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AttachmentF <br />were based on a vacant piece of land on which a viable company was being proposed. Member Lester <br />534 <br />opined that Wal-Mart was a stable company; and further opined that the Comprehensive Plan supported <br />535 <br />such a retail use; and the need was evident for bringing in an initial development to further future <br />536 <br />development of the area. Member Lester advised that he supported the proposal and would support it. <br />537 <br />Member Gisselquist <br /> thanked the public for their comments. Member Gisselquist advised that the <br />538 <br />Preliminary Plat portion of the request was an easy decision; basically assembling parcels of land for a <br />539 <br />proposed use, and it made sense to approve that request. <br />540 <br />However, Member Gisselquist advised that he struggled with disposal of the land when applying it to <br />541 <br />the Comprehensive Plan until he reviewed the Twin Lakes Master Plan on line and reviewed that <br />542 <br />language. In referring back to previous discussions about a proposed Costco, Member Gisselquist <br />543 <br />opined that it appeared they had been chased out as the big box “bogey man.” <br />544 <br />Member Gisselquist advised that he would support the Preliminary Plat and land disposal. <br />545 <br />In recognizing that the big box use served as the elephant in the room and remained present, Member <br />546 <br />Gisselquist opined that it had nothing to do with the request before the Commission; but assured that the <br />547 <br />Commission had heard the concerns expressed by those speaking tonight; and noted that Member <br />548 <br />Boguszewski had shared considerations on the other side of the issue as well. <br />549 <br />Member Gisselquist stated that one part of being a Planning Commissioner was that he didn’t like <br />550 <br />hearing criticisms of those seeking to come into the community. As a former “Richfield guy,” Member <br />551 <br />Gisselquist advised that he took comments personally when they dished his former neighborhood. After <br />552 <br />thirty (30) years, Member Gisselquist opined that it was time to do something in the Twin Lakes area, <br />553 <br />referencing his personal observations when last biking in the area of four foot (4’) grass growing <br />554 <br />through broken asphalt, vacant spaces, and graffiti abounding. Member Gisselquist assured residents <br />555 <br />that there was already a good police presence in the area based on his experience he shared as an <br />556 <br />example. Member Gisselquist opined that the area was currently a wasteland and he supported someone <br />557 <br />developing it; and while it will continue to be controversial, it was the right thing to do. <br />558 <br />Member Strohmeier <br /> thanked the public for their comments; and respectfully disagreed with other <br />559 <br />commissioners that the Commission’s hands were tied regarding the Plat, opining that this was a major <br />560 <br />planning decision and a big deal. Member Strohmeier referenced various guiding documents showing <br />561 <br />that big box retail is not something that will benefit a community, including the Twin Lakes Master <br />562 <br />Plan, as well as sections of the Comprehensive Plan as displayed by Mr. Grefenberg and his comments, <br />563 <br />some of which he may disagree with. However, Member Strohmeier did recognize the numerous <br />564 <br />inconsistencies pointed out by Mr. Grefenberg. Member Strohmeier opined that he would agree with the <br />565 <br />Statement of Purpose for Commercial Mixed Use Districts, and the lack of a pedestrian, rather than <br />566 <br />vehicle-centered use. Member Strohmeier opined that this was simply one more way to add to the <br />567 <br />community’s frustration in their apparent lack of a role in a role in local government, and expressed his <br />568 <br />disappointment in the current public process. Member Strohmeier advised that he would be voting in <br />569 <br />opposition to both requested actions. <br />570 <br />Chair Boerigter <br /> thanked the public for their comments, and noted his rationale in allowing for some <br />571 <br />flexibility with the broad-based comments even when outside the specific scope being considered <br />572 <br />tonight; recognizing that this was a Public Hearing needing to allow a forum for those public comments. <br />573 <br />However, Chair Boerigter emphasized that the Commission’s decision-making needed to focus on the <br />574 <br />limited scope of the Preliminary Plat and city-owned property disposal. <br />575 <br />Chair Boerigter opined that he didn’t personally think this was outside the Comprehensive Plan, but that <br />576 <br />it actually fit with the Comprehensive Plan and work done by the City over the last 5-6 years as a <br />577 <br />Planning Commission and City Council to guide Twin Lakes development. <br />578 <br />Page13of14 <br /> <br />