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<br /> <br />5 <br /> <br />A roll call vote was taken. Approved 7-0. <br />Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola addressed the questions that <br />were raised during the public hearing. He commented on the comprehensive planning process <br />that occurred from 2017 through 2019 where citizen input from the entire community dictated <br />how these areas could redevelop in the new Comprehensive Plan. He stated the areas targeted <br />for mixed use presently all have a mix of multi-family and commercial uses that have been in <br />place for decades. The new mixed use designation will simply give these properties greater <br />options for change if/when redevelopment occurs. He reminded everyone that the Vision <br />Silver Lake Road 2040 project generated conceptual plans to illustrate one potential way that <br />land could develop as mixed use; they were not development plans, and none of those <br />property owners have come forward with formal redevelopment applications. He also <br />indicated the City would be working with the watershed district to address environmental and <br />stormwater impacts for all redevelopment projects. <br />Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola then explained nothing in the <br />ordinance would prevent the Nystrom building and daycare from being allowed to continue <br />operation. In the future, if either landowner wanted to make a change, they would simply have <br />more options on what they could do on their land. He stated local businesses owner were <br />involved in the Silver Lake Road Vision 2040 project, noting that he personally went door to <br />door to speak with business owners. He reported schools were funded through the State and <br />noted school districts complete their own comprehensive plans which take into consideration <br />the amount of development anticipated in the communities they serve. He indicated the <br />Comprehensive Plan identified the range for building heights in the different mixed use <br />districts, so zoning followed that guidance. <br />Student Commissioner Dauer explained the schools were not at capacity and have not been <br />since COVID occurred. She discussed how high the housing costs were in Minnesota when <br />compared to other states. <br />Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola stated traffic studies must be <br />completed with any large development proposal. He then described how the City’s tax base is <br />broadened by redevelopment projects, and why that’s important to help guard against future <br />tax increases. He indicated the Midtown Village was a TIF redevelopment project which means <br />there is a timeframe that must occur before the entirety of taxes being generated on that land <br />will be fully on the tax rolls. <br />Chair Biedenfeld thanked all of the residents that came forward and spoke this evening. He <br />discussed the timeline for this Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan. He noted in 2015 he moved <br />from St. Anthony to New Brighton and explained he was well aware of the planning process. He <br />commented on the Benedictine, Palmer Drive and Midtown Village redevelopment projects <br />noting each of these projects came forward because there was a vacant lot or business in need <br />of redevelopment. He reported through the Comprehensive Planning process, residents spoke <br />about the need for more housing in the community. He indicated the proposed Ordinance <br />would bring the City’s Comprehensive Plan into compliance.