CC_Minutes_2012_0716 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting AND Board of Adjustments and Appeals Monday,July 16, 2012 Page 33 Mr. Rancone reviewed the history of this project in Twin Lakes since 2001 and the five years taken to develop a mixed use plan for the eighty (80) acres under their ownership in the Twin Lakes Redevelopment Area for comprehensive mixed use development in line with the City's Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Rancone noted the development in 2001 of the Twin Lakes Master Plan showing this corner as service with retail uses included. Mr. Rancone clarified that the intersection of County Road C and Cleveland Avenue provided for, and had always been in- tended, for a natural commercial use, not residential use. Mr. Rancone noted the first proposal in 2006 with the Costco proposal. With the Costco pro- posal, Mr. Rancone noted that there had been a Twin Lakes Stakeholder panel, which included fourteen (14) Roseville citizens, who spent six (6) months determining the best uses for that area. Mr. Rancone opined that there appeared to be a misunderstanding of what a mixed use plan consisted of, noting that while one large retailer was indicated to prompt and support other uses, it had been a majority conclusion that this was the route to follow. Mr. Rancone noted that there had been concerns expressed about additional retail at that time as well; however, based on a comprehensive analysis by staff, a professional urban planner, and citizens serving on that panel, it was their conclusion that the area could support a larger retail use as a draw for other supportive retail and residential uses. Mr. Rancone addressed another apparent disconnect, and noted that this parcel represented less than 1/10 of the development parcel; and that that small portion did not exclude mixed uses, whether or not additional retail is indicated. Mr. Rancone noted that, depending on the mar- ketplace, both in 2001 and now in 2012, other uses may be indicated, and had included upper- scale senior residential uses as well. Continuing his review of the history of attempting to develop this property, Mr. Rancone noted that, in 2001 and initial development of a Costco use at this site, the map called for service use on that corner. With the 2004 Stakeholder's Panel, and an 11th hour Court of Appeals by The Friends of Twin Lakes, and another court case fighting development, Mr. Rancone noted that the Court of Ap- peals had clearly stated that they were not throwing the case out due to the proposed "big box retailer," since, while not recommended in the Plan, it was not precluded; but had made their decision based on the City's practice of attaching Master Plans to its Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Rancone noted, therefore, that based on that taking a super majority vote, and the Plan requir- ing four (4) votes to move forward, it was lacking that super majority. Mr. Rancone reiterated that their decision was not based on Costco as a proposed use, but the decision-making process itself. Mr. Rancone noted that Roseville had subsequently taken that system out of play to avoid a repeat. With that Court ruling, Mr. Rancone noted that a five (5) year project in the making went down the tubes, as well as residential uses proposed for the development; and ul- timately another Roseville business, Rottlund Homes, going out of business as a result. Since then, Mr. Rancone noted that there had been no interest in the market place for an office build- ing, no hospital, or any other pieces or uses.