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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-24-15 CITY OF LAKEVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 24, 2015 1. Chair Starfield called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. in the Marion Conference Room at City Hall. Members Present: Comms. Starfield, Scherer, Vlasak, Emond, Matasosky, Smith ex- officio members: Mayor Little, City Administrator Miller and Chamber President Roche. Members Absent: Comms. Longie, Rajavouri, Collman, Gillen Others Present: David Olson, Community & Economic Development Director; Daryl Morey, Planning Director; Rick Howden, Economic Development Specialist. 2. Approval of September 29, 2015 meeting minutes Comms. Matasosky/Emond moved to approve the minutes of the September 29, 2015 .Motion carried unanimously meeting as presented . 3. Requested Discussion of current Electronic Message Center Sign Ordinance Requirements Chair Starfield stated that he had asked Director Olson to add a discussion of the current sign ordinance as it relates to electronic message center signs for the next EDC Meeting. Chair Starfield then turned the discussion to Director Morey to give some background on the ordinance. Director Morey reviewed the progression of the ordinance relating to electronic message centers since 2012. Previously, the ordinance only allowed electronic message centers in the Public and Open Space (P/OS) Zoning District, in which three (3) current signs exist. The ordinance was later changed to allow for electronic message centers in commercial districts; however it was proposed to have a maximum rate of change of 15 minutes. Input was sought from the Economic Development Commission which recommended a maximum rate of change of 30 seconds based upon input from businesses as well as a representative of Holiday Station Stores. In the Fall of 2012, the Planning Commission recommended a maximum rate of change of 1 minute and to revisit the issue in a year or two, once some signs have gone into operation. Director Morey also stated that currently there are six (6) active electronic message centers as well as three (3) applications from Kwik Trip for electronic message centers pending. Director Morey explained that the Planning Commission usually holds a work session during the winter to discuss a number of Zoning Ordinance amendments and would recommend the Planning Commission discuss this topic at that time. Chair Starfield commented that the barriers to entry for businesses include the way the sign needs to be constructed and the significant setbacks needed. These make the signs aesthetically pleasing and businesses should be able to use the sign’s full potential. Director Morey stated that during previous discussions at the Planning Commission, the biggest concerned raised was the distraction that animation caused. Comms. Smith stated that the City should allow more that what we currently allow. Comms. Matasosky stated that during the past discussions the initial fear was jumbotrons along the freeway, which led to many of the regulations. Director Morey stated that the regulations in place were part public safety as well as aesthetics. Chamber President Roche stated that the City should look at the good the signs provide businesses with versus the potential bad that could happen. Chair Starfield questioned what enforcement is in place for having people with hand-held signs outside of businesses and if they cannot be enforced, then enforcement for the electronic message board should be removed. Mr. Roche mentioned that in his conversations with representatives from Holiday Station Stores, that Lakeville’s current policy is not out of the norm. Director Morey stated that he will work with the City’s planning consultant to look at changes other cities have made recently and will include that information in the Planning Commission’s work session on updates to the City’s Zoning Ordinance. 4. Presentation of Downtown Development Guide Update Mr. Olson stated that references to the Downtown Development Guide that was completed in December of 2006 have come up numerous times this year during meetings and discussions regarding issues such as the outdoor patio ordinance amendments and the proposed Holyoke Avenue street and sidewalk reconstruction project. Staff has been requested to prepare a status report on the progress on the recommendations contained in the 2006 Plan. Mr. Olson then presented an update on Downtown Developments since 20016. Following the presentation, Mayor Little commented that an update to the plan should include a change of policies for downtown that include higher density for residential areas. nd 5. Proposed purchase and demolition of property located at 9210 202 Street West nd Mr. Olson stated that the property at 9210 202 St. W. located at the southeast corner of Dodd Blvd. and Kenwood Trail, known as the Scheffler Property was recently listed for sale. This property was formerly a gas service station and for the last 30 plus years was used as a single family home for Mr. and Mrs. Scheffler. Taking into account the additional right-of-way that will be needed along both Dodd Blvd and Kenwood Trail and the County’s access spacing requirements from an intersection, the remainder parcel would be very difficult to develop. In addition, the condition of the existing buildings will likely continue to deteriorate, particularly if they remain vacant. As a result, staff is recommending that the City pursue the possible acquisition of this property using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and funds from the decertified Southfork Apartments Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District Loan Repayment. The City currently has $152,532 in available in CDBG funds that have been designated for Spot Acquisition and Clearance and Downtown Code Improvement activities. No other projects have been identified for activities and the City is obligated to spend down a minimum $131,067 of our total CDBG funds by May 1, 2016. It is recommended that the balance of the acquisition be financed with funds that are remaining in the Southfork Apartment TIF District Loan Repayment Funds. These funds can only be used for TIF eligible activities. The acquisition and clearance of this property would be an eligible activity. Comms. Scherer/Smith moved to recommend to the City Council to pursue acquisition of nd .Comm. Matasosky abstained. Motion passed the property at 9210 202 Street W . 6. Director’s Report Mr. Olson reviewed the Director’s Report. The City has issued building permits with a total valuation of $171,193,356 through October. This is a 49% increase compared to a total valuation of $114,954,461 for building permits issued through October of 2014. The City has issued commercial and industrial permits with a total valuation of $44,007,000 through October compared to a total valuation of $9,872,000 during the same period in 2014. th The City of Lakeville was an exhibitor at the 9 Annual Minnesota Commercial th Association of Realtors (MNCAR) Expo on Wednesday, October 28 at the Depot in Minneapolis. Staff was able to network with a number of the over 500 MNCAR developer and broker professionals. Lakeville has participated in this event since 2012. Attached is a brochure on a new high school program that Lakeville and Prior Lake/Savage high schools will be making available to high school juniors and seniors. The program will prepare high school students for careers by teaching academic content for specific professional careers. The two career areas that program will offer beginning in the Fall of 2016 are Healthcare and Business. The City Council approved a Preliminary Plat and Conditional Use Permit for the development of the Interstate Power Systems building to be located at the intersection of th Co. Rd. 70 and Highview Avenue at their November 16 meeting. City staff was notified by representatives for the Serta Simmons Bedding (SSB) Company several weeks ago that they had decided to wait until next Spring (2016) to begin construction of their new 240,000 square foot facility. Community Development staff along with the City Administrator and Council Member Doug Anderson attended two ribbon cutting events the Lakeville Chamber of Commerce hosted this week. On Wednesday, a 30 year celebration ribbon cutting was held for Valley th Staffing, which is located in the Johnson Building on 210 Street. On Friday, the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce along with the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for the Goddard School, located in the Spirit of Brandtjen Farm Commercial th area. The Goddard School plans to officially open on November 30. 7. Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Rick Howden, Economic Development Specialist