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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-17-10 EN HILLS CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MARCH 17,2010 7:30 AM CITY HALL -- 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair von Holtum called the meeting to order at 7:40 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Ed von Holtum; Community Development Director James Lehnhoff; Council Liaison Stan Harpstead; Commissioner Members Rob Davidson; James Huninghake; and Dan Erickson. Absent: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—DECEMBER 16,2009 The minutes from the December 16, 2009, meeting were approved as printed. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Business Meeting Project Updates—Updates from Commissioners Mr. Erickson reported he got through several more business meetings. Overall the meetings were very positive and businesses were interested in being on the City's website. Mr. Davidson had no update at this time. Mr. Huninghake met with several businesses and received positive feedback as well. The Business Park was largely vacant and felt the Commission should address these concerns. Council Liaison Harpstead indicated region-wide he was trying to meet with top executives of larger corporations with other local mayors. He met with the CEO of 3M and US Bank. At this time, there was an emphasis on the importance of the connections between the public and private sectors. He explained the connections being made by the Commission was just as important. Council Liaison Harpstead explained the City of Shoreview's EDC holds their monthly meeting at different companies, which would be another way to connect with local businesses. He encouraged staff to speak with Shoreview staff regarding these efforts. EDC Minutes March 17, 2010 Page 2of6 A. Business Meeting Project Updates— Updates from Commissioners (continued) Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated he would be more than happy to arrange a meeting at a local business. He added that staff had several lists of local businesses that still needed contact from the EDC. He felt the time spent on this initiative was well spent. Mr. Huninghake suggested the owner of McDonald's be contacted to see if he was interested in serving on the EDC or hosting an EDC meeting. The Commission was in favor of this recommendation. B. Gateway Sign Selection Community Development Director Lehnhoff indicated the City has been discussing the idea of a gateway sign for some time now. The 2010 capital improvement plan includes $10,000 for the construction of a gateway sign. The prior location at Arden Plaza was on hold at this time until the developer has an established timeline for redevelopment of the site. Community Development Director Lehnhoff reviewed the sign proposal quotes and building materials. He recommended the proposal from SignArt which would be a four foot by eight foot sign with raised lettering. There would be a potential for two aluminum gateway signs each at • $4,900. Staff then requested the EDC discuss and recommend potential locations for the gateway sign. Council Liaison Harpstead was in favor of the proposed aluminum sign as it would be moveable. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated the easiest locations to place a gateway sign in at this time were: Cleveland Avenue and County Road D, Cleveland Avenue and County Road E2, Highway 96 across from gas station, Highway 96 and Lexington Avenue, or Highway 51 and County Road E. Discussion ensued regarding potential gateway sign locations. Council Liaison Harpstead suggested one sign be placed at County Road E and Lexington Avenue. As soon as the monument sign was completed, the aluminum sign could be moved to another location. The Commission was in favor of this suggestion. Community Development Director Lehnhoff suggested the EDC recommend a second sign location to the Council as well. Chair von Holtum suggested a sign be located across from Arden Manor. Council Liaison wondered if Lexington Avenue and 694 would be a good location. EDC Minutes March 17, 2010 Page 3 of 6 B. Gateway Sign Selection (continued) Community Development Director Lehnhoff asked if the Commission had considered locating a sign at Round Lake Road and Highway 96. This location would impact a number of local businesses. The Commission was in favor with this sign location. MOTION: Chair von Holtum moved and Mr. Davidson seconded, to recommend the _City Council approve two gateway signs, one at the corner of Lexington Avenue and County Road E; and the other at Round Lake Road and Highway 96. The motion carried. C. TCAAP Update and Proposed Zoning Regulations Community Development Director Lehnhoff provided a TCAAP update to the Commission. He explained three parcels of land would be transferred to Ramsey County for use as trail corridors. The remaining 431 acres of the site were up for public auction and redevelopment. The auction was to be held in late June. The Council has reaffirmed the support for the 2030 Comprehensive Plan which calls for a mixed use development on the TCAAP site. At this time, the City is addressing the zoning regulations on the property to bring it into conformance with the mixed use vision. • Community Development Director Lehnhoff explained the TCAAP site has several superfund sites which meant the potential buyer of the site could not take title of the land until the remediation was complete. The expense for the cleanup was unknown and would be worked through once a master plan for the property was finalized. Community Development Director Lehnhoff reported the City would be hosting a multi- jurisdictional meeting on April 14, 2010 to provide an update on the property. He then began reviewing the proposed zoning regulations for TCAAP and asked for questions or comments from the Commission. Chair von Holtum asked if the City had received a bid packet from the GSA. Community Development Director Lehnhoff explained the City did not yet have this information. A draft should be available mid-April for the City to review. He noted a second bidder's conference would be held at the end of May. Mr. Erickson questioned what would happen if the public auction was unsuccessful in the sale of the property. Community Development Director Lehnhoff this would be a possibility, but the City is uncertain of the interested bidders. The City has spoken with the GSA about these concerns and the GSA does not have a specific process laid out for this scenario. Potentially, another auction could be held or the property would go up for sale again in several years. EDC Minutes March 17, 2010 Page 4of6 C. TCAAP Update and Proposed Zoning Regulations (continued) Chair von Holtum asked if the zoning regulations would limit the number of potential buyers. Community Development Director Lehnhoff felt the zoning regulations would guide buyers into the purchase of the site making them aware of what would be allowed on the site. He fully expected the buyer would petition for rezoning in several areas of the site to meet their own redevelopment needs. Mr. Davidson questioned why the City was opposing large retail within the TCAAP redevelopment. He felt this may hinder the retail development of the site. In the end the market would drive what would be placed on the site. He encouraged the City to be creative through the redevelopment process to invite new uses to the City. Mr. Erickson suggested the language be rewritten to allow for a certain percentage of big box retail to become anchors for the retail development. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated the current state of the economy would effect the development and retail on the site. He explained that the TCAAP site may not be developed for three to five years. • Council Liaison Harpstead indicated this would lead the planning process to plan for the long term in hopes of having a successful development for the next 50+ years. He challenged the EDC to review the document to provide feedback that would be in the best interests of the City. Chair von Holtum questioned how the property would be brought back onto the tax roles. Council Liaison Harpstead reported the City receives no revenue at this time due to the fact it is federally owned. After the deed transfers, the County would place a market value on it after all remediation was complete. Chair von Holtum suggested holding another EDC meeting in April to further discuss the zoning regulations. UPDATES A. TCAAP & Other Projects Community Development Director Lehnhoff explained the Chamber of Commerce would be hosting an Economic Development Summit on April 6, 2010. He noted he would forward an informational email to the EDC. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated the Arden Village proposal received approval from the City Council last Monday. This would create a 55-unit workforce housing building in the City. At this time, the financing was still being worked on. EDC Minutes March 17, 2010 Page 5 of 6 A. TCAAP& Other Projects (continued) Community Development Director Lehnhoff reported the Council had a concept review with Roberts Development at the last worksession meeting. Roberts Development has proposed renovating an existing building at 3920 Northwoods Drive into a 51-unit senior apartment building. The overall response from the Council was encouraging. Additional comments will be taken from the EDC at the April meeting. Community Development Director Lehnhoff encouraged the EDC members to further review the zoning regulations and forward any comments or questions to him prior to the meeting. This would allow staff to bring all necessary information to the April worksession meeting. B. Commission Members There was nothing further. C. Council Liaison Council Liaison Harpstead reported economic development for the region was critical. He presented information on the initiatives of the Regional Council of Mayor's. This organization . involved 35 metropolitan cities and works with the Department of Economic Development to gather information on the regions workforce and business types. Council Liaison Harpstead indicated the Itasca Project involves 30-50 community leaders that look into the local jobs and economic development diving deep into data. He further reviewed the levers that make areas successful and how the City of Arden Hills rated in each area. The Itasca Project would continue to work on how to draw businesses into the area while addressing the necessary process changes to create vision and long term growth. In the end the region would like to increase jobs. Council Liaison Harpstead noted the Brookings Institution decided to look nationally at how to create relationships between the Federal Government and metropolitan regions. This has become a world of cities and not a world of nations. Council Liaison Harpstead indicated he would be willing to present the local business owners with this information if the EDC found interest. Mr. Davidson explained the recession has magnified the need for public and private sectors to work together to foster development and employment. OTHER BUSINESS There was nothing at this time. EDC Minutes March 17, 2010 Page 6 of 6 • ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m. Minutes approved by Ed von Holtum, Chair Patrick Klaers City Administrator NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the EDC will be Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 7:30 a.m. • 0