Minutes - Council - 08/12/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon noted that the Council did approve the sketch plan. Bruce Jacobson, Ramsey Town Center, LLC, stated that it is a very large project and involves many people. He explained that he was present to respond to the physical design and where they are with plans included in the master plan. It has been the understanding of the Ramsey Town Center, LLC that they would not get approvals to begin grading operations until after they receive final plat approval so preliminary plat approval is the next step to get towards final plat. Tonight they felt that they were very well positioned because of the level of detail that was being asked of them. The development agreement was moving on the same track as the plat approvals so that they would be ready for the final plat and development agreement at the same time. They are facing a critical timeline in order to begin doing work by mid-September. Councilmember Strommen inquired as to what would happens if during the development agreement negotiations something happens and they need to change something in the preliminary plat. Mayor Gamec stated that he did not see a real critical problem with delaying action two weeks. Assistant Community Development Director Trudgeon stated that tying the development agreement to the preliminary plat approval does make a lot of sense, but if they do that staff will only have a week to work on the issue so it would be more likely that the Council would not see the preliminary plat again until September. Currently the Council has directed City staff that they are not beginning any planning work on infrastructure until the Ramsey Town Center, LLC owns the land so it may be difficult to get any work done this fall if the process is delayed. Mayor Gamec noted that the City also has State funding for the commuter coach bus, they have to make sure they would not lose as well. Councihnember Cook stated that Ramsey Town Center, LLC is making commitments to business owners and the City needs to move forward with the process. Motion by Councilmember Cook, seconded by Councilmember Pearson, to adopt Resolution #03-08-199 granting preliminary plat approval of the Town Center Addition, contingent upon compliance with City staff review letter dated August 8, 2003, compliance with Hakanson Anderson review letter dated August 7, 2003, and noting that the approval of the preliminary plat does not obligate the City to construct any of the improvements shown on the submitted preliminary plat and plans dated June 16, 2003, revised July 2, 2003, revised July 21,2 003, revised July 30, 2003. Further discussion: Councilmember Elvig stated that he has not heard from the development team that preliminary plat approval is a trigger mechanism to taking down the property and he has always been a big advocate of the developer taking a "big step". If he heard that, he would be much more likely to move forward. He wants to see the project move forward, but the only City Council/August 12, 2003 Page 23 of 30