Agenda - Council - 03/10/2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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family development in order to give some time for retail and restaurants to develop and provide more of a balance in The COR. Councilmember Specht stated that the City has done a good job in providing a variety of housing options and agrees that there should be a pause in apartment development. He stated that perhaps focusing on a mix of single-family and medium density would continue to allow for a variety in the housing market. Mayor LeTourneau asked the availability of a medium density product in The COR and overall community. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill provided additional details on housing that would be considered medium density. He identified areas that would be available for medium density development within The COR as well as areas that are proposed to be developed with a similar product. He stated that using a moratorium is a very short-term opportunity to conduct study and analysis, most likely a one-year period. Mayor LeTourneau stated that the plan was designed with the highest concentration of density in, or close to, The COR with density continuing to decrease as you move outside of The COR. He asked where the medium density housing could occur within The COR and how that would help the City reach its goal for population that will bring in the retailers. He stated that The COR is about 80 percent built out for the concentrated population goal, which is finally bringing in attention from retailers. He stated that he would be afraid that putting a pause on the development would also put a pause on retail attention. He stated that overall .4 percent of the acreage in the City will be multi -family housing. Councilmember Kuzma asked if the City has met its commitment with the Metropolitan Council for the train station and ramp. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill explained how the City secured its rail station. He stated that pausing would most likely not cause an issue but agreed that changing the land use map could bring attention from the Metropolitan Council. He noted that the main focus is within one mile of the rail station because of the walkability and access to the rail station. Councilmember Kuzma stated that he would not support pumping the breaks. He stated that this should continue to remain market driven, noting that developers want to build the apartments close to the rail station. He commented that there is not that much land left for apartment type development within The COR. He believed that Aeon would like to come back and build their second building and would want to be able to support that action. Councilmember Heinrich stated that she is comfortable with the word pause as she continues to hear from residents that they do not want to see more apartments in The COR. She commented that she understands the link between population and retail, but residents do not seem to care and would like the development of apartments paused. She stated that it would be nice to have some of the retailers come in to provide a balance. City Council Work Session / February 24, 2020 Page 3 of 5