Hardball (updated)

After about six hours of discussion and testimony at the May 5th special meeting to consider the CoPar settlement, the city council voted unanimously to table the decision on whether to grant the conditional use permit (CUP) application.

The application to create a 165 unit development in south Maplewood included green space, easement protections, and public ownership opportunities that a majority of councilmembers seemed to view favorably, but the $1,000,000 price tag for public improvements was in the end too steep.

The application under consideration is the core of a settlement proposal in CoPar's lawsuit against the city stemming from the 2006 denial of their 191 unit application. Should CoPar prevail the court could order approval of the 191 unit plan, which does not include the green space, easement protections, and public ownership opportunities being offered in the settlement.

The council invited Co Par to prepare any revisions to the 165 unit proposal they might find workable based on their participation in the special session. The council scheduled a closed session for May 12 to consider any such revisions, and directed Acting City Manager Ahl to put the CUP application including any revisions on the agenda for the May 12th regular meeting.


[update 5/7 8:30am]

Elizabeth Mohr quotes some reactions in the 5/7/08 Pioneer Press: Council rethinks deal with developer: Density of Carver Crossing housing project still an issue

Mayor Diana Longrie was concerned about housing density in the area, asking, "What's the difference between 191 and 165?" Either way, she said, "the Mississippi Critical Area is pretty much shot."

The area "is doomed for development," Council Member Kathleen Juenemann said, noting the developer owns the land and that Maplewood is an attractive location.

"If I were queen, there wouldn't be a single building on that property," Juenemann said. "But I don't want to lose the option to preserve a bit of something we wish we could preserve all of."

The council has asked CoPar to reconsider the need for a $1 million city contribution to public works improvements for the Carver Crossing project.

"I just can't justify spending $1 million of taxpayers' money to buy down development density," Council Member Erik Hjelle said.

But Council Member Will Rossbach has said he supported the settlement because he doesn't believe the city will win the case if it goes to court.