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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/21/2009 EDAC MinutesApproved CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DATE: Thursday, May 21, 2009 MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Sanvick, B. Combs, J. Schwartz, J. Stranik, D. Roeser, M. Keller MEMBERS ABSENT: J. Milbauer, B. Menke, K. Corson, B. Combs OTHERS PRESENT: Mary Divine GENERAL/MINUTES Minutes for April 2, 2009 were approved. One-Year Action Plan Ms. Divine noted the changes in the draft plan as discussed at the previous meeting. She informed members that the Comprehensive Plan has not yet passed and updated them on the issues at the council level. One council member is concerned about the pace of development that could occur and the amount of land that is at a density that could allow affordable housing to occur. State law requires that each city provide its allotment of higher density land use, but does not mandate that affordable housing occur. EDAC members noted they want to address this issue with council: how citizens worked to put this plan together, but the objections of a few can derail a good plan or project. EDAC would like to be helpful to the council in carrying more advisory responsibility by having standards from which to evaluate the benefits of projects. Ms. Divine reviewed the remaining districts of the action plan. Time frames are to be changed to “ongoing” because of market uncertainty. District 2 is the Legacy project, which is a priority. When developer interest occurs, the design standards will need to be reviewed based on market conditions. Ms. Schwartz noted that the city of Ramsey is purchasing the property to maintain its standards. Mr. Sanvick noted that a recent appraisal showed a negative value due to the restrictions in their standards. Members discussed the potential of hotels being redeveloped into assisted living facilities and whether the city would consider turning uses over in the Town Center. In other plan strategies, members discussed the potential for the city purchasing on a contract a Lake Drive site that is available and needs redevelopment. It may not be feasible currently. Members discussed when Apollo Business Park comes out of the action plan if it’s fully developed, but agreed that business retention and maintenance was a priority in the current economy. Conversations with the biomedical company in Apollo Park need to be ongoing. Ms. Schwartz noted that competition from JobZ, which gives tax breaks to move out of the metro, 1 will continue to take away from the metro industrial parks. A retention strategy should include keeping in touch with existing businesses. Members discussed the problem of commercial/industrial properties appealing their property values, which could have a significant impact on city services, or higher property taxes. Ms. Divine stated the council is in the beginning process of prioritizing cuts, because the unallotment from the state will have additional impact. Ms. Divine reviewed the action plan programs, and will work on getting the website site inventory easier to find. Mr. Stranik questioned if it would be worthwhile to talk to developers to get a sense of the city’s reputation, and if Ms. Divine could provide him with a list. Ms. Divine added into the “Economic Development Evaluation” EDAC’s desire to develop a position on evaluating projects in the city. She added that the city’s TIF policy has not been looked at and should be reviewed by EDAC. Mr. Roeser noted he would like to be brought up to speed on development tools. Members discussed the potential for one hotel in the city to become assisted living, which was proposed by a developer. The developers have not brought in an application. It would require a zoning change. It was moved and seconded to approve the One-Year Action Plan with changes that were discussed. Motion approved unanimously. Other Items 49/J Kraus Anderson will be meeting with the county regarding what interim improvements would be needed to do just the grocer developed. KA has relationships with the other properties but has not committed to purchase since it has no tenants at this time. Mr. Alexander has continued to communicate with the residents who had concerns. Position Paper Members will discuss the purpose of the paper at the joint council meeting and will present some bullet points for the council to consider. Ms. Divine will send out the edited draft. Next meeting will be a joint City Council and EDAC meeting on July 17 at 7 a.m. Meeting adjourned. 2