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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—NOVEMBER 28, 2016 2 Interim City Planner Zweber explained the cost of the parks is addressed in the memorandum from Stacie Kvilvang from Ehlers to be discussed later on this agenda. An agreement on the payment of parks costs can be discussed at the December 12 City Council Work Session. Interim City Planner Zweber stated there was concern about the control of the future use of the Civic property was raised at the November 21 Work Session. Staff has discussed with the City Attorney the City's options if a civic use could not be identified and a rezoning was requested to another use. Since the uses allowed in the Civic zone are not normally revenue generating, recent court decisions would support a rezoning to another zone that has economic opportunities. If the City Council is concerned about the future land uses of the Civic property, two of the available opportunities existing for some surety of its ultimate use include: I. The City's acquisition of the property. 2. An agreement with the developer including at least: a. A minimum timeframe in which a civic use will be pursued. b. The opportunity for the City to acquire the property after that timeframe has expired. C. The general use of the property if the City chooses not to acquire the property. Interim City Planner Zweber indicated there may be additional options available. Staff requests direction from the City Council on the surety that is needed about the ultimate use of the Civic property. Staff discussed the proposed zoning for Town Center and requested feedback from the Council. Mayor Grant questioned how the Council wanted to manage the Civic District. Councilmember Holden believed the City Attorney made it very clear that the City of Arden Hills would not own this property. Mayor Grant was in favor of the City acquiring the Civic property, which was 1.6 acres in size. Councilmember Holmes asked how much this property would cost. Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers & Associates, stated the developer would be acquiring this property from the County and the City would then have to purchase the property from the developer. If the City were not to purchase the Civic property, it would have to be rezoned. Councilmember Wicklund inquired how long it would take the City to acquire this property. Councilmember McClung encouraged the City to purchase the Civic property and to come up with plans for the property over the next five to seven years. Bob Lux, Alatus, stated he was working to bring certainty into the development and did not want to see the Civic property sit vacant for too long. It was his hope that the City would develop this site as it would be a great focal point for the Town Center. He supported a seven to ten-year timeframe.