11-22-1982 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes November 22, 1982 Page Four Ms. Estelle Gunkel contributed the following statement to the discussion of the Barthel Planned Unit Development project: "Members of the Council: In my oplnlon, the decision you make on this matter will have a major impact on the future of Elk River. I have spent too much time studying, researching, thinking, and discussing this particular PUD development to sit here silently. I have been involved with it since its inception both as a private citizen and as a member of the Planning Commission. I spent eight hours on this item alone getting ready for our October 26 Planning Commission meeting. I do not agree with the Planning Commission recommendation for approval of a conditional use permit that would allow a maximum of 150,000 square feet of commercial development (105,000 in main area and 45,000 in a separate area). We have a responsibility to provide a means for adequate facilities in Elk River" but not to the point of being ridiculous. I think that 150,000 sq. ft. has the potential of destroying any other commercial areas or of being a real disaster in its own right. The criteria for a planned unit development is very clearly spelled out in our zoning ordinances. Yet, the Barthel people have consistently muddled the entire process by not having adequate information and by continually changing the size and specs of the main commercial site. All of us (city staff, Planning Commission, and City Council) have allowed this to continue. It appears that all this messing around has resulted in a loss of credibility for the Planning Commission and the City Council. I would just like to comment that if this is an indication of how we and the Barthel people will continue to operate, I'm not looking forward.to the years ahead. It's been frustrating at best. After many months of discussion, the Planning Commission and City Council finally agreed on the indication to Barthel of approval for a maximum of 75,000 sq. ft. for the main site at completion of the project. Two of you even wrote letters to vote in favor of 75,000 sq. ft. maximum for this site in case you missed a meeting for a conditional use permit that was expected to be held in August. Now, true to form, they have come before you with a proposal for a maximum size of 105,000 in the main area alone. I'm just as tired as anyone else of discussing this issue. But not tired enough to say "Yes" just to get it off my back. I hope you have gone back over all your notes, information, and minutes from past meetings on this PUD.