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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/07/2021 EDAC Minutes CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Grochala called the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting to order at 8:02 A.M. on October 7, 2021. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Cravero made a MOTION to approve the September 2, 2021 Meeting Minutes. Motion was supported by Mr. Vojtech, passing unanimously. III. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Moratorium for Mini Self-Storage Facilities Mr. Grochala, Community Development Director, presented the staff report. On September 28, 2021, the City Council adopted an interim ordinance creating a moratorium on the development of mini self-storage facilities. Staff has recently received inquiries from developers wanting to construct more mini self-storage facilities. Since the City is currently updating its zoning ordinance, staff recommended a one (1) year moratorium on mini self-storage facilities to allow time to review and possibly amend the ordinance. Mr. Colgan commented storage facilities are extremely lucrative for investors. Mr. Vojtech commented they are being utilized and therefore are serving a purpose in the community. Mr. Colgan commented storage facilities are unsightly. DATE : October 7, 2021 TIME STARTED : 8:02 A.M. TIME ENDED : 9:06 A.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Andrew Cravero, Nathan Vojtech, Patrick Kohler, Thomas Colgan, Chad Wagner, Don Johnson MEMBERS ABSENT : Jim Schueller, Julie Jeffrey-Schwartz STAFF PRESENT : Michael Grochala, Jessica Eller Economic Development Advisory Committee October 7, 2021 Page 2 APPROVED MINUTES Mr. Grochala commented there is certainly an aesthetic issue. In addition, in terms of the tax value they generate, there is a value problem. We want to maximize our sites and do not want to give up our high visibility high value sites for mini storage when we are hoping for a higher end product. Mr. Kohler asked what the typical customer is for this type of product. Mr. Colgan commented feasibility studies show that smaller units are utilized by people who are either in transition, downsizing or accumulating. The larger units are utilized by small business owners and families. He commented the price point is very affordable. Mr. Vojtech stated he has a storage unit and commented he sees all types of people using them. Mr. Wagner commented mini storage has been going on for years and is not a phase. He stated he has concerns about storing items outside the unit because it is an eyesore. Mr. Vojtech agreed and commented facilities with outside storage always look untidy. Mr. Grochala commented staff is working on identifying additional regulations for such facilities. Mr. Vojtech stated outside storage should be treated completely different from internal mini storage. Additionally, placement is important and they do not need to be located on a premier site. Mr. Wagner asked if the fully enclosed climate-controlled storage facilities are considered undesirable. Mr. Grochala stated those are high value buildings and would encourage that type of product. Staff is discussing suitable locations for these and are considering allowing them in some commercial areas. Mr. Colgan asked what the maximum height is for an industrial warehouse. Mr. Grochala stated the maximum height is 45 feet, but it can be exceeded with a conditional use permit. Interior storage facilities would be considered a public warehouse and would be allowed in the City’s industrial parks. Ms. Teresa O’Connell asked how customers would store larger objects in the interior storage facilities. She also owns a storage unit and commented many people use storage space to store large items that cannot fit in the internal storage facilities. Economic Development Advisory Committee October 7, 2021 Page 3 APPROVED MINUTES Mr. Wagner asked what kind of direction staff is looking for. Mr. Grochala stated he wanted to inform the committee there is a moratorium on mini self-storage facilities so the City will not approve anything until staff has had time to review and possibly amend the ordinance. Staff will take these comments and come back with some standards. B. Clearwater Creek Business Park – Rehbein Properties Comp Plan Amendment and Interim Land Use Mr. Grochala, Community Development Director, presented the staff report. Rehbein Properties is actively working on development of property they own in Centerville and Lino Lakes. As part of the development planning, they have asked for the City’s receptiveness to considering allowing the relocation of their black dirt stock pile operation from its current location across 21st Avenue to a site in Lino Lakes and amending the Comprehensive Plan to change the land use from Commercial to Industrial on a parcel they own immediately north of Clearwater Creek. Mr. Colgan asked what Distribution Alternative generates in taxes for the City. Mr. Grochala stated the total taxes for that building are approximately $350,000 per year, and the City receives one-third of that. Mr. Colgan stated we could allow the land owner to relocate the stock pile for a limited time while we wait for another large building that can generate more income, which may be the highest and best use. Mr. Grochala commented there is a lot of preparatory work to get this site ready. However, there are some positives that make it attractive to a potential end user. As we get closer to the interchange, this land becomes more valuable so eventually the landowner will be interested in selling instead of leaving their dirt pile there. What concerns me most is I know Centerville has encountered many problems in terms of regulation over the years. We would have to be very specific in our timeline and what the requirements are. Mr. Wagner asked if there is some way the businesses who are affected by the increased traffic and dust could be accommodated. Mr. Cravero commented these businesses are already dealing with it, the stock pile is just moving to the other side of the street. Economic Development Advisory Committee October 7, 2021 Page 4 APPROVED MINUTES Mr. Grochala showed the committee an image of the current site conditions. He stated the owner could create a berm to block the operation from the view of the other businesses and help alleviate dust-related issues. Mr. Kohler asked if there would be restrictions on the industrial parcel. Mr. Grochala commented because of where this site is located we might see more manufacturing or light industrial development. We have to determine what type of development we would like to see on that site. Mr. Vojtech asked if they are using conveyor belts to move the dirt. Mr. Grochala stated they are using trucks. Mr. Cravero stated if there are adequate regulations on it, it might be a good idea if the City wants to control it. Mr. Colgan commented if there is a good user and the architecture can be upgraded, we should try to attract them immediately. C. Priority BRE List – Business Descriptions Mr. Grochala, Community Development Director, presented the staff report. EDAC is in the process of updating the 5 Year Economic Development Strategic Plan. As part of the Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program business review, staff has provided a description of existing businesses in the local industrial parks. Mr. Grochala commented the committee should reference this list as we start to prioritize which businesses to visit as part of the BRE program. D. Project Updates Mr. Grochala provided verbal updates to the Board on current City projects. IV. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Cravero made a MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:06 A.M., passing unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Jessica Eller, Community Development Intern