HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/06/2003 EDAC Minutes 1
APPROVED
CITY OF LINO LAKES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
DATE: Thursday, February 6, 2003
MEMBERS
PRESENT: K. Hansmann, J. Milbauer, F. Chase, J. Schwartz, R. Jensen
MEMBERS
ABSENT: D. Gorowsky, T. Vacha, H. Juni
OTHERS
PRESENT: M. Divine, H. Karth
GENERAL/MINUTES
Approval of minutes from January 9, 2003 were tabled until a quorum was present.
2003 APPOINTMENTS
Ms. Divine stated that Mr. Jensen and Ms. Schwartz were reappointed to the committee
and Mr. Harvey Karth was appointed to fill the vacancy. Members welcomed Mr. Karth
and it was noted he would not be sworn in until the following week.
2003 MEETING SCHEDULE
Members agreed to continue meeting monthly. If there were no agenda items, Ms. Divine
will cancel the meetings.
UPDATES
A. Shopping Center: Ms. Divine noted that the JADT development had tenants lined up
that included a Caribou Coffee, liquor store, Mexican fast food and a scrapbook
store. The Dairy Queen is introducing its new "Grill and Chill" concept on the Ryan
site on Lake Drive.
B. Village: The Hartford Group had signed a purchase agreement with the Taggs for
their property in the Village. The schedule called for the developers to meet with
staff in February and meet at a council work session in late March.
C. 35E/Cty. Rd. 14: Mr. Jensen stated that Anoka County is exploring the potential for a
stadium site with the Vikings. The Vikings want to consolidate a stadium, their
summer training camp facilities, and their headquarters in Eden Prairie. Anoka
County has four sites that have been identified--two in Lino Lakes, one in Columbus
and one in Blaine. The Vikings like the National Sports Center connection. Several
people from the county went to Phoenix to look at a stadium that was a part of a
much larger 400-acre development of commercial, industrial and housing. The
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stadium project would take approximately 132 acres. They want to designate a site
soon because a National Football League fund that would make available $50
million, dries up the end of March. The Lino Lakes sites would take a lot of work to
connect 35W and 35E, but any site will take a lot of work. It's attractive that the two
freeways come together up in Columbus.
GAS STATION/CONVENIENCE STORES
Ms. Divine reviewed the Spirit Hills project on Birch Street and Hodgson Road that was
approved with a gas station. A new application has been made for a commercial corner
on the Miller Farm (southeast corner of Birch and Hodgson) that includes a gas station. It
appears the majority of the city council is against another gas station and is considering
removing them as an allowable use in Neighborhood Business (NB) zones.
Ms. Divine reviewed some history, which included the Design Review Task Force
conclusion they should remain a Conditional Use in NB. The proposed zoning ordinance
would provide strict standards for design, lighting, etc. for gas stations, and in the last
city survey, 75% favored attracting neighborhood commercial centers. Also, the
comprehensive plan originally had this site at a much more intense commercial use.
Ms. Divine stated gas stations are important neighborhood anchors and not allowing them
will make neighborhood commercial areas in the city difficult to develop. The city
professes to want economic development but continues to set up roadblocks. EDAC
members considered whether it was appropriate to further regulate locations of gas
stations or to let the market dictate their location, what the impact of this regulation
would have on economic development, and whether the city is prepared to accept less
economic development.
Members discussed that economics should dictate which businesses will be allowed in
the city rather than using artificial controls. Businesses come in because there is a market,
but small strip malls usually don't develop without a gas station/convenience store as an
anchor. Mr. Chase noted that two gas stations on a corner could improve traffic. The
commercial tax base in Lino Lakes needs to be enhanced. Ms. Hansmann agreed that it's
like the trying to control housing.
Ms. Schwartz moved to recommend to the City Council to allow the free market to
decide the locations of gas station/convenience stores within the city. EDAC believes that
the proposed zoning ordinance regulating gas station/convenience stores is restrictive
enough and EDAC supports their location in commercial districts as a Conditional Use.
Members believe that imposing stricter standards on the number or the location of gas
station/convenience stores within the city will impede future economic development.
Mr. Milbauer seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned.
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