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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002.12.12 MINUTES • CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES December 12, 2002 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a special meeting of the Economic Development Authority and City Council was held at City Hall, 7516 80th Street South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota on the 12th day of December 2002. Present: Mayor Sandy Shiely Councilmember Rod Hale Councilmember Pat Rice Councilmember Jim Wolcott EDA Commissioner Gerard Weingartner EDA Commissioner Richard Pederson . EDA Commissioner Glen Kleven Absent: Councilmember Cheryl Kohls EDA Commissioner Fred Luden EDA Commissioner Mike Wennen Also Present: City Administrator Ryan Schroeder Assistant City Administrator Michelle Wolfe Finance Director Ron Hedberg Community Development Director Kim Lindquist Washington County Bulletin The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by Mayor Sandy Shiely. Mayor Shiely announced that the Annual Business Appreciation Breakfast would be held on January 27 and the guest speaker will be the new State Finance Commissioner, Dan McElroy. The event will be held at 3M Cottage Grove. Richard Pederson announced that there will be a joint meeting of the Woodbury and Cottage Grove Chamber's on May 16, 2003. Assistant Administrator Wolfe noted that there would be a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration at the Gateway Retail Center at 1:00, Saturday December 14 and Applebee's ribbon cutting will be on Monday, December 16 at 10:30. . Mayor Shiely referred to a memo dated December 6, 2002, which was included as part of the agenda packet. The agenda item included a list of topics for discussion by the EDA and Council. • Economic Development Authority- Minutes December 12, 2002 Page 2 She asked if anyone wanted to add any topics to the list. There were no additions. City Administrator Schroeder referred to the exhibits that were also included in the agenda packet. The first exhibit, a map, shows what is and is not in the Gateway Development District. Another map shows an area owned by Frank Frattalone that has potential for commercial development. Mr. Schroeder reviewed the Frattalone property and the surrounding properties. This includes three houses, a conservation easement, and MNDOT right-of-way (which the City will receive in February when it is deeded back to the City by the State.) One development scenario is to develop the Frattalone property, as well as the three properties with houses on them. It has also been discussed that the conservation easement property could be "swapped" for another potentially larger piece and then also be developed. For any development to occur, the property would have to be re-guided and re-zoned. (Although two of the residential pieces are already zoned commercial.) One of the houses is designated as historical on the local register. Mayor Shiely and Councilmember Wolcott indicated that they are not interested in swapping out the conservation easement property. The group as a whole agreed that the development of the • Frattalone piece and surrounding area (except the conservation easement) should be commercial, not residential. The group also favored a "village" architecture and flavor for the area versus "big box" retail. Glen Kleven and Rod Hale mentioned that it might make sense to consider a land swap involving the conservation easement. This might create an opportunity for the conservation easement to include a larger piece of property, and might provide an opportunity for access to Camel's hump. In addition, it could be required that the property must still maintain the bulk of its trees. Community Development Director Lindquist mentioned that another option was to use a small portion of the easement to provide an opportunity to improve the road design for safety reasons. Mayor Shiely stated that she would want to preserve the conservation easement. Mr. Hale stated that with a land swap the City may be able to accomplish a way to enhance Camel's hump with access from East Point Douglas. Richard Pederson commented that he thinks the Frattalone property can be developed in a way that works, with retail and commercial that fits in nice. It could be a prize project. Mr. Kleven stated that if it can't be done at the highest quality now, we should wait for it. He stated that we should avoid bright signs and big parking lots that have lots of bright lights. Jim Wolcott stated that it needs to look unique enough that people want to get there, since the access will not be easy. Some signage will be needed. The next topic discussed was aesthetics. Mr. Schroeder stated that staff informs potential developers that they need to emulate the aesthetics of recent redevelopments such as • Walgreen's, Gateway Retail and Home Depot/Grove Plaza. Staff also informs them that they have to use the same light fixtures as those on 80th Street. 111December Development Authority- Minutes December 12, 2002 Page 3 Mr. Schroeder informed those in attendance that the Grove Plaza owners would be meeting with staff to show revised plans. It is the staffs understanding that the remodeling of the center section of the mall has been scaled down somewhat. Richard Pederson and Mayor Shiely both commented that the City should not budge on changing any of the plans for Grove Plaza. There was consensus to maintain the theme throughout the gateway area of similar lighting, monumentation, use of "CG" logo and "Gateway" term, wrought iron fencing. Mr. Kleven commented that staff should keep development of the Frattalone property in mind when designing monuments. Space on those monuments may be needed to help guide residents to that development once it occurs. It was also discussed that if there is any opportunity to include some kind of water feature when designing ponds, that should be considered. There was some discussion regarding the property owned by Eller Media on the west side of Highway 61, north of 80th Street. (The City also owns some property adjacent.) Mr. Schroeder indicated that Eller Media would entertain a purchase offer on their property. Most of it is wetland. It probably cannot be developed. It could be a storm water holding area, with trails and a water feature. It could also be an extension of Hamlet Park. A Cottage Grove entrance marker could be located on the site. It would not be possible to have sanitary sewer service without a lift station, which makes development quite expensive. Another option, also expensive, is to add a • significant amount of fill. Mr. Schroeder stated that he recommends the city consider purchasing the property if the opportunity arises. Mayor Shiely requested comment and feedback regarding possible redevelopment of Cottage Square. Mr. Schroeder indicated that the City is still working with Presbyterian Homes on a mixed use project that would include senior housing and commercial/office uses. He stated that the project would probably need to increase density in order to create enough of a revenue stream for the project. Mr. Kleven stated that he liked the idea of trying to tie together Cottage Square and the G-Will mall as one retail development. One way to accomplish this would be via a skyway between the two. He recalled that there has also been discussion about moving Hadley Avenue as part of designing the redevelopment. Mayor Shiely noted that staff requested direction regarding staging of development. As noted in the agenda packet, staff has received some input to slow down development, while others provide input that the City should continue at its current pace. Mr. Wolcott commented that we need to keep going, because the City needs the increase in tax base. Mr. Kleven stated that we need to strive for quality, and not settle for less. He feels the City should develop as fast as we can as long as we do it right. Gerry Weingartner stated that he concurred with Kleven, as did Mr. Pederson. Mr. Pederson stated he was not in favor of slowing down., Mayor Shiely commented that the City needs to keep commercial and industrial development as a high priority. She stated that quality is very important. Mr. Hale stated that the City needs to continue to develop but needs to bring the public along. • We now have a good base, but need to continue. It is important to plan so we have a city by design, as is going to occur with the East Ravine. He stated that we need to do development on Economic Development Authority- Minutes • December 12, 2002 Page 4 our terms. Pat Rice stated that he is in favor of continuing development. He does not favor a big box style of development in the Frattalone area, but stated that we need a location for this type of development in the city. Mr. Schroeder indicated that there are really only two locations where this style of development could occur: Langdon or Highway 61/County Road 19. Mr. Wolcott stated that we need to have our strongest priority on the Industrial Park. We have one of the best in the metro area. He stated that retail development will follow solid development in the Industrial Park. The Industrial Park is the best thing Cottage Groe has going for it. Mr. Kleven referred to the architectural guidelines that were distributed at the beginning of the meeting. He noted that under the heading "Building Mass", the third bullet it states "Large areas of blank wall surface facing street frontages is discouraged." Mr. Kleven felt that statement should be boldface and underlined in the guidelines. Mr. Kleven also noted in the guidelines regarding signage, it states that electronic reader boards are not allowed. However, the one at Walgreen's was allowed, and it is a nice sign. He noted that while we do not want many of these reader boards, if they are tasteful and low-key, they might be okay. There was further discussion about Cottage Square. There was consensus that it might be okay to go to four stories, but it needs to be quality and look good, and the neighborhood must be considered. Pat Rice noted some concerns with the G-Will Mall that due to its age there may be some needs, such as mechanical, that will need to be done if that mall is to be upgraded. Mr. Kleven suggested that the EDA review the permitted uses for the Industrial Park to again ensure the level of quality that will be allowed. Jim Wolcott made a motion to adjourn, second by Pat Rice. Meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Wolfe Assistant City Administrator •