MEETING RECAP

 

We were a bit late getting signed into the meeeting at a little after 7:00. The council was already on New Business, so we missed the committee reports and any discussion on the PUD vote, but based on the comments later in the meeting, it appears that the PUD was voted to proceed with 189 new homes coming in. Based on the short time frame, it appears there was little, if any, discussion about the PUD. (This is the property at Corn Dawgs location).

The one thing we missed in all the meetings and discussions was ANYONE stating WHY this is a good thing for Walnut Grove. There were many concerns earlier and several residents in opposition of the PUD, but that did not seem to make a difference to council. In our opinion, council folded to the developers and did not hear the people. If anyone can tell us how the vote went (did anyone vote against this PUD?) we would like to know as we missed it and the city is not prone to giving us answers. We may have to wait until the minutes come out in January.

Under New Business there was discussion about a "Special Condition Request". This request involved the Parkway area on 9.4 acres. As current ordinances require 10 acres for a PUD, the applicant was asking approval for consideration of a PUD development on the 9.4 acres. This does not mean anything other than the city will consider allowing the small reduction in acreage for a plan similar to the one presented that included 30 townhomes, 12 loft apartments over commercial locations, an amphitheatre and other commercial properties. The person presenting the PUD kept talking about all the money and wealth it would bring to town. He says they have people "waiting in line" to buy these properties that he will then sell off. They want to start as soon as possible. The Mayor discussed that we are at capacity with phase I of the sewage and committed for phase II which will be 12-18 months down the road with over 1/2 the commercial obligated so the residential units would have to come later.

The mayor said there were over 1000 people at the tree lighting. He stated that people want to use the softball field, but need lights.

They went into executive session to with the exclusion being stated as "appointments". Upon exiting the session there was a vote to give a raise to the city clerk.

If anyone else that attended the meeting has more information, especially in the portion we missed, we would welcomed the input.