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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/04/2006 EDAC Minutes1 APPROVED CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DATE:Thursday,May 4,2006 MEMBERS PRESENT:J. Milbauer,J. Schwartz, B. Combs, K. Corson,K. Hansmann, J. Helgemoe, T. Vacha,J. Kuschke MEMBERS ABSENT:M. Keller OTHERS PRESENT:M. Divine,Columbus Township representatives (part)Renae Fry, Town Board member, Elizabeth Mursko, Town Manager,Pat Preiner, property owner freeway district, Dennis Peterson, Business owner Lake Drive,Bruce Miller, EDC Chair person,Emmy Robinson, EDC recording secretary GENERAL/MINUTES Minutes of January 5, 2006 were approved, with a notation to omit the word “believed” in the second paragraph. February 9, 2006 minutes were approved. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Ms. Divine distributed the 2006 EDAC roster.Mr. Helgemoe moved to nominate Mr. Vacha as chair. Mr. Combs seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Hansmann moved to nominate Ms. Schwartz as vice-chair. Mr. Helgemoe seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. COLUMBUS TOWNSHIP JOINT MARKETING PLAN Prior to Columbus representatives arriving, members discussed the potential for joint marketing. Ms. Divine reviewed the current zoning, which is mainly Rural and RBR, and proposed land use. Ms. Schwartz noted that Columbus has different type of commercial/industrial development than what Lino Lakes is trying to attract on the corridor.They have sewer mains on both sides of the highway,and could be serviced. Water is available on west side and can be made available to the east. The area is guided for commercial, office showroom and industrial. Gander Mountain, Coates Trailer, Ziegler, Pierz Marine , and harness track,are what they are attracting, plus users that have been there awhile, including boat and snowmobile dealers. There is currently strong interest from a least two big box users on the Lino Lakes interchange. Which site they ultimately select will do much to determine how the interchange develops. Hardwood Creek LLC is trying to attract them to the northwest side, but road issues have slowed the project. Dick Schreier’s property on the southeast is also a consideration. Columbus Economic Development Committee representatives introduced themselves. Ms. Mursko, Town Manager, stated incorporation hearings were completed, and the decision is expected in June. The committee is looking into a brochure to promote the freeway district of 3 2 square miles dedicated to commercial use. Bruce Houle, who owns land in Lino and Columbus, suggested joint marketing with Lino Lakes to market from Cty Rd. 14 to 97.His interest is in the 80th Street interchange.Prior to awarding contract for a brochure, they would like to see if Lino Lakes was interested in targeting joint projects, such as a new intersection at 80th Street. Mr. Miller stated that their Economic Development Committee now has the opportunity to market because of available utilities. They have hired a consultant to put a marketing plan and to create a brochure and a website. They have agreed to participate with Anoka County Partners. Ms. Divine gave a summary of activity on 35E in Lino Lakes, including the AUAR, focus on the proposed Hardwood Creek Development, and funding for the 35E interchange. Mr. Miller stated his company owned the 20-acre Bernier property in Lino Lakes. They had been approached by SuperTarget and other users. Outside storage is allowed in Lino Lakes, but extremely restricted. Columbus allows outside storage in light industrial, with an advantage that is less visible from the freeway. Ms. Divine stated the community will be starting visioning this summer, which will move into the Comp Plan revisions. The AUAR is a significant step ahead in planning the 35E corridor. Mr. Miller said the Columbus freeway district has retail around 97/23, office showroom further south visible from the freeway. Away from the freeway on the frontage road is light industrial. The zoning code is pretty open for outside storage.The township’s vision is compatible with the current zoning. Ms. Mursko discussed other area road improvement plans for Columbus,on Zurich and 147th to be built this year, and future rerouting of 21.The interchange is in the 10-year plan. Columbus is not seeing a lot of retail interest, mostly office/showroom. They have one family that owns 3 out of 4 corners of the commercial. As Forest Lake continues to develop, retail should grow. The marketing brochure will be done with Marketing Source USA. They did the city of Cambridge materials. A proposal has been received, a contract is not signed.The goal is to get interested users and then put them in touch with landowners and provide demographics etc. The cost is $4500 a plan and a full-color brochure and $4500 for the website. Columbus’ annual budget is $10,000 for marketing. The goal is to complete it this year. The first target group is brokerage community. They also have a donated billboard to advertise the website. Ms. Fry also noted that there is a second joint corridor on Cty. Rd. 23, and Columbus would be interested in staying in touch with Lino Lakes regarding its development plans. Ms. Mursko said they are open to occasional joint meetings. Ms. Divine stated EDAC would discuss the proposal. It would likely require Council approval to jointly market with Columbus. EDAC discussion concluded that it may be in the township’s best interest to move ahead, although it seems likely they will wait until the incorporation is complete.EDAC concluded that 3 their marketing strategy is different.EDAC members agreed to respond by thanking th em for their proposal, and inform Columbus that EDAC believes it would benefit Lino Lakes to work through its Comp Plan before entering into a new marketing strategy. EDAC see benefits in continuing a dialog, especially with the mutual interests in develop ing the future interchange. Ms. Divine was directed to send a response to Columbus. CITY SURVEY Ms. Divine reviewed the survey results, which were generally positive.The analysis of the results is due soon, but Decision Resources pointed out that the survey showed that Lino Lakes had moved from Phase 1 growth, which was when people were mainly concerned about the pace of growth, to Phase 2, where people are more concerned about the type of growth.Ms. Schwartz said she was contacted for the survey and she had issue with the growth question.They were given multiple choices, but the growth choice was misleading in that it didn’t let a respondent define their concern about growth. She had responded that growth was an issue because she thought the city needed more growth, but then the results indicate that those who are concerned about growth are concerned about too much growth. Mr. Corson thought 26% was a fairly low number of respondents who thought too much growth was a major issue. Ms. Divine noted it was 35% in 1996. Taxes as a major issue also went down since the last survey, although Lino Lakes showed signs of being a “tax hostile” climate.Traffic has become a much bigger issue, and a larger safety concern than crime. Ms. Divine said she would be working on a series of Revolving Doors in the Quad regarding the survey.It was clear that citizens want retail, restaurants and entertainment.Ms. Divine informed the board that the presentation regarding the survey will be rebroadcast frequently during the month on cable. Ms. Divine reminded members about the YMCA groundbreaking on May 10. Meeting adjourned.