06-11-2007 EDA MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, JUNE I I, 2007
Members Present: President Gongoll, Commissioners Dwyer, Farber, Klinzing, Motin, and
Zerwas
Members Absent: Commissioner Tveite
Staff Present: Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich, Planning
Manager Jeremy Barnhart, City Engineer Terry Maurer, and Recording
Secretary Jessica Miller
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Economic Development
Authority was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by President Gongoll.
2. Consider Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KLINZING AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER FARBER TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION
CARRIED G-0.
3. nn id r n~P r Agenda
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER DWYER AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER FARBER TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
FOLLOWS:
3.1. MAY 14, 2007 MINUTES
3.2. CHECK REGISTERS
3.3. BALANCE SHEET
3.4. REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT
MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
4. n Mi
No one appeared for open mike.
5. Con id r a wav B cin Cenr r D v lopm n Cnnreps,
Planning Manager Jeremy Barnhart explained that at the April 9, 2007 EDA meeting, staff
was directed to develop three conceptual layouts for discussion on the Gateway project. Mr.
Barnhart stated that the consensus of the EDA was that the park should have more of a
retail component. Mr. Barnhart reviewed the assumptions staff made in development of the
plans. Mr. Barnhart then presented the three options as follows:
Economic Development Authority Minutes
June 11, 2007
Page 2
O~kon A
Includes a variety oflot sizes, including three big box lots (10-17 acres), three smaller
commercial lots, and 9.57 acre industrial parcel in the southeast The plan includes aright-in
off of Highway 10. The smaller commercial lots are served via a `backage' road between
Highway 10 and Ulysses. Option A has the greatest impact to existing wetlands, and a big
portion of property west of Ulysses is used to mitigate these wetlands. An additional 11 acres
of wetlands would need to be mitigated elsewhere. Option A requires the mitigation of 12.14
acres (24.3 acres).
O~tzon B
Shows two big box retail sites immediately adjacent to Highway 10, sued 19-28 acres. This
plan provides more land for industrial sites, although any of the lots on any of the plans
could conceivably be converted to industrial uses based on size. The plan also utilizes a
right-in off of Highway 10. This plan has slightly reduced impact to the wetlands, requiring
mitigation of approximately 9.64 acres (19.3 acres). Any access off of Highway 10 would
require MnDOT approval.
O~kon
Includes small ancillary commercial lot in the NW comer, two big box lots along Highway
10, and 5-9 acre commercial sites on the east side of Ulysses. A 12-acre industrial site is
located in the SE comer. There is minimal impact to wetlands (1.1. acres) requiring only the
creation of 2.2 acres. This plan effectively requires the acquisition of the Weicht property.
President Gongoll indicated that Commissioner Tveite was unable to attend the meeting but
provided his comments via email. President Gongoll shared these comments. He stated that
Commissioner Tveite's preference is Option B with the revision from "big box" to
"commercial" to allow the city as much flexibility as possible to address potential users.
Commissioner Tveite also prefers Option B because of the industrial presence away from
the Highway and near the RDF plant. President Gongoll explained that Commissioner
Tveite would like to the city to reach out to private land owners to verify their plans and see
if they ace willing to work with the city on land acquisition. Commissioner Tveite also noted
in his email that even though the market survey wasn't optimistic about commercial/retail
along Highway 10, he believes the highway offers an asset down the road (i.e., 5 years) and
he would want to keep an eye towards this use fronting the highway.
President Gongoll concurred with Commissioner Tveite's comments.
Commissioner Klinzing stated that Option B best reflects what she would like to see. She
believes the area will be valuable For commercial and likes the size of the lots.
Commissioner Motin questioned if staff could check with Cargill and see if they are
interested in developing their portion of the neighboring property in the future. He stated
that he was leaning towards Option A but has no problem with Option B.
President Gongoll indicated that he believes the best option is for the city to have
discussions with the property owners to see if they aze interested in selling. He stated that if
the city owns the property then the city has the flexibility of when the property is developed.
Mr. Barnhart stated he felt that single ownership was necessary for the efficiency of the
development. He noted that if the city purchasing the neighboring land is not an option, the
city may want to consider selling their property to a neighboring landowner in order to
create a larger parcel.
Economic Development Authority Minutes
June 11, 2007
Page 3
Mr. Barnhart verified that the EDA indicated a preference for the land layout in option B.
He indicated that based on the EDA's direction, staff will begin discussions with
neighboring property owners regarding land acquisition.
Commissioner Motin noted that staff should also initiate discussions with Cargill. He added
that he is not interested in the city land being bought out unless strict development
restrictions are placed on the land in order to control project quality.
Mr. Barnhart questioned the EDA's timing goal for opening of the Gateway project.
President Gongoll stated that the roads and utilities could be constructed and the market
could dictate the rest., but agreed that these improvements not be made by spring 2008. The
EDA concurred to wait for the mazket/development before moving dirt, but have
preliminary plans ready to go.
6. Update on Downtown R d v lopment Plan Taskforce
Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich provided an update on the
Downtown Redevelopment Plan Taskforce meeting. Ms. Mehelich explained that at the last
meeting, a large group visioning took place. She reviewed the proposed timeline as follows:
• June 25 - Taskforce's first review of draft plan
• July - Taskforce's fmal review of draft plan
• August -Plan distributed to boards and commissions for comment
• September -Three open houses held to gain public input
• October/November -Taskforce review input received from boards/commissions
and public
• December - HRA and Council adoption of plan
Ms. Mehelich outlined a few of the items identified by the Taskforce as part of the plan:
1. Revitalize and strengthen residential housing areas adjacent to the downtown.
2. Enhance the connection to the river.
3. Redefine core downtown from the traditional retail focus to improve economic success.
Look at other market opportunities like residential and specialized commercial to
strengthen the area.
4. Identify different land uses for north of Highway 10 to help maximize the mazket
opportunities but not compete with the southside of Highway 10 and the core
downtown.
OtherOther Busine~
Ms. Mehelich indicated that Alliance Machine, 17520 Tyler Street, is having an open house
on June 13 From 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. to celebrate their new building.
8. Adjournment
There being no other business, President Gongoll adjourned the meeting of the Elk River
Economic Development Authority at 6:14 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jessica Miller.
Economic Development Authority Minutes
June 11, 2007
~,~/ "t ~ _ ___
Tina Allar
City Clerk
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