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Consultant Gordon indicated the parking standards are different; they tried to be flexible but <br />provide enough parking by having shared use parking. He stated the City will play a role in this, <br />and may want to own a ramp. He explained they are trying to put some flexibility in the parking, <br />with everything based on a parking study, so everything, especially in the core, has to show how <br />it fits with that study. He advised that signage is extensively addressed, and is more restrictive <br />than other parts of the city. <br /> <br />Chairperson Nixt stated that in Subd. 5 it talks about Development Guidelines, then in Subd. 9 it <br />gets into the Master Plan. He asked what the process is for amending the Master Plan. <br /> <br />Consultant Gordon indicated the sketch plan is really the Master Plan, showing all the elements <br />of the core plan. He noted that if something significantly changes in use, it would have to come <br />back through the approval process. He indicated they would not amend the preliminary plat <br />without that approval. <br /> <br />Chairperson Nixt stated the zoning ordinance takes significant time to change, so he understands <br />not wanting everything based on that, but he wants to make sure there is the opportunity to make <br />changes with the appropriate reviews, not just at staff discretion. <br /> <br />Consultant Gordon indicated this would be like a PUD for other projects. If the concept plan <br />changes, it has to be reviewed again. <br /> <br />Larry Hickman, Furniture and Things, indicated he has 37 years of retail experience across the <br />country. He commented this is a big project, and he recommends they be sure they have the right <br />mix, and some big draws. He advised he generated $2.7 million in tax revenue to the State and <br />City, with a payroll of $2.4 million and 140 employees. He stated he has sent 160 students <br />through college in the last 23 years, and generates 350 jobs throughout the United States, not <br />counting the truckers. He indicated he leases 9.3 acres, and although he started small, he raised <br />corn on the extra land until he expanded. He stated that he was B3, but today he questions what <br />he is. He indicated he thinks they forgot to put him in. He wonders how much time they put into <br />B2. He stated it had been mentioned you had to have a unique center to do business. He <br />indicated he draws over $14 million from customers over a 20 mile radius, indicating that if you <br />have something they want, people will come from anywhere. He asked the Planning <br />Commission to please look at B2, stating that if they can have an adult book store in B2, he <br />should be in that zone. He stated that in November he wanted to put a $5 million addition on his <br />property, but he pulled the application when the City put 19 conditions on their approval. He <br />indicated a moratorium was put on the area to keep fi'om having to condemn his property. He <br />asked them to please consider B2. <br /> <br />Motion by Chairperson Nixt, seconded by Commissioner Reeve, to close the public hearing at <br />8:27 p.m. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Nixt, Commissioners Reeve, Brauer, Van Scoy and <br />Watson. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioners Johnson and Shepherd. <br /> <br />Planning Commission/May 1, 2003 <br /> Page 8 of 17 <br /> <br /> <br />