Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-03-2024 - Council Work Session MinutesLino Lakes City Council Work Session Minutes DATE: September 3, 2024 TIME STARTED: 6:00 P.M. TIME ENDED: 7:10 P.M. LOCATION: City Hall Community Room MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Rafferty, Councilmembers Cavegn, Lyden, Stoesz and Ruhland MEMBERS ABSENT: None Staff Members Present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton, City Clerk Roberta Colotti, Community Development Director Michael Grochala, and City Planner Katie Larsen 1. Call to Order and Roll Call Mayor Rafferty called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Setting the Agenda: Addition or Deletion of Agenda Items The agenda was adopted as presented. 3. Roers Companies - Woods Edge Property The Community Development Director introduced the Roers Company representatives present this evening. He stated that the City Economic Development Authority (EDA) received a letter of intent from Roers Companies to purchase 6.27 acres of EDA-owned property in the Legacy at Woods Edge Development. This evening, they are present to discuss the multi -family project and associated commercial development. Andy Bollig, Development Partner with Roers Companies, said that Ehlers & Associates connected them with the Woods Edge site. He said he believes there is development potential for this site. He said that Roers Companies strictly does multi -family building development. They would need to partner with a commercial developer for the commercial portion of the site. Mr. Bollig said that retail development is a very difficult market. He identified visibility and traffic counts as concerns for the site. He said that they would develop the multi- family piece and leave the other section for a future commercial developer to complete. He said ideas for the site include a retail pad or a city use such as a recreation facility. Councilmember Ruhland said the commercial development piece is non-negotiable. He suggested Roers Companies find a development partner and return with a joint proposal. He noted that a prior developer could not make the commercial piece work so they passed on the development. Mr. Bollig said that if a commercial piece is required at the time of the multi -family development, then his company will not be developing the site. He noted that retail developers are focused on first and second -ring suburbs. Councilmember Lyden stated that this site is guided as multi-family/commercial. He said that the City Council has put money into the Rookery as a recreation facility in the area and he would like to see a commercial use that builds on that, such as mini golf, an escape room, or similar family entertainment. He stated that while he doesn't favor the multi -family development it is allowed per the Comprehensive Plan, Mayor Rafferty stated that commercial has been part of the plan, and he doesn't want to eliminate that element. Councilmember Stoesz agreed that commercial development has been an important part of the development site so he would not move forward with a project that just had the multi -family piece. Mr. Bollig asked if the City would consider splitting the lot. Councilmember Ruhland said that the City would not favor splitting the lot and suggested that Mr. Bollig return with a proposal for both multi -family and commercial development. The Community Development Director stated that the next step is a response from the developer to the Council's comments this evening. He stated that given the candid discussion, he would expect a quick response. The Community Development Director stated that the City may need to look at the future uses for this site. Regarding the suggestion to use the commercial site for further recreation amenities, the Rookery already has two other developable acers of land nearby. The Community Development Director stated that with this project site, we have utilities built for multi -family and commercial development that are currently underutilized. The net change of going from a residential/commercial development to a recreation amenity is a net change from a project that pays for infrastructure and pays taxes, to a park property that doesn't cover costs or pay taxes. Mayor Rafferty stated that he agrees the project site needs development designed to cover costs through taxes and development revenue. Councilmember Stoesz asked if there was anything further for the Council to consider on this matter. The Community Development Director stated that if Roers Companies did move forward with a project, they would need to extend the timeline to allow them to find a commercial development partner and they have asked about lowering the earnest money. Councilmember Ruhland stated that he supports the extended timeline if Roers Companies wants to find a commercial development partner for the project. Councilmember Ruhland stated that he would support lowering the earnest money requirement. Councilmember Stoesz discussed the impact of signage along the highway. Councilmember Lyden suggested a citizen survey question regarding the future development of the site. Councilmember Cavegn said that the goal for this site has been commercial development. So, while he is not opposed to the multi -family development, he would like to hold for the commercial development. Mayor Rafferty stated that if the multi -family development isn't built here, it would be built elsewhere and there has been difficulty finding locations for development in the past. 4. Main Street Corridor Proposal Update The Community Development Director reported that staff is currently working with Kimley-Horn and WSB on the scope of services for the Main Street Corridor Master Plan. Kimley-Horn is a national planning and design consulting firm that offers comprehensive development services. They have extensive experience in master planning and AUAR preparation. WSB is the City Engineer and will be handling some of the infrastructure components of the planning process. Staff is also working to bring in a firm to handle the public engagement process. He reported that staff anticipates having the scope and professional services proposal in place for consideration at either the September 9th or 23rd Council meeting. Councilmember Stoesz asked about Anoka County's involvement in the planning process. The Community Development Director stated that Anoka County considers Main Street a thoroughfare road. He stated that Anoka County along with Anoka County Parks, the school district, and watershed will be included in the planning process. 5. White Bear Township Water Supply Request The Community Development Director reported that the North Oaks Company has submitted a concept plan "Wilkinson Waters" for the development of their property in Lino Lakes, located northwest of the Centerville/CR J intersection. This area lies within Sanitary Sewer District No. 4. Sanitary sewer for this area is proposed to be provided from a White Bear Township trunk line that was previously extended to the municipal limits. Water service will eventually be provided by Lino Lakes. However, the City's closest lines are 1.5 miles to the north of the project site, and given existing supply issues related to White Bear Lake, extension of our lines would be premature. The Community Development Director reported that White Bear Township has water main stubbed to the property along with lateral water mains running through the property serving the City of North Oaks, Rapp Farm, and development on the west side of Wilkenson Lake. White Bear Township currently has agreements in place with the North Oaks Development Company for water supply. Provided capacity is available staff is proposing an agreement with White Bear Township to provide water to this area for an interim period. The Community Development Director requested Council direction regarding discussing possible water supply service with White Bear Township. Council Consensus It was the consensus of the City Council to support discussions with White Bear Township regarding possible water supply service to the Wilkinson Waters future development area in Lino Lakes. 6. Amendment to lava Purchase Agreement The Community Development Director stated that staff is requesting City Council direction to place the proposed amendment to the Java purchase agreement on the September 9, 2024, regular meeting for consideration. He stated that in September of 2023, the City entered into a purchase agreement with Java Companies for the Sale of 2.24 acres located at the corner of Lake Drive and 77th Street. lava Companies has been actively working on both adjacent land acquisition and tenant contracts to develop the site. Mayor Rafferty stated that he would support the proposed timeline extensions to the agreement. Councilmember Ruhland stated that he also supports the request. Councilmember Lyden clarified the construction timeline with staff. Councilmember Stoesz stated that he supports the request as well. Councilmember Lyden asked what the property on the other side of development was identified to be develop into. The Community Development Director said it was proposed to be an oil change business. Councilmember Cavegn stated that he prefers shops and restaurants to auto uses. Councilmember Lyden asked what uses are currently permitted on this site. The Community Development Director stated that it is zoned General Business, but not for auto repair on the North side of the development. He stated that the developer would want to know as soon as possible if there wasn't support for the project as they have a significant investment in project plans. Councilmember Cavegn said that the bottom line is we had restrictions on the north side and the developer accommodated those. Mayor Rafferty stated that at this point the development could be a future restaurant, as that is not defined. 7. Notices and Communications None 8. Adjournment Mayor Rafferty adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m. These minutes were approved at the regular Council Meeting on September 23, 2024. p. X Roberta Colotti, CMC Ro,,b'itaff erty, City Clerk Ma"yor