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<br />Community Development Director Gladhill presented the staff report. <br /> <br />Member Williams arrived at 7:38 a.m. <br /> <br />Chairperson Steffen asked if this plan includes more or less retail than the original plan. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Gladhill noted that this plan has slightly less retail but <br />identified two other areas that have available space for retail. He noted that the Planning <br />Commission feels that it would be a better balance. <br /> <br />Chairperson Steffen asked if there was a negative opinion of retail in this area from The COR <br />panel. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Gladhill stated that there are challenges and barriers to the <br />retail market. He explained that The COR will not be a Riverdale or Elk River, but the focus <br />should instead be a unique business incubator. <br /> <br />Member Skaff asked the plans for the open land in the downtown area. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Gladhill stated that there would still be a mix of uses along <br />Sunwood Drive between retail and residential with a focus on high density residential. He noted <br />the relationship needed between residential and the success of the transit with the commuter rail. <br /> <br />Chairperson Steffen asked if the document would change any zoning. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Gladhill stated that the zoning would not change as the mixed <br />use allows for a multitude of uses. He stated that some simple adjustments can be made to the <br />subdistrict boundaries which allows more flexibility. <br /> <br />Member Williams stated that the document makes some strong statements in regard to retail and <br />asked if the EDA is comfortable publishing that and making it public. She stated that while the <br />City has not been able to attract the desired retail that is indicative of the market. She noted that <br />comfortable with that. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Gladhill stated that he would support tweaking that language, <br />as the vision statement became more focused on the northwest quadrant. He believed that the <br />the Planning Commission wanted to attract more unique opportunities but would still be open to <br /> <br /> <br />see any reason to detract from that option now. <br /> <br />Economic Development Authority/May 25, 2017 <br />Page 2 of 7 <br /> <br />