02/07/2011 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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WS — Item 9 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item 9 Date: February 7, 2011 To: City Council From: Mary Divine Re: Motorsports Facility Background The City Council was approached by a development team, International Motorsports Entertainment Development Co. (IMEDC) in August 2010. They have had interest in developing a motorsports facility in northeast Lino Lakes. The City Council expressed concerns about noise, traffic, and other negative impacts that this facility could have on Lino Lakes, as well as the potential economic benefits. In September IMEDC gave a presentation to EDAC. At that time EDAC made a recommendation that the facility merited further discovery, recognizing it's a very preliminary concept that requires considerable study. In November the City Council requested that IMEDC conduct a site specific noise study as a first step in determining what impacts the facility would generate. IMEDC responded that they were having their design team reconfigure the track placements and intend to have a new site plan available sometime in January. They did not want to pursue a study at this time. In December business people and public officials attended an event at Running Aces to learn more about IMEDC's concept for the race track. The developers are continuing to request a show of support from a City Council for the concept of a motorsports facility before they begin any studies. At the January work session the Council discussed whether to move forward with any show of support and discussed having something before them to consider. At its January meeting EDAC reviewed and approved a resolution that they would like the City Council to consider. The resolution is clear that it does not constitute any formal approval and does not hold the City Council to any future costs, actions or approvals. In February IMEDC met with the City of Columbus Economic Development Committee and the Columbus EDA (City Council). The EDA directed staff to work with IMEDC on "next steps" and asked for an escrow and a concept stage plan. The attached plan was