01-19-2012 Planning Commission Minutes

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`— Mr. Adams suggested bringing together members of the EDC, Chamber and maybe property owners along the corridor to discuss how development should proceed along the corridor and come back to the Planning Commission and City Council with a recommendation. The stakeholders would have an opportunity to say what they are thinking and use that as an action plan to address what Council Member Akerson is talking about and what the business people located in the center of the City are talking about. Council Member Akerson stated that if there were some type of development along the corridor a certain percentage of traffic going by would see businesses and stop and come in to town. Chairman Pederson stated that including a map highlighting where commercial zones exist along the bypass and where County Road 11 intersects would be a good idea. There is substantial commercial property at both ends and in the middle already existing. Mr. Marohn stated that as part of the discussion, utilities are not going to be run to the east side of the alignment. The west side is going to be developed all the way out to the highway with commercial at the intersection; there is no plan now. We will need to wait for what happens. Development will only be on the west side. The east side zoning doesn't change from what it is today. The resolution that passed looked at engineers' costs to run utilities out there, skipping undeveloped areas,would not pay. Mr. Habein stated it is not equitable for existing businesses to pay for utilities for new businesses along the new route. Chairman Pederson stated the Planning Commission cannot supersede a resolution from the City Council. No. 2. Park plan does not address a ball park: Mr. Marohn explained that Mr. Derksen had brought up ball park construction, a municipal ball park. Council Member Akerson stated that we don't know how long the school can take the liability or community use of the school fields. Chairman Pederson and Mrs. Seils stated that this should be a Park Plan action item. Chairman Pederson pointed out that trail systems and bike and snowmobile trails are included in the Plan. Ms. Brown questioned whether or not we want to make Pequot Lakes a destination for ball games in the summer months. Softball tournaments are huge. No. 3. Same action items in multiple locations: Mr. Marohn explained that this was done intentionally and reinforces many of the strategies. He will provide an example. No. 4. Americans love autos—we can't change that mentality, social engineering: MINUTES 2 Pequot Lakes Planning Commission January 19, 2012