HomeMy WebLinkAbout 05-03-17CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MAY 3,2017 8:00 AM
CITY HALL -- 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96
Present: Chair Dan Erickson, Commissioners Evan Cordes, Brendan O'Meara, Liz Johnson,
and Rob Williams
Also Present: Council Liaison Dave McClung, Senior Planner Matthew Bachler, WS B Senior
Planner Eric Zweber, WS B Economic Development Coordinator Jim Gromberg,
and Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce President John Connelly
. s
Senior Planner Matthew Bachler administered the oath of office to Commissioners Cordes and
O'Meara.
out 901191"1
lin blin Mg..
Senior Planner Matthew Bachler noted that in October 2016 the City Council approved a
temporary ordinance prohibiting new land use applications for higher education uses. The purpose
of the ordinance was to give the city an opportunity to complete a study looking at the impacts of
higher education uses in terms of economic development and land use. In February 2017, the City
i7
2017
Page 2 7of 3
Council approved a proposal from WSB and Associates to complete the study. The EDC is bei
asked to review components of that study. At this meeting they will review typical employmenj
and economic activity from allowed commercial and employment uses.
WSB Senior Planner Eric Zwebel discussed the study and what the Economic Development
Commission's involvement would be. He described the various commercial and industrial
districts in the City, the uses allowed and the purpose statements of the districts. He noted that the
current zoning districts do not always separate uses to match the purpose statements. Education is
a conditional use in B-1, B-2, B-3 and B-4 Districts. Educational uses are not allowed in the
Neighborhood Business District or the Industrial districts.
WSB Senior Planner Zwebel discussed the Economic Activity from Commercial and Industrial
Uses table that was provided. Education services are in the third category, which has less
economic impact than other commercial and industrial uses in terms of salary per 1,000 square
feet of building space.
Commissioner Liz Johnson as e if there was an example of a stu y one speci ica y or a
college town looking at the economic impact that students and the parents of students had on the
community.
Discussion ensued regarding the amount of money students would spend in the city and economic
impact different types of students would create. Also discussed was the urgency of the University
of Northwestern and Bethel University's need for additional classroom space.
Discussion occurred in regards to TCAAP and the mix of businesses that will be there.
B. Business Retention and Expansion Program
Senior Planner ac ler stated the item was on the agenda for the Commissioners to update each
other on the program.
Commissioner Johnson said one businesses wants to wait until June and she wasn't able to reaj
the other business.
RM
Council Liaison McClung provided an update on the TCAAP redevelopment timeline� There are
approximately thirty acres of the property that have not received final environmental sign -off yet
�;
May 3, 1
•
and that is holding up the process. Also there has been a regulatory change regarding•,- of
the groundwater. • be done and the results will affect the mass grading •
Mass grading will probably take place next year with building construction starting first quarter of
1 •
C. Staff Comments
Senior Planner Bachler • -• that the EDC. • cancel the July 5 th meetingdue to the
holiday and lack of pressing items. He also noted the City Councilr r • -• an
amendment to the Lexington Station Master Plan and the final development plans for Phase 2 of
the
roject. The
lot will be
anded this
ear
the
will be
• • tbuilding
1
Rnzison,