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Principal Planner Trudgeon replied B-3 business district. <br />Councilmember Kurak inquired if a professional building would fit into the mixed -use definition. <br />Principal Planner Trudgeon replied yes. <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that if they wanted a town center with little or no housing, they <br />could follow the Plymouth model. <br />Mr. Gordon did not agree, explaining that Plymouth only wanted commercial development on the <br />site. He stated that a town center with only commercial will not work because they need people. <br />In Plymouth they already have density around the area. <br />Councilmember Hendriksen replied that with the overall Comprehensive Plan they would have a <br />similar situation as Plymouth. <br />Councilmember Kurak noted that the commercial area in Plymouth is about 100 acres and the <br />surrounding area that would include the housing would be more similar to the 350 acres like the <br />property in Ramsey. <br />Mr. Gordon presented town center sites in other states that included transit oriented development. <br />He explained that there are many approaches the City can take on the town center site. There <br />needs to be some flexibility to respond to the market and timing issues. They need to be strong <br />on some aspects such as use areas, density minimums, amenities, design, etc. <br />Councilmember Hendriksen inquired as to what would happen if the City developed a transit <br />oriented center and transit doesn't come. <br />Mr. Gordon replied that not all town center sites have transit. <br />Councilmember Hendriksen that transit scenarios limit the location of the town center, but if there <br />is no transit then there is more flexibility. <br />David Elvig, Chairperson of the Town Center Task Force, stated that the Town Center Task <br />Force has asked many of the same questions, but at this time there is not a lot of answers until a <br />survey is completed and more research can be done. <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that if in order to make the town center work they have to add <br />residential, then it should be moved in an area where residential makes sense rather than fill the <br />business park with residential. <br />Mr. Elvig replied that that has been a good discussion issue, but there are no solid answers at this <br />point. The City does have the highway #10 corridor and the town center site needs to be located <br />along that highway. Compiling more information will allow the City to make sound decisions. <br />Chapter 9/April 25, 2002 <br />Page 3 of 9 <br />