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Regular City Council Meeting <br />Monday, March 29, 2010 <br />Page 11 <br />available placement for Institutional uses other than in Mixed Use areas; and <br />opined that they were too restrictive. Councilmember Roe noted that the Com- <br />prehensive Plan addressed Parks and Open Space land uses allowing them in any <br />area not specifically excluding them and suggested that Institutional uses be <br />treated similarly and consistently. <br />Discussion ensued between Councilmembers and staff on those designated areas <br />available for Institutional uses in residential versus other potential land use desig- <br />nated areas. <br />Mayor Klausing concurred with Councilmember Roe's observations; and spoke in <br />support of allowing Institutional uses in a broader range of spaces; however, he <br />noted the problematic broad range of permitted uses within that Institutional cate- <br />gory; and concerns with smaller neighborhood churches versus a larger mega or <br />regional church and where they were applicable. <br />Mayor Klausing focused tonight's discussion on the options available and neces- <br />sary immediately as it related to this application and longer-range issues and po- <br />tential revisions of the City's zoning ordinance. <br />Councilmember Ihlan opined that, in order for this request to be granted, it would <br />be necessary to amend the Comprehensive Plan, as the first order of business; not- <br />ing that this issue did not come up at the Steering Committee level, and that larger <br />community discussion was necessary prior to making any amendment. <br />Councilmember Roe spoke in support of a specific designation for Institutional <br />use in the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code, determining those uses as ap- <br />propriate and allowed by definition in those locations; and for current church use <br />be in amulti-family designated area. <br />Councilmember Pust noted the need to address other types of school uses (EFCA <br />and Charter; and specialty schools). <br />Further discussion included notice requirements and super majority requirement <br />for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment; urgency of the current application based <br />on their pending Purchase Agreement options; and timing for such an Amend- <br />ment through the City and Metropolitan Council processes. <br />Ron Wong, 2340 East 121St Street, Burnsville, MN, Chair of Trustee Com- <br />mittee at Twin City Chinese Christian Church (T4C) <br />Mr. Wong addressed the timing concerns of the applicant, based on the Purchase <br />Agreement drafted with the seller and ready for signature depending on City ac- <br />tion; and the applicant verbally advising them of another and higher offer that <br />may cause them to lose this property to another buyer. <br />