HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998.03.10 EDA PACKET 4
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Secretary
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CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY
AGENDA
Tuesday, March 10, 1998
7:30 A.M.
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of February 10, 1998- Minutes
4. Business Items
A. Marketing Materials Update
B. Legislative Initiatives
C. Comprehensive Plan
D. Project Updates
E. Review of Business Appreciation Breakfast
5. Miscellaneous Business Items
6. Adjourn
FAGROUPSIPER ECON\KEBB98agenda\March.doc
City of Cottage Grove
Memo
To: Economic De elopment Authority Members
From: Kirstin Bar , Economic Development Director
Date: 03/05/98
Re: Marketing Materials Update
Design and layout for the new marketing materials is virtually complete. Staff
selected to work with Greta Wedell, an independent marketing consultant. Samples
will be available for your examination on Tuesday, however staff hopes to have the
materials to the printer by that time, so changes to the pieces are not an option.
IIThe new materials are very professional and convey the message that Cottage
Grove offers room to grow, in addition to a supportive business environment. Staff
hopes you are as pleased with the product as I am.
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• City Cottage Cotta a Grove
Memo
To: Economic Develop, ent Authority Members
From: Kirstin Barsnes omic Development Director
Date: 03/04/98
Re: Legislative Initiatives
A quick update on the status of our TIF/Green Acres Bill.
We have made it out of the appropriate committees of both the House and the
lI
Senate. Our bill is in the omnibus tax bill of both houses, but is in drastically different
• forms. In the Senate's omnibus bill, our language is very similar to what was originally
proposed. The Senate views our bill as a technical change to the TIF statute, which
This year the Senate indicated
it would not make substantive changes to the
Is good. Ths
TIF statute, but only minor technical amendments.
In order to get our bill out of the House committee on property tax and TIF, it went
through a significant overhaul. Initiallythere was a desire bycertain members of the
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committee to kill our bill. However, they decided to offer new language in exchange
for continued life. We accepted.
In the House version, as changed by the committee, a TIF district can be created
immediately with no use limitations if the property owner agrees to pay the tax
differential or benefit he/she has received for the 7 years prior to certifying the TIF
district. Under current law, 3Y ears differential must be paid and then only qualified
(85%) manufacturing projects can receive TIF assistance or the property must be
removed from green acres for 5 years before any other type of TIF use is permitted.
With the help of the Washington County Assessor's Office, we calculated the 7 years
tax benefit which the Glendennings would need to repay on all 300 acres of their
property. Most likely, all 300 acres would not be involved in TIF districts, but it was
used as a worst-case scenario for purpose of calculation. The amount of pay back
would be approximately$319,000 or$.025 per square foot.
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The proposed House language is very beneficial to Cottage Grove and allows us • '
greater flexibility than we were originally seeking. We are now faced with the
outcome of the conference committee and hope that the House version prevails. It is
possible that the Senate will view the House language as too substantive a change
and try to defeat any amendments at this time. Bob Long, our attorney and lobbyist,
is unable at this time to fashion a guess as to the outcome. Mr. Long is busy
convincing key Senators to support the House version. Staff will keep you informed
of the outcome. It has been 3 years since we have had unrestricted Tax Increment
ability.
•Page 2
City of Cottage Grove
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Memo
To: Economic Develo• ent Authority Members
From: Kirstin Barsnes •nomic Development Director
Date: 03/05/98
Re: Comprehensive Plan
INTRODUCTION
In 1998 the City will be reviewing and updating its Comprehensive Plan. This effort is
led by the Community Development Department with support given by other
• Departments as needed for specific sections of the Plan. For the first time, an entire
section will be devoted to Economic Development.
DISCUSSION
Staff will be gathering samples of other communities' economic development
components in their Comprehensive Plans. These will serve as a reference and
perhaps a framework for drafting our section. The practice is not very prevalent and
we hope to receive two or three examples.
Before the drafting begins, Staff would like to know what areas the EDA would like to
focus on. At last month's meeting we discussed the need to plan for additional
commercial opportunities. After speaking with Community Development, they would
like the EDA to dedicate some time determining future commercial sites and areas.
Are there other key areas of concern which need to be examined? Staff would
appreciate hearing your ideas so that a framework can be developed and drafting
can begin.
Attached to this memorandum are background materials which describe the process
and the corresponding timeline.
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F:IGROUPS\PER_ECON KEB\98pdceVComprehensive Plan Memo-March.doc
MEMORANDUM
TO: Planning Commission Members
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FROM: John McCool
DATE: February 4, 1998
RE: Comprehensive Plan Update
Introduction
The process of updating the City's Comprehensive Plan (adopted December 1994) has
started with a series of Planning Commission workshops scheduled for the remainder of
1998. Our first workshop Monday evening will be a cursory review of the adopted
document and how the Metropolitan Council's Regional Blueprint and Growth Strategy
Plans will impact our community. As you're already aware, Cottage Grove is identified
as one of the communities in the metro area that will change appreciably over the next
25 years.
110 History
Aspects of comprehensive planning for Cottage Grove go back to 1871 when the first
plat was registered. For many years, Cottage Grove was a township with two villages —
Cottage Grove and Langdon. Most of Langdon no longer exists, but it seemed a logical
spot for a settlement in 1871 due to the construction of the railroad. In the same year,
the Langdon post office was established. Later, a rail depot, hotel, grain elevator,
general store, blacksmith shop, stockyards, lumberyard, two churches, and a dozen
homes were constructed.
Modern comprehensive planning began in March 1970 when the City decided to initiate
steps leading to a Municipal Plan. A new Comprehensive Plan was adopted in June
1982 and December 1994. Since 1994, there have been several amendments and
refinements to the Plan.
Metropolitan Land Planning Act
Land use planning and regulatory authority in Minnesota is vested primarily at the local
level. The Metropolitan Land Planning Act requires local governments in the seven-
county metropolitan area to develop comprehensive plans. The Metropolitan Land
Planning Act directs the Metropolitan Council to review the comprehensive plans of
411 local governmental units to determine:
Planning Commission Memo
Comprehensive Plan Update
February 4, 1998
Page 2 •
• Conformity with metropolitan system plans;
• Consistency with other adopted plans for the Council; and
• Compatibility with each other
In 1995, the Metropolitan Land Planning Act was amended to include a requirement for
decennial review of local plans to ensure that local fiscal devices and local controls are
consistent with the Regional Blueprint and to respond to recent changes in the regional
system plans. The Metropolitan Council may grant time extensions to local
governments, provided there is an agreed upon timetable for completion of the plans.
If a local zoning ordinance or other local control is in conflict with the comprehensive
plan, the ordinance or other control device must be brought into conformance with the
plan by December 31, 1998, or nine months after any subsequent plan amendment
creates such a conflict. State Statute 473.858, Comprehensive Plans, Subdivision 1
states..."if the comprehensive municipal plan is in conflict with the zoning ordinance, the
zoning ordinance shall be brought into conformance with the plan..."
Regional Growth Strategy Plan
On December 19, 1996, the Metropolitan Council adopted a new regional growth •
strategy for the metro area. This Strategy Plan established a long term 2040 urban
reserve boundary for purposes of identifying those parts of the region that will eventually
become urbanized and those that will stay permanently rural. The strategy is to protect
agricultural and rural land in the outlying parts of the region as well as sensitive natural
resources.
For the plan to work, the region needs to use its land resources more effectively by
accommodating two-thirds of the region's projected 2020 growth inside the current
Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA). The other one-third will be accommodated
by expanding the MUSA by approximately 80,000 acres for 2020 and post 2020 urban
reserve of approximately 120,000 acres. The results would potentially accommodate
the 330,000 additional households and 650,000 more people in the next 25 years.
'70-'90 `95-2020 1995 Total 2020 Total
Growth Growth
Households 367,000 , 330,000 945,000 1,301,000
Population 575,000 650,000 2,450,000 3,100,000
Employment 611,000 410,000 1,390,000 1,800,000
Emphasis will be made on preservation and permanence for agricultural and rural
areas. These areas will not be developed for urban uses. In the permanent agricultural
areas, there shall be no more than one dwelling unit per 40 acres. Permanent rural
•
Planning Commission Memo
Comprehensive Plan Update
February 4, 1998
Page 3
areas will have a mix of farm and non-farm uses. The urban/rural threshold will be one
dwelling unit per 10 acres. Clustered housing will be encouraged to protect the rural
character, natural resources and open space.
The "urban reserve" is the outer edge of the urban growth boundary. The boundary is
based on watersheds, which allows the area to be served by more economical gravity
flow sewers. The urban reserve is established to accommodate the need for
urbanization to the year 2040.
The Strategy Plan also emphasizes an overall increase to housing density, which may
be higher than today's typical density of 2.76 units per acre. In addition, the Plan
encourages each community to provide their share of low and moderate income and
life-cycle housing opportunities. Ninety percent of Cottage Grove's housing stock is
considered affordable. Affordable housing is defined as having a market value of
$115,000 or less. As discussed before, the City is interested in higher value homes and
a variety of housing types for people in all stages of the life-cycle to balance housing
needs in the community.
The Plan
• The basic purpose of preparing a plan (beyond the state law requirements) is to guide
development, redevelopment, and preservation of the city by setting forth policies,
plans, and programs governing land use, transportation, community facilities and
services, housing, and open space. Land uses include residential, commercial,
industrial, agricultural, and community facilities. The Transportation section deals with
items ranging from pedestrian walkways/trails, future roadways and modern transit.
Community facilities and services include the basic physical facilities necessary to
operate the city, park and open space, as well as ancillary facilities related to social and
health services.
Review Procedures
Typically as part of a wholesale comprehensive plan update there would be a series of
public information meetings conducted prior to a formal public hearing being held by the
Planning Commission. These meetings would be to ascertain the philosophy and goals
of the community so that they could be accurately reflected in the Plan. However, due to
the numerous public planning processes in which the City has recently engaged;
CITYVISION 21, West Draw Visioning Task Force, review of the AUAR, and the current
review of the draft surface water management plan, staff does not believe an additional
formal public input process is necessary. It is intended that the new Plan will reflect the
goals and recommendations found within the above listed documents. Furthermore, the
City's Plan was just updated in 1994, which by Comp Plan standards is relatively recent,
and staff believes many of its recommendations are still timely. In addition to the City
Planning Commission Memo
Comprehensive Plan Update
February 4, 1998
Page 4 .
goals the Plan should be consistent with growth strategy assumptions, Blueprint goals,
Regional System Plans and other local plans/policies before presenting it to the general
public. Upon receiving input from the general public, appropriate changes should be
completed before distributing the plan to adjacent communities and school districts for
their review and comment. This submittal must be at least six months prior to
submission of the plan to the Metropolitan Council.
During the six-month period, a public hearing(s) shall be conducted and conditionally
approved by the Planning Commission and City Council prior to submission of the plan
to the Metropolitan Council. The conditional approval will be subject to Metropolitan
Council's approval of the plan. Comments and subsequent response will also be
included in the materials submitted to the Metropolitan Council. The City Council must
formally adopt the plan within nine months of Metropolitan Council's action.
Conclusion
Monday evening, staff will present a brief background pertinent to the Comprehensive
Plan process and our ideas of what needs to be done to the document. Attached is a
summary of the Comprehensive Plan contents with a list of topics and suggestions that
should be considered. Depending on the discussion and direction given, staff will begin •
revising the plan and additional workshops will be scheduled to review completed
sections of the plan. As the plan update process evolves, additional information will be
available and philosophies will influence the content of the revised document.
Also attached is a copy of Metropolitan Council's Metro 2040 Regional Growth Strategy
map. This map depicts the 2020 MUSA, urban reserve, permanent agricultural area,
and permanent rural area. A colored version of this map will be displayed at the
workshop.
FAGROUPS\PLANNING198COMPPLANX.9feb98wkshp.dx 4110
• COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
CONTENTS SUGGESTED REVISIONS
1. Create an introduction section that highlights current housing
stock, past and present housing trends and needs in the
Community Background and community. This information is currently in the Land Use
Introduction (New) section of the current Plan.
2. Move statistical information pertinent to population,
household, employment forecasts, and new construction
trends/assumptions from the Land Use section to the
introduction section.
3. Identify goals and policies.
1. Excerpts from the West Draw Task Force and CITYVISION
21 Task Force reports.
2. Calculate the acreage for existing and proposed land uses.
Compile a land use worksheet from City data for purposes
of making land use comparisons and developing a map.
Land Use The alternative is using Met Council's data.
3. Update narrative for each of the ten planning areas and
• Land Use Element improve map quality.
4. Include the types and intensity of future development that is
• Staged Development forecast for the community in five-year increments, starting
Plan (New) with the year 2005 and ending 2020.
5. Identify areas expanding the urban service area and prepare
• • Housing Element a staged development plan, in five-year increments to the
year 2020. Also identify areas of infill within the current
• Historic Preservation urban area and designate redevelopment areas.
Element 6. Review land use designations as shown on the Future Land
Use map.
• Energy and Solar 7. Re-define the land use designation"Parks and Private Open
Aneess
rgy Element Space"or address the manner in which development can
occur.
Mississippi River 8. Update information relating to Liveable Communities Act.
• Mi
Corridor Plan (New) Incorporate goals pertinent to life-cycle housing.
9. No change foreseeable for Historic Sites and Solar Access
sections.
10. Develop guidelines and requirements for land use planning
on land that is designated as part of the Mississippi National
River and Recreation Area(MNRRA).
1. Incorporate Natural Resource Inventory findings and
Community Facilities recommendations.
2. Provide general information relative to siting future parks and
• Park and Open Space trails.
Element 3. Update the functional classification system criteria and
characteristics.
• Transportation Element 4. Update the household and employment forecasts to each of
the Traffic Analysis Zones(TAZ's).
• Utilities Element 5. Review the functional classification of roads and make
appropriate changes.
• 6. Provide a descriptive right-of-way preservation and access
management plan. This includes future row needs for bikes
and walkway,transit corridors and facilities.
7. Update existing transit services and routes. Include location
of facilities such as transit hubs or transit park and ride lots.
Continued... 8. Rename the"Future Airports"section to"Aviation°. Update
Community Facilities information and delete all reference regarding proposal to
site a new international airport in Dakota Co. Remove
• Park and Open Space search area map from text.
Element 9. Update the Water Supply and Distribution text by
incorporating guidelines and information from the City's
• Transportation Element Water Distribution Plan.
10. Update the Wastewater Handling and Treatment text.
• Utilities Element Include information concerning the new wastewater
treatment facility, it's phased development and treatment
capacities. Reference potential interceptor pipes
alternatives and alignment.
11. Incorporate guidelines addressed in the City's Surface
Water Management Plan. Ad
in-idiarch 1998:—
Implementation Program 1. Update the section pertinent to the Zoning Ordinance and
the summary of zoning districts.
• Housing Implementation 2. Discuss the possibility of revamping the residential zoning
classifications for purposes of creating districts that uniquely
• Official Controls describe their use. Don't allow detached single family,
attached multiple family and apartment types of housing in
• Capital Improvement the same zoning classification like R5 and R6 District •
Program(CIP) currently does.
3. Insert the 1999-2003 Capital Improvements Program
•
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It Metropolitan Council 6 o 5 10 16 Miss December 19,1996
Geographic Information Systems
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
(WORK PLAN)
CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE
1997 •
.ic
E
Summer City staff and Metropolitan Council reaches consensus on: V
• Forecasts of Households, population, and employment for Ct
2000, 2010 and 2020; gli"'
• Amount of land available and needed to accommodate the
forecasted growth over time;
• Single-and multi-family housing mixes and densities needed
to accommodate the projected growth;
• Regional policy goals and objectives as they relate to
Cottage Grove.
Fall Update Planning Commission on the assumptions addressed
above:
• Advise Planning Commission of Work Plan/Schedule;
• Planning Commission appoints Planning Committee.
1998
Late Fall (1997) -
Winter Review existing Comprehensive Plan:
• Update and add new sections. •
Prepare General Plan (draft) - Incorporating other studies (e.g.):
• Sanitary Sewer, Water Distribution, Storm Water
Management, NRI, SWWD, CityVision 21, WDTF, and etc.
Early Spring Planning Committee conducts public information meeting:
• Comprehensive Plan background;
• Task Force input & reports;
• Process and information sharing;
• Invite public participation.
Spring Planning Committee reviews Comprehensive Plan draft to insure
the plan is consistent with growth strategy assumptions, Blueprint
goals, System Plans and other plans/policies:
• Planning Committee reports update to Planning
Commission;
• Work Plan/Schedule Updated;
• Planning Committee reviews Comprehensive Plan draft of
completed sections.
Neighborhood meetings:
• Northeast and Southeast Areas;
• South and Core MUSA Areas; •
Comprehensive Plan Revision Process
Page 2
1111
• West Draw Area;
• Planning Commission workshops.
Summer Comprehensive Plan draft completed:
• Send revised plan to adjacent governmental bodies and
Metropolitan Council for review.
Late Summer
Early Fall Planning Commission holds public hearings.
Late Fall Planning Commission adopts proposed Comprehensive Plan:
• City Council reviews proposed Comprehensive Plan and
adopts resolution approving the revised Comprehensive
Plan;
• City amends ordinances (i.e. rezoning, zoning, subdivision,
capital improvements program, etc.).
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G:IPLANN ING\COMPLN\WkPLAN
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City of Cottage Grove
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Memo
To: Economi Development Authority Members
From: Kirsti jr ess, Director of Economic Development
Date: 03/04/98
Re: Project Updates
A list of current projects will be distributed and discussed Tuesday morning. If you
have any specific questions related to a certain project, please bring those along.
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FAGROUPSIPER ECONUKE8\98pcket\Project Update Memo-March.doc
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City of Cottage Grove
Memo
To: Economic Development Authority Members
From: Kirstin Barsness, Economic De ent Director
Date: 03/04/98
Re: Review of Business Appreciation Breakfast
INTRODUCTION
On March 3rd over 60 people attended the Business Appreciation Breakfast. As
always, 3M did an excellent job in hosting the event, and the EDA's thanks have
• been conveyed to all the individuals who helped put the morning together.
DISCUSSION
The attendance was less than the target goal of 100 people, with a fair number of the
RSVP's coming in the last two days. Approximately 400 invitations were sent to
Cottage Grove businesses, area manufacturers, past clients and future prospects.
Staff was hoping for a better reception and was slightly disheartened. The aim, for
changing from a manufacturers' event to general business, was to involve more
businesses. However, the resulting attendance was the same. Careful consideration
needs to be given as to how to breed interest into the area businesses. Even our
local paper failed to publish the press release on the event.
Staff does believe that the attendees found the breakfast worthwhile. A number of
positive comments were voiced or overheard, and people appeared to linger after the
formal program to network. Hopefully those attending will spread the word and others
will be interested in future events.
The EDA's comments on the event would be appreciated. Please share these
Tuesday morning so that staff can document ideas for improving next year's
breakfast.
•
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• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LEADS UPDATE
March 10, 1998
Courtesy Car Rental
The project is moving forward with the company securing HGA Architects to
assist with site and building design. It was discovered that the company is a
conditional use within the zoning and that a rezoning is not necessary. Staff
has been working with the company on quality issues and has impressed
upon them the required architectural standards. The company is indicating
that there are cost concerns on their part with the exclusion of metal
construction materials.
Recycling Alternatives
This Maple Plain company was seeking a 25,000 s.f. existing building in the
area to house their operations. The company processes pre-consumer
plastic materials. Their lease expires in June and they need a space they can
immediately occupy. I referred them to Metro East.
Andersen Windows —Renewal
A proposal has been submitted to Andersen Windows for their Renewal
• Division. The company is looking for a 20-30 acre site for an 180,000 s.f.
manufacturing facility. Drive-by site tours with the consultant will be this
week. A short list of communities will be prepared. We have been informed
by the consultant that we will be recommended for the short list.
Welsh Spec Building
Staff is meeting this week with Welsh Companies to discuss the necessary
pre-approvals for the Spec Building concept. To date, the company has
prepared a site plan, elevations and landscape plan. We will meet to discuss
what is needed to pre-approve a building in order to speed up the review
process. Welsh is excite to be at this phase and hopes to be marketing the
site/concept after the meeting.
Elite Roofing
This local company is currently located in East Cottage Grove and wishes to
build a 15,000 s.f. office/warehouse facility. They have been in business 3.5
years and have 20 unionized employees. Their existing space is fragmented
and they have outgrown it. Staff is gathering information for them and is
trying to present data which will persuade them that metal construction may
not be their most desirable choice. I have contacted a firm which can provide
a comparison of building materials which will help them in their decision
process. They would like to stay in Cottage Grove, but have cost
• considerations. We can help them, but metal construction is not permitted in
commercial or industrial areas.
• G Will Liquors
A public hearing will be held at the next City Council meeting for G Will
Liquors. The retailer is interested in leasing 10,000 s.f. of the former Rainbow
foods space. The owner plans to do some cosmetic work on the center with
hopes of future redevelopment as the center leases up. Initially, windows will
be installed in the space next to Coast to Coast and trim will be painted.
Semi-Conductor— DTED
The State called and asked if the site we proposed for Samsung a few years
ago was still available and is the information given was accurate. They are
trying to turn around a proposal quickly to a Taiwanese consortium interest in
10 acres for a semi-conductor plan. Staff indicated that the base information
was the same, but pricing had changed. We would want to submit a new
financial component should the company decide to look closely at our site.
MEDP #853
A 57 year old St. Paul gear and gear box manufacturing company is looking
for 8 acres for a 50,000 s.f. building. They employ 70 people with wages
averaging $15.00 per hour. Their current location doe not have room for
expansion. Time line is to end construction by the end of 1999.
• Govesan
The company is still interested in locating in Cottage Grove, but has moved its
timeline for construction to Fall 1998. Its parent company recently purchased
two large pieces of equipment which resulted in the delay.