08-15-2022 Special City Council Meeting Minutes

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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PEQUOT LAKES CITY COUNCIL MONDAY,AUGUST 15, 2022 PEQUOT LAKES CITY HALL Members Present: Mayor Gardner, Council Members Clement, Pederson, Seils and Ronning Members Absent: Staff Present: Rich Spiczka, City Administrator; 1. Call Meeting to Order Mayor Gardner called the meeting of the Pequot Lakes City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. 1.1. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Gardner led with the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. Discussion of Corner Lot Development's offer to purchase property and construct an apartment complex in the Heart of the Good Life Development. Administrator Spiczka summarized who Corner Lot Development is, the offer from Corner Lot concerning price per acre, their intentions to build an apartment complex on the property and the tax impact of a project like it. Council discussion took place on points regarding the need for housing,what does the Planning Commission and Economic Development Commission think, etc. EDC Chair Matt Lottman spoke in favor of the proposal. He felt it is very unlikely that the Heart of the Good Life would be built out with commercial development anytime in the near future. EDC member Shelia Holley spoke about the need for housing, but that other parties may be interested in purchasing property with the intention of building apartments/housing but were discourage because housing wasn't allowed in the HOTGL. Resident Mark Jurchen spoke about the need for housing and that the Paul Bunyan trail provided a nice amenity for residential connection and development. Tyler Glynn from BLAEDC spoke about the statistical shortage of housing in the area, the credibility of Corner Lot Development on a national scale and about how difficult it is to sell commercial property, referencing Baxter not being able to sell even a single lot for$1 over the past 5 years. Tim Houle, City Engineer from WIDSETH, spoke about the feasibility of housing in that area and how considering a"reallocation of the land use"of sorts. If that were to happen, it would make the most sense to have the least amount of need for water and sewer be the South end of the HOTGL property due to elevations and need for a lift station if there was high demand there. After further council discussion, Mayor Gardner asked for consensus from the council regarding sending the matter back to the Economic Development Commission and the Planning Commission for a recommendation. Council Consensus for that was achieved.