5.1. - 5.4. SR 11-01-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Economic Development Authority :Minutes October 11, 2004 Page 3 ----------------------------------------- 7. Cit;y Council Goal Setting- Work Session with Boards and Commissions Director of Economic Development Mehelich noted that the EDA is asked to provide input at the joint Boards and Commissions meeting on their goals and projects as identified in the Strategic Plan. 8. Consider Recommendation to Cit;y Council on Land Use Amendment and Zone Chang-e - Elk River Business Park Ms. Mehelich reviewed the request by the owners of Elk River Business Park, 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 Furniture store to be constructed. Ms. Mehelich reviewed staff's findings for their recommendation of denial of the requests. Rick Martens, representing the applicant, discussed his reasons why he felt the request should be approved, including: the quality of the buildings/users; the higher value of this site; no loading dock facing _???; the Business Park District does allow some showroom/retail space; economic conditions have created a weak market for potential business park users; and, a number of quality jobs would be created. Troy Top_, 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 action 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 Gagne'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, 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 business park be included. He felt that since the business 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. Ms. Mehelich stated that she could research the files to find out who made comments on the issue. 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 the tractor supply would be, and encouraged Masxun to build on that site, instead of the business park site.