04-15-2010 Planning Commission Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES PEQUOT LAKES PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 15,2010 PRESENT: Deb Brown, John Derksen, Bill Habein, Scott Pederson and Tom Woog. ABSENT: Tom Adams and Mark Hallan. CITY PLANNER: Charles L. Marohn, Jr., PE,AICP ZONING ADMINISTRATOR: Dawn Bittner CITY COUNCIL LIAISONS: Craig Nagel and Cathy Malecha The meeting was called to order by Chairman Woog at 5:32 p.m. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: Economic Development Section: Mr. Marohn explained that the changes suggested and discussed last month have been incorporated into this version. Brandon Andersen and Barb Merritt thought the addition to the first paragraph was negative. Discussion followed regarding public subsidies and where business expansion should occur. Lisa Paxton stated she agreed with what the first paragraph said but it may just be framed a little negatively. We need to encourage growth within existing infrastructure. Councilman Nagel stated we need to end up with a document that is welcoming. Chairman Woog suggested this be used in the first paragraph: Growth is needed to avoid stagnation but the City is in a position where it can avoid a growth-at-all-costs approach and instead embrace businesses that add to the over-all prosperity of the community. Lisa Paxton asked why expansion of the Business Park would need to have water and sewer. Most businesses in the current Business Park don't need it. She suggested growth is needed to avoid stagnation and the City wants a higher return on investment sounds more positive. Ms. Brown stated that a small business owner might wonder if they are going to add to the prosperity of the community. We want the first paragraph to be positive. She hadn't seen it as negative right off because she had been in the discussion last month. It would be interesting to know if businesses wanted or needed the water, sewer and fire hydrants. Minutes 1 Pequot Lakes Planning Commission April 15, 2010