MINUTES EDA 08.15.23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF AUGUST 15, 2023 President Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:26pm. PRESENT: Chrun, Denaway, Klein, Puleo, Weidt ABSENT: Arcand, Roberts STAFF PRESENT: Rachel Juba, Community Development Director Max Gort, Associate Planner Bryan Bear, City Administrator APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF MAY 16, 2023 Commissioner Klein made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chrun, to approve the May 16, 2023 EDA meeting minutes. Ayes: All. Nay: None. Motion carried. UPDATE ON MINNESOTA TECHNOLOGY CORRIDOR Staff provided background on the Minnesota Technology Corridor, which is a designated corridor situated along I-35 with abundant fiber, water, and power access. The area consists of the Cities of Hugo, Forest Lake, Centerville, Columbus, and Lino Lakes, as well as Washington and Anoka Counties. Scannell Properties considering developing 3.5 million sq ft of industrial developmen t on 270 acres in Lino Lakes and Columbus, and are working on a land use study to build a large business campus that would likely include distribution centers. The corridor team is also engaging with MnDOT and Anoka County for full interchange on 170th Street over 35E and 35W. Staff has also been in discussion with Lino Lakes about the extension of Otter Lake Road. Lino has ideas about how traffic will continue to flow, especially as Otter Lake Road would merge into Elmcrest Avenue and paving. President Weidt asks which proposed route is best, and Commissioner Denaway comments the middle route. Juba says that discussions will continue to happen, and that Lino Lakes says the extension could be built in 2025 depending on grant funding. President Weidt asks if there would be more benefit to a connection south of Heritage Parkway. Juba says that discussions about a connection to Heritage Parkway are in the works. Bear comments on resident request for trail on Elmcrest, says that Otter Lake Road’s extension will include a trail alignment. Bear says that tech corridor property would likely see warehouse buildings constructed first, while developers pitch corporate headquarters style campuses. Bear says that corridor discussions highlight the importance of alignment with comprehensive plans. Commissioner Denaway asks if Scannell Properties is interested in the properties due to a single ownership, Juba says yes. Bear states that there are not many single owner parcel groups that are along interstate highways in the metro area.