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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 21 2015 EDA Minutes FINAL Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 / www.cityofpriorlake.com 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes September 21, 2015 1. CALL TO ORDER President Hedberg called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Present were Commissioners Hedberg, Chromy, Sheehan-Kerber, Keeney and Choudek. Also present were Executive Director Boyles, Commu- nity & Economic Development Director Rogness, and Community Development Specialist McCabe. Others present included Lloyd Erbaugh of the EDAC. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION BY CHROMY, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER TO APPROVE THE AGENDA WITH ONE CHANGE ADDING AS 8.C. FOR THE EDA/EDAC BUSINESS MIXER EVENT. VOTE: Ayes by Hedberg, Keeney, Chromy, Sheehan-Kerber and Choudek. The motion carried. 3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES MOTION BY CHROMY, SECONDED BY CHOUDEK TO APPROVE THE August 17, 2015 MEETING MINUTES. Ayes by Hedberg, Keeney, Choudek, Chromy and Sheehan-Kerber. The motion carried. 4. CONSENT AGENDA No items were on the Consent Agenda 5. REMOVED CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS No items were removed from the Consent Agenda 6. PUBLIC HEARING No Public Hearings 7. OLD BUSINESS A. Jeffers Pond PUD Commercial Development Update Rogness: summarized the status of the proposed Super America project, including new information pro- vided by the applicant for a PUD amendment. This information included an updated traffic study to one completed in 2004, a PUD phasing plan, commercial design guidelines, and a revised design of the Super American building and pylon sign. Sheehan-Kerber: asked whether this proposed project, as revised, now addresses the neighbors’ con- cerns. Rogness: replied no; their concerns primarily relate to a gas station convenience store not fitting the over- all mixed-use vision and concept back in 2005 when the PUD was approved by the City Council. Hedberg: stated that the Jeffers Foundation worked hard over many years to find businesses that fit the high-end commercial vision. Since none of those businesses made decisions to locate here, maybe this type of project works better. Chromy: wondered whether the Super America project will deter or jump-start future development oppor- tunities in this area. Sheehan-Kerber: questioned how many gas stations are needed in one particular area of the city. 2 Boyles: responded that the developers of gas stations, including this proposed Super America, know the market better than anyone. Choudek: asked the question as to from an economic development standpoint, what is negative about this commercial project? Keeney: said it is likely that a Super America will spur other traffic-oriented commercial projects rather than high-end shopping opportunities. Sheehan-Kerber: asked others on the EDA and staff whether the Jeffers Foundation should be working more with the neighbors to develop projects they all can support. Keeney: said that a PUD generally establishes a plan that can be relied upon by everyone, so when does changing the plan make sense? Hedberg: reminded everyone that numerous changes have already been approved with the Jeffers Pond PUD related to the various neighborhoods. Keeney: wondered how consequential the proposed change is to allow high-traffic commercial use; unfor- tunately, the picture or vision of other multi-story mixed-uses was used as part of the sales to homebuyers in the PUD. Choudek: expressed her opinion that if we don’t support a commercial project like Super American, it is likely that nothing will happen there. Keeney: thought that possibly more conditions can be put on the project, but also wondered how far can the City go in adding multiple conditions. Sheehan-Kerber: summarized two options before the City: (a) the project gets approv ed with neighbors being very upset, or (b) the project gets denied and everyone waits to see what happens next. Keeney: concluded by saying, for him, the proposed Super America project should be supported from an economic development standpoint; however, once it gets to the City Council, other factors will affect his decision in order to balance all points of view. Chromy: agrees that this project will be an enhancement to the commercial area, and he can’t agree that a gas station is a bad thing. Commissioners: all felt that the Super America would set a tone of having more high -traffic commercial uses in the PUD. They also supported the idea of having neighbors help identify and recruit other busi- nesses to come to this location. MOTION BY CHOUDEK, SECONDED BY CHROMY TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED PUD AMENDMENT FOR SUPER AMERICA BASED ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES, AND TO FURTHER RECOMMEND THAT THE CANOPY FACIA EDGE MATCH THE COLOR OF THE BUILDING. Ayes by Hedberg, Keeney, Choudek, Chromy and Sheehan-Kerber. The motion carried. 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Technology Village Phase III RFP McCabe: provided a summary of the RFP and the two responses received from Greenwood Consulting Group and Innovative Partners Communication. The proposed budget is $25,000, which includes a match- ing grant up to $12,500 from the Scott County CDA. The local funds will come from the EDA’s Profess ional Services budget in 2015. Greenwood’s proposal is $24,935 compared to $17,400 for Innovative Partners. Hedberg: further stated that the Technology Village Board of Directors chose Greenwood based on their proposed work plan and experience. Despite the higher cost, the Board unanimously recommended Greenwood Consulting to the EDA. Chromy: agreed that we need to have someone providing advice to the City that has the most qualified experience. Sheehan-Kerber: agreed that the City will get more from Greenwood than to worry about the cost differ- ence of $7,535. MOTION BY CHROMY, SECONDED BY SHEEHAN-KERBER TO RECOMMEND GREENWOOD CON- SULTING GROUP TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE TECHNOLOGY VILLAGE PHASE III STUDY. Ayes by Hedberg, Keeney, Choudek, Chromy and Sheehan -Kerber. The motion carried. 3 B. Downtown Planter Program Due to time constraints, Agenda Item 8.B. was postponed to the next meeting date. C. EDA/EDAC Business Mixer Event McCabe: presented a flyer that will be distributed for the upcoming “Prior Lake Business Mixer” event on Thursday, October 29th at The Wilds. He asked for comments and suggestions on its content and the event itself. Sheehan-Kerber: hoped that the event results in “we” solutions rather than “the city should do this” solu- tions. Choudek: suggested that the flyer should emphasize how this event is different from others, such as those by the Chamber of Commerce, and it should identify who the EDAC is. Hedberg: suggested that the break-out sessions are what really makes this event different from other events in Prior Lake. Hedberg asked Erbaugh if he was okay with their suggestions. Erbaugh: responded yes. 9. OTHER BUSINESS A. Commercial & Industrial Development Update Due to time constraints, Agenda item 9.A. was postponed to the next meeting date. B. Economic Gardening Program Choudek: provided a summary of this program, including her business’ participation this past year . Local businesses are being encouraged to apply for the next program year. 10. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY CHROMY, SECONDED BY CHOUDEK TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. With all in favor, the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. ___________________________ Frank Boyles, Executive Director