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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981 09-09 Financial crunch snags Hillwood-Dorland Road housing development THE REVIEW Financial crunch snags Hillwood- Dorland Road housing development By JONATHON CLYDE GLASS assessment levying options, including city) take, we end up in the red," there without first getting a special use Staff Writer having the city pick up$87,000 or$165,000 Anderson said."We're going to lose on permit from the council, according to S Z 9, '981 in utility costs. this thing no matter how we do it,"he Geoff Olson,city planner. "It's thesameotdstoryforayearanda added. The council should consider The property-owners, Richard "This is the first time I've even heard of project, Schreier,2125 DeSoto St.,Gerald Mogren, half.Who's going to pay for the road to go option one,two,three,four or five.It's "killing" the entire ro ect, Anderson g by my place?" Glenn Becklund, 2325 P suggested. 2855 Frederick St.,and Robert Mogren, Linwood Ave.,asked the Maplewood City called `stick the developer," said an Anderson voted with the rest of the 8738 Lake Jane Trail,Lake Elmo,plan to Council. exasperated Gervais. "There's only so council, however, in approving council lease the land for a 30,000 square foot "Who's going to pay?" was the big much cost I can build into these houses," member Gary Bastian's motion to adopt retail shopping center. They need the question for the council, developer and )he continued, estimating the increased an assessment plan which eliminates any zoning change to have maximum area residents like Becklund at a Sept.3 developement costs would add about city contribution to the costs. flexibility in attracting businesses to the city council public hearing on a 15-acre,74 $1,000 to the price of each housing unit. The motion also scales down the overall development,Schreier told the council, unit housing project in southern scope of the project. Hillwood Drive, Anderson and council member Fran City Manager Barry Evans defended Juicer expressed concern that the zoning Maplewood.In determining how to make the council's position.If it were not for - which has been planned to extend all the change for this parcel would stimulate assessments for the Hillwood Drive- Gervais'proposed development,the city way west to McKnight, will instead be other landowners owners in the area too Dorland Road project, the council would not be contemplating any of the stopped near the western border of the request the same change.The city would decided, perhaps reflecting financing utility improvements in that area, he housing development.If the land between have less control over future development trends for the future,that the city could said. there and McKnight is developed in the as a result,Anderson said. not afford to make any contribution to the "The city used to do a lot of things it future,the city can arrange for the ex- „q expect all the developers between utility costs for the project. Council can't afford anymore,and this is one of tension of the road,according to Bastian's Lydia and Beam to want the BC(Business members left open the option,however, them,"Evan said,referring to the city's Plan. Commercial),"Anderson said."That's a for'the developer to do the work and unwillingness to pick up a share of the The council also gave Gervais the op- wide open package"'he added. arrange the financing for a greater costs tion of handling both the construction and 'qf there's any spot for BC this is it," portion of the project's internal road and Council member Norman Anderson told financing of the road,sewer and water- said Mayor John Greavu.The council's utility construction. Gervais the council was not trying to main work within his development. With the city facing numerous budget "stick"the developer,but it was trying to Gervais said he would prefer to do it on Past problems with lack of control over cuts in 1982, the council chose a protect citytaxpayers and nearbyhis own and could do it cheaper than the BC areas has been because the business P cit He is scheduled to bringareas bordered residential neigh- preliminary assessment plan which residents like Becklund from huge R his plans borhoods,he said.That should not be a relieves the city from contributing any assessments. How is a citizen like the council on Sept.17. problem in this part of the city,he con- share of the estimated$1,293,000 utility Becklund supposed to recover from such IN OTHER ACTION,the council ap- tined. and drainage costs for the project.The a large assessment,which could come to proved a zoning change for a 5.7 acre The final motion to pass the zoning housing developer and landowner, Ken $50,000? Anderson asked Gervais. The parcel on the west side of White Bear change was approved unanimously,with Gervais,2373 E.Linwood Ave.,will have city has lost numerous lawsuits in the past Avenue,between Maplewood Mall on the Anderson attaching a statement saying to pay$716,000 and and nearby residents because the high assessments it imposed west and Maplewood Heights Park on the that this change should not be interpreted will pay$578,000 in assessments. could not be sustained in the courts,the east. The parcel was changed from as a precedent,requiring the council to councilman continued. Business Commercial Modified to make similar zoning changes for other Gervais was not at all pleased when the Business Commercial, which basically parcels adjacent to residential areas to council passed up other possible NO MATTER WHAT OPTION we(the allows businesses to establish restaurants the south.