2014.01.14 EDA Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Bever made a motion, seconded by Arcand, to make a recommendation to the City Council work with High Pointe Realty and Wakota Commercial Advisors to enter into an agreement to market the City owned property in downtown. All ayes. Motion Carried. DISCUSSION ON O'REILLYS AUTO PARTS SKETCH PLAN The applicant requested informal comments on a sketch plan for commercial development on a 0.64 acre parcel for a 7,385 square foot auto parts store. The property is located on the northeast corner of 147th Street and Highway 61 (former Ricci's property). The property is zoned Central Business (C-1) and is located in the area of the City where development is guided by the downtown plan and design guidelines. Staff recommended that the EDA provide feedback on the sketch plan provided by the applicant. The applicant explained to the EDA that they realize the site is tight, but they like the location. He stated that they have not been able to meet the guidelines in regards to building orientation or placement. He stated that he has presented other building orientations and placements to O'Reilly's Real Estate Committee, as staff has suggested, and they have stated that will not work. The EDA discussed with the applicant the placement of the building on the property. The applicant stated that the only other placement their real estate committee would approve would be at the far east side of the property. Some Commissioners were comfortable with the building placement and thought that since one side abuts Highway 61 that it was an effort to meet the downtown design guidelines. The EDA discussed the building setback and parking variance requests. Some EDA Commissioners were comfortable with the requests, but referred the Planning Commission comments on the variances since they will be reviewing them. Some Commissioners felt the parking lot configuration and number of parking spaces were sufficient for the auto parts store use. Staff explained that the site would need to be designed to accommodate a typical retail user in the case the auto parts store goes away. The EDA generally recognized that this property is important to downtown and wanted to make sure that the building architecture and design meets the intent of downtown plan and design guidelines. There were a couple Commissioners that did not feel the building placement and architecture met the downtown plan and design guidelines and felt that it was not what they were imagining in downtown. 2014 GOALS At its December 10, 2013, meeting the EDA provided staff with goals for 2014. Staff has provided the EDA with a draft of the goals. Staff recommended the EDA review the goals and provide feedback to staff. The goals will be forwarded to the City Council for their goal setting workshop on Tuesday, January 21, 2014. Puleo made a motion, seconded by Klein, to approve the 2014 EDA goals and forward them to the City Council.