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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-12 EDA Minutes - Approved CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE E CONOMIC D EVELOPMENT A UTHORITY MINUTES November 12, 2014 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Economic Development Authority was held at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway, Cottage Grove, Minnesota 55016 on the 12th day of November, 2014. I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. by EDA President Bailey. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Myron Bailey, EDA President Paul Poncin, EDA Member Dave Thiede, EDA Vice President Ramona Westerberg, EDA Member Craig Patterson, EDA Member Members Absent: Laurie Levine, EDA Member (Excused) Steve Schmidt, EDA Member (Excused) Staff Present: Ryan Schroeder, EDA Executive Director Danette Parr, Economic Development Director Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City Engineer Alicia McMonigal, Economic Development Assistant Others Present: Emily Buss, South Washington County Bulletin III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES EDA Member Patterson motioned to approve the October 14, 2014 EDA Meeting Minutes, and EDA Member Poncin seconded, all present were in favor. IV. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Development Update / BR&E Update EDA Executive Director Schroeder reviewed the development update materials that were included in the EDA packet. EDA Vice President Thiede asked if Hillcrest had secured any tenants for the development. EDA Executive Director Schroeder responded that there were no agreements in place. B. Park Place Storage Project Economic Development Authority - Minutes November 12, 2014 Page 2 Community Development Director/City Engineer Levitt presented the packet materials related to Park Place. EDA Member Patterson stated that he didn’t think the building materials along the rear ends of the buildings needed to be the same as the front of the building (Class 1). EDA Member Westerberg agreed. EDA Vice President Thiede rose concerns about having a storage facility on W Point Douglas. EDA Member Thiede stated the need for an aesthetically pleasing exterior of the building, not wanting storage in the name of the facility, tax revenue, and his concern for the site being used as a storage facility. EDA Member Thiede also stated concerns regarding the developer’s incentive for maintaining the condominium association property after the units are all sold. EDA Executive Director Schroeder discussed the increase in taxes if the site is developed into the concept of condominium storage that will be purchased by individual owners and owners will have a higher incentive to maintain their property. ED Director Parr explained that the exterior and common areas would be maintained by the condominium association. EDA President Bailey discussed the appeal of having wrought iron fencing to keep in theme with the fencing in the corridor, as well as escrow for the sidewalk. EDA President Bailey also spoke of the importance of having the north end of the building as even more aesthetically pleasing then the south and rear of the building. In addition President Bailey stated that the tree mitigation will go into that fund and will be available to be used along areas of the West Point Douglas Corridor, since there are landscaping limitations on the site due to the proximity of the water main and eventual water tower. EDA President Bailey also discussed Park Place’s sister facility in Eden Prairie, stating the exterior of the building is aesthetically pleasing and is a unique addition to that area and did not look like a traditional storage facility. EDA President Bailey stated that the Park Place building type would fit with the feel of the light manufacturing theme of the area. EDA Member Westerberg asked if there would be traffic issues and Community Development Director/City Engineer Levitt commented that traffic would not be an issue because she did not anticipate a rush at any particular time of day. EDA member Poncin indicated that he sees numerous opportunities for possible light industrial work spaces, affordable work spaces to small business owners, and the units are affordable for those that would like to own their workspace. EDA President Bailey stated he would like the EDA to review Park Place’s marketing materials at their current facilities to see who they are marketing to, in order to get a better picture of the end users. C. Award Demolition Bid for 8797 and 8811 West Point Douglas Road South EDA Executive Director Schroeder discussed the demolition of the above referenced structures as noted in the EDA packet. EDA Member Patterson questioned awarding the demolition bid to a local business. EDA Vice President Thiede discussed a desire to keep Economic Development Authority - Minutes November 12, 2014 Page 3 the bids local as well and inquired as to the use of the garage by Public Works for storage. EDA Executive Director Schroeder stated he was not comfortable with changing the bidding process with this particular bid but in the future would consider keeping it local if the EDA desired. EDA Executive Director Schroeder stated the long term plan is for the redevelopment of this area and hopefully a fast track plan for the end user as there is current interest in the parcel. EDA Vice President Thiede discussed the overall plan/design of the area and wanted to make sure that we were not putting up structures ‘willy nilly’ and that we were keeping with the overall plan of the area. EDA Executive Director Schroeder stated that there is a multi-model design Red Rock Corridor that the EDA had reviewed in the past. EDA President Bailey stated that many citizens have discussed the blighted property as an issue with Mayor Bailey and by completing demolition of the above properties, the City will begin cleaning up that area and is confident after discussion with staff that it will keep with the vision of the Red Rock Corridor plan. EDA President Bailey stated he would be personally uncomfortable going with any bidder other than the lowest because we are spending tax payer money and need to be as conservative as possible. EDA Vice President Thiede motioned to approve the demolition of 8797 and 8911 West Point Douglas and was seconded by EDA Member Westerberg, all present were in favor. D. Leafline Labs, LLC Amended Development Agreement EDA Executive Director Schroeder discussed the packet materials related to Leafline Labs. EDA Member Poncin approved the amendment and the motion was seconded by EDA Member Patterson, all present were in favor. E. Consideration of Lodging LOI EDA Executive Director Schroeder discussed the packet materials related to the Lodging LOI. EDA Vice President Thiede commented on a letter received from a resident that the parcel should be used as an amphitheater, but he supports it as being used as a commercial site. EDA Vice President Thiede indicated that he’d like staff to reply to the resident. Executive Director Schroeder stated that the parcel is specifically zoned and graded for commercial development and the City has gone through a lot of effort and expense bringing utilities to the parcel. Also, the land proceeds will go to the park trust fund. EDA Member Poncin asked if we would restrict the parking lot in Oakwood Park so there would be overflow hotel parking. EDA Executive Director Schroeder responded that the City Engineer would like to do some storm sewer work in the park and may be included in the expansion and redevelopment, but it was still early on for the design stage. EDA Member Poncin motioned to approve the Lodging LOI with the lodging company and the motion was seconded by EDA Member Westerberg, all present were in favor. V. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS ITMES VI. CALENDAR The EDA members were given the upcoming meeting and events calendar that was included in the EDA Packet. VII. AJOURN EDA Member Westerberg moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by EDA Member Poncin, all present were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 a.m. Economic Development Authority - Minutes November 12, 2014 Page 4 Respectfully Submitted, Alicia McMonigal Economic Development Assistant