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There is some concern that if the City waits too long to develop the site, they will get missed by developers who move on to other locations. Currently there might be businesses that might not be interested in the site, but as it begins to develop it will draw more commercial businesses. The one key question is how do they put the controls in place so that the site can't develop beyond the City's control and perspective. At this point, they need to get more information to get a foundation started. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that when the time is right and there is money to be made, development will happen whenever. Mr. Elvig replied that that depends on what the City wants to see occur on the site. He stated that he would personally not want to see a Riverdale, but more of a quaint development. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that there was a time when only housing was profitable and the City said no, then there could have been used car lots along Highway #10. If they can't get the economic and commercial base the City needs, then maybe they need to wait another five to ten years. Mr. Elvig replied that during the last election the voters overwhelming stated that they wanted a town center; now it just needs to be determined what goes into the town center. Councilmember Kurak stated that because the property has been sold, they need to be prepared and start talking about what they as a City want. She stated that she suspects that the person who bought the land will be an upstanding developer and will work with the City, but there is nothing in writing which is why they need to begin drafting some language. Principal Planner Trudgeon stated that staff will put together a list of uses they would like to see in the town center for consideration. Councilmember Kurak noted that the City needs to decide how they want the rest of the property to develop outside of the town center site. Principal Planner Trudgeon replied that they can focus a future meeting entirely on the town center. Mr. Elvig stated that the citizens voted for a town center, not residential development. The idea of the town center has always been a quaint walkable area. He stated that language can be written to protect the amount of density that occurs on the site. He noted that the Town Center Task Force is very willing to work on the zoning districts for the town center site. Alena Hunter, 14286 Helium Street, Ramsey, stated that she is a member of the Town Center Task Force and explained that all of the members are in favor of initiating a town center zoning district. She stated that the task force feels that it is a very timely issue and they would like to see things get done. The task force is willing to do anything they can to get the zoning district in order and establish the rules for the area. A survey is going to be sent out in the next Ramsey Chapter 9/April 25, 2002 Page 4 of 9