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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/05/2003 EDAC Minutes 1 APPROVED CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DATE: Thursday, June 5, 2003 MEMBERS PRESENT: D.Gorowsky, K. Hansmann, F. Chase, J. Schwartz, H. Juni, H. Karth, T. Vacha MEMBERS ABSENT: J. Milbauer, J. Schwartz, R. Jensen OTHERS PRESENT: M. Divine GENERAL/MINUTES Approval of minutes from April 17, 2003 were approved. Mr. Juni noted that getting the agenda via e-mail worked well. UPDATES Ms. Divine informed the committee that the Bruggeman development incorporates townhomes and commercial. The council indicated they would not approve a gas station on the site. Consequently the developer has reduced the amount of commercial. Several members noted that it would likely cause additional traffic problems with a gas station on just one side. Members stated the signal was important to alleviate traffic problems. Lakes Business Park is being replatted to include four lots. One site will have a 265,000 square foot distribution facility. An EAW is in process, which includes a traffic study. The process for creating a new TIF district is underway. This will provide a source of funding for improvements to Lake Drive. Hartford Group has agreed to purchase the city property, and a development agreement is being drafted. The Village is now being called Woods Edge. An EAW is also being completed, with a traffic study. Staff has been working with the Hartford Group to refine site plans, costs and resources. A Livable Communities grant will be submitted this month. This year the Metropolitan Council has committed to spreading the funding among more suburban projects. The city has received two grants in the past. Ms. Divine stated the YMCA is working with an architect from BWBR to determine the site is suitable for their needs. Mr. Juni stated the YMCA is tied into the Hartford project because the infrastructure is tied to it. The city has committed to the infrastructure to the Y. The Y has raised a little over $5 million, they would like to raise another $1 million. 2 STADIUM MARKET ANALYSIS Ms. Divine distributed the stadium market analysis that was conducted by McCombs group for Anoka County. Lino Lakes, Blaine and Columbus contributed toward the analysis. EDAC had recommended to the council that the city participate in this study. This analysis looked specifically at the Rehbein site on 35E. The criteria on which the ratings were based included access to regional freeway system, access to the site, visibility, current and future traffic, relationship to adjacent uses, natural features, ease of site development, availability to urban services, location relative to competing areas, and the potential for commercial and industrial. Blaine ranked first, Columbus second, Lino Lakes third. No one site completely stood out. Lino Lakes ranked first on ease of development and highest income. The access and rooftops made Blaine most desirable. However, the criteria was weighted all equally. So one issue could make any site drop out. Lino Lakes has an advantage of mainly one owner on a site with almost no wetlands. Mr. Karth stated that wetlands in that Blaine area will be drained because a lawsuit was concluded regarding a culvert under the freeway. The Columbus Township site is where Gander Mountain is being constructed. The county plans to continue to work with the Vikings and is not eliminating any site. The study states Lino Lakes has limited potential for commercial in the area, but the city has received interest from significant development groups for mixed use on the property. The next step is a phase two to establish partnerships and looking at the feasibility of purchase of the sites. All three sites will be developed. They all have implications and benefits for each other if developed. A lot of interest is developing in the Rehbein site, and the ultimate use will hopefully be the highest and best use. FOGERTY DOME PLAN Ms. Divine stated Mr. Bill Fogerty addressed the council with a proposal for a sports dome on Gerald Rehbein property on 35E south of 14. The road is a problem because it is bordered with Centerville. Mr. Fogerty has done the Lino Lakes Business Center Phases 1-8 in the Apollo Business Park. Mr. Fogerty purchased the dome from the city of St. Paul and has a group of investors. The concept includes three hockey training rinks in the winter, a restaurant and pro shop, and other sports uses in the summer, including soccer, etc. Mr. Gorowsky stated that there are more rinks than needed in the metro area. There is a lot of “off” time on these rinks so it’s difficult to make money. Mr. Fogerty was told the project could not happen without his paying for improvements to 21st. Avenue and Cedar Street and he has agreed to that. Council was enthusiastic about the concept. The dome is 90 feet high. 3 The project would increase traffic to DQ and the gas station. Mr. Fogerty plans to develop the remaining site with industrial uses. Mr. Chase moved that the city continue discussions with Fogerty, noting the infrastructure enhancements are an important development opportunity, but members have concerns about the aesthetics. Mr. Gorowsky seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. ANOKA COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Ms. Divine stated the proposed CDA did not passed through the Legislature due to opposition from several cities. That means the county will not have the authority to levy for economic development uses. Members tentatively scheduled a meeting on July 10. Meeting adjourned.