Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/05/2009 EDAC MinutesApproved CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DATE: Thursday, February 5, 2009 MEMBERS PRESENT: K. Corson, D. Roeser, M, Keller MEMBERS ABSENT: J. Milbauer, J. Schwartz, B. Combs, Joe Stranik OTHERS PRESENT: Tom Sanvick, Brian Menke GENERAL/MINUTES Minutes Minutes for December 2, 2008 will be approved at the next meeting. Introductions Mr. Menke and Mr. Sanvick have not been officially appointed, but will be by the next meeting. Comprehensive Plan Update Ms. Divine informed members of a joint meeting with the Comp Plan Advisory Panel and the city council. The council had some concerns about the pace and density of residential growth in the plan. Ms. Keller, a member of the panel, stated that she understood their concerns because two years ago when they first began working on the plan, it was a different economic picture. The group didn’t have a problem with pulling back on projected growth. Staff will be putting together some options for scaling back on the pace. However, the Met Council requires a certain amount of density to allow for affordable housing. It doesn’t mean that the higher density areas will be affordable, it just provides the opportunity. The council would like to see the opportunity for some affordable housing in each new development. How that will be encouraged will be determined when the new subdivision ordinances are put together. Commercial User on Hodgson Road/County Road J Ms. Divine introduced Jon Rausch from NorthMarq and Matt Alexander from Kraus Anderson. They have an option on the 17-acre Jensen property on the west side of Hodgson, north of the 49 Club. They are representing a major grocery tenant who has been looking for a site in this area for some time. The landowners on the east side of Hodgson are not interested in selling. However, the Woodridge neighborhood has expressed opposition to a grocer on the west side of Hodgson. The majority of the city council has also opposed a large grocer there. Kraus Anderson has been talking to the three business owners on the west side also. Mr. Alexander said the question to the neighborhood is, “do you want these services in your backyard that cleans up the blighted 49 Club site?” Mr. Alexander gave examples of projects that resolved neighborhood issues, such as lights, traffic and noise. 1 Ms. Divine gave the new members a brief history. In 2007 a Master Plan was completed for the area, which has been approved and adopted as part of the Comp Plan. The plan lays out accesses, utilities, etc. for the whole area. A traffic study showed how much traffic the intersection could handle even after improvements. The heavier uses were shown on the east side because of neighborhood opposition to the west side. The council has seen a plan for the west side and the project does not have super majority support. Mr. Rausch noted that the grocer could move to another site, and this opportunity would end. Mr. Alexander stated this would be a 60,000 sq. ft. store, which isn’t as large as their biggest stores. Mr. Rausch stated that almost no commercial is occurring, so it’s rare in the market that this grocer is interested. Mr. Roeser asked if any large grocers have failed. Mr. Alexander said the only one he knew of was Kowalski’s in Lakeville that closed, but it was a bad site with a lot of competition. Kraus Anderson would own this store and lease it to the grocer for 20 years. Some of the site would be sold off. Mr. Corson said through his experience the council could be worked with if the neighborhood could be supportive. Ms. Keller said if Kraus Anderson could bring in people who objected to projects but were supportive after it was built, it would help. Mr. Roeser stated that the grocer at Centerville and Hwy. 96 was controversial but now works well. Mr. Alexander stated that the problem he has are plans that show buildings drawn on them before there is a user. Councils begin to think project footprints must match the plan. Plans should stay focused on access points, traffic circulation, etc. He thinks the first step is a neighborhood meeting. Mr. Alexander noted that the cost of the three southern parcels currently make this project economically unfeasible, and is another obstacle to overcome. Mr. Roeser stated that this project makes sense and would provide improvements to deal with traffic. The corner is an eyesore and this is an opportunity. Ms. Divine said staff could notify the council that Kraus Anderson intends to have a neighborhood meeting. Mr. Alexander stated that public incentive would be needed since this project needed public improvements and redevelopment. Mr. Rausch stated that this is a time in the economy when a good project should be encouraged. Mr. Roeser asked if EDAC agrees that there are good reasons to support this—they are working with the neighbors, cleaning up the entrance to the city, providing tax base and jobs—then perhaps we could get the council to take another look at it. Ms. Keller noted that EDAC was very supportive of the Master Plan, and cleaning up 49/J is a part of EDAC’s action plan. Ms. Divine will make a list of the bullet points and send it out to EDAC. Ms. Keller added that if Kraus Anderson comes to a work session, EDAC members could come to show support. Meeting adjourned. 2