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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/04/2003 EDAC Minutes 1 APPROVED CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DATE: Thursday, September 4, 2003 MEMBERS PRESENT: D.Gorowsky, K. Hansmann, H. Juni, H. Karth, T. Vacha, J. Milbauer MEMBERS ABSENT: F. Chase, J. Schwartz OTHERS PRESENT: M. Divine, D. Carlson GENERAL/MINUTES Minutes of July 31, 2003 were approved. K. Hansmann noted an area that needed clarification. J. Milbauer commented that he was concerned about negativity regarding the racetrack proposal when they presented their idea to EDAC. Ms. Divine stated the 35E site is no longer available for the racetrack, the developer of the Ramsey Town Center has tied it up. The developer will be seeking a mixed use project in the future. It’s her understanding the racino group is still considering Columbus Township. Mr. Karth stated he showed a member of the racino group the Robinson sod farm and the Blaine development along Main Street. The developer didn’t seem to have issues with access from Main Street. UPDATES Ms. Divine stated that Woods Edge was progressing. The EAW is still underway. September 22 the EDA will authorize preparation of the plan for the Redevelopment TIF District on the Tagg site. The district should be established by the end of the year. SEH is being used as the consultant on the EAW, the engineering issues, and site plan review. She stated the city entered into a purchase agreement with the Hartford Group for $4.50/sq. ft. Ms. Divine stated that only a part of the site would be within the TIF district. The south portion of the site can be put on the tax rolls immediately. Redevelopment funds will be used for improvements to the interchange, as well as for the project. The YMCA is still concerned about the size of its site. Those are issues that the city is working with SEH to address. Shared parking is one option. Mr. Juni stated the YMCA thinks this site will be maxed out as soon as it’s built. Other YMCA projects usually have about 10 acres to allow for future expansion. Ms. Divine stated the city is working with 2 the Y to think a little differently from a “typical” suburban Y, make use of the regional park, and buy into the pedestrian/active lifestyle purpose of this project. Mr. Milbauer stated that the original director, Scott Goyer, had the vision of what the city wanted, and it has since been lost. Ms. Divine stated she thinks there is still a strong commitment from the YMCA, but the Y needs to remember it is a partner with the city. Mr. Milbauer said Forest Lake is looking at collaborating with Gold’s Gym . The city has a 160-acre parcel designated recreational. A community center task force is looking at baseball and soccer fields, and Gold’s is looking at the site for a fitness center. Other possibilities are gym, hockey sheets, etc. This could have an impact on the YMCA. PANATTONI DEVELOPMENT Ms. Divine stated this was a distribution center project in Rehbein’s Marshan Lake Industrial Park. The 265,000 sq. ft. facility is the largest building to be developed in Lino Lakes. An EAW and traffic study is complete, and a TIF district is in place. It is zoned light industrial, the Comprehensive Plan designates it for light industrial, and the preliminary plat has gone through P&Z. The tenant will be Distribution Alternatives, which is consolidating its metro sites in Lino Lakes. It is a third party distribution center. Ms. Divine stated the owners have made a TIF application, and they meet the criteria for providing assistance. EDAC may want to discuss this and make a recommendation regarding the appropriateness of the project and providing TIF. Mr. Milbauer said EDAC did an evaluation and came up with specific criteria for project approval. Ms. Divine stated that the city council also has a Business Subsidy Criteria to use to evaluate projects. Mr. Gorowsky asked what issues there were. Ms. Divine stated it’s a big building with a lot of truck doors, and will generate additional traffic on Lake Drive. Ms. Carlson stated she voted against the TIF district because she felt other priorities took precedence. Mr. Karth said it was a good looking building and should be approved. It’s what the city needs. Mr. Vacha stated that TIF was a determining factor. Mr. Milbauer stated the company will be investing in the community and paying taxes. By providing TIF, the company would just be getting their taxes back for a period of years. Mr. Milbauer made a motion that if the project meets all zoning requirements and TIF criteria, the project should move ahead. Mr. Gorowsky questioned why a recommendation was needed from EDAC since it met all the requirements. Ms. Divine stated it was not a unanimous decision at the council to create the TIF district and Council member Carlson spoke out against this project at the public hearing at P&Z. Therefore, it seemed appropriate that EDAC should make a recommendation for approval. Mr. Gorowsky seconded the motion. He questioned why the concern about the project if traffic projections and TIF request were modest, and the land use is good. Mr. Juni said EDAC needs to convey the message to the council that for the benefit of the city, this is a project that should be approved. Motion passed unanimously. 3 MOUNTAIN MACHINE Ms. Divine stated this light industrial company is located on Lake Drive in an area designated for commercial. The company wants to expand on its site, but the Comp Plan states the long range intent is to move light industrial businesses off Lake Drive and into the business parks. The council has directed staff to work with Mountain Machine to find options to relocate the business. This is a classic case of how cities can support local business to grow within the city. The only economic development tool is TIF. It will be an uphill struggle because it’s a big financial move for a small company. Ms. Divine stated one requirement of a move would be rezoning the site to commercial. Mr. Milbauer questioned having a land swap. Ms. Divine stated there is no city land available in the business park. BANNERS AND TEMPORARY SIGNS Ms. Divine stated that P&Z asked for a recommendation from EDAC on the use of temporary signs and banners. They are not allowed except with a temporary 14-day sign permit. That ordinance is largely ignored. The P&Z is interested in restricting banners and temporary signs because certain types of business overuse them. Mr. Karth stated businesses should be allowed to put banners on their building faces, but not attach them to street signs. They should get a warning, and if it doesn’t come down, the city should take them down. Ms. Hansmann said a lot of businesses use banners but it can get to be too much. Mr. Milbauer stated it should be allowed on buildings, but not tied to posts or in the right of way. Mr. Karth stated the signs shouldn’t exceed the allowable square footage of signage. Mr. Vacha said banners should be allowed if they are attached to a business sign. EDAC concluded that if affixed to the building or an existing permanent sign, temporary signs should be allowed. Businesses should be notified of any changes to the ordinance. Mr. Juni said some business owners should be included in discussions. Meeting adjourned.