CCP 04-29-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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e . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES MARCH 18, 2002 r~ lj ',->l"-'1t..(,.- L; :.; ... iI ;;0 (i. 3 Mayor Probst stated it seems the majority of the Council supports the Ccntex team. He asked the Council Members what their thoughts were regarding engaging in an independent process of planning; discussing issues with a consultant, perhaps exploring several different options for development Council Member Aplikowski suggested including the Planning Commission and other groups in the process. Council Member Larson said it seems to be a good thing to have the consortium hear the input from the public which also gives the City Council more information about the partner. Council Member Grant asked if tbe consensus was Centex/OPUS. Mayor Probst said yes. Council Member Rem expressed her discomfort concerning the time-table of the project, Mayor Probst said he was not prepared to be specific about a time-table at this time, stating the entire process has suffered a bit because of the concern of the public, and encourages engaging the Design Center for American Urban Landscape Center staff as a third party resource, He noted the expense for this would be fronted by the partner, Council Member Grant suggested the City stay uphold the vision of the Vento Plan. Planner Parrish said staff would need direction from the Council of a firm regarding the nature of the agreement between the City and the developer. The City would need to retain a development attorney, and staff would begin to negotiate a preliminary development agreement, with the City maintaining control over the process. Council Member Larson suggested if the City were going to approach residents for input, the City also should have a vision, explaining that the perfect time to go out and get input from the public is before an agreement is executed, Council Member Grant stated if the City went to the public for comments, we would want the framework of the Vento plan as a starting point, Council Aplikowski asked if the Town Hall meeting [April 20] would offer an opportunity for these comments. Mayor Probst stated he would cover this in his State of the City Address, Administrator Lynch stated he envisions a ninety day window of opportunity with the developer, and in that, would find out the decision on the Army National Guard property request He stated further that if they [Army] are ready, a decision to activate the land transfer could begin initiating a first round of public meetings occurring in May, 2002,