Agenda - Planning Commission - 09/10/2015

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Board Member Lewis said he thought there was a discussion about the big box anchor mall on the west side of Armstrong Boulevard. Community Development Director Gladhill responded the City did publicize this and there was an effort to look at eminent domain. He explained that statute has now changed. However, the zoning is still there for a retail setting. It still could occur. Councilmember LeTourneau commented he continually hears that people want restaurants. He said some people want the food to be locally produced. Others want chains to come in. He said his thought process is that it will evolve when there is enough density to support it. So that becomes a marketing issue. He said here is not enough density here for chains like Chipotle. He pointed out the City now has something like 2000 housing units. He questioned what the density needs to be. Once that density is reached, maybe then it would be feasible to revisit the west side of Armstrong Boulevard for the big box retail mall. He asked how the City can play a role in facilitating that. Board Member Valentine mentioned there are a lot of small malls around the Cities that are empty. He warned the Board to be careful of this. He suggested in the scope of this Board, we should consider the sites as if they are individual sites. There should be some stormwater management before deciding what could go in there. If housing is considered, how does the density affect the impervious area, compared to single homes. Board Member Lewis pointed out the City would be sacrificing trails and shoulders with the big box potential mall development. The pedestrian orientation from the area west of Zeolite Street became less important and more auto centric. He stated some of the new housing south of Bunker Lake Boulevard may not be interested in looking at a large Kmart type building where the anchor retails was planned. Community Development Director Gladhill said in discussions with all the Boards, something may come up to make that area more palatable. We can take the best of some neighboring communities and try to come up with something more attractive. Board Member Lewis commented it would be difficult to get a developer to do an upscale shopping area without the housing to support it. Board Member Bentz said he was disappointed in the notes in regards to blue stream. He questioned if any of that would be coming forward from the open space discussion. Community Development Director Gladhill responded staff is working on how to best present that information. Staff is getting feedback in regard to Lake Ramsey Commons being a shared property between the surrounding parcels. Board Member Bentz suggested planning more with Lake Ramsey and consider whether it could be made a usable lake. He suggested looking at putting in storm draining before it hits the river. He further advised to create a list of all the things we do not want to happen again.