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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-27-1997 Minutes of the Economic Development Commission City of Mounds View Ramsey County, Minnesota Regular Meeting March 27, 1997 City of Mounds View, Council Chambers 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:38 a.m. by Vice Chairperson, Cindy Carlson. 2. Roll Call: Members present were as follows: Cindy Carlson, Rosemary Goff, Ron Schmidt, and Brian Sjoberg. Members absent were Dan Nelson, Bev Tarhark and Delane Welsch. Dir. of Economic Development Cathy Bennett and EDA Liaison Duane McCarty were present. Alternate Liaison Gary Quick was absent 3. Approval Of Minutes: Minutes from November 21, 1996, January 23, 1997 and February 20, 1997 were approved on a 4-0 vote with a motion from Rosemary Goff and second from Ron Schmidt. 4. Special Business No Special Business. 5. EDC BUSINESS A. Consideration of Economic Impact of the Proposal for a 16-Screen Movie Theater and 3 Office Buildings on Highway 10 at H2 and Long Lake Road Director of ED Bennett reviewed the staff report that was prepared by CD Director Pam Sheldon for the Planning Commission which described the proposal and issues related to the development of a 16-Screen Movie Theater and 3 Office Buildings on the vacant land bounded by Highway 10, County Road H2 and Long Lake Road. Bennett particularly pointed out the economic affects of the development such as proposed increase in the tax base of approximately $600,000 annually, direct increase in jobs of 125 and the ripple effect creating an additional 100 jobs. In addition, Bennett discussed the proposed use as noted in the Highway 10 Redevelopment Plan for the area. Commissioner Carlson noted that even though the Plan proposed corporate headquarter office or town home development that this use could still be in line with the plan as long as it take into consideration the impact on the wetlands and neighborhood. Bennett introduced Wendell Smith, local broker for the project who gave a brief overview of the project. Mr. Smith has talked with several area businesses who are in support of the project because they feel this will give a reason for people to come to the area and spend money at their businesses. In addition, the NB/MV Chamber of Commerce will be providing a letter of support to the City Council for the project. Mr. Smith said that if approvals are received that they are planning on completing the site work before winter with opening in the summer of 1998. The one area that is still being evaluated is the traffic circulation. Mr. Smith said that MnDot is not willing to provide a signalized intersection for the project and that exits/entrances were deleted from H2 to accommodate the neighborhood. This just leaves right in /right out access off Highway 10. It is doable for the success of the project but he would like to work in conjunction with the City to encourage MnDot to reconsider their decision. This decision was done at the staff level and there may be some leeway with City support to discuss the project with Directors at MnDot. Mr. Smith did mention his concern that the planning Commission would make the recommendation for a rezoning based upon being able to obtain a stop light. He said the project would still be successful without the stop light and did not want this issue to hold up the process for the project. Mr. Smith wanted to commend Pam Sheldon and her staff for all the work and research done on the project. Motion/Second: Carlson/Sjoberg moved the favorable support for the 16-Screen, office building development for Section 7 of the Highway 10 Redevelopment Plan. Motion Carried 4 ayes 0 nays Motion/Second: Goff/Sjoberg further moved that the City work with Anthony Properties to encourage MnDot to approve a signalized intersection for the project but would not recommend that approval for the rezoning be contingent upon gaining this approval from MnDot. Motion Carried 4 ayes 0 nays Commissioner Schmidt requested information regarding the office developments. He wondered if there was written analysis to support the need for 10,000 - 12,000 sq.ft. office uses in the area. Since Mr. Smith had already left, Schmidt requested staff to provide this information at the next meeting. In addition, Commissioner Sjoberg requested updated vacancies from the Business Park and retail centers. B. Discussion of the Recommended Concept Plan for the Redevelopment of Highway 10, Section 9 as proposed by SRF Consulting Group, Inc. Bennett noted that SRF had prepared a draft of the final report for EDC=s review prior to the final presentation to the EDA and community at the April 7, 1997 work session. The EDC briefly discussed the key components of the plan and requested that further emphasis be placed on the importance of design and coordinated development in the plan. Bennett will pass these comments along to SRF to be incorporated into the final plan. 1 Bennett also noted that the Planning Commission was reviewing a development for the vacant land on the South side of Highway 10. This plan includes a gas/conveniece store/car wash, restaurant, senior housing and office space. In addition, Bennett said that she has met with the developers of the Silver Lake Pointe Senior Housing and they are interested in the rehab of Pleasant Wood Apts along with the development of 28 new rental town homes on the North side of 10 in the study area. The developers will be making a presentation to the EDA at the work session on April 7, 1997. C. Consideration of EDC Work Plan for 1997 The EDC reviewed the proposed 1997 work plan as proposed by staff and with some additions and changes from commissioners prior to the meeting. Motion/Second: Schmidt/Sjoberg moved to approve the 1997 work plan. Motion Carried 4 ayes 0 nays D. Consideration of Appointing a Designee to Participate in the University of Minnesota Metropolitan Livable Communities Design Center Course. The City of Mounds View has been approached by the UofM to be one of the communities to participate in a design course specifically dealing with first ring suburb planning and development issues. Bennett said that Mounds View=s focus would be the Highway 10 Corridor. This is a six week class which is being offered to the City free of charge. Two of the sessions will focus specifically on Mounds View and will be held at City Hall. The other classes will be held at the Uof M. Commissioner Ron Schmidt volunteered to be the designee for the EDC. Bennett said that she would also ask Commissioner Welsch if he would be interested in acting as an alternate. 6. Reports From Chair, Commissioners and Staff: EDA Liaison Duane McCarty noted that the Council will be reviewing the discrepancey between the City Code and the Charter regarding the amount of votes needed to pass an ordinance. The Charter states that only a 3/5th vote is needed and the Code states that a 4/5th vote is needed. Currently, the Charter provision overrides the City Code. These types of discrepancies can have a big impact on the way decisions are made at the Council level. 7. Adjournment There being no further business before the Commission, this meeting of the Economic Development Commission adjourned at 9:14 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, 2 Director of Economic Development