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City Council Minutes May 6, 2024 --------- Page 5 of 6 Ken Lueck, 11388 198th Avenue - is opposed to the project per the comments in his handout. Joshua Stark 503 Whitegate Lane, Wayzata, stated he works for the adjacent Harley Davidson business and he is opposed to the project because it seems rushed and the area is already congested with traffic. Mayor Dietz closed the public comments. Councilmember Wagner agreed with the Planning Commissions consensus opposing the project. She stated it is a good project but a bad location because the city is at a shortage of space for highway commercial businesses and she would like the parcel to remain highway business zoning. Councilmember Beyer stated it is a good project but not the right location or the right timing. He stated the current traffic levels create a prime location for a business to want to locate. He further noted the city is working on a housing study, has a lot of commitments for apartments being built currently, so we need the completed study to determine future needs. Councilmember Grupa concurred. He further stated workforce housing is a new name for subsidized housing and he is not sure we need more of this type of housing. Councilmember Westgaard stated he is not opposed to considering this parcel for a rezoning to allow an apartment building. He noted the parcel has been vacant for 30 years and if it is such a prime location, then why hasn't a commercial business built on it yet. He stated he does have concerns for density on this parcel and he would expect all city requirements to be met, including setbacks, fire access, and proof of parking. He stated there is a lot of traffic in the area but a permitted commercial use may not produce any less traffic. He stated an apartment complex would make sense in this location as a buffer between the commercial and residential areas. He stated whatever project happens on this parcel, the park trail access would still need to be maintained. He stated there is a shortage of housing statewide and a need for workforce housing that is affordable to all income levels; noting all businesses need employees at all income levels. Mayor Diez concurred with Council comments, noting this is a valuable commercial lot at a time when the city doesn't have a lot of commercial space. He warned the neighbors that a commercial business will generate a lot of traffic and that the new highway system makes the parcel more valuable. He further expressed that the apartment building is squeezing too much onto to small of a parcel. The consensus of the City Council is they are not interested in this project at this location at this time. 11.2 Waco Street Signal Flashing Yellow Conversion Mr. Sandhoefner presented the staff report. The City Council felt this project was not a good use of money at this time and the city should wait until 2029 when the project was due to be completed by MnDOT. 11.3 Minnesota 2023 Public Safety Aid Mr. Portner presented the report.