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<br />Councilmember Dehen stated he does not oppose these changes. The concern he has had is <br />looking at the struggle that the businesses have had on Highway 47 and Bunker Lake Boulevard, <br />and the same type of situation will occur with this particular building. There are vacancies and <br />access issues where people have to make u-turns to get into some of the buildings on the comer <br />of Highway 47 and Bunker Lake Boulevard, and they are creating a similar situation here. <br />Although he does not oppose it, he is a little bit concerned about limited access places such as <br />this one. It may be for Mr. Wayman to make that determination on what he wants to put in there, <br />but his concern is that they have vacant buildings when people have access issues to get into <br />them, particularly in retail spaces. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated he echoes the concerns, but the philosophy of breaking this into two <br />lots does a disservice to the whole concept. To have a break in the two properties in the center <br />with the access in the center makes sense for the initial building, but if the access were to be <br />moved to the north end of the property they may be able to convince the County to allow a left <br />hand past that channelization. Knowing that is coming and how devastating that has been, it <br />would be.good to do anything they can to divert that. He noted this is surrounded by commercial <br />applications. From an EDA standpoint they are looking for more commercial property. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec commented the seller had made the arrangements, and he would hate to throw a <br />monkey wrench in it. The applicant is well aware of the access and the problems. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look noted Councilmember Dehen had indicated there are hard cold facts of <br />how these businesses are struggling on Highway 47 and Bunker Lake Boulevard, and how they <br />are creating a similar situation here with the hard channelization and the impact it may have on <br />the business. He asked if staff has had a discussion with the applicant that the reality is the <br />growth may fill out at a slower rate then they would ultimately like to, and the business they do <br />have may be terminated' early. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Trudgeon indicated there have been discussions at length <br />about the future plans and conjecturing with the applicant of whether this will be viable with the <br />fact that this will be coming down the road with the limited access. Staff was somewhat <br />surprised that the County allowed that access on Bunker Lake Boulevard. Staff expressed that <br />the applicant should talk to the County and discuss their plans. Staff also has concern that there <br />are existing areas of town that are not fully leased out, but when it comes down to City Code and <br />Ordinance that cannot be a reason not to allow for a project. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated he is glad to ,hear they have had that .conversation and that the <br />applicant is aware of the realities. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Trudgeon indicated the applicant has said they are aware of it <br />and can make it work. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen asked if staff has seen any drawings or ideas for the second lot that is <br />not being platted. She commented there are a lot of variables here and there are future ones they <br />are not certain of. At some point when they are ready to build something the access or <br />circulation may not be ideal. At that point they will be pretty locked in, and the access to that <br /> <br />City Council / September 11,2007 <br />Page 7 of 22 <br />