Minutes - Council Work Session - 03/01/2001

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analysis done today, but the decision needs to be completed soon and should be included in the draft Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that there may be a significant cost to the City by doing the wrong thing. To proceed forward, the City needs to have a Comprehensive Plan at the Met Council which would have to finally be approved by the entire City Council. Three of the members could forward the most recent draft down to the Met Council, but it would not receive the votes needed when it is sent back to the City Council for approval. Ms. Steffen replied that she would expect that if another Plan is sent down to the Met Council, that it be done so with a four-fifths or five-zero vote. Councilmember Anderson inquired if the Council agreed to move forward with the Plan and leave a portion of land mixed use, and at the end of the study period the Council wants no part of what is proposed, would the decision be up to the City. Ms. Steffen replied yes. She explained that the study will be presented to the citizens. Councilmember Hendriksen replied that the problem becomes the fact that the City would have an approved Comprehensive Plan that has certain legal implications. Ms. Steffen stated that she sees two area as being problematic. One has to do with what the area between Ramsey Boulevard and Armstrong Boulevard should be designated. Councilmember Hendriksen replied that currently the western half of the property is designated as mixed use and within the mixed use designation is a transportation hub being a permitted use. So as soon as the Council votes for the Comprehensive Plan as proposed, a transit hnb could be sited within that location. Ms. Steffen replied that the City could move it to the west end of the site near Armstrong Boulevard. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that he would want to push the station farther west because that is where the high density housing is being proposed. Councilmember Kurak inquired if the entire site is designated industrial would a rail station be prohibited. Community Development Director Frolik replied no, but explained that it would require a rezoning of the property and a minor amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Kurak stated that the Council would have to approve any land use and so she does not understand where all the anger is coming from amongst the Council. Community Development Director Frolik inquired if it would be possible to indicate the area as an opportunity grant site area and note what the possible zonings might be. City Council Work Session/March 1, 2001 Page 8 of 10