Minutes - Council Work Session - 09/23/2021 - Joint

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Councilmember Specht asked if the carwash and coffee business are tied in firm or whether it is just a concept. Economic Development Manager Sullivan stated that in his discussions with Java, there appear to be agreements with those two businesses, should it be approved. He stated that Java believes that the traffic that would be generated from those two uses would bring in interest from other components. He stated that Java is willing to enter into the purchase agreement process and he wants to be fair to that process and alert Java if this site will be reserved for PACT. Senior Planner McGuire Brigl commented that Java has stated that this would be the desired retail corner for Ramey and the only one that would have this type of interest. Councilmember Heineman stated that based on this concept he would not favor a hotel with that amount of parking and would not be a huge fan of the car wash. He stated that while retail would be great, there is vacant retail on the other side of The COR already. He stated that he does want retail but believes that this would be a great location for PACT and the PACT project would bring in additional business interest. He stated that as presented he would not favor the Java proposal over the high school. Councilmember Musgrove stated that the original COR plan included multiple parking garages that may not be needed and perhaps some of that space could be freed up for additional retail use. She stated that she also prefers the school in that location. Economic Development Manager Sullivan stated that he also was not a supporter of the hotel in that location and provided that feedback to Java. He stated that he asked about an Aldi at that location as it would provide additional opportunity without directly competing with Coborn’s. He stated that Java took that feedback and is having discussions with Aldi. He stated that retailers and developers are stating that the hard corners are where they want to be. He stated that while retail can be created more in the heart of The COR, the corners are where they want to be. EDA Member MacLennan commented that with the overpass, that corner will be a premier location whether it is PACT or retail. He agreed that staff should have flexibility to see what they could work out with both parties. Planning Commissioner Gengler stated that this is a prime retail location that would benefit all residents of Ramsey. She asked if there is any data that schools would bring in additional customers for the existing businesses. Councilmember Woestehoff stated that Anoka High School is a great example where it probably only generates customers for the gas stations adjacent. He noted that Ramsey would have a better opportunity with more businesses in that area, but would also want to see more data to support that this use would bring in more business interest and/or customers. Councilmember Heineman did not believe this could be compared to Anoka High School as that school has existed for decades and there is not much retail development opportunity in that area. City Council Special Work Session / September 23, 2021 Page 9 of 11