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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – NOVEMBER 28, 2016 2 <br /> <br />Interim City Planner Zweber explained the cost of the parks is addressed in the memorandum <br />from Stacie Kvilvang from Ehlers to be discussed later on this agenda. An agreement on the <br />payment of parks costs can be discussed at the December 12 City Council Work Session. <br /> <br />Interim City Planner Zweber stated there was concern about the control of the future use of the <br />Civic property was raised at the November 21 Work Session. Staff has discussed with the City <br />Attorney the City’s options if a civic use could not be identified and a rezoning was requested to <br />another use. Since the uses allowed in the Civic zone are not normally revenue generating, recent <br />court decisions would support a rezoning to another zone that has economic opportunities. If the <br />City Council is concerned about the future land uses of the Civic property, two of the available <br />opportunities existing for some surety of its ultimate use include: <br /> <br />1. The City’s acquisition of the property. <br />2. An agreement with the developer including at least: <br />a. A minimum timeframe in which a civic use will be pursued. <br />b. The opportunity for the City to acquire the property after that timeframe has <br />expired. <br />c. The general use of the property if the City chooses not to acquire the <br />property. <br /> <br />Interim City Planner Zweber indicated there may be additional options available. Staff requests <br />direction from the City Council on the surety that is needed about the ultimate use of the Civic <br />property. Staff discussed the proposed zoning for Town Center and requested feedback from the <br />Council. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant questioned how the Council wanted to manage the Civic District. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden believed the City Attorney made it very clear that the City of Arden <br />Hills would not own this property. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant was in favor of the City acquiring the Civic property, which was 1.6 acres in size. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes asked how much this property would cost. <br /> <br />Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers & Associates, stated the developer would be acquiring this property from <br />the County and the City would then have to purchase the property from the developer. If the City <br />were not to purchase the Civic property, it would have to be rezoned. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wicklund inquired how long it would take the City to acquire this property. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung encouraged the City to purchase the Civic property and to come up <br />with plans for the property over the next five to seven years. <br /> <br />Bob Lux, Alatus, stated he was working to bring certainty into the development and did not want <br />to see the Civic property sit vacant for too long. It was his hope that the City would develop this <br />site as it would be a great focal point for the Town Center. He supported a seven to ten-year <br />timeframe.