05-09-2005 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . City Council Minutes May 9, 2005 Page 2 agenda for formal action. The Council in the past had directed that taxes be paid or the license be revoked. Mary Edwards from Fairview Services gave an update regarding the hospital to be built in Maple Grove and the status of the legislation. There are three groups vying to build at this location and the House currently has selected North Memorial Hospital. 5. Worksession 5.1. Council Open Forum There were no items presented for discussion. 5.2. Discuss HRA's Redevelopment Concept/Narrative Description for North of Highway 10 Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz explained that the HRA wished to have input from the City Council in regards to the redevelopment concept and narrative description for the downtown area north of Highway 10. Chair Wilson stated that when they learned about Arrow Building Center vacating their building, that started the HRA talking about redevelopment possibilities in this part of the city. They decided to start along J ackson Avenue. Councilmember Gumphrey inquired as to what uses the Mixed Use area would include. Chair Wilson stated Mixed Use could include retail, office, or housing and that this decision was a struggle especially along Jackson. Commissioner Motin stated that the HRA is showing Single Family Rehab on the west side of Irving and not sure if this will allow the Mixed Use portion to be viable, there may be parking issues, and it may need more space. Councilmember Farber was concerned about the small lots along Jackson and felt that the Mixed Use Area should be extended to Irving. Commissioner Toth stated that the commissioners realize the lots are small and he had concerns with Irving and felt it was advantageous to have commercial in the backyard of homeowners rather than the homeowners along Irving having it in their front yard. There is also a sewer line that runs under the alley. Mayor Klinzing inquired about townhouses and would they be included in Mixed Use. Chair Wilson stated that townhomes would not be in this area. Perhaps houses and retail along Jackson; in the south more Office Retail. Mayor Klinzing inquired if they had decided on higher density between Irving and Freeport. Mr. Wilson stated that the HRA decided that the integrity of that neighborhood should stay in place as a Single Family area and requested input on higher density housing for the area along the west side of Irving. Commissioner Kuester stated that traffic patterns are very crucial. Mayor Klinzing stated that she was envisioning this area being developed much the same as the redevelopment being done in the City of Big Lake (around the church where old homes were tom down and row townhouses built). Mayor Klinzing expressed concerns of Mixed Use along Jackson to be limiting.