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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/01/2000 EDAC MinutesAPPROVED CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DATE: Thursday, June 1, 2000 MEMBERS PRESENT: F. Chase, D. Gorowsky, R. Jensen, H. Juni, B. Rehbein, T. Vacha, MEMBERS ABSENT: J. Schwartz, M. Haselman, J. Milbauer OTHERS PRESENT: M. Divine, D. Carlson, B. Johnson, B. Wessel, J. Smyser GENERAL/MINUTES Mr. Juni moved to approve minutes of May 4, 2000. Mr. Gorowsky seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Mr. Wessel introduced Mr. Rehbein and Mr. Vacha who were appointed by the Council to replace vacancies left by Mr. Glenn Rehbein and Mr. Fritz Johnson. He explained that EDAC is an advisory board that makes recommendations regarding economic development issues to the Council. PROJECT UPDATES Ms. Divine stated that she was working with two prospects in the Apollo Business Park. Marmon Keystone, a distributor of pipe, is planning to build an 80,000 SF facility in the park. They intend to begin the approvals process in June. TOWN CENTER DESIGN STANDARDS Mr. Wessel explained that the Planning & Zoning Board was in the public hearing stage regarding the design standards. He explained that the purpose of the design standards is to implement the concept of a traditional neighborhood mixed use development. The city’s goal is to create an identity and a place for the community to gather. It is intended to be a reflection of what the residents said they wanted in the 20/20 Visioning process and the citizens’ survey. Mr. Smyser stated that he believed too much focus has been put on the details of the design standards, and it is more important to concentrate on the larger issues, and whether the standards accomplish the objectives of creating a mixed use neighborhood. Mr. Gorowsky asked why the standards were not expanded to the other quadrants of the interchange. Mr. Johnson stated that there were different expectations for these quadrants, which include light industrial. Mr. Chase said the question is what is important for economic development, and how does the city separate what will be mandatory from what is a wish list. Mr. Smyser said it will be a policy decision, but from his experience whatever is not mandatory doesn’t happen. Mr. Chase said he is concerned that if the standards become ordinance every change will require a variance. While the standards allow the council to make minor adjustments without a variance, the standards don’t define what is a minor adjustment. Mr. Chase questioned what would happen if a developer brought in a plan that the city liked, but did not adhere to the standards. Ms. Carlson noted that the council must meet five standards to approve a variance, and if the council granted a variance to one developer, it would be obligated to treat others equally. Mr. Chase questioned if this was a layer of government the city wanted. One way some cities handle these issues is with a design review committee. It can slow up development. Mr. Smyser said whatever standards get adopted, it should be standards that reflect the community’s vision. Mr. Jensen stated that flexibility can be built into planned unit developments and other cities do it. Mr. Johnson stated the city needs to take a strong position on standards and then negotiate from there. Mr. Smyser said developers have different goals than the city, and the developers will want to know what the city’s standards are so they know what they are dealing with from the beginning. He added that if the city wants something it needs To be spelled out in the standards. Mr. Chase said the city and a developer could attach to the development agreement a draft of the details of the development, rather than using ordinances. Then if a developer wanted to change some of the details, it could be a part of the agreement. Mr. Gorowsky stated that he didn’t believe there was a mandate from city residents for the type of development they want. He believes there is a consensus that they want a “downtown.” He stated it made sense to him on the southeast quadrant, because that has been the direction the city has taken with the Civic Complex and YMCA. He added that it is likely this will add cost to development and could impede economic development, especially on the north side. Mr. Smyser noted that fewer standards on the north side would make it easier to develop, and so it would develop first, potentially delaying development of the south side. City staff viewed the two areas as complementary. Mr. Gorowsky said he believes if the north side is successful, the south side will be also. Mr. Rehbein stated that the market might not support the kind of development the city is requiring by the design standards. He added that people will access the northern site by automobile, and the pedestrian orientation is not realistic. Mr. Smyser responded that it is not an either/or issue. Autos and pedestrians can be accommodated. Mr. Rehbein said they did not have a problem with the direction the city is taking overall, but he has problems with the details in the standards. Mr. Smyser stated that the details were vital to getting what the city wants and the city is at a disadvantage if they don’t have standards. There is a need to make approvals efficient and fair. The more “fudginess” there is, the longer approvals take. The city has statutory limits on approvals. Mr. Chase said Mr. Smyser is coming from a different perspective than EDAC members and the issue is figuring out what in the standards we really need, and what we’d like to see if possible. Mr. Gorowsky stated EDAC’s charge will be to conclude whether the standards will get the city the kind of economic development it wants and when, especially on the north side. He added that he did not think Lino Lakes should be another Edina. Mr. Johnson asked if a market study was available that would help determine what type of business would want a store front. Mr. Wessel said that can be made available. Mr. Juni noted that members should decide how they want to handle recommendations regarding the standards to the P&Z. EDAC could either do it collectively, as individuals at the public hearing. Mr. Rehbein stated that expectations should be different on the north side since the city owns property on the south side, it is fine if the city adheres to whatever standards it wants. Ms. Carlson reminded members that the city does not own all the land on the south side, and that if the city is more strict in the south side than the north, the area could be jumped over. Mr. Rehbein said he could bring in a group of developers who could discuss what they find unacceptable about the standards. Ms. Divine suggested that a developer who approved of the standards should be included to give the discussion balance. Members agreed to meet July 13 from 7 to 9:30 a.m. to discuss the details they don’t want in the standards and to talk to developers. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN The presentation of the five-year plan and one-year action plan at the council work session was postponed to a later date due to a heavy agenda at the June 7 work session. Meeting adjourned, 8:40 a.m.