Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 06/14/2018

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that would be a costly request. He stated that the existing access would need to be demolished as the City could not allow that many access points within that short distance. Mr. Pankratz stated that Coborn's does not own that outlot, the developer of that shopping center owns that outlot and therefore three parties would be combined into that agreement. Planning Commissioner Woestehoff asked if semis would access the building from the south side and asked if there would be concerns with having that type of traffic near the entrance to the store. Community Development Director Gladhill noted that turning radius exhibits would need to be provided during future review. He stated that type of scenario is not uncommon. Planning Commissioner Woestehoff asked if having two grocery type retailers would dilute the chances that a retailer like Target would come in the future. Mr Pankratz used the example of Elk River and Coon Rapids in which there are multiple grocers and mass retailers in one location. Planning Commissioner Woestehoff stated that Elk River and Coon Rapids have a lot more retail space than Ramsey and perhaps a retailer like Target would not come if there are already two grocers. Mr. Pankratz replied that the retailers all feed off each other because they provide different specialties. He stated that a Target, Walmart or Petco often look for retailers that draw attention to a corridor as a benefit to generate more customers. He stated that if those businesses are successful, that often draws in the bigger retailers. EDA Member Kanaventi stressed the importance of allowing competition. He stated that if they are hoping to develop Ramsey into a force, competition will attract business rather than divert. Councilmember Shryock stated that she is concerned with Coborn's staying in the community as they have been great partners. She stated that she also believes that Aldi is a different store and serves a different customer and therefore that could be filling a need that the community is currently not addressing. Planning Commissioner Bauer stated that when they met with Coborn's, he explained that the bulk of his shopping is done at Coborn's, but they sometimes go to Aldi for something that is on special. He stated that Aldi does not have everything and therefore customers have to go to another store in fill in the rest of their shopping needs. He stated that currently Ramsey residents are going to Coon Rapids to shop at Aldi. He stated that the more things that will draw traffic to The COR, the easier it will be to facilitate conversations with other retailers. Councilmember Kuzma stated that the City has been told by its experts that Ramsey is most likely not going to get a big box retailer. He stated that Aldi is a destination store and therefore would seem to be a good fit. City Council Work Session / May 23, 2018 Page 4 of 14