CC_Minutes_2008_0317 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

1 Redevelopment Area had held a strong interest in the area for years, and were 2 interested in the development being successful as well. Mr. Fabel advised that it was 3 the consensus at McGough that it was the right time for them to step in. Mr. Fabel 4 advised that it was also consensus at McGough that the area adjacent to Langton 5 Lake and Park was suited to a corporate client, and was attractive to a corporate 6 client due to its visibility and accessibility to freeways and retail amenities, in addition 7 to the Roseville area labor pool. Mr. Fabel noted that this was a very unique site from 8 the commercial development perspective, and it was McGough's belief that this type 9 of site could attract office uses from the downtown St. Paul and/or Minneapolis 10 business area, and would be marketed as such to that type of corporate client. 1 1 Mr. Fabel advised that McGough Development had hosted a neighborhood meeting 12 last week, with only eleven (11) people in attendance due in part to frigid 13 temperatures; and expressed interest in hearing more public comment at tonight's 14 meeting to allow further development of the concept plan for the proposed project and 15 additional cost modeling as they continued to meet with staff to meet city-wide goals 16 as well, and seek ultimate Concept Plan approval. 17 Discussion between the developer and Commissioners included the proposed tenant 18 mix, with the developer anticipating a significant number of the jobs being "head of 19 household" jobs with higher wages; discussion of the proposed laboratory, its location 20 as asingle-story, and proposed flexibility of its use; as well as utilizing green building 21 design and construction. 22 Bake Baker 23 Mr. Baker spoke to the concept of using green construction; however, advised that 24 while they were very actively working on a number of sustainable projects, the 25 company's objective in development work was for testing the ever-evolving 26 marketplace, and finding markets that were willing to pay rent premiums for those 27 amenities. Mr. Baker advised that LEED certification, at a minimum, would be 28 included. 29 Further discussion included the level of environmental clean up for office park versus 30 residential uses, with Commissioner Wozniak advocating for the site to be cleaned up 31 to residential standards to facilitate future use; recognition that this site was what 32 initiated shoreland ordinance development throughout the State of MN; anticipated 33 timeframe for construction (Spring of 2008) based on approval timing and construction 34 start; and complications of the development to the developer and the City, in addition 35 to a potential tenant, thus creating an aggressive timetable for project start and to 36 provide a lease rate to any potential tenants. 37 Mr. Fabel noted that this site is very unique, and one of very few opportunities for 38 contiguous office footage in the northern suburbs, with great access and visibility. 39 Additional discussion included Section 8.8 of the staff report related to Design Review 40 Committee (DRC) concerns, ongoing discussions, and resolution for construction of 41 Twin Lakes Parkway and other roadways within the redevelopment area; limitations of 42 staff as all roadway parcels were not owned or under control of a single master 43 developer for the roadway network, and considerations for individual parcels, as well 44 as the entire redevelopment site. 45 Further discussion included adhering to the Twin Lakes Urban Design application 46 process for construction appearances; additional pedestrian and trail connections 47 throughout the system and the site; building placement and design durability; new 48 urbanism approach design principles upon which the developer and staff were 49 primarily in agreement; and challenges to the developer in balancing building 50 placement in relationship to the outside edges (street frontage) and lake views for the 51 corporate office building, while accommodating a strong corporate identify for the 52 tenant(s).