11-23-1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 23, 1998 ( #2417 TOLD Development, continued) • acknowledged that the site plan is proposing a large amount of hardcover, noting that the proposed building will be between 10,000 and 15,000 square feet. This site was chosen due to the lack of other available land in this community to build a Walgreen's. Cunningham commented that Walgreen's has conducted numerous studies of their stores and have concluded that this size store best meets the needs of their customers. Walgreen's caters to the residents in the surrounding area and are looking at approximately a mile and a half radius as their service area. Most of Walgreen's traffic is pass -by traffic and should not increase traffic in the general area significantly. Cunningham noted that the nearest drugstore to this site is approximately three to four miles away, and a Walgreen's at this site would provide the neighborhood with a good retail opportunity. Cunningham remarked he is willing to address whatever concerns the City Council may have regarding the proposed site plan. Mayor Jabbour commented that the City needs to look at this issue very carefully and needs to be as consistent as possible in making amendments to zoning districts. Jabbour noted the City had sound reasons for zoning the City the way it is and have made certain changes over the years to accommodate certain services that were not anticipated at the time the districts were adopted. Mayor Jabbour noted that the City Council needs to determine why the B -5 District should be amended to include this use and not erode away the City's limits on the business districts simply to accommodate a particular development. The City Council needs to decide whether this use is appropriate for this area, noting that the City would like to get a firm commitment from Walgreen's that they are serious about proceeding with this project before amending the zoning district. • Cunningham stated he is merely representing Walgreen's as a potential landlord, noting they would be a long -term tenant in this building should the project be approved. Cunningham remarked he will be meeting with representatives of Walgreen's on December 7th to discuss the project, and his goal is to have the district amended to accommodate this use. Mayor Jabbour noted that the public hearing for this development was held at the last Planning Commission meeting, but the Council will allow additional public comment at tonight's meeting. Gaffron stated he agrees that the City needs to understand the full impact that this zoning amendment would have on the City as a whole, noting that City Staff has not had sufficient time to look at this issue in a comprehensive manner. Cunningham stated he would not be opposed to a conditional use permit for this project. Flint commented he is having a difficult time distinguishing between the request for the amendment and the site plan. Flint stated he would like to see a drugstore in Navarre but has a concern over the size of the proposed building. Cunningham stated this is merely a prototype of the building that Walgreen's typically builds based upon numerous market studies and customer research. Cunningham indicated that Walgreen's may be agreeable to modifying the site plan slightly, noting that they have chosen not to have a two -story building, which they felt would be more objectionable. Cunningham stated that it would be Walgreen's decision on whether the size of the building should be-reduced. Kelley commented that he is aware that Walgreen's does have smaller stores located in downtown Minneapolis, and suggested that Cunningham discuss with Walgreen's the possibility of erecting . a smaller size building at this location. Page 12