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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-25-97 c~ • CITY OF LAI{EVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 25, 1997 Members Present: Brantly, Detjen, Emond, Erickson (Alternate), Krejci, Matasosky, Miller, Pogatchnik, Tushie and Vogel Members Absent: None Staff Present: Michael Sobota, Community & Economic Development Director; Nicole Bennett, Economic Development Specialist; and John Hennen, Administrative Assistant. 1. Call to Order. Chair Vogel called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. in the North Meeting Room at Lakeville City Hall. • 2. Approval of the September 23, 1997 Meeting Minutes. 97.18 MOTION: Comms. Mi1ledPogatchnik moved to approve the September 23, 1997 meeting minutes as written. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Review Draft Ordinance Amendment Concerning Housing and Property Maintenance. Mr. John Hennen, Administrative Assistant, provided a brief overview of the draft ordinance amendment concerning housing and property maintenance. He stated that the housing maintenance section of the draft ordinance amendment specifies the steps required by a homeowner to maintain and/or repair items on a home such as siding, windows, exterior light fixtures, exterior doors, shutters, decks, sidewalks and roof structures. The draft ordinance also includes an abatement procedure whereby the city can take the steps necessary to go on-site and perform the work necessary, and bill the homeowner for the cost incurred, if the homeowner fails to perform the necessary maintenance. Comm. Emond inquired if the city is considering any grant or assistance programs in cases where the homeowner is unable to make the necessary improvements due to financial constraints or for those who are elderly. He stated a concern that mandating the changes or taking the homeowner to court may be counter-productive under these circumstances. • Mr. Sobota responded that court is always a last resort, and the city would be flexible in working with the homeowner to get issues resolved including having current ' Economic Development Commission November 25, 1997 Meeting Minutes Page 2 • information on resources available to provide to homeowners. He noted that the draft ordinance simply sets out the city's expectations regarding housing and property maintenance standazds to prevent property from falling into disrepair and negatively impacting the surrounding neighborhood. Comm. Pogatchnik suggested that grants, paint-a-thons or other community support activities should be integral to this kind of effort. He noted that property maintenance benefits the entire community, and everyone should participate to help homeowners keep their property in good condition. Comm. Brantly noted that it would be beneficial to include something in the ordinance to address those cases where the homeowner is unable to pay for the required improvements. Comm. Matasosky stated that a volunteer group to initiate and help with repair projects would be an excellent way to address these concerns, and said he would be willing to contribute to or participate in such an effort. Mr. Sobota noted that existing Dakota County HItA Programs could be utilized by homeowners that are unable to finance their own repairs. He also stated that other cities such as Burnsville have set aside Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for redevelopment programs of this kind. Comm. Brantly inquired as to who makes the judgment on what repairs are necessary. • Mr. Hennen responded that City Inspections staff would be responsible for enforcement of the ordinance. Mr. Sobota asked Mr. Hennen to briefly describe the steps involved in working with property owners on an issue such as junk cars to illustrate how the enforcement process works. Mr. Hennen stated that in the case of a junk car, a notice is sent to the property owner requesting that the vehicle be removed within 30 days. If the car is not removed, a second notice is sent requiring that the problem be resolved within 10 days. After that point, a citation would be issued which requires a court appearance on behalf of the property owner. Comm. Pogatchnik inquired if the draft ordinance amendment addresses satellite dishes which are often unsightly and located in visible parts of a homeowner's yard. Mr. Sobota responded that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires that access to communications not be limited based on rulings by the Supreme Court; therefore, cities face certain limitations in regulating satellite dishes. Comm. Brantly noted that the phrase "hung properly" on page 31, items 6-7, should be stated in specific terms such as "attached securely as per industry standards." Comm. Pogatchnik inquired as to the benefits of a housing and property maintenance code compared to the costs associated with staff time spent in enforcement. Mr. Sobota responded that the benefits include neighborhood renewal, upkeep on property that is aged as well as rental units, keeping the appearance up in neighborhoods which • maintains property values, and establishing a level playing field for homeowners that already perform standard home maintenance with those that tend to let their property fall into disrepair. He noted that absentee ownership sometimes contributes to Economic Development Commission November 25,1997 Meeting Minutes Page 3 • disrepair and the new ordinance would have the same standards for owner versus non- owner occupied units. He noted that enforcement will be primarily enacted on a complaint basis, and staff time will not be spent in actively sweeping the city for ordinance violations. Mr. Sobota noted that if property is allowed to fall into disrepair, other property in the neighborhood will follow and it can have a negative. spiraling effect that this ordinance amendment would help to avoid. Comm. Brantly inquired how many staff need to agree on the conditions of a violation prior to a citation being issued in order to protect the city's interests. Mr. Sobota replied that prior to pursuing a citation, the inspector and the Chief Building Official confer regarding the violation. Comm. Pogatchnik asked if an ombudsman exists to represent the interests of the neighborhood and homeowners. Mr. Sobota noted that existing homeowners associations in neighborhoods such as Valley Park serve that role. Comm. Tushie asked if the city is required to allow homeowners to store recreational vehicles (RV's) on their property. Mr. Sobota stated that there was no inherent constitutional right ensuring the outside storage of RV's that he was aware of. Comm. Tushie indicated that he didn't see a need for outside storage of RV's as a permitted use. Mr. Hennen noted that the size and location of recreational vehicles stored on residential property is addressed in the proposed ordinance. He noted that • staff has examined the issue of RV storage and taken into consideration the lengths of average-sized vehicles such as boats and campers in drafting the proposed ordinance amendment. 97.19 MOTION: Comms. Brantly/Matasosky moved to offer the EDC's support for the concept of an ordinance amendment to address housing and property maintenance, and to recommend that the draft ordinance with suggested changes be forwarded to the Planning Commission and City Council. Motion carried unanlmously. 4. Discussion of 1998 Budget for Strategic Plan Projects. Mr. Sobota stated that the City of Lakeville operates under atwo-year budget process, and strategic plan projects submitted in 1996 were budgeted for 1497 and 1998. He noted that the Landscape Corridor Study was allocated $24,000 in the 1947 budget, but the project was not completed. He stated that the City Council is currently conducting budget work sessions to review items included in the 1998 budget, and the Landscape Corridor Study is under consideration. At the last Council budget work session, questions were raised regarding the approach, implementation and timing of allocating $24,000 for the study. Mr. Sobota stated that a copy of the proposal from SRF detailing the work projects for the study is included in the packets. He noted that one option would be to budget for and complete Tasks 1-3 of the study • in 1998 to develop the inventory, a community theme and design elements for the major corridors in the city. Completion of these three tasks would meet the strategic plan objective of creating a cohesiveness in the community based on the Economic Development Commission November 25,1997 Meeting Minutes Page 4 . implementation of common design elements at major gateways and corridors in the city. He noted that completing the study through specific road and street standards may be counter-productive in achieving the city's goals due to timing and the perception that the design elements represent additional regulatory controls on development in the city. He noted that the city already requires landscape plans with each project, and these plans could be reviewed in consideration of the design elements generated from Tasks 1-3 of the study. Comm. Brantly stated that if the specific implementation of the corridor study was delayed, the design elements might evolve into a different set of standards than originally intended by the study. He expressed his concern that if there is not enough funding to implement the design elements at a later date, they will be modified and the intended effect will be lost. Comm. Tushie stated that if the design elements are not made mandatory as part of the study, then there is no need to do the study. He indicated that the design elements must be mandatory or certain developers will opt- out of implementing them. He noted that the design elements do not have to add to existing regulations, but can provide direction as to the placement, concentration and design of landscaping already required by existing city ordinances. Comm. Matasosky stated that creating a rigid structure with additional design elements on top of existing ordinances is one potential pitfall of this project. He noted • that there is a need to practically adopt these standazds so that they would not be overly burdensome to developers. He added that spending $24,000 on a "beautification" plan seems a bit extreme, especially if the plan is going to have negative impacts on businesses that the city is trying to attract. He noted, however, that if the project would add to consistent design for major corridors and gateways and be more flexible in its approach, then it would be of some benefit. Comm. Tushie noted that the corridors aze the critical areas, not just the entrance points. He noted that the city of Eden Prairie requires specific color, lighting and other standazds along corridors to maintain a certain street-edge and community theme. He stated that although Eden Prairie has a restrictive ordinance with specific design standazds, the city has been able to maintain a high quality appearance along commercial comdors. Comm. Matasosky noted that in working with business owners and developers as clients, he is concerned with cities developing subjective standards and tastes through city ordinances such that the city is redesigning projects instead of simply reviewing them. Comm. Tushie agreed that ordinances should not "design buildings", but he reiterated that enforceable design standards included in city ordinances represent the only way to eliminate bad design. Chair Vogel stated that another important issue is consistency when dealing with landscaping and design elements of projects. He noted that in reviewing the Development Project Feedback Survey responses, a main concern of the business and • development community is fair and consistent requirements that are applied equally to every project. He noted that having design elements that aze an enforceable part of the Economic Development Commission November 25,1997 Meeting Minutes Page 5 • ordinance may be the only way to ensure consistency and implementation by those who would otherwise not comply. Comm. Pogatchnik stated that now is the time to conduct the study and develop the design standards, because once a major corridor is developed without the standards in place then it will be too late. Comm. Emond inquired if the corridor design standards would apply to lighting and landscaping only. He expressed his support of a beautification process and master plan for the city, but noted that taking the requirements too far and being too restrictive is a concern. Comm. Brantly inquired as to how existing developments would be treated under new design standards in the comdor areas. Mr. Sobota responded that timing is critical, and areas where there are existing developments that would become "non-conforming" under new design standards would not see much change until the areas were redeveloped under the new guidelines, or until major road reconstruction occurred in the corridor areas. Comm. Tushie noted that implementation of the design elements could include innovative ideas such as starting a tree farm on city park land with donated or inexpensive seedlings that could be planted now and grown into large trees for use along the corridors at the time of development. Comm. Brantly noted that the City of Milwaukee has beautiful landscaped boulevards and comdors in the city that were implemented as a result of a corridor plan created years ago. • Comm. Detjen inquired if the concern over the landscape corridor study was related to the price of the study or the fact that the funding would be used only to create design guidelines and plans. Mr. Sobota noted that several issues related to the study were raised,. including the actual dollar amount as well as the potential for spending on a design study that could be misconstrued by residents or businesses who feel that the dollars would be better spent on other projects. 97.20 MOTION: Comets. Tushie/Detjen moved to recommend to the City Council that $24,000 be approved as part of the 1998 budget for a corridor enhancement study, and that Tasks 1-3 of the study be initiated in 1998 with a review by the Council at the completion of those tasks to determine whether or not to continue the project. Motion carried unanimously. 5. Strategic Work Plan and Project Activities Update. Chair Vogel asked Ms. Bennett to update the EDC regarding Strategic Work Plan projects. Ms. Bennett stated that an updated Project Status Matrix was included in the packets. She noted that staff has been working on Item 1-1C, including a list of goals and objectives for the financial incentives committee meetings. She stated that Comm. Pogatchnik and Finance Director Dennis Feller attended a recent TIF seminar on November 13th, and will be providing information from the TIF seminar as part of upcoming Team 1 • committee meetings. According to the work plan, staff is behind schedule in setting up the financial incentives committee meetings. However, the meetings will be scheduled in January 1998 which will adhere to the remainder of the project timeline. Economic Development Commission November 25,1997 Meeting Minutes Page 6 • Ms. Bennett noted that staff has developed a list of communities to survey regarding financial incentives as part of work plan Item 1-1D. She stated that per Item 1-lE, copies of the Economic Development Annual Report were sent to 14,000 Lakeville households and businesses in October 1997. She noted that the response to the annual report was overwhelmingly positive, and staff received numerous phone calls and letters from residents in support of the city's economic development efforts. Ms. Bennett noted that work plan Item 2-2A calls for the creation of a customer service work group to carry forward the customer service training conducted in January 1997. Chair Vogel noted that perhaps the EDC should make a recommendation to the City Council regarding this issue as it affects all city staff and stretches beyond the scope of economic development activities. 97.21 MOTION: Comms. Brantly/Matasosky moved to recommend to the City Council that customer service is an important function of the city as an organization and customer service initiatives should continue, and the EDC offers its assistance regarding those efforts. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Bennett stated that staff met with Team 3 to update the city's development guide • and handouts per work plan Item 3-lA. She noted that Comms. Miller, Pogatchnik and Vogel provided excellent review and recommended changes to the documents which included the creation of a development process flow chart to summarize information contained in the CommerciaUindustrial Development Guide. She handed out copies of the development process flow chart and inquired if the EDC had any additional comments or suggestions. Comm. Tushie suggested that the Staff Development Meetings be highlighted in greater detail on the flow chart to signal to developers that a process exists for streamlined review of projects by multiple city departments. Ms. Bennett noted that staff has sent out approximately 95 copies of the distribution- targeted marketing video, but that follow-up phoning has been delayed by the return of several videos with bad addresses. She noted that the distribution video phoning should be complete by mid-December. Ms. Bennett provided a brief update on current development projects including expansions at Applied Power Products, Arden International Kitchens, Designed Cabinets, and Menasha Corporation. She noted that Pro-Tech Automotive is now open at 160th and Cedar, and three new banks have submitted plans to build in Lakeville including Sterling State Bank, TCF and Norwest. Mr. Sobota provided a brief update regarding "Town Square". He noted that staff • recently met with the Bernardis (Aurora Investments) who are interested in developing the commerciaUretail center. He stated that the Bernardis have experience in Economic Development Commission November 25,1997 Meeting Minutes Page 7 developing high quality centers such as the Aurora Center located in Burnsville and the new Chaska Commons located in Chaska. Ms. Bennett stated that the Downtown Lakeville Business Association (DLBA) has hired a new intern, Ms. Roseann Klaphake, who will be starting to work on Monday, December 1, 1997. Ms. Klaphake will continue researching the creation of a special assessment district in the downtown. She noted that four Lakeville banks including Marquette Bank, New Market Bank, First National Bank of Monticello, and Provincial Bank have partnered to establish a new downtown loan program. The maximum loan amount is $25,000 offered at an interest rate of 2% below prime to help downtown businesses with interior and exterior building renovations and improvements. Comm. Matasosky noted that the loan program is a great initiative, and he suggested that a letter of recognition be sent to the participating banks on behalf of the EDC. Other EDC members concurred and directed staff to draft a letter to the participating banks. Ms. Bennett noted that city staff participated in a GIS presentation to Twin Cities media representatives hosted by the Dakota County Economic Development Partnership on November 20, 1997. She noted that the effort was organized by the Partnership's GIS Comnrittee and highlighted the use of GIS for economic development purposes. • Ms. Bennett stated that the city is working on a development contract for Heat-n-Glo as the newest tenant in Fairfield Business Campus. Heat-n-Glo plans to locate a new corporate office, research and development facility on the 7.5-acre pazcel located west of New Morning Windows, and the project should be underway in 1998. Mr. Sobota noted that city staff has also met with Technical Methods, Inc., regarding a potential expansion of its operations and a new facility in Fairfield Business Campus. 6 Other Business. Based on the discussion regarding the strategic work plan budget and the level of development activity in the city, Chair Vogel and EDC Members agreed to conduct a special meeting in January 1998 to prioritize strategic work plan projects and revise project timelines to facilitate a more favorable balance in staff time spent on strategic plan projects versus current project reviews and other time-sensitive development projects. EDC Members agreed to cancel the December 23, 1997, meeting due to the Christmas holiday. The next regular meeting has been scheduled for January 27, 1997 7. Adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully ubmitte ATTEST TO: yf~1Al~n . `j 1,Un Nicole Bennett, Recording Secretary Jo Krejci, Secret ry c:\winwordledc11997mtgs11125mtg\mn 112597.doc