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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/01/2001 EDAC Minutes 1 APPROVED CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DATE: Thursday, March 1, 2001 MEMBERS PRESENT: H. Juni, T. Vacha, J. Schwartz, D. Gorowsky, F. Chase, K. Hansmann, R. Jensen MEMBERS ABSENT: J. Milbauer OTHERS PRESENT: M. Divine, B. Wessel, J. Bergeson, C. Dahl, R. Rafferty, J. Powell GENERAL/MINUTES The January 4, 2000 minutes were approved. EDAC APPOINTMENTS Ms. Divine introduced Mr. Rafferty, who was selected by the P & Z as the liaison to EDAC. The vacancy is still being advertised. DELLWOOD LLC/TARGET UPDATE Mr. Wessel stated that the Dellwood/Ryan/Target project is being downsized and will submit a revised plan. After approaching 390 prospects, they concluded there is no current market for the three 30,000-square foot buildings. They still intend to do the SuperTarget and break ground July 1. The land deal with Rehbein will have to be renegotiated. Staff met with McDonald’s and they intend to build. Mr. Jensen said if the Target goes in, the other land will develop. Mr. Powell said the Target/Ryan project is dependent on a second access. The city initiated a study of traffic from Main Street to Town Center Drive. With a second access to the Target site, 77th Street becomes less critical. The study is on hold until the revised plan comes in. If the county approves the access, 77th would be more residential and would not be looped through the development. It is likely some sort of signal will be needed at the new access. A full signal would be at Apollo Drive. The developer pays for a signal if the traffic is generated by the development. Mr. Vacha questioned the future connections of 77th. Mr. Powell gave an overall picture of the future traffic issues for 2 Lake Drive, Main Street and the interchange area, which may include a connection from Oak Lane to Main Street. Mr. Wessel said the architectural elevations are being revised, and the developers will provide sketches, a materials palette and samples. The look of the project hasn’t changed much. He added that the developers have never officially asked for a subsidy, although they have indicated they will. The downsizing puts the project more in line with the market, so the subsidy issue may become less important. Target is not adverse to pulling the plug if the schedule can’t be met. Mr. Jensen said Target plans to build eight stores, and have back-up sites to stay on schedule. They are committed to this project as long as it moves ahead. Staff is committed to making the schedule, but it is up to Ryan to get it done. Mr. Vacha expressed concern about the ponding on site and its impact on houses on 77th, since history shows the ponds spill over. Mr. Powell said the drainage will be redirected. VILLAGE UPDATE Mr. Wessel said the Livable Communities award was contingent on land acquisition for apartments. The committee has relaxed that to allow a phased development starting with city-land, and the money will be used for a combination of infrastructure and land write down to introduce housing and commercial on the city land. Ms. Divine explained the proposed design revisions, which include commercial, office and approximately 90 units of apartments marketed to empty nesters 55 and older. The proposal moves the village green to a later phase when the Village is more developed. The YMCA is moving forward, the YMCA now believes they need several additional acres for future expansion. City land is available, but it has always been considered land the city will sell. The YMCA has been asked to justify their need. Mr. Wessel said staff is negotiating to begin development of the city land this year, and the developers are also expected to put together an offer for Taggs. The total project is dependent on a second access. Mr. Powell said the Federal Highway Administration must review it, and the city has to work through MnDot to do it. It is not unprecedented to have an access that feeds onto the freeway and into the local development. If EDAC endorses it as required to make the Village project viable, that would provide the impetus to bring it to the City Council and begin the application process. It will come to EDAC at the next meeting. The approval. process could take up to a year. In summary, traffic lights may eventually be required at the freeway ramps, Apollo Drive, and at Town Center Parkway, and the two new accesses, phased in over time. Mr. Wessel stated that Centennial School District is considering 17 acres of the Rehbein light industrial land adjacent to the middle school as an option for an elementary school. Another option is the site the district owns on Birch Street. There has been discussion of a trade with Rehbein for the Birch Street site. The economic development impact of the new industrial park should be considered. Mr. Wessel noted that when the middle school 3 was planned, the district wanted light industrial land. The council took action that if there was a displacement of C/I land, land of equal value must replace it. Mr. Gorowsky recalled that the school superintendent attended an EDAC meeting and it was agreed the district would acquire land other than the light industrial. Mr. Juni questioned if it is too late to make a recommendation if the school board is ready to make the decision. and why the district hasn’t asked if a rezone was possible. Mr. Chase noted they can’t build without a rezone. Mr. Powell stated the PSP site on Birch Street had poor soils, and would cause additional traffic. Mr. Chase said the city needs to look at the economic impact of taking the property off the tax rolls. Mr. Gorowsky moved that EDAC encourage the city council to consider no net loss of commercial/industrial land in accordance with the city council’s policy adopted in 1995. Mr. Juni seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Bergeson noted that the school district was also courting the YMCA to build in conjunction with the new school. The council made it clear that the city partnership with the YMCA was contingent upon the Village site. Mr. Powell discussed the Hodgson Road project as a backdrop for what is happening in the Town Center. Anoka County has a design to reconstruct it from Lake Drive to County Road J. It is currently posted at 50 mph, which restricts county’s design flexibility. The city council has requested the speed be dropped to 45 mph, which will open up options for the design. If the county cannot design a satisfactory road on Hodgson, it will reevaluate the entire project that extends to the interchange. They have already said the $13 million in funding will move to Coon Rapids, and the Lake Drive interchange would lose funding. RESIDENTIAL HOUSING LIMIT/TOWN CENTER DEVELOPMENT Mr. Wessel reminded ECAC of their recommendations regarding housing in the Town Center. Developers are expressing concerns about a cap on housing, especially with a 90- unit project in the Village. Housing in the town center is critical to the economic development initiative. Mr. Bergeson said the council had discussion of a dual track on housing units, realizing whatever goes in the Town Center will have to be built all at once. Nothing is formalized. Council will take into consideration EDAC’s recommendation. The overall goal for 20 years has not changed. Mr. Chase said he believes the Comprehensive Plan committee intended that the limit was a long term average, and it would be unfair to other developers to close the door. But the overall limit can be strived for over the duration of the 20 years. The market will dictate the timing. Mr. Wessel said it is necessary that staff knows that it can actually build what they are negotiating with the developers. Mr. Juni said he wants to hear feedback from the council. EDAC’s position is set, but they don’t know what the council’s position is. Mr. Bergeson said the recent actions can go to the council for feedback. Ms. Divine reminded the committee that the Town Center housing recommendations were a part of the 5-year plan and presented to the council. 4 Ms. Dahl suggested a joint meeting with the council. EDAC agreed it would be helpful and staff will arrange it, possibly during a work session. Ms. Divine notified the board an opening is available on the Livable Communities Committee and if anyone is interested, she has applications available. The committee is looking for specific expertise in, and is a proponent of, Traditional Neighborhood Development. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m.