensing requirements or who has licensing jurisdiction. Vice Chair Konietzko concurred. Commissioner Crook stated he would also like to see benchmarks in place,along the 5-year IUP term. Commissioner Theil stated he was not sure a 5-year term for the IUP was appropriate, since the applicant has already been operating for a while. Vice Chair Konietzko stated he was comfortable with the time line, since projects like this do take time. Commissioner Crook asked the applicant where he was at in the process. Mr. Briggs stated that his contracts for option to purchase the property to the south were about to expire, so he would have to go back and re-negotiate new contracts to acquire the property. He stated that three years would not be enough time. Commissioner Larson-Vito stated that the applicant needs to stay in communication with staff during the IUP term, regarding the benchmarks put in place. Mr. Briggs noted that the