2010.04.12 EDA Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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BACKGROUND MEMO FOR THE EDA MEETING OF MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2010 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Staff recommends approval of the minutes from the March 8, 2010 EDA Meeting as presented. 4. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Staff has recently met with Mike and Catherine Anderson, and their attorney to discuss the future of the property at 14583 Forest Blvd. N. City staff has been encouraging the Andersons to demolish the Antique Store building because of its blighted and unsafe condition. City staff is of the understanding that the Andersons continue to work with their insurance company following the Fre that occurred at the Carpenter's restaurant site, and that it is financially difficult for them to expend the funds to demolish the Antique store building at this time. Staff would prefer that the building be demolished at this time, because it would allow for the construction of turn lanes in front of the property in conjunction with the 147`" St/TH 61 project. City staff and the Andersons have tentatively agreed to an assessment agreement, whereby the building would be demolished, and the cost of the demolition would be incurred by the City and spread against the property to be paid back over time with interest. Staff has prepared an assessment agreement and a resolution ordering the demolition project. At their April 5, 2010, meeting the City Council directed staff to order the demolition of the antique store, approve the assessment agreement subject to revisions agreeable to staff and Catherine Anderson, change the construction plans for the TH61/1471" Street project to add turn lanes at 146`" Street, and to prepare a resolution for approval at the next City Council meeting. Staff would also like to discuss the concept plan that was presented to the EDA for the City owned property in downtown. Staff met with development team on April 6, 2010, to discuss the plan and the letter of intent that was presented to the EDA. Staff will update the EDA on the meeting and would like to discuss the letter of intent with the EDA. 5. UPDATE ON BR&E PROGRAM COMMENCEMENT CELEBRATION The BR&E Commencement celebration was held at the Hugo American Legion on April 7, 2010. Staff presented the background of the program, the survey results, and the implementation projects. Approximately 50 people attended the celebration. Staff will present the survey results to the EDA and discuss the implementation projects. Enclosed in the packet are the BR&E summary report, survey results, and the 2010 goals for the EDA. 6. DISCUSSION ON COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES Staff would like to discuss with the EDA commercial design guidelines. The comprehensive plan discourages "big box" commercial buildings. The implementation portion of the plan states that the City should adopt an ordinance to limit building size in order to be consistent with the comp plan. The ORC thought that large commercial buildings may be alright as long as they're designed correctly and instead of having an ordinance to limit building size, the same intent can be achieved with design guidelines.