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<br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />City Council Minutes <br />May 3, 1982 <br />Page Eight <br /> <br />indicated that questions were raised as to the necessity of the proposed 110,000 <br />square foot shopping center and further indicated that the Barthel development <br />group has been requested to show the need for that size shopping center. The City <br />Administrator indicated that questions were raised regarding the possibility of <br />vacant excess space in the new proposed shopping center or will the downtown area <br />be left vacant. The City Administrator further indicated that these questions must <br />be answered before the Planning Commission can approve the project. <br /> <br />Mayor Hinkle indicated that those questions were not out of order, as the <br />Barthel development group is looking for some kind of financial support by <br />means of tax increment financing or industrial revenue bonds. <br /> <br />Mr. Gary Santwire indicated that the original concept of an 80,000 square foot <br />building was approved but the size has rapidly grown and further indicated that <br />he felt that this was a very crit.ical issue in the progress of the approval of <br />the planned unit development. Mr. Santwire further indicated that the size of <br />the shopping center will have a definite impact on the downtown area and further <br />indicated that he opposed the possibility of tax increment financing. <br /> <br />Councilman Duitsman asked Mr. Santwire if he was opposed to tax increment financ- <br />ing for public improvements, and further indicated that it was his feeling <br />that the City should help developers in the City of Elk River. <br /> <br />Mr. Santwire indicated that if the planned unit development would proceed with <br />their original plan of a 50,000 to 80,000 square foot shopping center which would <br />allow for the downtown to grow as well. The public improvement of the street <br />would be necessary, linking the two areas, but if the planned unit development <br />is allowed to have a 110,000 square foot building, there would not be a need for <br />the downtown and a street to link the two areas. <br /> <br />The City Administrator indicated that he had met with the City's attorney, Mr. <br />Dave Sellergren and the City Planner, Mr. Zack Johnson, regarding the proposal <br />by the Barthel development group and further indicated that it was their feeling <br />that the Barthel people must provide the information to. the City Council before <br />a decision can be made. The City Administrator further indicated that the City <br />Council must keep the issues of finance and land use separate as they are two <br />definite different issues. The City Administrator further indicated that the <br />Barthel development group have been asked to do a market study as to the needs of <br />the community. <br /> <br />Mr. Gary Santwire indicated that he would be asking for site plan approval of a <br />50,000 square foot building in his planned unit development at the next Planning <br />Commission meeting and he would then make a request to the City Council for <br />industrial revenue bonds. <br /> <br />Councilman Duitsman indicated that he felt that it was necessary to keep the <br />downtown area but that there is also a need to expand in the City of Elk River. <br /> <br />The City Administrator indicated that the Barthel planned unit development project <br />would not be ready for a specially scheduled Planning Commission meeting, but <br />there may be other items to be conSidered at a special meeting. The City Admin- <br />istrator further indicated that the Barthel group have proposed a tour of other <br />