HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/04/2008 EDAC MinutesApproved
CITY OF LINO LAKES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
DATE: Thursday, December 4, 2008
MEMBERS
PRESENT: K. Corson, K. Lodico, D. Roeser, M, Keller, Joe Stranik
MEMBERS
ABSENT: J. Milbauer, J. Helgemoe, J. Schwartz, B. Combs
OTHERS
PRESENT: M. Divine
GENERAL/MINUTES
Minutes
Minutes for October 2, 2008 were approved with one change.
Review of Commercial/Industrial Inventory
Ms. Divine asked members how they would like to proceed regarding the EDAC 5-year and
1-year action plan. The old economic development plan was based on assumptions that may not
be valid in the current climate. Members would like to know what developers are doing and what
other cities are doing. It’s time to reassess. EDAC wants to know what the city council wants.
Ms. Divine noted that the city council is continuing to debate the pace, density and quality of
housing development. The council will be meeting with the Comp Plan advisory panel in
January. Members said the plan should have principles that survive the short term issues and not
be a knee-jerk reaction to current trends.
Ms. Divine completed an inventory of project areas, broken up by sewer districts, so members
can look at opportunities and constraints in each area. Mr. Stranik noted that Centerville makes a
large white space inside Lino Lakes, and one long term savings in services might come from a
city merger. A laundry list of issues should start the discussion. The issue of vertical mixed use
needs to be reconsidered also. The 35E big box development is the priority currently. Mr. Stranik
sees EDAC’s role as being a conduit between developers and the council in getting the big boxes
in. There’s room for major employers on 35E and the EDAC plan needs to look at a strategy for
drawing the health/education/high tech users.
Members noted that the plan should attack the separate areas of the city since they are separate
markets. This can be an advantage when planning. The physical constraints create an identity
issue, so identity and the creation of tax base need to be treated separately. East side will be a
priority. Ordinances will help to determine what kind of uses go on the east side. Considerations
of outside storage, Ms. Keller noted people need outside storage, and there is a lot of land on the
east side. Outside storage could be put in the back, out of sight. Mr. Roeser noted outside storage
can be a temporary use until best use comes along in 10-15 years. Mr. Corson noted that
sometimes it’s more difficult to redevelop those areas than build on clear land.
1
The key to the east side is getting the bridge built. Members will start looking at sections at a
time. A meeting with EDAC and Council is needed to see if they are on board. It would be good
to have a facilitator to do a strategic planning session. Should that be done with P&Z and
Council so that a plan meets common goals? The Comp Plan outlines economic development
goals, the need now is to get more directives in the economic development plan to meet comp
plan goals.
The Comp Plan goals for Planning District 2 on Lake Drive is an example. Mechanisms for
redevelopment should be part of the EDAC plan. Should the city purchase sites, or attempt to get
options, when properties become available? EDAC also needs to know what the council wants to
see on the city-owned 77th streets.
Ms. Divine requested that EDAC look through the Comp Plan material to understand the goals
and policies that the city will be moving forward with.
Discussion ensued regarding resources available to assist nonprofits and businesses. Bremer
Bank is one resource that provides loans and grants for nonprofit uses.
VISITORS BUREAU UPDATE
Neighboring cities of the National Sports Center may be attempting to form a new Convention
and Visitors Bureau. The local hotels will be requesting to be a part of that.
Meeting adjourned.
2