Laserfiche WebLink
WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />Work Session Item No. 4 <br />Date: August 7, 2023 <br />To: City Council <br />From: Michael Grochala, Community Development Director <br />Re: Apollo Business Park Business Expansion <br />Background <br />The Apollo Business Park was established in the early 1990’s to provide land for economic <br />development and expand the City’s tax base. Over the past year staff has been working with two <br />of the local businesses on expansion opportunities. Both companies are long term occupants of <br />the park in need of additional space. In both cases expansion area on the sites is not large <br />enough to accommodate the user’s needs. Both users prefer to stay at their current locations. <br />As a potential solution staff is evaluating the use of adjacent city owned and state owned (tax <br />forfeit) properties. These properties where originally created as borrow pits for grading in the <br />development and subsequently used for stormwater runoff. We believe there is capacity in the <br />lots that would allow for some building expansion and/or use for additional stormwater from new <br />construction. <br />If it is determined that the properties could be used for expansion purposes, staff is proposing <br />transfer of the currently tax exempt properties to the industrial users. The state owned properties <br />would need to be obtained through Anoka County. Any costs associated with this would be the <br />responsibility of the end user. The City would retain drainage and utility easements over the <br />ponding areas. Staff would suggest a nominal fee for the city property since it would still be <br />encumbered by stormwater facilities and easements. However, that would be further evaluated if <br />the projects move forward. <br />The EDAC is discussing the item at their August 3, 2023 regular meeting. Their <br />recommendation will be forwarded to the Council at the work session. <br />Requested Council Direction <br />Staff is requesting discussion on the City Council’s receptiveness to the City facilitating land <br />transfers to accommodate manufacturing expansion. <br />Attachments <br />1.Site Location Map