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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, October 11, 2004 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />(Extension of Moratorium, Continued) <br />availability of utilities in connection with this project. An architectural rendering was presented to the <br />City of what was being proposed and a request was made to be on the next City Council agenda. James <br />commented in his opinion apparently a flurry of nonpublic actions were set off by his proposal and the <br />mayor at that time contacted the owner of Byerly's and spoke with him regarding the shopping center in <br />Chanhassen. James indicated in addition he was never invited to any meetings regarding the new <br />Highway 12 corridor and was never informed of any discussions had by the City concerning his property. <br />James indicated he was waiting to hear whether he would be allowed to speak to the Council concerning <br />his proposal. James stated it is his understanding at a work session there apparently was a consensus <br />among the council members that they did not want any big box retail stores. James stated his proposal <br />was for a 60,000 square foot grocery store that would offer essential services to the residents and would <br />be approximately one -fourth the size of any big retailer. <br />James indicated there were a number of intervening issues encountered during this process, including the <br />failed attempt to merge with the City of Long Lake, the new Highway 12 corridor, and the mandated <br />comprehensive plan update. James noted he was never invited to any discussions and never advised of <br />any meetings concerning this property except for one possible exception. James stated he found this <br />process to be very disturbing. James stated in other communities typically there is a collaborative process <br />that involves public hearings and input from the residents, but in Orono there was apparently a top -down <br />planning process that he personally finds very disappointing. <br />• <br />James indicated he basically gave up on any idea of a grocery project since he was told that the • <br />comprehensive plan was to be changed. James stated following that time he happened to see a city <br />brochure concerning affordable housing and that his property was identified as a potential for affordable <br />housing. James stated he was not informed of this. James indicated he then spoke with Staff and found <br />out what the City was thinking in that regard and then he went out and interviewed other developers in <br />this area in an effort to find a suitable contractor. James stated the developers he spoke with were advised <br />to speak with Staff concerning what could be constructed on this lot. James stated during this process he <br />attempted to pick a developer that would be able to offer a higher quality product and a lower density. <br />James stated he elected to go with Brenwood and attempted to follow the stated vision of the City for this <br />property. James noted he normally does not do residential projects, and that it has not been his vision to <br />have residential on that property, which is fronted on one side by old Highway 12, one side being fronted <br />by the new Highway 12 corridor, one side being fronted by Crystal Bay Road, and one side being located <br />across the street from some industrial uses. James commented he personally would not want to live in <br />that area but that he still continued to try to follow the vision of the City for this property. <br />James stated he completed the necessary wetland delineation, submitted surveys, and did design work in <br />connection with his proposal only to be informed that the City was going to place a moratorium on <br />developing this property. James stated it is his understanding this moratorium is applicable only to his <br />property and designed to stop the development process on this site. James stated he does not understand <br />what a moratorium is going to accomplish that the site plan approval process would not accomplish. <br />James indicated he is continuing to pay taxes on the property even though he has now lost a whole <br />construction season and work still will not be able to be commenced if the moratorium is extended. <br />James noted there have not been any offers by the City during this moratorium to pay the property taxes • <br />PAGE 2 <br />