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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,July 17,2017 Page 16 Councilmember Willmus asked staff to explore the zoning designation of B-2 and what types of uses were permitted. City Planner Thomas Paschke noted that B-2 designation had been replaced in 2010 with Community Business District designation, with the city having at that time 4-5 business classifications and varying permitted uses. Mr. Paschke ad- vised that B-2 was not of limited nature but intended as a step-up toward the mid- dle rather than high end uses (e.g. Regional Business District). With the strip center on County Road D used as an example by Mayor Roe, Mr. Paschke confirmed that B-2 zoning designation at that time would have permitted such a use. Discussion ensued regarding Community Mixed Use (CMU) as an option with continued use of higher densities as well as business uses, creating more concerns. Councilmember McGehee opined that a business designation would prove more beneficial to the city's tax base, as well as taking into account the HDR already in the area in Roseville,New Brighton and the Village of St. Anthony. Councilmember Etten stated his interest in recognizing neighborhood comments and development on this site, recognizing their concern in meeting the city's tree preservation ordinance. However, Councilmember Etten noted that a business use if allowed would result in more impervious surface than typical housing, as well as less tree coverage and green space, and having much more potential for traffic congestion. Specific to traffic and speed issues, as he'd stated in previous meetings, Coun- cilmember Etten suggested that the city solve those identified problems as it had done on the east side of I-35W including working with neighboring cities. Councilmember Etten opined this was a good spot for HDR with transit along County Road D and west into the Village of St. Anthony developments and south into the City of Minneapolis. Councilmember Etten opined that the transportation issue had been a huge reason why the proposed development looked at this parcel and that it had scored highly with outside funders. Councilmember Etten also noted other uses abutting this site including major roads, businesses, and medium and high density housing, stating that he'd be much more concerned with the pro- posed development if it was in the middle of single-family residential. Mayor Roe agreed with the comments about businesses and the perspective of down-zoning from Business to HDR. Specific to transit, Mayor Roe added to Councilmember Etten's comments the availability of the Metro Transit's Park and Ride facility in Twin Lakes as another