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 She originally made a recommendation for a workshop 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