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Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes – Wednesday, July 11, 2012 Page 2 Mr. Lloyd referred Commissioners to Sections 5.0 of the staff report, noting that the 44 Planning Commission was responsible for holding the Public Hearing for such 45 applications as this; however, the Public Works/Engineering Department had reviewed 46 the proposed VACATION and concluded all explicit or implied roadway interests in the 47 identified area would not compromise the transportation interests of the public. A history 48 and record of the property was detailed in the staff report dated September 5, 2012; with 49 no recommended conditions for the approval. 50 At the request of Member Boguszewski, Mr. Lloyd clarified the area of this approval, 51 adjacent to previously vacated ten foot (10’) strips of land; and this action would be 52 necessary to allow any development of the site. 53 At the request of Member Strohmeier, City Planner Thomas Paschke reviewed the 54 history of the parcel, why and how the City originally acquired the property, and for what 55 purpose; as detailed in the Request for Planning Commission Action dated September 5, 56 2012. Mr. Paschke noted that, other than for a written document outlining original City 57 interest for purpose of a public roadway for that strip, some dating back to the 1940’s to 58 provide residual portions of rights-of-way for extension of Mount Ridge Road, determined 59 in the early 2000’s as no longer needed, the City had no actual ownership of the property. 60 Mr. Paschke further noted that this action was intended to formally clear up any title 61 discrepancies in the paperwork with the Ramsey County Recorder and/or Assessor’s 62 Offices. 63 At the request of Member Strohmeier, Mr. Paschke confirmed that the City no longer 64 required any interest in retaining this property for public roadway or rights-of-way 65 purposes, since the road was now designed and completed in accordance with current 66 design for the Twin Lakes Redevelopment Area. 67 Mr. Lloyd concurred, noting that the forty foot (40’) section adjacent to this strip had 68 already been vacated, and the City was in the process of selling the larger piece, there 69 was no longer any necessity in retaining this piece for public roadway purposes. 70 At the request of Member Lester, Mr. Paschke confirmed that the northern line of the 71 parcel would become part of the parking for the proposed Wal Mart development, at least 72 as indicated in their conceptual design; and consistent with the revised goals since the 73 early 2000’s that Mount Ridge Road would never connect to County Road C, but provide 74 a terminus into a parking lot. 75 At the request of Member Lester, Mr. Paschke reviewed the rationale for designing the 76 two (2) roundabouts in the Twin Lakes area as the most effective design to accommodate 77 traffic volumes, congestion and other amenities as the area redevelops. 78 At the request of Member Cunningham regarding Section 4.9 of the staff report, Mr. Lloyd 79 advised that the timing of this request had already far-exceeded the sixty (60) day review 80 period, since the application to vacate this portion came in during January or February of 81 2012 with the entire plat application. Mr. Lloyd noted that this particular portion had been 82 held back until it was determined whether or not this area actually needed to be vacated; 83 and subsequent final action on the Plat by the City Council. 84 At the request of Member Boguszewski, Mr. Lloyd reviewed the process for vacation 85 approval by the Planning Commission and City Council respectively. 86 At the request of Member Lester, staff clarified the rationale in why this approval was 87 being done independent of previous vacation discussions and actions, based on the 88 City’s original ownership of the parcel and not having been originally incorporated into the 89 plat. 90 At the request of Member Strohmeier, Mr. Lloyd displayed various maps and reviewed 91 property areas to clarify ownership of the parcels adjacent to Twin Lakes Parkway and 92 the Mount Ridge Road roundabout, as incorporated into the final plat; with all property 93 transactions negotiated and addressed in the property closings and execution of a 94 Development Agreement. Mr. Lloyd clarified that the City would not vacate rights-of-way 95