HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-12 PACKET 04.02.
Development Inquiry Update
To: Honorable Mayor Bailey and EDA Members
From: Christine Costello, Economic Development Director
Date: December 6, 2017
Activites that have taken place in the community that may have a potential impact on economic
development activity:
Discussion Staff Action
MNCAR Expo, October 11, Mayor Bailey, Councilmember Dennis, Economic
2017 Development Assistant Wolf, and Economic Development
Director Costello attend the Minnesota Commercial
Association of Real Estate/Realtors (MNCAR) Expo. We
had an opportunity to interact with over 600+ commercial
real estate professionals to discuss various development
opportunities in Cottage Grove.
Chamber Board of Director’s The Chamber Board held their monthly meeting.
Meeting, October 12, 2017
Ribbon Cutting, October 18, Bella Pizza ribbon cutting was held at 7155 80 th Street, Suite
2017 160.
Meeting with Chamber Met with Chamber President Jeff Carter to discuss the
President, October 23, 2017 potential of a lodging tax in the City of Cottage Grove. The
Chamber was very agreeable to the potential tax.
Meeting with Mesaba Capital Community Development Director/City Engineer Levitt and
Development, October 25, Economic Development Director Costello met with a partner
2017 of Mesaba Capital to discuss various multi-family housing
opportunities in Cottage Grove. Follow-up meeting
scheduled for December 8th.
Meeting with retail Met with franchisee to discuss previous locations staff had
franchisee, October 26, 2017 provided as well as potential new locations and their need
for being on the a.m. side of the road.
Meeting for Park Grove Met with Washington County Building Services and Library
Library Redevelopment, staff for a kick-off meeting with Project Manager Jennifer
October 30, 2017 McMaster of Hammel, Green, and Abrahamson, Inc. (HGA)
Meeting with a business Community Development Director/City Engineer Levitt,
looking for an industrial site, Economic Development Assistant Wolf, and Economic
October 30, 2017 Development Director Costello met with a business who is
looking to expand. A proposal for a four acre site in the
Business Park was presented to the business
Chamber Board of Director’s City Administrator Stevens and Economic Development
Strategic Planning Meeting, Director Costello attended the strategic planning session for
October 31, 2017 the Chamber.
Meeting with Menards, Community Development Director/City Engineer Levitt,
November 3, 2017 Assistant City Engineer Burfeind, and Economic
Development Director Costello met with representative from
Menards on a proposed expansion that would impact the site
Development Inquiry Update
December 6, 2017
Page 2
and utilities. Staff provide Menards alternative solutions for
their consideration.
Chamber Board of Director’s The Chamber Board held their monthly meeting.
Meeting, November 9, 2017
Coffee, Code and Croissants, A breakfast lunch and learn was held on common code
November 15, 2017 concerns for businesses in Cottage Grove. This was the first
session as part of a strategies that were developed from the
BR&E Program.
East Metro Strong, There is a new representative on the committee for
November 27, 2017 Washington County is Commissioner Stan Karwoski. The
committee also discussed going to a quarterly meeting. No
decisions were made.
Meeting with Zumbro House, Community Development Director/City Engineer Levitt,
November 27, 2017 Senior Planner Burbank, and Economic Development
Director Costello met with representative from Zumbro
House and Gonyea Land Company for sites that were
available for multi-family housing.
Meeting with Highway 61 Community Development Director/City Engineer Levitt,
Business Center Property Senior Planner Burbank, and Economic Development
Owner, November 29, 2017 Director Costello met with the property owner who owns two
parcels next to the storage facility on West Point Douglas
Road.
Workforce Development Washington County Economic Development Director Chris
Meeting, December 6, 2017 Eng, Economic Development Assistant Wolf, and Economic
Development Director Costello met with Ling Becker with the
City of Vadnais Heights on how they successfully
implemented their BR&E strategies.
Chamber Holiday Breakfast, Community Development Director/City Engineer Levitt,
December 7, 2017 Economic Development Assistant Wolf, and Economic
Development Director Costello attended the Chamber
Holiday breakfast at Tinucci’s Restaurant.
Webinar, December 7, 2017 Economic Development Association of MN held a webinar
on current and anticipated future real estate trends among
retail, industrial, office and multi-family property uses.
TO:
Economic Development Authority
FROM:
Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City Engineer
Christine Costello, Economic Development Director
DATE:
November 7, 2017
RE:
Development Update
Building Permits
Building Permit Statistics: Between November 1 and November 30, 2017, there were 244 building
permits issued with a total valuation of $29,378,918, including 7 new homes valued at $2,206,822,
and Norris Square, which consists of three buildings (independent living, care center, and town center)
that have a combined 142 dwelling units and a total valuation of $24,214,090. As of November 30,
2017, a total of 3,679 building permits have been issued with a total valuation of $160,751,775,
including 379 commercial permits valued at $85,244,248 and 104 new residential homes with a valu-
ation of $32,322,411.
Commercial Permit Valuation Comparison
By Month
2016-2017
180000000
160000000
140000000
120000000
100000000
80000000
60000000
40000000
20000000
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2017 Valuation2016 valuation
Economic Development Authority
Development Update
November 7, 2017
Page 2 of 10
Commercial/Industrial Construction Activity
180000000
160000000
140000000
120000000
100000000
80000000
60000000
40000000
20000000
0
199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017
yearpermitsvaluationLinear (permits)
Residential Permits -New construction
1996 to 2017
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
199520002005201020152020
Economic Development Authority
Development Update
November 7, 2017
Page 3 of 10
Current Project Updates
Oltman Middle School: There are many phases of the project ongoing, including underground plumb-
ing, electrical, concrete slab, concrete masonry wall construction, fire suppression, duct installation,
roofing, steel stud framing, insulation, and sheetrock. Daily inspections are being conducted for elec-
trical, mechanical, framing, and sheetrock. Pictures of various areas of the building are attached.
Cottage Grove Middle School: The Certificate of Occupancy was issued.
Primrose: The Certificate of Occupancy for this project was issued.
CG Sun Solar Garden (McHattie Property): Most of the structural support and underground work is
completed with the site being fenced and transformers set.
Legends of Cottage Grove: Final inspections are being conducted on the north and middle sections
with the final fire alarm system inspection scheduled for December 12. The exterior, including land-
scaping, is complete.
Norris Square: This project consists of the Town Center, Independent Living, and Care Center build-
ings. The Care Center is in the process of completion of underground plumbing and pouring of the
concrete slab. For the Independent Living, the contractors are completing the lower level parking con-
crete with upper level walls being constructed. The Town Center building is in the process of footing
and foundation work.
Norris Square Care Center Norris Square Independent Living
Economic Development Authority
Development Update
November 7, 2017
Page 4 of 10
Central Fire Station: The garage doors have been installed. The building is fully enclosed and water
tight. The metal framework and glazing are being set. Interior mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
work are ongoing. The exterior brickwork is substantially complete. Concrete sidewalks are being
poured. The base course of asphalt pavement was placed in early November. The earthwork and
utility contractor will continue to work on the stormwater pond and storm sewer utilities as weather
allows. The project is scheduled to be substantially complete by May 2018.
65th Street, Geneva Avenue, and Oltman Middle School Improvements: The roundabout concrete
was poured the week of October 16. The road was open to traffic the week of November 10. The
contractor will continue to work on punch list items, weather dependent. The paved walking trail along
the north side of 65th Street will be complete in the spring of 2018.
65th Street at Goodview Avenue Looking eastGoodview at 65th Street Looking northwest
Economic Development Authority
Development Update
November 7, 2017
Page 5 of 10
Calarosa 1st Addition: The Calarosa 1st Addition subdivision includes the development of 71 lots for
single and multi-family homes by Lennar, and is located on property east of Pinecliff 5th Addition,
south of Military Road, north of 65th Street, and west of Inwood Avenue. This development includes
12 quad style buildings with 48 units and 23 villa-style single family homes. Ideal and Idsen Avenues,
north of 65th Street received the initial lift of pavement the first week of November. Ideal Avenue is
open to traffic. The developer placed temporary asphalt pavement and temporary curbs along 63rd
and 64th Streets within the development to allow for winter construction of buildings. The temporary
roads will be removed and replaced with permanent roads in the spring of 2018. Model home con-
struction will start in early December and continue through the winter.
Idsen Avenue and 63rd Street looking southTemporary Road at 63rd Street looking east
Ideal Avenue at 63rd Street looking southSite Plan
Well #12: Well 12 is located at 6411 Ideal Avenue South, south of Sunny Hill Park in the green space
between the Pinecliff and Calarosa developments. The project is being constructed in two phases.
Phase one includes the construction of the well and casing. Phase 2 will include construction of the
well house and required site and utilities to bring it into service.
Traut Companies began drilling the new well the week of October 23. Drilling of the new well is sched-
uled to be complete by December 15. Due to unforeseen geologic conditions, blasting of the well
cavern has taken longer than anticipated. Traut will begin well development and test pumping the
week of December 4. This process is anticipated to take 10 to 12 days to complete.
Phase 2 of the project includes construction of the pump house. Due to delays in well drilling, cavern
development, and the upcoming holiday, construction of the new well house will likely not begin until
Economic Development Authority
Development Update
November 7, 2017
Page 6 of 10
the first week of January 2018. The well house is scheduled to be substantially complete and opera-
tional by May 1, 2018. Final completion is scheduled by July 1, 2018.
Sand removed from well cavern after blastingSamples of separate rock formations encountered
during drilling process
Well 12 3D Building Rendering
Well 12 Location
Well #10: Construction on the building enclosure at Well 10 was completed in early November. Con-
tractors will continue to work on interior mechanical and electrical components, and they are on sched-
ule to be complete in early December.
Well 10 Looking northeastWell 10 Looking southeast
Well #3: The building enclosure for Well 3 was completed the week of October 9. Internal electrical
and HVAC work was completed in November.
Economic Development Authority
Development Update
November 7, 2017
Page 7 of 10
Well 3 treatment plant building rear overviewWell 3 treatment plant entrance and front overview
County Highway 19 (Keats Avenue) and East Point Douglas Road: Work on this Washington County
project began on May 30. Temporary lights were replaced with the permanent lights in early Novem-
ber. The roundabout construction is substantially complete. The contractor will continue to work on
punch list items, weather dependent.
Wear course paving of the turn lane into the park was completed in early November. Paving of the
wear course and a portion of the trails within the park will occur in the spring of 2018, with the park
scheduled to be opened by the end of May 2018.
East Point Douglas looking northNew Danner Pit entrance at East Point Douglas,
north of roundabout
New Ravine Park Entrance at County Road 19, County Road 19 and East Point Douglas Roundabout
east of roundabout
Economic Development Authority
Development Update
November 7, 2017
Page 8 of 10
2018 Hadley Avenue Reconstruction & Utility Extension: In 2018, the City of Cottage Grove is
planning for reconstruction of Hadley Avenue from 65th Street to the Woodbury Border. This will
involve replacement of the existing rural section roadway with a new curb & gutter roadway. As
part of the reconstruction project, correction of the vertical curves will also be completed to improve
the safety of the roadway. Finally, this project will include extension of water main and sanitary
sewer north of 65th Street to service the proposed new subdivision on the Amundson parcel. At-
tached at the end of this report is a concept layout that provides further details on the road improve-
ments. Letters were sent to property owners in the area informing them of the project, and that
there could be assessments and easements required. Staff will be meeting with the owners indi-
vidually in the coming month to review the project and discuss potential impacts to their property.
Planning Division
Planning Commission Meeting
-
tions to the City Council for the following planning applications are summarized below.
Kingston Fields D. R. Horton: D.R. Horton has applied
for a zoning amendment to rezone 59 acres of land from
AG-1, Agricultural Preservation, to R-3, Single Family
Residential, with a Planned Development Overlay
(PDO). D.R. Horton also applied for a preliminary plat to
be named Kingston Fields, which would create 124
single-family residential lots on two lot sizes (79 homes
on 65-foot wide lots and 45 homes on 70-foot wide lots)
and 14 outlots. This proposed development is located
east of Jamaica Avenue, north of Rose of Sharon
Lutheran Church, and west of the Cayden Glen and
Grayson Meadow residential subdivisions.
The Planning Commission held the public hearing on
November 27, 2017, for both planning applications.
There was no testimony objecting to the project. The
Planning Commission was generally supportive of the proposed development plan, but did express
some concerns for platting about 66 percent of the lots for smaller rambler homes, the proximity of the
rambler homes along Jamaica Avenue, and the average lot size being less than other residential
Economic Development Authority
Development Update
November 7, 2017
Page 9 of 10
subdivisions in the Upper Ravine District. The developer requested that the Planning Commission
continue the public hearing to the next Commission meeting so they could have time to review the
conditions listed in the planning staff report.
The Planning Commission unanimously (9-to-0 vote) recommended that the public hearing be con-
tinued to the December 18, 2017, Planning Commission and requested that additional information be
provided at that time. After discussion with D.R. Horton, the public hearing is being continued to
January 22, 2018.
Solar Ordinance Amendment: A draft of a solar ordinance amendment allowing solar energy systems
on accessory structures in residential districts was discussed. The draft amendment was prepared
based on the Planning Commmission
members supported the proposed language to only allow solar energy systems on accessory struc-
tures that have a minimum foundation area of 200 square feet and not allow a solar energy system to
cover more than the perimeter of the accessory structure roof. The Commission also discussed if the
six square feet of cumulative solar energy system not installed on the principal or accessory structure
roofs was too small. The range of ancillary solar energy systems that are not roof mounted was 12
square feet to 200 square feet.
The Planning Commission unanimously (9-to-0 vote) recommended setting a public hearing date for
December 18, 2017, and instructed city staff to modify the draft solar ordinance amendment based
on their suggestions.
Economic Development
Workforce Development:
Business Retention and Expansion Program was a focus on workforce development, specifically
focusing on the healthcare and manufacturing sectors. Meetings have been setup with Allina
Healthcare, Renewal by Andersen, and 3M to discuss workforce issues that are effecting their
businesses. Staff is also reaching out to programs around the metro area that are addressing work-
force issues with innovative solutions and meeting with them to discuss how those programs were
established. As the workforce strategy moves forward, staff will continue to engage key stake-
holders (i.e.; School District, DEED, neighboring cities, etc.) on solutions to workforce development
and will be working to set up meetings with additional Cottage Grove manufacturing and healthcare
businesses.
Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings: Economic Development staff has been in contact with The Legends
of Cottage Grove and Primrose School on setting up a ribbon cutting date for their grand openings.
Both projects are nearing completion, and the owners have indicated they would like to begin plan-
in 2018.
Economic Development Authority
Development Update
November 7, 2017
Page 10 of 10
Oltman Middle School
Cafeteria Auditorium
Gymnasium Pool
Lower Level Classrooms Upper Level Classrooms