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EDC Minutes October 24, 2003 Page 2 several presentations—Mike Sommer, Police Chief, discussed the referendum that adds additional police officers; Charlie Hansen, Finance Director, discussed the 2004 City budget and reductions in state aid; Backman discussed the status of development projects in the City. During the question and answer time period, some attendees expressed their concerns regarding taxes and fire code enforcement. The Business Council meetings are tentatively to be held on a quarterly basis. They are open to both Chamber members and non-Chamber members. On October 23, 2003, Steve Novak from Anoka County spoke about the effort to attract the Vikings to Anoka County, and the proposed site in southern Blaine. The group involved is quite serious and has spent a significant time and money getting the necessary information. Six weeks from now the financing plan will be presented. D. Report of Staff: 1. Developer Activities—Velmeir Companies (Amoco Site): Backman distributed the site review application and the request for a setback variance. This was prepared and submitted by Brian Alton, a St. Paul attorney representing Velmeir. Backman reviewed the latest version of the site plan. As the Commission is aware, Velmeir is proposing a 13,000 sq. ft retail facility for CVS Pharmacy. One change is an attached tenant space of 2,500 sq. ft. for one or two smaller retail businesses. Truck traffic would enter the site from the eastbound lane of County Highway 10 and circle behind the building. On October 16, 2003, Backman met with Jerod Andrews, Loucks Associates and the John Kauppila, Director of Construction Services for Velmeir to discuss setback and parking requirements. Loucks Associates (planners/architects) will be handling some of the Velmeir sites and URS others. To facilitate the development, the applicant is requesting a variance to encroach into the front setbacks of both Silver Lake Road and County Road 10. This request will go before the Planning Commission on November 5th. Backman believes that the Planning Commission will look favorably on this request. Field asked whether a trail is being planned in front of CVS along Hwy 10. Backman responded that the Planning Commission would likely address that issue. Belting asked when construction could start. Backman indicated that Velmeir, once approvals have been obtained, would like to start this fall. 2. Developer Activities—LandCor / Long Lake & Hwy 10 Office & Retail: Backman highlighted the groundbreaking picture in the newspaper. LandCor, the developer, held the groundbreaking for the projects on Monday, September 29, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. McDonald attended on behalf of the EDC. Others attending included Kurt Ulrich, City Administrator; Sherry Gunn, City Council; Greg Johnson, Planning Commission; Robert Fields, CEO of LandCor. Backman expects that the building permits will be issued shortly for the two buildings by the theater. 3. Developer Activities—Colliers Towle (Woodale Dr. & Hwy 10): There have been some activities related to this site. A week and a half ago Backman received a call from Jim Paron (2300 Co. Hwy 10). Paron family members own three of the four homes on the south side of Co. Hwy 10. He indicated that Terry Moses, a developer from the Prudential Group, had approached his uncle and aunt (the Kroonblawds) about purchasing their property for an undisclosed user. Backman speculates that the two-acre development would be a retail or office project. He noted that the City views this 7-9 parcel area as a top redevelopment opportunity along the City’s busiest thoroughfare. The City would prefer to see a comprehensive redevelopment project as opposed to development occurring on a parcel by parcel basis. Backman had an extended meeting on October 21, 2003 with the Paron family members regarding their properties and development. Backman mentioned to them that another developer, Greg McDonald from Colliers Towle, was interested in the site for a hotel