2017_1017_REDA Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

REDA Meeting Minutes—Tuesday,October 17,2017 Page 8 Member Laliberte also sought staff input on Site 5 and if that was considered less of a priority or if it should be moved up in priority. Ms. Collins responded that when staff and the consultants considered particular areas, they were interested in covering various areas in the community. With the Pacal site consisting of an aging building, but representing a huge site ripe for redevelopment, Ms. Collins reviewed the interest to consider what opportunities it could present for the future. Ms. Collins agreed that all opportunities were not identified, and suggested Long Lake Road may fit into one of these opportunity areas. Ms. Collins clarified that the goal of the comprehensive plan in identifying these sites was to make opportunity areas and available tools to redevelop those areas should it occur and how to portray those pieces in the plan. Following additional discussion, President Roe suggested that a general paragraph be included to talk about potential development and available tools generically and then exclude repetitive language elsewhere and instead reference them to those limited tools available. Member Willmus suggested that the city remain aware of its limited resources and areas that it could affect and make changes to. Therefore, Member Willmus identified his priority areas as Twin Lakes and the Rice Street corridor as far north as County Road C-2; representing a significant task in and of itself. Member Willmus stated that he wasn't overly concerned with the Lexington/Larpenteur area; but opined that it did make some sense with the area surrounding Har Mar Mall for additional conversations; with less interest from him on the Pacal site. With transportation and pedestrian health, safety, and welfare concerns expressed by Member McGehee, President Roe noted that some of those issues may be addressed in the Transportation Chapter of the plan update. In conclusion, and without objection, President Roe indicatd that the REDA directed staff and the consultants to focus on Sites 1 and 3, in addition to the Rice Street corridor as economic and redevelopment sites for focus with a statement to prioritize their use through economic development resources. Further, President Roe indicated that the REDA directed staff to consider Sites 4 and 5 as "opportunity" sites with language incorporated such as "the city might consider the use of assistance, provided..." similar to that used in existing policies. C. Review 2017 Economic Development Activities and Consider Re-Use of HRA Funds Community Development Director Kari Collins, Housing & Economic Development Program Manager Jeanne Kelsey, and GIS & Economic Development Technician Joel Koepp were present to provide details on