05-02-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 2, 2011 APPROVED 134 The council heard comments from citizens in the audience: they do not want a negative 135 impact on the neighborhood; something neighborhood-based would be more appropriate; 136 not a destination development but rather a nice gateway to the neighborhood; nothing box 137 type is acceptable to the neighborhood; keep the trucks out; it's not the box type of 138 development they won't accept but rather the noise and traffic that goes with that type of 139 development. Suggestions for the site were a school, office space, single family homes, 140 or a park. A council member noted that marketing research in the area seems to indicate 141 that a grocery store is needed. Some residents of the city of Shoreview noted their current 142 problem of cut-through traffic and Community Development Director Grochala pointed 143 out that any project in the area would include a traffic study, and he acknowledged that 144 there is obviously already a traffic capacity problem. When a citizen commented that 145 there are already high water issues and they would be exacerbated with new development, 146 Mr. Grochala noted that storm water management is also part of any development plan. 147 148 The mayor noted that he is asking about possibilities because in business he knows there 149 is room for negotiation. There were suggestions from the audience of a smaller store 150 (Mississippi Market). There was also concern raised that the proposal contains no 151 improvement on the corner where blight exists. 152 153 The council directed staff to pass on the feedback to the developers. 154 155 6. Redevelopment Task Force—Economic Development Coordinator Divine 156 reported that the council asked EDAC to look at issues surrounding underused and 157 nonconforming properties in the city. The EDAC group worked with staff's guidance on 158 such areas as existing city regulations (ordinances, charter, fire code, etc) and came up 159 with a number of necessities to deal with properties: identify properties; determine 160 impact on city tax base; determine impediments to development; and actions the city 161 could take (regulatory, financial)to assist. Staff inventoried properties on Lake Drive and 162 Hodgson Road, resulting in 163 properties initially. Vacant and single family homes 163 were eliminated. Many of the properties do not have city water access and that impedes 164 redevelopment that requires code compliance that includes certain fire suppression. The 165 impact of the properties on the city's tax base was reviewed and properties were also 166 classified for risk of becoming vacant. Possible actions identified by EDAC: allow 167 market forces to determine redevelopment; expedite redevelopment by providing funding 168 sources; determine funds to assist with utility access; consider changes to zoning 169 ordinances. EDAC's suggestions focus on the city being more proactive; Ms. Divine 170 reviewed their recommendations to the council. 171 172 The Mayor remarked that this report is a wonderful piece of work and he offered thanks 173 to the group and to Council Member Roeser who brought up the concept of looking at the 174 properties. Ms. Divine added that the issue of underused or blighted properties is 175 somewhat isolated and all cities deal with them; there are no magic bullets to solve the 176 issues surrounding them. What the city can learn is that a redevelopment plan with a 177 funding source would be a key strategy to improvements. 178 4