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they are smaller. They prefer to locate in existing buildings in zoning districts because it is more economically viable, existing space and presents less impact than being located in a residential area. In summary, Ms. Hardy said they feel this is the best plan for Ironwood and the community. It provides certainty and for the site to be completed, and she said she was available for questions. Mayor Thorne said if the Council decided to withhold growth management until the drought ends or for 2 years, what would be Ponderosa's response. Ms. Hardy said she believes there was some discussion with their executive staff and while they need a certain number to develop their model homes, they are amenable to deferring some of those allocations and the earliest they would build may be spread out through the growth management allocations. Mayor Thome said the preponderance of negative comments have to do with the drought and this might be something he may be interested in by formalizing in a motion. Councilmember Narum said given the publicity around this application she asked if the church has been approached by another PNI user in the meantime. Ms. Hardy deferred to Pastor Barris. Vice-Mayor Brown asked Ms. Hardy why the applicant chose not to hold a workshop and Ms. Hardy said they held a lengthy discussion at the Planning Commission and as they explained, because the 6 acres is constrained they felt it was not as much a broad brush or a large piece of property that would typically be a candidate for a workshop session. She originally made a recommendation for a workshop but over time that has changed and it was in no way to bypass the Planning Commission. They felt the plan was straight-forward and what they know about the Ironwood development having a lot of experience in this community. Vice-Mayor Brown said she asked Ponderosa Homes' Vice President, Jeff Schroeder two weeks ago if he would consider waiting until after the drought was over and he told her point blank, no. Jeff Schroeder, Ponderosa Homes, agreed he said this, but in terms of the water use for this property it has been explained by staff that their impacts are less than what is approved. The church can move forward and build out and have a much greater impact on water usage. However, they understand concerns about the drought, but the fact is that if this was approved, by the time they began construction, it will be the middle of next year. They will build two model homes and then they start on production homes which will not be until the end of next year with no occupancies probably until the second quarter of 2017. Mayor Thome said if the City were to withhold 2 houses for the next 2 years or until the drought is declared over by the City, he asked for Mr. Schroeder's comment. Mr. Schroeder said he believes they will need to be able to start the first phase of production by the end of next year which would most likely be 5 houses. They could live with the restriction of building permits they could pull next year of about 10 units. Mayor Thome asked if this was 5 units. Mr. Schroeder said he needs 2 model homes and said the homes are very low water usage. The landscaping is designed with no turf, drought-tolerant landscaping and it is managed by the homeowner association. He needs to have at least the production phase and the models. He said it is like a moratorium on the project and he could not purchase the project and proceed to spend money not knowing if he could pull building permits. Mayor Thome said the City would be specific in this regard. Councilmember Pentin stated they held this conversation today that they would need at least 5 by the end of 2016 plus the model homes, and moving the allocation to 17 could work. Mr. Schroeder said if they could get the 2 model homes plus 5 units next year, they will not occupy any except for the model homes next year, and the rest would be occupied in 2017. City Council Minutes Page 11 of 28 October 6, 2015