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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/06/2004 EDAC MinutesAPPROVED CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DATE: Thursday, May 6, 2004 MEMBERS PRESENT: K. Hansmann, H. Juni, T. Vacha, J. Schwartz, H. Karth, J. Helgemoe, F. Chase MEMBERS ABSENT: D. Gorowsky, S.Rymer, K. Hansmann OTHERS PRESENT: M. Divine GENERAL/MINUTES Minutes of April, 2004 were approved. EDAC ONE –YEAR ACTION PLAN REVIEW Ms. Divine reviewed the changes EDAC had suggested. The 2003 projects include Woods Edge, 35E Corridor, town center development, Lake Drive and Apollo Business Park. Ms. Divine stated the action plan calls for a more aggressive use of public financing for priority projects. For several years staff has not had clear direction regarding city participation through public financing. This council has a diverse opinion about its use. A clear policy, based on today’s market realities, may need to be reviewed so that if a company meets the “but for” requirement, it has a reasonable chance of getting approved. Mr. Chase said it is appropriate that EDAC recommend direction regarding use of TIF on specific projects. Ms. Divine said the Woods Edge application is under review by Springsted, it is a certainty this project will need TIF to work. The TIF workshop will be on June 2 at 6 p.m. Springsted has been asked to answer questions that EDAC had brought up. Once this review is complete, the city may want to revisit its TIF policy. It has been several years since it was reviewed. 2003 programs include local business retention, a promotional program and subsidy evaluation. A local business retention goal is to encourage the use of public incentives to move incompatible businesses within the city to compatible sites. Mr. Karth brought up Lake Drive redevelopment across from Target and noted that something will happen, but it will be a smaller scale if the city doesn’t take a proactive approach. Mr. Vacha said the city should have a master plan for redevelopment. Mr. Chase said it is EDAC responsibility to indicate what uses a particular zone should have, what type of business, etc. It could take years to develop, but at least there would be a vision. Mr. Juni said it should be on EDAC agenda as a priority for the next couple meetings. Ms. Divine stated the downtown quadrant is a good example of planning for the future, yet it took years to get it implemented. But the plan ensured the city eventually got the development it wants. 1 Mr. Karth stated the city lost infrastructure improvements so it’s harder to compete with Blaine. The city was on the county CIP for a bridge improvement, but because federal funding was lost on the 49 project when the city council rejected the county’s plan, the bridge reconstruction was removed. Ms. Divine stated that staff requested the city council have a workshop to present some issues that have risen regarding the Comprehensive Plan. It has become apparent that there are unintended negative consequences that are going to hinder the goals of the plan. Some of the issues include the conflicts between the land use plan and the transportation and sewer plans, and growth limits. Mr. Chase stated that if the city was going to continue restricting housing, the city should take over master planning large areas to ensure it doesn’t get built piecemeal. Mike Grochala requested a joint council and P&Z workshop to present key issues and discuss whether or not it would be appropriate to review the Comp Plan. At this point there is not consensus on the council whether this workshop should take place or whether P&Z should be involved. Mr. Chase said it shouldn’t even be presented to the council until it has been presented to the P&Z, since they are responsible for administering the Comp Plan. It’s the same with EDAC, if everything has to go through the council first, it’s difficult for EDAC to have meaningful input. Mr. Karth suggested EDAC attend this workshop also. Mr. Chase stated the Comp Plan task force was comprised of all the citizen boards. Mr. Juni said all boards should hear an update on the Comp Plan issues. Ms. Schwartz suggested that EDAC support a review of the Compehensive Plan and offer support of EDAC in that review. Mr. Chase said one of the goals of the Comp Plan was to create a good tax base and tax base is not just C/I. All uses are interdependent. Mr. Karth moved to accept the one-year plan with the addition. Mr. Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. It was concluded the plan will be presented to the city council at a work session on June 9 and the June 14 council for approval. The intent is to ask the council to approve the plan as the economic development plan for the city, or explain if there are action items that are not acceptable, so that EDAC has direction. A summary report will be completed to accompany the plan. BENCHMARK COMMUNITY BUILDER COLLABORATIVE Mr. Juni stated it was valuable to hear from other advisory boards. Mr. Vacha stated it was informational, he was surprised at the long time frame for development. Ms. Schwartz said the Ramsey Town Center was 80% sold. Mr. Chase said it is good to involve the community, and the developer is seeking city support their actions. Mr. Karth stated it is a proactive method, if they just laid a plan before the council, then the naysayers come in and it makes it more difficult for everyone. Mr. Chase said there will be questions regarding residential, that area was designated RBR, but that would be a lot of industrial in one area. Ms. Divine stated there is a strip for medium/high density housing within the site. She stated a concern was raised about having two town centers. This master planning should just be looked at as another opportunity to do good development, and it was an entirely different service area. Ms. Chase stated traditional cities always had different neighborhoods, and it wouldn’t detract from the town center. 2 Members thought those involved should be encouraged to look at other master planned developments and learn from them. The next step is to work with staff to identify the stakeholders and develop an action plan, to include public meetings, surveys, etc. The city is applying for a grant to enlarge the scope of this planning project to a 35E corridor environmental review. OTHER ISSUES Members agreed to meet June 2. Ms. Divine suggested a tour to look at some of the blighted areas of the city in conjunction with EDAC’s plan to develop a strategy for redevelopment. Meeting adjourned. 3