HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-07-2018 EDC Minutes�
EN HILLS
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MARCH 7, 2018 8:00 AM
CITY HALL -- 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chair Dan Erickson called the meeting to order at 8:02 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Dan Erickson, Commissioners Liz Johnson, Evan Cordes, and Brendan
O' Meara
Also Present: City Planner Matthew Bachler, Deputy Clerk Jolene Trauba and WSB &
Associates Senior Planner Eric Zweber
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept the agenda as presented.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was the consensus of the Commission to accept the February 7, 2018 meeting minutes as
presented.
4. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS
A. 2040 Draft Comprehensive Plan
WSB & Associates Senior Planner Eric Zweber provided three maps: Map 6.1 — 2030 Future
Land Use, which is the existing Land Use Map currently being used, Map 6.3 — 2040 Proposed
Land Use Map, and Map 6.4 — Areas of Interest Map.
Mr. Zweber noted there are three chapters that are the most relevant to the EDC: Chapter 5—
TCAAP, Chapter 6— Land Use, and Chapter 8— Economic Development. In the fourth quarter of
2016, the City updated the TCAAP Redevelopment Code including a Comprehensive Plan
Amendment. The Commercial, Industrial and Higher Education Study was done in 2017 and a
number of those recommendations have been included into Chapter 8 of the Comp Plan. He noted
the EDC should look at the Comp Plan as a 10-year work plan.
Mr. Zweber reviewed other changes to the plan. He also noted there is a large vacant property in
the Gateway Business District that has potential.
EDC Minutes
March 7, 2018
Page 2 of 3
City Planner Bachler said Roberts Management owns the property in the Gateway Business
District. He said there are two other properties adjacent to the site not owned by Roberts
Management where a telecommunications tower is located.
Mr. Zweber mentioned that the B-4 Zoning District is currently identified as Retail Center but the
Council expressed that office and other commercial uses may be better in the area than the
industrial use shown on the draft Land Use Map. The Council directed staff to change the
designation of the properties on Dunlap Street to Mixed Business.
Chair Dan Erickson inquired about developing a database to assist businesses in identifying
appropriate and available locations within the city, and asked about mechanisms and processes to
keep a database up to date.
Mr. Zweber said usually a strong Chamber of Commerce would assist with the database.
Discussion ensued concerning what the City currently has on the website, and what could happen
in the future and how to ensure the information is accurate.
B. New Business Visits
City Planner Bachler distributed a draft pamphlet to hand out to new businesses during visits and
asked for feedback.
Discussion ensued and several suggestions made for changes to the pamphlet.
City Planner Bachler stated a revised version should be available in next week and he will send
an email once the changes are complete. He will let EDC members know when they are available
to pick up at City Hall.
C. Business Retention and Expansion Program
City Planner Bachler noted that the EDC will be completing BRE visits in the Red Fox/Grey Fox
area for 2018. He discussed the list of businesses and the EDC member responsible for the visit,
as well as the business survey and sample interview questions.
City Planner Bachler stated that he would send out an updated version of the BRE visit list to the
group as well as an electronic copy of the survey and sample interview questions.
5. UPDATES
A. Commission Members
None
B. Council Liaison
Not present
EDC Minutes
March 7, 2018
Page 3 of 3
C. Staff Comments
City Planner Bachler mentioned the State of the City planning will begin at the April or May
meeting, and the Communications Coordinator will be working with the EDC in the process.
ADJOURNMENT
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