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<br />the process. If the Council is not comfortable granting approval without the site plan and <br />rezoning, the amendment request could be tabled; however, staff would like an indication on <br />how the Council feels regarding this particular request. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec asked if grading has been done on this property, which backs up to the golf <br />course. <br /> <br />Thomas Peterson, applicant, replied there is a berm, which is partly located on the golf course <br />property. It would be nice to take down some of the berm and for the second floor of the office <br />buildings to overlook the golf course, but he doubts the golf course will want to eliminate the <br />berm completely. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Trudgeon advised the question before the Council tonight is <br />the change in land use from Rural Developing Residential to Places to Work; the zoning <br />designation mostly likely would be E-2. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec informed Mr. Peterson the Council will likely look at a lot of buffering along the <br />residential area adjacent to this. He commented the type of units being suggested would be a <br />good fit for this area. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Trudgeon indicated buffering is recognized with Number 6 <br />under the staff review with density transitioning. It is not applicable now, but buffering will <br />need to be considered under the site plan review. <br /> <br />Councilmember Pearson noted there are similar businesses across the railroad tracks in Elk <br />River. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen commented this planned use fits well, but the question is in relation <br />to whether the land use is changed and this project falls through. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook suggested this application be held until it is known that this plan will <br />proceed. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Trudgeon noted the consensus of Council seems to be that <br />this is a good land use and project subject to approval of the site plan. He advised Council can <br />approve the land use change and instruct staff not to send it to the Metropolitan Council until the <br />site plan and rezoning are completed, or the Comprehensive Plan amendment could be tabled <br />until the site plan and rezoning are approved. This is expected to be completed by the end of <br />August. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen asked if the City will have any obligation to forward the land use <br />change to the Metropolitan Council if it is approved. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Trudgeon replied there would not be any obligation if the <br />approval includes a contingency that it not be forwarded until the site plan is approved. He <br /> <br />City Council / June 27, 2006 <br />Page 8 of 24 <br />