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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/06/2000 EDAC MinutesAPPROVED CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DATE: Thursday, January 6, 2000 MEMBERS PRESENT: B. Johnson, B. Wessel, F. Chase, J. Schwartz, D. Gorowsky, M. Haselman, H. Juni, F. Johnson MEMBERS ABSENT: R. Jensen, J. Milbauer, G. Rehbein OTHER PRESENT: M. Divine, D. Carlson, J. Smyser, J. Bergeson ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Mr. Chase welcomed new member M. Haselman. Mr. Juni moved to reappoint Mr. Chase as chairman of EDAC, and Mr. Gorowsky as vice-chair. Ms. Schwartz seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. GENERAL/MINUTES Mr. Gorowsky moved to approve minutes of Dec. 2, 1999 with changes to members present. Mr. Juni seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. UPDATES Mr. Wessel stated that Socrates (“Socco”) Babacus has announced he has an option on 370 acres of Gerald Rehbein’s land on 35E to build a retractable domed stadium. Ms. Divine will be the information point person for the media and that it was an opportunity for the city to represent itself well. Mr. Gorowsky said the city is not solely tax base oriented and there are many considerations to a project of that scope, including the strain on the city’s resources. Mr. F. Johnson noted that the intent of the RBR was development 15-20 years from now, which is generally the life of a stadium. Mr. B. Johnson noted that Centerville would be impacted and could potentially share in some of the revenue. Mr. Wessel stated the city council was prepared to meet with Socco next week to hear about his proposal. The city will not be able to respond to any proposal without the opportunity to evaluate it. Mr. Wessel informed the board that Glenn Rehbein has decided to develop the shopping center himself. He as hired RSP Architects to design a plan. Staff met with architects, who questioned if the current shopping center location was the best place. They said consideration should be given to Mr. Rehbein’s industrial site on Lake Drive because it had better marketing potential. Mr. Chase said it would cause problems during rush hour. Mr. Wessel added that the city has begun eminent domain on the current shopping center site to get the road in this spring. Ms. Schwartz questioned why eminent domain is being used instead of forced dedication. Mr. Wessel said the attorneys decided it was the proper approach. Mr. Wessel said the city and Hugo were negotiating water rights on the east side, to provide water to a new residential development in Hugo just east of the Clearwater Creek industrial area. Ms. Carlson said she would like the Lino Lakes city council to meet with Hugo’s to discuss development issues. OUTSIDE STORAGE IN LIGHT INDUSTRIAL ZONES Mr. Smyser informed the board that staff was looking at the issue of outside storage in light industrial areas. He explained that in 1997 the council adopted a revision of the conditional use for outside storage in response to a request from Molin Concrete. The ordinance now allows outside storage as a principal use with an interim use permit, and inadvertently dropped outside storage as an accessory use with a conditional use permit. A company is now requesting a CUP in the Apollo Business Park, and staff is reviewing its options to place more restrictions on outside storage. This would not affect Molin. While it seems appropriate to allow outside storage in Apollo where it abuts the prison, it may not be desirable in other areas of the city. Mr. Smyser stated he would like EDAC to formulate a policy toward outside storage. Mr. B. Johnson asked if the city could limit the types of materials stored to the finished product rather than raw materials. Mr. Smyser said that could be considered. Mr. F. Johnson asked if the city could state that it’s only allowed next to the prison. Mr. Smyser said it was illegal without rezoning it. Mr. Chase said outside storage was a necessary component for many good industries. Mr. Bergeson suggested restricting it near residential areas and making a distinction between storage in front or in back of the building. Mr. Johnson suggested limiting outside storage to a proportion of the total site. Mr. Chase cautioned that limiting the size could mean that fences would be the only option since there would be less room for landscaping, berms, etc. Ms. Schwartz said the city should prohibit outside storage and wait 3-5 years for better quality businesses. Mr. Chase said that blue-collar wages will exceed hi-tech wages and banning it would eliminate the potential for good companies. Mr. F. Johnson said he supports for quality manufacturing companies and that land prices in Lino Lakes should exclude those who want to store junk. Ms. Schwartz asked if a special use permit could be considered that could be used on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Smyser said conditional use and special use were the same, and a list of allowable uses was necessary to eliminate arbitrary decisions. Mr. Chase noted that once the door is open for outside storage, it’s hard to reject others. Under the current interim use ordinance, Ford Motors could come in and use land for auto storage. Mr. Wessel said TIF could help select those more desirable businesses. Mr. F. Johnson moved to have staff prepare a proposal to restrict outside storage in LI so that it is not abutting commercial, residential or rural, or public roads and spaces. Mr. B. Johnson seconded the motion. Mr. F. Johnson modified the motion to include provisions to minimize the visual impact and to include wording regarding the types of materials stored. Ms. Schwartz requested other options be considered so the city did not have to approve whatever was listed as conditional uses. Mr. Smyser said the city cannot be arbitrary. The modified motion passed, with Ms. Schwartz voting nay. SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATES The planning committee met once and is looking at materials to rate economic opportunities in Lino Lakes. Staff is developing a matrix of C/I properties. The next meeting is Jan. 11. The finance committee met twice and is now evaluating the TIF policy and a proposed policy. They are looking at ways to simplify economic development information for public review. They will meet next on Jan. 25. OTHER ISSUES Ms. Haselman asked if the early morning meetings were convenient for members. All agreed they worked best. Ms. Haselman asked if all members were Lino Lakes residents. Ms. Divine explained this committee is different from other boards because non-residents were sometimes on the board. Board members were chosen for their particular expertise. Mr. F. Johnson moved to adjourn. Mr. Gorowsky seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned, 8:43 a.m.