Agenda - Council - 12/16/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Councilmember Kurak replied that this is an agreement between two other entities. Motion by Councilmember Cook, seconded by Counc, ilmember Kurak, to approve the Allocation Agreement as presented between Ramsey Town Center, LLC, a MN Limited Liability Company, D.R. Horton, Inc. - MINNESOTA, a Delaware Corporation, and the City of Ramsey. Further discussion: Councilmember Cook stated that they have to trust that Ramsey ToWn Center, LLC is covering themselves. He personally did not think that Ramsey Town Center, LLC would be selling property or giving options on the property if they did not have things lined up for commercial development. City Attorney Goodrich requested that the following language be added to motion to address any minor language amendments that may need be changed: "The City Attorney is given the authority to approve minor language amendments in the agreement to satisfy the parties legal requirements. However, no material amendments of the terms of the agreement shall be permitted by the City Attorney." Motion was amended as recommended by the City Attorney. Further discussion: Councilmember Elvig stated that he would like some clarification that they are not "sticking themselves in a box". Councilmember Cook replied that the remedy of the issue is that this entity and Ramsey Town Center, LLC are going to work together to accomplish what is necessary. Councilmember Strommen stated that she did not think that anyone was saying that it was not a good direction to go, but what is new to them is that they are tying up all of the residential capacity, which is the City business and it is in their interest to see that other developments can happen. Councilmember Cook stated that the-City has an agreement with the master developer and every time they make an agreement with another developer, is the City always going to go back and second-guess them. Councilmember Elvig replied no, but stated that the thing that is surprising to him is that D.R. Horton has purchased the entire capacity so they are not allowing for other residential development. City Administrator Norman replied that they are very legitimate concerns. Staff had the same concerns, because initially they were being told D.R. Horton was going to be purchasing 45 percent of the residential area and then when the plan was submitted, it was for 65 percent of the residential area. Councilmember Zimmerman stated that it might be necessary to meet with the master developer and make sure the utilities can meet their expectations. Councilmember Cook replied that the utilities are all based on phasing and the City does not have to put those utilities in' until certain benchmarks are met. Councilmember Strommen stated that her concern is that they are holding up residential capacity in an area that does not have utilities. Councilmember Cook replied that that is only the case if they don't have 15 percent of the commercial development in place. Councilmember Pearson stated that he attended a Town Center Task Force meeting where Mr. Feges was in attendance and he indicated that they have really been able to balance commercial development to go along with residential development. Ramsey Town Center, LLC is not just selling to anyone, they are studying each business to make sure it would tie into the next business so they would all work together. Mr. Pearson felt that they needed to keep moving forward on the project and leave it up to the Attorney to make sure they cover their basis. Councilmember Cook stated that for them to be entertaining what some of the Council is saying would mean that .the developer has not thought through the process and does not have the commercial to meet the benchmarks required City Council/November 25, 2003 Page 20 of 28