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City Council - 03/08/1988 - Special Meeting SPECIAL MEETING EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1988 3 : 30 PM CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7600 EXECUTIVE DRIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS: Mayor Gary Peterson, Richard Anderson, George Bentley, Jean Harris, and Patricia Pidcock CITY COUNCIL STAFF: City Manager Carl J. Jullie, Asst. to the City Manager Craig Dawson, City Attorney Roger Pauly, Director of Planning Chris Enger, Director of Community Services Robert Lambert, Director of Public Works Eugene A. Dietz, Finance Director John Frane, and Recording Secretary Sue Anderson. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL: All members were present. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS MOTION: Bentley moved, seconded by Harris to approve the Agenda and Other Items of Business, as published. Motion carried A unanimously. II . DISCUSSION ON DOWNTOWN CONCEPT City Manager Jullie reported on the Staff involvement to date and the materials provided to Council on the downtown planning. This included City Attorney Pauly' s package on economic tools to utilize in the development, and the Planning Departments research providing options, procedures and goals. Jullie informed Council that a developer for the area had information pertinent to the downtown concept and introduced Mark Rooney of Curt Johnson Properties. Rooney stated he had been in negotiations and discussion with staff and landowners in the past several months regarding 50-60 acres in the core of the downtown area. At the present time his lawyers were working on the purchasing agreements for approximately 23 acres. The land would be under control of Johnson Properties through a land partnership. He spoke of the outline that was submitted for discussion regarding joint planning and engineering with the City to coordinate the entire 50-60 acres in a PUD Concept. He suggested that a city hall could be located in the office building proposed for Phase I development. Phase I would also include a 10- A ,screen theater complex and two or three restaurants on 12 . 6 acres. He requested that the City create a tax increment project for financing improvements. fl Eden Prairie City Council Special Meeting 3-8-88 Page 2 Peterson believed Council was being asked to approve something architecturally prior to review of the possible theme of the downtown area. Rooney stated there was a very tight timeline for what they hope to accomplish, but felt by working with Staff in a joint effort, the process would move along smoother. Peterson inquired about a time frame. Rooney replied he wanted to start in June, but realistically it would be August. Bentley felt the City should dedicate the time and energy required to deal with the time frame to see this followed through. He inquired of the City Manager what the City might do relative to the request to financially aid the development. Jullie responded that the City had addressed this issue only in a general manner. They have not discussed specific time limitations, costs, etc. He felt this must unfold in the proper sequence of events. Bentley stated that to pat a tax increment project in process the development needs defining. Jullie responded that there was a six-month time frame from placing properties in tax-increment status before a building permit could be issued. Rooney stated that by beginning now and paralleling the projects, they could obtain building permits in line with the tax-increment district statutes. Bentley requested that the Council take a public position showing support of the downtown. MOTION 1: Bentley moved, seconded by Anderson that the Eden Prairie City Council supports the development of a Downtown Eden Prairie and is willing to work with developers in the creation of the Downtown Concept. Motion carried unanimously. Harris inquired about the completion date for Phase I. Rooney replied the second quarter of 1989 was the goal. Director of Planning Enger reported that the City has looked at road alternatives, specifically the inter- sections. Should they be in the core of downtown or on the edge; perhaps a traffic circle which would be a feature of the downtown. He asked Rooney if that was conceived and requested, would there be a 1-2 acres for common or downtown management use on the 12.6 acres of Phase I. Rooney responded that would be worked out in the negotiating as would any other planning questions. Eden Prairie City Council Special Meeting 3-8-88 Page 3 Enger asked for clarification that if the master plan led to the conclusion that there should be a public space in the core area, would there flexibility for it to occur. Rooney replied that there was no flexibility in the 12 . 6 acres, but it would be possible in the process of moving parcels and could be addressed in later discussions. MOTION 2: Motion by Bentley, seconded by Anderson, to direct Staff to participate in the preparation of a Request for Proposal for the Master Plan of the area. Motion passed unanimously. MOTION 3: Bentley moved, seconded by Harris, to direct Staff to try to bring other property owners in the area into the master planning process. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION 4: Bentley moved, seconded by Anderson, to direct Staff to discuss potential City Hall alternatives in the downtown z area in the framework of the Citizens Advisory Committee. Motion carried unanimously. Peterson felt the opportunity should be created for interested citizens to comment, make suggestions and review the plan. Pidcock added perhaps a competition could be held to see what the people wanted. Peterson stated the citizens could be and should be involved without delaying the project. h MOTION 5: Bentley moved, seconded by Harris, to direct Staff to explore requirements and possibilities for the City's involvement on a financial level for the downtown, but not necessarily tied exclusively with the current development concept. Motion carried unanimously. Dick Feerick, R.M. Feerick & Associates, commented that he was proud and appreciated the work involved by all, the Staff, the Council and the Developer, for finally moving on the development of the downtown area for Eden Prairie. III . DISCUSSION ON NSP TRANSMISSION LINE Closed Executive Session IV. OTHER BUSINESS V. ADJOURNMENT