CC_Minutes_2012_0514 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday,May 14, 2012 Page 10 Mayor Roe briefly reviewed the history of the Twin Lakes area, and the City's past active development role in seeking a Master Development process in 2005 for an overall plan for the entire area to follow the City's objective, as well as the demise and ineffectiveness of that role. Councilmember Johnson concurred, noting the significant cost to the City; and asked Commissioners for their thoughts on that previous process, timing of the current process, and if and/or how to take advantage of the current economic situation. Councilmember McGehee noted that, when first looking at the allocation plan and regulating map, she had suggested further review and had asked the Plan- ning Department if they had brought together landowners from that area to seek their input and ideas as potential developers, and what they would like to see develop, knowing what the City preferred. Councilmember McGehee opined that those preferences included other housing options, additional green space, alternate (Class A) office space, and a corporate campus of some type. Coun- cilmember McGehee suggested that they be consulted now for their input as a group, since they had a vested interest in what developed or didn't develop there, which had been made clear in their lawsuit about infrastructure allocation fees. Commissioner Boguszewski opined that, in his few discussions with owners, they were basically desperate to sell their properties; and he personally ques- tioned if there were any ideas there. Regarding Class A office space as an ex- ample, Commissioner Boguszewski noted that, despite efforts of the City to reach out and offer enticements to companies, there may be no private business interested in Class A office space on that site. Commissioner Boguszewski ad- vised that there may be some things that the City simply couldn't overcome, whether due to the interstate and/or rail line in the immediate vicinity serving as detriments versus enhancing development, even if the City was to offer tax in- centives. Commissioner Boguszewski opined that he disagreed that Wal-mart was a detriment to citizens, even though his research had shown that in some in- stances it could be, he noted a similar number of developments where it had been a positive influence. From his perspective, Commissioner Boguszewski opined that the Comprehensive Plan was not clear, and while many visions had been articulated in many different ways over the years, the regulating map pro- vided yet another way to facilitate development of this area. However, absent any real idea or business while deliberating the regulating map and plan, Com- missioner Boguszewski opined that he felt the design standards were forced, and creating very little that could be found against the Wal-mart proposal. Even if the parameters were clear, Commissioner Boguszewski opined that there would apparently remain strong controversy in the community.