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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, October 08,2012 <br /> Page 7 <br /> not to own the development, but facilitate a private/public partnership that <br /> would best serve the community. <br /> Councilmember Pust noted her continued view that government should not own <br /> the development,but get it into the private market. <br /> Councilmember McGehee expressed her appreciation that the project would not <br /> be low-income; and referenced an article in today's Star Tribune, addressing the <br /> trend for higher end apartments in the suburban metropolitan area. Coun- <br /> cilmember McGehee further addressed comments heard in the past from resi- <br /> dents of former apartments turned into condominium units that continue to ex- <br /> perience structural and environmental problems with those conversions; and <br /> opined that more modern buildings were needed to eliminate issues such as <br /> odors and second hand smoke penetrating other units. <br /> Chair Maschka recognized those concerns, advising that such issues would be <br /> considered during discussions; and also noting that HRA Member Lee had <br /> brought up the need to design buildings for 100 years for alternative uses over <br /> that entire period; and advised that the HRA would push for a great design ac- <br /> cordingly. <br /> Mayor Roe spoke in support of the 100 year design; and life cycle of buildings <br /> that may become different in future generations. <br /> Chair Maschka noted, as an example, the RosePointe complex as a well-built <br /> facility. <br /> Councilmember McGehee noted another example, the low-income senior hous- <br /> ing complex located immediately to the east of Key's Restaurant on Larpenteur <br /> and Lexington. <br /> Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) <br /> A draft MOU was provided for review and discussion (Attachment A contin- <br /> ued), with Chair Maschka reviewing the various provisions. Chair Maschka <br /> noted that one obvious issue was on how to value the Fire Department land, <br /> once it changed uses from a fire station. <br /> At the request of Councilmember Willmus, staff confirmed that the fire station <br /> lot was currently zoned Institutional, with the other lots zoned Single-Family, <br /> and one zoned HDR. <br /> While some would argue that this may be a suitable retail use site, Chair Mas- <br /> chka noted that it was not currently zoned or guided for future zoning for that <br /> purpose. Chair Maschka sought City Council feedback to provide a clear, pre- <br /> cise written understanding between the HRA and City Council. <br />