HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.11.07 Work Session Minutes
City Council Workshop
Minutes
June 11,2007
Present: Soderberg, McKnight, Pritzlaff, Wilson
Rotty, Oswald
Also Present: Peter Herlofsky, City Administrator; Lee Smick, City Planner; Tony Wippler,
Assistant City Planner; Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant
Mayor Soderberg called the workshop to order at 5:30 p.m.
MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by McKnight to approve the agenda. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
Land Use Sta2:in!! Plan
The purpose of the workshop was to discuss the land use staging plan for the comprehensive
plan. Areas for future build out include the west side, Castle Rock which includes the
fairgrounds and east ofTH3, Empire Township, and Fairhill.
The Met Council has estimated the population at 17,438. The City estimate is 19,967. Staffis
comfortable with a population estimate of 32,000 for 2030.
No new residential is planned in the comprehensive plan. Updates to the comprehensive plan
will be done every 3-5 years. With total build out the population of Farmington will be 53,482 -
86,823. The Fairhill development will have an overall density of3.5.
The area along CSAH 50 was discussed. Mr. Adelmann is planning for medium density on his
property along Denmark Avenue. The use of the railroad south ofCSAH 50 was discussed
including light rail transit.
Priorities for development include:
1. Vermillion River Crossing and the Peterson property as commercial.
2. East side of Pilot Knob Road and the Reagan parcel.
3. Riverbend will start the second phase.
4. Colin Garvey's development is slipping and development could be out four years.
Priority areas include:
1. The Huber property is interested in commercial and industrial, the Wurdeman property
wants industrial, and staff needs to discuss the Devney property with them.
2. Finish Parkview Ponds.
3. The area east ofTH3 is 5-8 years out.
Chair Rotty suggested finishing Vermillion River Crossing, the commercial/industrial along
CSAH 50 and then fill in the residential to the north.
Councilmember Wilson left at 6:10 p.m.
Council Workshop Minutes
June 11, 2007
Page 2
Chair Rotty felt the City will get greater pressure to develop north of CSAH 50 rather than south.
Some northern parcels are in ag preserve until 2012. City Administrator Herlofsky noted staffis
working with the townships on development.
Councilmember McKnight agreed with staffs proposed land uses. There needs to be more
discussion of development around the high school with density being as low as possible.
Mayor Soderberg asked if the City should engage the school district in a discussion about the
next school site. It was agreed this should take place.
Councilmember Pritzlaff agreed with commercial and industrial along CSAH 50 and Pilot Knob
Road, but not about development around the high school. Chair Rotty cautioned that the City
still needs to prepare for development in the high school area. He stated the natural progression
of development is towards the west. He was concerned ifthe population reaches 53,000 -
86,000 how will the roads handle the transportation.
Mayor Soderberg wanted to know how many industrial acres the City will have.
City Administrator Herlofsky felt the City needs to set a vision for the downtown and how to get
there.
All agreed with staff s proposal.
2008 Bude:et Comments
Councilmember McKnight was comfortable with the tax capacity, City Hall and the Dakota
Communications Center. He was not in favor of adding back on the two TIF districts that are
coming offTIF. He wants them back on the tax rolls. He noted staffproposed reducing the
building permits by $200,000, but that could still be high. He felt Finance Director Roland's
memo of May 15, 2007 was the right approach. He did not want to see any staff increases except
possibly the Police Department. Mayor Soderberg felt we are doing okay with the number of
police officers and noted there needs to be a balance.
Councilmember Pritzlaff noted the amount of building permit money is there for this year, but
what do we do next year? Councilmember McKnight suggested if we exceed the permit number
this year and revise the budget, could we revise this budget so it is $25,000 lower this year and
cut $200,000 next year. City Administrator Herlofsky stated this year 80% ofthe revenue for
permits is in. Ifwe get commercial and industrial along CSAH 50, that will help projections for
next year. Councilmember Pritzlaff did not like to assume something else will carry us through.
City Administrator Herlofsky stated if that does not come through, then we have to cut permits
more than we currently have. Mayor Soderberg stated we need to look at the dollars, not the
number of units.
MOTION by McKnight, second by Pritzlaffto adjourn at 6:52 p.m. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
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~thTa-1Vfuller
Executive Assistant