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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10D - Facade Improvements MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT SEPTEMBER 2, 2003 10D DONALD RYE, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF FA<;:ADE IMPROVEMENT FUNDS TO (1) JAMES SPEIKER, dba SPEIKER AND CO., LTD. AND (2) ED AND KAREN FISHER, dba LITTLE LAKERS MONTESSORI SCHOOL. Historv: In 2002, the City Council authorized the use of up to $150,000 from Downtown TIP account finds to fund a fayade improvement program for the area covered by the Downtown zoning district. Since then, staff has worked with several Downtown businesses to implement the fayade improvement program. Recently, two Downtown businesses applied for these funds as they began work on their respective projects. Little Lakers has requested $33,000 and Speiker and Company $25,000. Current Circumstances: Both Little Lakers Montessori School and Speiker and Company have begun work on their projects. Little Lakers is doing a fayade improvement while Speiker and Company have demolished an existing building and begun construction on a new building next to their existing building. Staff has reviewed the plans for both buildings and has determined the facades of both projects will meet the design criteria contained in the Downtown zoning district and are therefore eligible for fayade improvement funds. The 2020 Vision and Strategic Plan contains a Vision Element called Downtown Redevelopment. The second item in this element is "Implement partnering program with Downtown businesses to facilitate building fayade improvements." The Tactical Action Plan for 2002 to 2005 has two components directly related to this element. One is to "Identify businesses for fayade improvement" and the other is to "Work with identified businesses to complete fayade improvements." Clearly, the requested action in this case is directly related to, and in support of, these elements. Issues: The primary issue here is whether the City Council wishes to provide the requested assistance. As noted above, both projects appear to be consistent with the 2020 Vision and Strategic Plan and comply 1621l~i!!~'Rfill(wlf.c'59"'':''f<rlor Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (952) 447-4230 / Fax (952) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ALTERNATIVES: RECOMMENDED MOTION: REVIEWED BY: L:\Community Dev\facadeccreport.doc with design guidelines for the Downtown. The request of Little Lakers is viewed as a variance to the maximwn fayade assistance of $25,000. The reasons for the variance are as follows: 1. Given its location, all four exterior walls must receive fayade treatment. 2. The City has made an investment in the Lakefront Plaza project. The proposed Little Lakers fayade improvements will retain the attractiveness and enhance the success of the Lakefront Plaza project. Conclusion: Staffhas concluded the projects for which assistance has been requested meet the applicable criteria and recommends approval of the requested funding levels. The City Council has the following alternatives: 1. Approve the funding assistance as requested. 2. Approve a level of funding assistance different than the level requested. 3. Deny the requests for funding assistance. 4. Continue this case to a date certain. Alternative I. Moti n to authorize payment of fayade improvement ~Littl' "" ''''m''~ri S,h001 "" Spcik~ "" Com"", 2 RESOLUTION 03-XX RESOLUTION OF THE PRIOR LAKE CITY COUNCIL MOTION BY: SECOND BY: WHEREAS: On June 17'\ 2002, the City Council adopted resolution 02-99 establishing a matching grant program to encourage Downtown building fayade improvements and providing funds for the program, and WHEREAS: The City Council has determined there is a need for a program of incentives to encourage businesses in the Downtown area of the City to renovate building facades, and WHEREAS: The City Council has determined such a program is in the public interest and serves a public purpose by encouraging the revitalization of the Down town commercial area, and WHEREAS: The City Council has adopted design guidelines for Downtown development in the City's zoning ordinance, and WHEREAS: Projects to be funded with the grant funds must be consistent with the design guidelines, and WHEREAS: Little Lakers Montessori School has applied for a grant not to exceed $33,000 and Speiker and Company, Ltd. has applied for a grant not to exceed $25,000 and have submitted plans to the City for their respective improvements, and WHEREAS: The City has reviewed the plans for the respective improvements and has found them to be in compliance with the design guidelines in the City's zoning ordinance and consistent with, and supportive of the appropriate sections of the City's 2020 Vision and Strategic Plan, and WHEREAS: There are adequate funds available to fund both applications. THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA, 1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein. 2. The grant amounts of up to $33,000 for Little Lakers Montessori School and up to $25,000 for Speiker and Company, Ltd. are hereby approved. 3. The grant amounts are to be paid in an amount up to 50% of demonstrated costs related directly to fayade construction. In any case, the amounts paid to the respective applicants shall not exceed the amounts listed in 2. above. The City shall reimburse the applicants for actual costs incurred by each as demonstrated 16200 &g~i~.es'I!~~~, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (952) 447-4230 / Fax (952) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER by paid invoices, cancelled checks, lien wavers or such other evidence of payment of eligible costs as the City in its sole discretion may require. Passed and adopted this 2nd day of September, 2003. HAUGEN HAUGEN BLOMBERG BLOMBERG LEMAIR LEMAIR PETERSEN PETERSEN ZIESKA ZIESKA YES NO {Seal} Frank Boyles, City Manager City of Prior Lake L:\Community DevIDon Res 3.doc