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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014.01.14 EDA MinutesMINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF JANUARY 14, 2014 Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. PRESENT: Arcand, Bever, Denaway, Gallivan, Klein, Puleo, and Weidt ABSENT: None STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator Rachel Juba, Planner APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF DECEMBER 10, 2013 Arcand made motion, Klein seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of December 10, 2013. All ayes. Motion carried. MARKETING RFO PROPOSAL INTERVIEWS The realtors were asked to give a short presentation prior to the interview. The EDa interviewed Northco and High Pointe Realty partnering with Wakota Commercial Advisors. Staff provided a few questions that could be asked to the realtors. Bill Bergeson, representing High Pointe Realty, provided their background and stated that he is very familiar with the property since he sold the Carpenters parcels to the City. Jeff Hough, representing Wakota was also present for the interview. They stated that they have been following the EDA's vision to have a restaurant or hospitality type business on the property. They felt like that would be a good fit for the property and want to make sure they attract businesses that he EDA would like to see in downtown. They discussed their marketing plan for the property. They stated they were willing to discuss a revised compensation, if a lead for a buyer came from the City. They informed the EDA that no commission would get in the way of a deal to sell the property. Dick Allendorf and Chris Kubesh, representing Northco, provided their background to the EDA. They discussed their marketing plan for the property. Mr. Allendorf stated that they were not open to a flexible compensation, if a lead on a buyer came from the City. They stated that they would look for a hole in the market for Hugo and start there. He stated that a restaurant user would be good for a portion of the property, but the rest would need to be evaluated. After the interviews, staff recommended that the EDA provide direction to staff on how to proceed with marketing the City owned property. The EDA generally agreed that the partnership between High Pointe Realty and Wakota Commercial Advisors would be a good fit for marketing the City owned property in downtown. The EDA liked that they knew the property and had a vision on what would be best there based on the EDA goals. 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. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Staff stated the LaValle Fields senior housing and apartment project was going to be on an upcoming City Council agenda for approval. ADJOURNMENT Gallivan made a motion, seconded by Klein, to adjourn at 6:40 P.M. All ayes. Motion carried.