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Councilmember Musgrove stated that during the last discussion there was quite a bit of feedback. <br />She stated that one of the big things that businesses tell the City is that it needs more rooftops. <br />She stated that the City has gained more rooftops and asked staff if there has been a change in <br />that feedback from businesses or whether they are still stating that more rooftops are needed. <br />She stated that Aeon had a specific project for two areas but had a problem with funding; <br />therefore, she would entertain that second project within The COR, if Aeon has secured its <br />financing. <br /> <br />Deputy City Administrator Gladhill stated that while the City is closer to reaching the critical <br />density mass, the traffic counts and employment growth are equal factors. He stated that the <br />Armstrong retail development will be a good test. He provided details on the competitive <br />funding process of Aeon, noting that process is one to two years. He explained that high density <br />can be perceived in many ways by residents. He explained that within The COR, high-density <br />would be apartments and multi-story products. He noted that level of density is only allowed <br />within The COR. He stated that there have been comments related to density in terms of <br />detached townhomes and the narrower lots. <br /> <br />Mayor LeTourneau stated that the City continues to do its best to educate on the different types <br />of density. <br /> <br />Councilmember Menth recognized that there is land within The COR for high density and <br />retail/commercial. He asked the number of parcels currently zoned for high density remaining <br />within The COR. <br /> <br />Deputy City Administrator Gladhill replied that one site remains, which was slated for the <br />second Aeon project, along with one additional parcel zoned high density and another for a <br />senior housing type product. He noted that there are a few more parcels with flexibility. He <br />noted that within The COR, about 85 percent of the parcels marked for high density have been <br />developed. He noted that the continued majority of development within The COR in terms of <br />residential would be some form of detached townhomes. <br /> <br />Councilmember Menth stated that he heard that there are two parcels remaining in The COR <br />currently zoned for multi-story apartment type developments. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley stated that the City has development that is unbalanced within The COR, <br />as the high density residential came in all at once and the retail has been slow to follow. He <br />stated that he believes that the City should hold off on additional apartments until additional <br />retail development occurs to help the City achieve its long-term vision. <br /> <br />Economic Development Manager Sullivan stated that COVID-19 has put the City in a unique <br />situation, as it is unknown if the development community will return to business as usual. He <br />stated that there has been a retail center constructed, and there are plans for a hotel with <br />restaurant and additional retail proposed near Coborn’s. He stated that in his discussions with <br />businesses and prospective tenants, COVID-19 has put a stop to retail development but noted <br />that the retail market is looking for higher population, higher traffic counts, and higher daytime <br />traffic counts. He noted that adding residential population and additional employers will help the <br />City Council Work Session / April 28, 2020 <br />Page 4 of 6 <br /> <br />