Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />City Council Minutes <br />July 19, 1982 <br />Page Four <br /> <br />not satisfied. Ms. Gunkel further connnented on her personal thoughts regarding <br />the Barthel Planned Unit Development. Ms. Gunkel indicated that she felt the <br />proposed 55,000 sq. ft. shopping facility without a mall is used as a leverage <br />for the Council to obtain approval for a large facility that could contain a <br />mall. Ms. Gunkel further indicated that the City has not addressed the street <br />problems, the storm sewer problems and the water problem to service the planned <br />unit development, and further indicated that the proposed 75,000 sq. ft. facility <br />does not fit into the scheme of the redevelopment plan for the City of Elk River. <br /> <br />Mr. Steve Johnson, a representative of the downtown business district, indicated <br />that he felt a 75,000 sq. ft. shopping facility in the Barthel Planned Unit <br />Development would cause the downtown connnunity to deteriorate, in which case <br />everyone would lose. Mr. Johnson further indicated that the downtown connnunity <br />is determined to maintain the downtown and that they welcome fair competition. <br />Mr. Johnson indicated that the City Council must consider what is best for the <br />whole connnunity and further indicated that he felt the City Council should con- <br />sider the Planning Connnission's reconnnendation. <br /> <br />Councilman Schuldt again indicated that he felt the reconnnendation should come <br />from the Planning Connnission prior to Council approval. Gary Santwire indicated <br />that if the developers were happy and satisfied with a 55,000 square foot facility, <br />and that the downtown connnunity would accept a 55,000 square foot facility, the <br />motion could be amended for approval. <br /> <br />Councilman Toth questioned the number of stores proposed in the 55,000 square <br />foot facility and the rental costs should a mall be included in the 55,000 square <br />foot facility versus rental costs for a 75,000 square foot facility. The City <br />Administrator indicated that the costs for streets, storm sewer and water would <br />be approximately the same regarding the size of the facility at 55,000 sq. ft. or <br />75,000 square feet. <br /> <br />Mr. Laura Mansky, representative from the Barthel Planned Unit Development, in- <br />dicated that due to the elimination of a mall in the 55,000 square foot facility, <br />the rents should remain about the same as compared to the 75,000 square foot <br />facility. <br /> <br />Councilman Toth further indicated that it was his feeling that the report from <br />Mr. Showalter would not have been submitted had it not been favorable for the <br />downtown people. Mr. Rob VanValkenburg indicated that Mr. Showalter was in- <br />structed to provide unbiased information regarding the development in the com- <br />munity of Elk River. Councilman Toth indicated that he believes the proposed <br />Barthel Planned Unit Development has caused the downtown connnunity to become <br />aware of the possibilities of what may happen and has caused them to get some- <br />thing done about their downtown connnunity. <br /> <br />Representatives of the downtown connnunity indicated that they have improved their <br />store fronts and have done most of their improvements through their own retained <br />earnings without outside help. <br /> <br />Councilman Duitsman indicated that he felt the City Council could issue a con- <br />ditional use permit to the Barthel people with the stipulation that the streets, <br />