2012-02-28_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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based on the high traffic volume. Chair DeBenedet suggested that the Commission consider land uses when revisiting the Assessment Policy, such as residential areas (LDR and MDR) versus commercial lots and base assessment percentages on that land use. Chair DeBenedet supported assessing all properties based on a 7 ton, 32' wide street, with commercial and residential treated the same up to a certain limit. Chair DeBenedet noted previous comments of Member Vanderwall on Rosedale Mall's property taxes benefitting the community overall; however, he questioned whether their other benefits (e.g. Fire and Police services) were not part of the discussion as well. Mr. Schwartz concurred that it was a very complicated discussion; and also noted the fiscal disparities situation with the City of Roseville losing 40% of those tax revenues when thrown into the metropolitan area pool, making it difficult for inner-ring suburbs such as Roseville that draw a lot of traffic from the region, creating additional expenses in reconstructing roadways based on that traffic volume from outside the community itself. Ms. Bloom noted that, due to changes in legislation for tax increment financing (TIF), use of that revenue for public improvements were now limited. Chair DeBenedet noted retail square footage tied to parking, traffic controls, etc. and questioned how best to address different types and/or sizes of businesses and how to apportion special assessments, and whether it could be tied to square footage. Ms. Bloom noted the private roads within Rosedale Mall and how to apply those situations, based on frontage and roadway access for one or more parcels. Mr. Schwartz advised that ongoing discussions among City engineer and Public Works associations supported street utilities being allowed, such as the City's utility infrastructure financing that would allow cities to have an alternative funding source that could be area-wide; or addressed with transportation districts to base capital improvement projects on an area-wide basis specific to those capital improvement costs. Ms. Bloom noted the support in the City of Minnetonka from their business community based on identified improvements and area benefits (e.g. Highway 169 and I-494) and applicable assessments; however, she noted that such a transportation utility policy did not move forward. Ms. Bloom reviewed the fundamental basis for a transportation utility was based on trips generated and assessed accordingly, similar to what was done for the Twin Lakes Redevelopment Area. Mr. Schwartz noted that it was still supported by many, including Chamber of Commerce groups, but with the current legislature, it was not moving forward at this time, and hadn't even though under discussion for the last 15-20 years. Page 10 of 13