03/13/2008 EDAC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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gets to council. Recommendations go in the staff reports to the council. Ms. Divine stated that she believes the messages from EDAC to the council are sometimes less than effective. Hodgson Road/County Road J Ms. Divine stated that Muir Company brought in a grocer that was originally looking at the west side of Hodgson Road. Somewhere in discussions the grocer became set on going on the east side. Access issues may have driven that decision. Lack of landowner interest in selling may make the east side difficult to develop. Ms. Divine said that EDAC’s recommendation to pursue the grocer didn’t make it to the council because the Muir Company proposal didn’t get that far. Another development group would be working with the grocer on the east side. At this point there is are a significant number of obstacles to development. Anoka County has indicated that it will not participate in Hodgson/J improvements. Mr. Milbauer noted that the city continues to have a reputation of anti-development. Mr. Stranik stated that he got the feeling from his interview that the council felt EDAC was reactive, rather than proactive. Mr. Milbauer disagreed. Ms. Schwartz noted that EDAC is only advisory, and that the city council is the EDA. Mr. Combs noted that one council member attended the Comp Plan advisory group meeting and was still concerned about controlling the number of rooftops, even after it was pointed out by the comp plan consultant that Lino Lakes’ method of control could be considered illegal if someone were to challenge it. The council wants the power to control the development. Ms. Keller said EDAC has championed a level playing field, while some council wants to have arbitrary control over new housing developments. Mr. Combs stated he felt at his interview that the council wanted EDAC to be out in the community talking to existing business. Ms. Lodico said she was told by council EDAC was meant to be a think tank for economic development, not going out door knocking. Members discussed the need to have an interim economic development plan to fill the vacancies that exist if new development has slowed. Mr. Roeser stated that there is a survey program that helps to set it up and to interpret the information. Ms. Keller said if we were ever to go out and interview business, EDAC would need a short workshop to ensure everyone was seeking the same types of information. Business Survey Ms. Divine informed the board that responses have been coming back. A total of 208 businesses were contacted, and only about 25% have responded. She plans to resend the email survey. She is mostly hearing from small business. The purpose of the survey is to get a sense of the business climate, and if any business is considering expansion or moving. Meeting adjourned. 2