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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006.05.15 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF MAY 15, 2006 EDA President Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 8:30 am. PRESENT: Jan Arcand, Mike Granger, Fran Miron, Jim Bever, Phil Klein, and Torn Denaway City Administrator Mike Ericson, CD Director Bryan Bear, CD Intern Rachel Simone ABSENT: Nick Skarich APPROVAL OF MINUTES Granger made motion, Bever seconded, to approve the minutes for the EDA meeting of April 17, 2006 as presented. All aye. Motion Carried. UPDATE ON NORTH HIGHWAY 61 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS MEETING ON MAY 3, 2006 Staff had a meeting with the north Highway 61 commercial property owners to discuss the issues of the current zoning and to discuss whether or not the property owners wanted to keep the zoning as commercial or change back to industrial. The issue was first brought to us by Rick Burr because he has a legal nonconforming industrial use in the commercial zoning district and wants to expand his building but can not. Many property owners in the district attended the meeting, most of the owners with the exception of Rick Burr; expressed they wanted to keep the zoning as commercial for various reasons. Some stated that they want it to stay the same because of their higher property value and others said they may want to expand their conforming business at some time. Also there was a discussion that they are by a lot of residential neighborhoods and there is a possibility of redevelopment at some time. Staff recommended the EDA discuss this issue and provide recommendation the Planning Commission for the next steps. Bryan Bear gave an overview of the meeting with the north Highway 61 commercial property owners and discussed the options available. Greg Breener a property owner in the commercial district attended and talked about he issues he had with the changing of the zoning of the property and alleged decisions made by the City Council in 2002 about the zoning. Granger suggested that we keep the zoning the same but some how accommodate to Rick Burr's issue. Rick Burr also attended the meeting and discussed his plans to expand his business. Miron made a motion, and seconded by Granger, to direct staff to research City Council minutes and tapes from 2002 and come back with findings to the City Council. All aye. Motion Carried. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN FOR CONCEPT AT SOUTHWEST CORNER OF COUNTY ROAD 8 AND HIGHWAY 61 Staff has been working with Carolyn Krall at Landform to revise part of the downtown master plan at the southwest corner of CSAH 8 and TH 61. Staff requested that more office commercial space to be added to the plan. Carolyn studied the area further and added more commercial space to the plan, also keeping some of the townhomes in area. Attached is the plan that was submitted to the city. Staff recommended the EDA to review the plan and provide direction to staff. Bryan Bear gave an overview of new revised plan and wanted direction from the EDA to what the next steps should be. There was discussion that townhomes may not be the best fit for the area. Arcand stated that housing would not be good for the area either and that there is a possibility of a parking ramp being placed there. Klein made a motion, seconded by Denaway, to look at having more office space instead of townhomes in the area. All aye. Motion Carried. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN EGG LAKE PROJECT Staff is continuing to work with Charles and Mark Nosie on the purchase of the Glyph Printing building at 14667 Forest Blvd. The April 17, 2006 EDA meeting staff was directed to look into some terms for the purchase of the property. CD Director Bryan Bear and CD Intern Rachel Simone met with Charles and Mark to negotiate terms for the purchase agreement and Charles and Mark were open to consideration of the terms. The final draft of the purchase agreement was attached with the term included. Staff has also contacted Mrs. Gamboni and Mr. Holmgren regarding purchase of their property. The staff provided the EDA with an update at the meeting. Bryan Bear gave an update of the purchase agreement with Charles and Mark Nosie for the purchase of the Glyph Printing building. He also discussed that Ms. Gamboni would like to stay at her property. Miron discussed that the Gamboni property is not as important for acquisition for downtown redevelopment as the Holmgren property. UPDATE ON SCHOLLER PROPERTY Staff was directed at the April 17, 2006 EDA meeting to look into purchasing the Scholler property at 5399 145th Street because we may need the property when CSAH 8 and Finale are realigned. Staff did look into if the City would need the property when the roads are realigned. Staff looked at the transportation plans for CSAH 8 and found that we would only need a small portion of the back side of the property, so staff concluded that we would not need the entire property for the realignment of Finale. Bryan Bear gave an update on the Scholler property research for possible acquisition with the alignment of Finale. There was a motion made by Miron, seconded by Denaway, to find out the actual alignment of Finale and also to notify the Scholler's of the alignment and let them know the possible impacts for their property. All aye. Motion Carried. Update on End Zone Property CD Director Bryan Bear and CD Intern Rachel Simone met with Alex and Zena Minich on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 to discuss the selling of their property which includes the End Zone building and motel buildings. They are eager to sell and want to see the property redeveloped. Bryan stated that there have been individuals interested in the property and he will set up a meeting with the interested parties and the Minich's. Bryan Bear gave an overview of the meeting with the Minich's and discussed how they are going about selling their property. He also talked about the possibility of a clinic being there. Miron stated that staff was going in the right direction. DISCUSSION ON MULTIFEEDER TECHNOLOGY REOUEST FOR ECONOMIC INCENTIVES During the April 17, 2006 EDA meeting when Multifeeder was presented, Neal Nordling asked the EDA if there was any economic incentives that would be available to him. The EDA and Staff explained that there would probably not be any incentive available for his business. After the meeting Neal drafted a letter to Fran Miron asking if there were any economic incentives that he could get, for example, TIF money, assistance with the public road construction, or tax abatement. Bryan Bear gave an overview of the request by Neal Nordling to receive economic incentives for his development. There was discussion that there were not incentives available. Denaway made a motion, seconded by Klein, to recommend not extending economic incentives and sending Neal a letter thanking him for the request. All aye. Motion Carried. WASHINGTON COUNTY WORKFORCE INVESTMENT FORUM ON JUNE 21, 2006 The Washington County Workforce Investment Board and its partners are sponsoring a forum called "Connecting Business, Education and Workforce/Economic Development" on June 21, 2006. EDA member are invited to go to this forum. Mike Ericson gave a summary of the forum and an invitation to the EDA. There was a motion by Miron, seconded by Klein, to set up notification of forum. All aye. Motion Carried. REPORT ON SUBMITTAL FUNDING HIGHWAY 16 FROM MNDOT TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD In 2005, Council directed City staff to submit a funding application to MnDOT for improvements to TH61. MnDOT's Transportation Advisory Board notified the City by letter that funding will not be awarded for the TH61 project. WSB Engineer Chuck Rickert suggested that Council members and staff contact State legislators to keep them informed of the City's funding need. Bryan gave a summary of the funding application and results. ADJOURNMENT Arcand made motion, Klein seconded, to adjourn at 10:00 am. All aye. Motion Carried.