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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006.07.17 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF JULY 17, 2006 EDA President Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 8:40 am. PRESENT: Jan Arcand, Fran Miron, Phil Klein, and Tom Denaway ABSENT: Mike Granger, Jim Bever City Administrator Mike Ericson, CD Director Bryan Bear, CD Intern Rachel Simone APPROVAL OF MINUTES Arcand made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the minutes for the EDA meeting of June 19, 2006 as presented. All aye. Motion Carried. INTRODUCTION OF BRIAN THISTLE, RECOMMENDED FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE EDA At its June 19th, 2006 meeting, the City Council accepted the letter of resignation from EDA Commissioner Nick Skarich who resigned his position due to a change in his employment and relocation. City staff advertised for the position and with the concurrence of Mayor Fran Miron the Staff conducted an interview with Brian Thistle. City Staff is comfortable with Mr. Thistle and will recommend approval of his appointment to the EDA at the July 17, 2006 City Council meeting. Bryan Bear stated that staff had in introductory meeting with Brian and felt he would be a good fit for the EDA. Miron talked about the application process. Brian Thistle was present to answer any questions and staff introduced him to the EDA. The EDA had some questions about why he was interested in joining the EDA and what he thought that Hugo could needed in the community. Brian stated that he wanted to be involved with the community and thinks that the city needs more amenities for the residents. UPDATE ON SCHOELLER PROPERTY At its June 19, 2006 meeting the Council directed staff to negotiate with the Schoeller Family for the purchase of the property, with terms and conditions flexible. Staff has met with Lois Mahlberg and Paul Schoeller, the estate holders of the property located at 5399 145th Street and successfully negotiated the purchase of the property. Staff drafted a purchase agreement for $150, 000 and the property owner would be responsible for the costs of the demolition that would be subtracted from the purchase price. The purchase agreement was approved by the City Council and has been signed by the estate holders with a closing date set for August 1, 2006. Bryan Bear gave an overview of the purchase agreement and the condition of the Schoeller property. Miron asked if the way we are handling the demolition cost would affect the use of the TIF money. Denaway stated we may not be able to receive the money for the demolition costs from TIF. Bryan Bear stated that staff will look into this issue. UPDATE ON PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS At its July 13, 2006 meeting, the Planning Commission reviewed two ordinance text amendments that were initiated by the EDA. Rick Burr has sent the City a letter stating that he would like to expand his existing business, Gusset Design Inc. at 15587 Forest Blvd. The property is zoned Commercial but the building use is Industrial. The structure was built before the zoning changed to a Commercial District so it is allowed to remain. According to the City Municipal Code, it states that the business is not allowed to expand because the use is nonconforming to the current zoning. This issue was brought to the EDA and the City Council and both suggested having a meeting with the surrounding property owners to determine what their thoughts were on rezoning the properties back to industrial. Almost all property owners stated that they wanted to keep the current commercial zoning. Staff brought this subject back to the Council on its June 5, 2006 meeting reporting on what the outcome was of the meeting with the surrounding property owners. The Council directed staff to draft an ordinance text amendment to allow the expansion of legal non -conforming commercial/industrial uses for consideration by the Planning Commission at a public hearing. Staff drafted an ordinance text amendment and recommended approval. It was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission to the City Council. Kian Jalali and Spencer Grundhoffer have proposed a concept plan for a meat market and meat processing business located at 15449 Forest Boulevard. They plan to keep the existing building located directly in front of Just Two Bikes and plan to renovate the inside for the meat market and processing facility. The property is currently zoned General Business (C-2) and a meat market is a permitted use in the ordinance, but the meat processing portion is not allowed. At the June 19, 2006 City Council meeting the Council reviewed this issue and directed staff to draft an amendment to the ordinance to allow meat processing as an accessory use to a meat market with a Conditional Use Permit. Staff drafted a text amendment and recommended approval. It was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission, with conditions, to the City Council. Rachel Simone provided the EDA with the details of the text amendments in a presentation and asked for comments on the amendments. Arcand stated that a lot of people in the city want to expand their business and we should let them do so, so they stay here. She also stated that the city may be in legal trouble if we do not let any of them. Bear stated that he likes the way the text amendment is structured and he gave the example of businesses being allowed to expand and bring outdoor storage inside. Miron stated that other cities do this and he thinks we should do it. Denaway stated that we need to be careful of what we do with letting these businesses expand, if we allow all of them to do this, the area will never redevelop. Bear stated that several of these properties need renovations and this may be the way to encourage this. Arcand stated that the EDA wants to see these businesses stay in Hugo. Arcand stated that at the Forest Lake meat market picks their garbage two times a week, but if the city has the right to enforce them to dispose of the garbage when needed, one time a week may be enough in this case. Miron stated that in the summer that the disposal may have to be more frequent. Bryan Bear stated that the main issue is the animal remains odors. Klein was concerned with the staging areas and the animal remains in the heat also. Bryan Bear stated that these issues can be addressed in the CUP. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Bear gave an update in the TIF district establishment and the tests the staff is working on to meet the TIF requirements. Staff will have most of the calculations done by next months EDA meeting. Bear also gave an update on the antique shop closing and that the Andersons are working with a development group to redevelop the property. UPDATE ON END ZONE PROPERTY Staff provided the EDA with an update of the End Zone property. Bear stated that the last time staff met with in Minich's a clinic gave them a purchase agreement to sign, but not much happened with them. Mike Ericson talked about the condition of the buildings a do that staff id having the property inspected by the County Health Department on July 18, 2006. Ericson also stated that staff hopes that this will out the property in the issue of demolition. Miron stated that this is a good move and the residents of the City have been asking him about the property and why nothing is has been done. MISCELLANEOUS Klein wanted to inform staff that the Hugo Business Association is setting up a website and would like to have a link on the City's webpage. ADJOURNMENT Klein made motion, Arcand seconded to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 am All aye. Motion carried.