Laserfiche WebLink
Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday,July 24, 2017 <br /> Page 5 <br /> area had and was continuing to prove successful, but questioned its continued vi- <br /> ability 23 years from now or the status of those businesses as they redeveloped <br /> and/or changed ownership. Commissioner Gitzen noted his uncertainty by the <br /> commission or City Council on its future. <br /> Chair Murphy noted that the immediate area at the west and rear of the Byerly's <br /> strip mall was ripe for redevelopment if not the entire corridor. <br /> Councilmember Etten noted the discussions about redeveloping that area over the <br /> last few years, and therefore agreed with the commission's comments. However, <br /> when talking about 23 years from now, Councilmember Etten also suggested con- <br /> sidering a higher and better use for any and all strip malls in the community, in- <br /> cluding recognizing different ways to use parking lot space and potential devel- <br /> opment. <br /> Specific to the mixed use concept as part of their discussion, Commissioner Kim- <br /> ble reviewed the commission's discussion about attracting developers and market- <br /> rate housing in Roseville, with the metropolitan area showing that a mix of hous- <br /> ing and retail attracted users and developers. <br /> Chair Murphy concurred, using the Cities of St. Louis Park and Edina as success- <br /> ful examples. <br /> At the request of Councilmember Etten, Chair Murphy clarified that the commis- <br /> sion was suggesting a general direction for the Byerly's area in considering mixed <br /> uses, similar to that of the current Har Mar Mall area and based in part on the <br /> comments and feedback from residents during community engagement efforts to- <br /> date. <br /> Councilmember Etten recognized the significant feedback received in recent <br /> walk-abouts by neighbors of the Har Mar Mall area. <br /> In looking at parking and surface mass involved, Councilmember Willmus opined <br /> that sometimes the dual and practical role served by those areas was overlooked <br /> (e.g. snow storage), and asked that it be kept in mind with future discussion. <br /> For the most part, Mayor Roe expressed agreement with his colleagues. In terms <br /> of terminology and titles of land use designations, Mayor Roe stated that he <br /> wasn't so concerned with continuity as long as the underlying meaning wasn't <br /> dramatically changed, opining that often new terminology provided better under- <br /> standing. <br /> In areas of suggested update and those proposing the most notable changes, <br /> Mayor Roe reiterated the importance of including neighbors in those areas to en- <br /> sure that their voice was being heard and to alert them to proposed changes early <br />