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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/04/2021 EDAC Minutes APPROVED MINUTES CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Schueller called the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting to order at 8:00 A.M. on November 4, 2021. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Vojtech made a MOTION to approve the October 7, 2021 Meeting Minutes. Motion was supported by Mr. Kohler, passing unanimously. III. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Draft 5-Year Strategic Plan Mr. Grochala, Community Development Director, presented the staff report. From past discussions and review of the 2014 Strategic Plan, staff has assembled a draft 2021 – 2025 5-year plan for EDAC’s review and consideration. Mr. Vojtech asked how often the City is acquiring properties for potential redevelopment. Mr. Grochala stated it is dependent on when properties become available. He recommended identifying high-priority properties so the City is ready to take action when available properties meet long-term development and infrastructure needs. Mr. Colgan commented that provided the City does not take any undue environmental risks on any of these acquisitions, it is a great idea. DATE : November 4, 2021 TIME STARTED : 8:00 A.M. TIME ENDED : 9:10 A.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Jim Schueller, Nathan Vojtech, Patrick Kohler, Thomas Colgan, Chad Wagner MEMBERS ABSENT : Andrew Cravero, Don Johnson, Julie Jeffrey- Schwartz STAFF PRESENT : Michael Grochala, Katie Larsen, Jessica Eller Economic Development Advisory Committee November 4, 2021 Page 2 APPROVED MINUTES Mr. Grochala stated these are opportunities to save money in the long term and make it easier for redevelopment to happen. Mr. Wagner asked if the City has a dedicated pool of funds to acquire properties. Mr. Grochala said no. One of the challenges will be figuring out how we do that. Mr. Wagner agreed with Mr. Colgan and thinks it is a great idea anytime you can have some control of land. Mr. Grochala stated the City is trying to keep the playing field level and make it reasonable to redevelop. He said the City needs to develop a plan to allow the City Council to set aside funds for strategic acquisitions. Mr. Vojtech asked if there was going to be an opportunity for public input regarding the recreation center. Mr. Grochala stated once the facility is up and running, the public will have the opportunity to comment on its changes over time. Mr. Kohler asked when the committee will see demographic data from the latest census. This information will be important when considering some of these goals. Mr. Grochala said yes, it is just a matter of when they get the data compiled. Chair Schueller asked if there was going to be any changes to the document. Mr. Grochala said that there may be one or two typos, but there would be no material changes. Mr. Kohler made a MOTION to recommend approval of the draft 5-year Strategic Plan. Motion was supported by Mr. Vojtech. Motion carried 5 – 0. B. Take 5 Car Wash and Oil Change PUD Concept Plan Review Ms. Eller, Community Development Intern, presented the staff report. The applicant, Boing US HOLD CO, Inc., submitted a Land Use Application for a PUD Concept Plan for a proposed car wash facility and separate oil change facility at 601 Apollo Drive. Per the Marketplace Planned Development Overlay (PDO) Design Guidelines Ordinance No. 03-05 and site plan, this lot is to be developed as a bank. The applicant is looking for input from advisory boards and City Council as to whether there is interest to amend the PDO Ordinance to change the site use from a bank to a car wah and oil change building. Mr. Wagner asked if TCF bank owns this site. Economic Development Advisory Committee November 4, 2021 Page 3 APPROVED MINUTES Mr. Grochala said yes. He stated this is probably the premier site in the City, but it has not developed in 20 years. The site does have a high value on it and there are a number of restrictions on it due to the PDO. Chair Schueller stated he has concerns that the first thing people may see upon entering that area is a car wash. Mr. Grochala commented the PUD on this site gives some unique flexibility in that we have the ability to say no if we do not like the use. There are a number of issues that staff have identified with the site plan in and of itself and we should consider if this is the type of use we want to consider on that site. Ms. Larsen commented staff recommended the applicant submit a concept plan first to get input from advisory boards and City Council as to whether there is interest to amend the PDO Ordinance. Mr. Kohler commented a car wash would look nice for a couple of years, but is concerned it would become an eyesore. Mr. Wagner asked if they are hung up on the high visibility of this site or if there is another site that staff could direct them towards. Ms. Larsen commented she has directed them to other sites in the area. Mr. Vojtech asked if it is a full-service car wash. Ms. Larsen stated staff has not received that level of detail from the applicant. Chair Schueller asked if Discount Tire does oil changes. Mr. Grochala said no. When we consider the zoning of the area, there is quite a lot of commercial land that can accommodate this project. Mr. Colgan asked what car stacking looks like at peak times. Mr. Vojtech commented there are always lines on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Ms. Larsen stated stacking is a concern and something that would have to be looked at if the project were to move forward. Mr. Wagner liked the concept plan. He hoped the concept plan would be developed, but at a different location. Chair Schuller commented that, according to the site plan, the view from Lake Drive is the back of the building. Economic Development Advisory Committee November 4, 2021 Page 4 APPROVED MINUTES Mr. Grochala commented there would need to be some architectural improvements if this project were to move forward. Mr. Kohler made a MOTION to recommend denial of the Take 5 Car Wash and Oil Change PUD Concept Plan at the proposed site with a recommendation to move the facility to an alternate location. Motion was supported by Mr. Wagner. Motion carried 4 – 0. Mr. Colgan abstained. C. Project Updates Mr. Grochala provided verbal updates to the Board on current City projects. IV. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Vojtech made a MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 A.M. Motion was supported by Mr. Kohler, passing unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Jessica Eller, Community Development Intern