HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/04/03 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session ffST.ILOU°IFSRK OFFICIAL MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
April 3, 2006
The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m.
Councilmembers present: John Basill, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Loren Paprocki, Susan
Sanger and Mayor Jeff Jacobs.
Councilmember C. Paul Carver was absent.
Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Harmening), Planning/Zoning Supervisor(Ms. McMonigal), Senior
Planner(Mr. Walther) and Recording Secretary(Ms. Stegora-Peterson).
1. Duke Realty Development
Ms. McMonigal provided a bnef background on the development Darryle Henry, Duke
Realty, discussed the site and the scope of the project.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked if they were considering this as a corporate campus for one
client? Mr. Henry replied that would be a goal, but they could have a combination. Patnck
Mascia, Duke Realty, added they had met with a couple of full building users
Councilmember Omodt asked if they would have ponding for water and if they would be
requesting TIF? Mr. Henry replied they were still analyzing the need for TIF. Gary Gleason
replied water would be stored underground.
Councilmember Sanger asked about timing. Mr. Henry replied they planned to tear down the
Novartis building and begin with infrastructure in July 2007.
Councilmember Sanger asked about the green space and public amenities. Mr. Henry
responded they were trying to create a user-friendly environment with green space and had
been considenng options for a public amenity.
Councilmember Sanger asked if there would be a"Big Box"retailer. Mr. Mascia replied they
might have a retailer with a 2-story design (i.e. bookstore). They would not have a Walmart type
of big box user.
Councilmember Finkelstein suggested they consider incorporating public transportation
to/from downtown and take advantage of the future possibility of light rail.
Mayor Jacobs stated concerns about the traffic impact and asked what they anticipate the
process would be to deal with traffic Ms. McMonigal replied that the size of the project
tnggered and EIS and AUAR. The City would manage the environmental review and they
would work with the City of Golden Valley on mitigation measures such as a transit and other
items.
Mayor Jacobs asked what the public process would be. Ms. McMonigal replied State law
required environmental review and there would also be a neighborhood process with Golden
Valley and St. Louis Park residents.
Study Session Minutes -2- April 3, 2006
Mayor Jacobs noted a concern if this construction coincided with reconstruction of Highway 100.
Mr. Mascia indicated traffic was a concern for the site and they dropped the amount of office
space and incorporated other uses to spread traffic throughout the day
Councilmember Sanger asked when they would meet with neighbors. Mr. Mascia replied they
would like to have a concept designed before meeting with the neighborhood.
Councilmember Sanger requested they utilize high quality architecture. Mr. Mascia replied
they needed to be efficient with costs,but wanted a Class A development.
Mayor Jacobs asked if there would be land use or Comp Plan changes. Ms. McMonigal
replied the Novartis site is industrial and would be changed to C2 or mixed use.
Councilmember Sanger suggested the inclusion of a day care.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked when they would be back before the Council. Mr. Mascia
replied they were on an aggressive track and hoped to be back over the next few months.
Mayor Jacobs asked if they anticipated environmental problems. Mr. Mascia replied they
were authorized to spend $1.5 million on the project.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked the height? Mr. Henry replied eight to twelve story office
buildings with the possibility of an eighteen story building on the corner along Highway 100.
Councilmember Sanger noted the nearby residents would be interested in shadow studies.
Councilmember Finkelstein suggested they make the parking ramp as attractive as possible.
Mr. Mascia indicated the buildings would be on the street and the ramps would be in the
middle of the project.
The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
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City Clerk May