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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-28-95 CITY OF LAKEVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES MARCH 28, 1995 The meeting was called to order at 6:05 P.M. in the Administrative Conference Room at City Hall. Roll call of members was taken. Present: Brantly, Detjen, Emond, Krejci, Matasosky, Pogatchnik, Tushie, Vogel. Absent: Erickson. Also present: Robert Erickson, City Administrator; Michael 5obota, Director of Community and Economic Development; Carol Hymel, Economic Development Specialist. 95.07 Motion was made by Matasosky, seconded by Vogel to approve the minutes of the February 28, 1995 meeting. Roll call was taken on the motion. Ayes: Unanimous. Land/Sea Containers and Semi-Tractor Trailer Pronosed Ordinance. John Hennen, Administrative Assistant, provided the Commission with the historical background on the issue of parked and inoperable semi-tractor trailers existing on several sites in Airlake Industrial Park. He further stated that initial concerns were generated from existing businesses in Airlake. Hennen presented photos identifying the existence ofsemi-tractor trailers being used for storage by several businesses in Airlake. Staff felt an ordinance regulating the parking of semi- tractor trailers for storage purposes should also include land/sea containers. Hennen went onto explain that while dra$ing the ordinance, staffwas conscious of the fact that the ordinance should not prohibit the parking of semi-tractor trailers or land/sea containers used for normal freight and cartage in transit. He stated that the proposed ordinance will not effect these units as long as they are in use within a 30 day period. The proposed ordinance would require a business in a I-1, I-2 and CBD-1 zoning district to obtain a permit to store semi-tractor trailers and/or land/sea containers for the purpose of on-site storage fora 6 month period. Commission members expressed concern relating to the dollar amount of the permit. Sobota indicated that the dollar amount of the permit fee would be kept at approximately $25.00 so as not to create a hardship for businesses. Hennen referred to a letter received from a business in Airlake Industrial Park that opposed any proposed ordinance which would prohibit the use of trailers for storage purposes. Matasosky stated that a shortage of warehouse space is hurting B-4, I-1 and I-2 zoned businesses and that no alternative exists currently. He asked how the ordinance would effect businesses that use trailers for on-going storage. Hennen stated that units that are moved within a 30 day period would not need to apply for a permit. For units used for storage that are not moved within a 30 day period, a business would apply for a permit valid for 6 consecutive months. A business would be eligible to receive one permit in a 12 month period. Businesses with existing land/sea containers and/or senni-tractor trailers have 2 years in which to comply with the provisions of the proposed ordinance. Tushie, referring W the part of the proposed ordinance that states that trailers and containers cannot be parked in dedicated parking areas, stated that businesses should be able to park units on deferred parking areas as long as the area is paved. He added that if the business has parking space above and beyond the required amount, the business should be able to park the units in that space. He added that the ordinance should include this information and businesses should be informed of parking deferment possibilities. Brantly inquired about other cities and how they handle the issue. Hennen presented the results of a survey that he had completed. Two communities prohibit the parking of semi-tractor trailers on-site for storage purposes and other communities use the conditional use permit process to regulate the units. Hennen stated that there are approximately 18 businesses that would be in conflict with the proposed ordinance. Of the 18 businesses, 5 to 7 are serious offenders. Commission members discussed the appropriate length of time for storage of normal freight and cartage in transit. Pogatchnik felt that the proposed 30-day permit time frame was appropriate. Tushie stated that he was aware of businesses who need to store cartage for 2-3 months before shipment. Hennen indicated that he had already contacted Toro, Merillat, Grist Mill, Menasha and Aptus regarding the storage of trailers on-site for normal cartage in transit. Commission members asked Hennen to contact Consolidated Freight regarding the length of time that their trailers are on-site. Detjen stated that the proposed ordinance does a good job of reducing the fears of legitimate businesses. Emond suggested that construction trailers should be exempted from the ordinance. Commission members agreed. Commission members also agreed that B-4 zoning districts be included in the ordinance. Commission members recommended that the next Airlake Park Newsletter contain an article on the proposed ordinance and that the Commission members be invited to the public hearing when the proposed ordinance is considered by the Planning Commission . 94.08 Motion by Detjen, seconded by Pogatchnik to recommend the ordinance with amendments for the storage and parking of semi-tractor trailers and/or land/sea containers. Roll call was taken. Ayes: Unanimous. Project Activities Uudate. Sobota noted the publication of the Welcome to Lakeville brochure. Sobota explained the New Morning Windows project to the commission. The reconfigured streets for the Fairfield Business Campus and changes to the site plan and location of proposed New Morning Windows facility were negotiated with the company. The public hearing before the Planning Commission is slated for April 6. Tushie commended City Administrator Erickson and Sobota for their proactive efforts regarding the project. Matasosky provided an update on the Lakeville Premoulded Products project and a recent meeting with representatives from the State Office of Environmental Assistance (OEA) and DTED and financial representatives of the project. The focus of the meeting was to update the State on the status of the business and ascertain if State funding would be available to the project. OEA representatives stated that 1995 funds were available. DTED stated that although funding for 1995 was already appropriated, additional funds would be available in July, 1996. Matasosky stated the company had reached their goal of 85% committed capacity prior to beginning construction. Hymel updated the Commission on the Lakeville Human Resources Network. A spring job fair is being proposed to take place at Lakeville Senior High School in May. A meeting with school officials is planned for early April to obtain their input and assistance. Matasosky told the Comrrrission that a meeting is scheduled between Advanced Metals, Airlake Development, Inc., and the Lakeville Chamber of Commerce to discuss development options available in Lakeville. Advanced Metals is an existing Lakeville business seeking to build a 9,600 square foot machine shop. Pogatchnik suggested that a goodwill call be made to the owner of Granse and Associates, a business located in Airlake Industrial Park. Chairman Brantly responded that he would call on the owner. Strategic Plan Update. Transportation and Infrastructure: Staff had received a letter indicating C.P. Rail's continued service to Airlake Industrial Park. The letter was also relayed to Airlake Development, Inc. Upon reviewing the listing of MNDOT and Dakota County key staff, the EDC requested a minor change to a listing that was not related to the state or county. Overall, the EDC felt the directory was satisfactory. Business Enhancement and Retention: Staff stated that the listing of city departments and officials was provided as an insert in the March publication of the Chamber of Commerce newsletter. A letter of appreciation was received from the President of the Chamber. Commercial and Industrial Development: Staff provided the Commission with an overview of a proposal by Pioneer Engineering to provide GIS information and develop a plan for Airlake Industrial Park. Discussions are continuing with a local utility to assist in fiznding the project. Communications and Interactions: Staff provided a draft of a cover letter to accompany the development feedback survey that would be sent to businesses upon completion of development projects. The Commission suggested that staffgo back to projects that took place in early 1994 and send the survey to not only business representatives, but to key developers, architects or general contractors involved in the projects. Each survey would be coded to show who the respondent was. It was also suggested to wait 30 days following the Certificate of Occupancy before sending the survey to clients. Toward improving lines of communications, acopy of the Strategic Work Plan was sent with the winter publication of the Airlake Park News to over 400 businesses and members of the Lakeville Chamber of Commerce. Retail & Commercial Development: Based upon earlier recommendations by the EDC, staff provided the final draft of questions that are a part of the upcoming residential survey. The questions were related to types of retail and commercial development residents desire in the community. Marketing: Chris Oace, the City's Cable Coordinator, introduced Fred Thompson from Midwest Visuals, to discuss the proposed marketing video. After viewing the existing video, a discussion among the Commission members regarding the focus of the proposed marketing video took place. Brantly discussed the need for a FAB (features, advantages and benefits,) exercise that should take place before the video is made. Thompson agreed and inquired what the EDC felt were unique selling features for Lakeville. Members felt that the existence of the Strategic Work Plan, having an active EDC, fiscally-sound government, aggressive planning, low tax base due to prudent fiscal planning by the City and the cost effective services that the City provides once a business moves here were all important. Further discussion regarding the focus and audience took place. It was felt that additional discussions were needed to fine-tune the scope of the video. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M. Respectfully submitted: Carol Hymel, Recording Secretary Attest to: an Krejci, Secr tary