8.0. EDSR 04-10-2006ITEM # 8.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
Economic Development Authority
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Planning Commission
FROM: Heidi Steinmetz, Assistant Director of Economic Development .~~
DATE: April 10, 2006
SUBJECT: Report on Outcome of Development Forum
Attachments
• Summary of Developer Comments
• List of Attendees
• Thank You Letter
Thirty-five developers/contractors attended the Development Forum at City Hall on March
2I, 2006. Attached is a summary of their comments, a list of attendees and a thank you
letter that was maIled to attendees.
Staff felt the forum was successful in opening a dialogue between the development
community and the City. Positive and helpful criticisms were received regarding the City's
development process. The forum also allowed staff to communicate the City's expectations
on many things including inspections and wetland and erosion controls.
Limited comments were received regarding the opportunities fox the City's Gateway
Business Centex property due to the unknown nature of the developable property remaining
around the many wetlands on the site.
DEVELOPMENT FORUM
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2006
SUMMARY OF DEVELOPER COMMENTS
Staff Present: Community Development Director Scott Clark, Director of Economic
Development Catherine Mehelich, Assistant Director of Economic
Development Heidi Steinmetz, City Engineer Terry Mauxex, Environmental
Administrator Rebecca Haug, Building Official Bob Ruprecht, Senior
Planner Scott Haxlickex, Park Planner/Planner Chris Leeseberg and
Administrative Planning Assistant Debbie Huebner
Kon Touchette, Kock Solid Aealty
He feels the process is somewhat fragmented, which caused him to keep going back to his
client, saying the City needed additional items/information.
Victor Pacheco, Nety Century Land Development
He suggested pre-meetings with staff when bringing in applications. This method is used in
other cities in which he has done work. Staff in other cities gives him '/z hoax. He hears
what staff has to say and they hear what others on their team have to say.
Kon Touchette
The Planning staff was good to work with. Other divisions need to be involved early on in
the development process. He also felt it would be good to sit down with staff to get their
ideas and opinions because the purpose is to provide clients what they want. He feels the
City needs to be more aggressive about getting new businesses, such as providing case
smdies. He noted that residents aren't aware of the magnitude of the Target project.
Heidi Steinmetz
She explained that industrial case studies axe posted on the Economic Development Website
and have proven to be a good tool for attracting interest Target wishes to keep low profile,
which is the reason the City hasn't done much PR on the project.
Kachael Leonard, Sherburne County Commissioner
She explained Target's site selection process. The County/City were contacted only after the
site was selected from a total of six sites.
Jim Tndd, Kyan Companies
Staff was wonderful to work with. Ryan Companies requested individual meetings with staff
and they were accommodated. City staff, including the Fire Department and Municipal
Utilities, were also nice to work with. Target is a very secure site and did not want to attract
attention to the project. Inspections have gone well. Compared to other cities they haven't
had any problems.
Marty Fi.rber, Premier Commercial Propertier
Big Lake has weekly sessions for developers to meet with staff. The Elk River Community
Development staff is good about accommodating pre-meetings and the meetings have gone
Summary of Developer Comments
Development Forum
March 29, 2006
Page 2
well. It would be nice to have a Community Development point person who would be the
lead project contact at the City.
Victor Pacheco
The issue is not the staff -they were great to work with. A developer's goal is to get project
approval. He felt that staff, the Planning Commission and the City Council were sometimes
at odds with each other.
Lynn Carmen, John Ok'verandArrociater
He thinks it's important to have a strong leader that guides the departments, makes sure they
axe focusing on the rules, and obtaining best level of development for city as a whole.
Tom Wilson, TML Land Holdings
How does a developer know what is correct when there is miscommunication between staff?
He had to back up and make changes which costs money. Who bears the financial
responsibility when changes must be made? e.g. at what point does the name of the street
become official?
Jobn Weicht, Weicht and Arroczate r
He has experienced dealing with multiple departments who require the same information.
Developers shouldn't have to answer the same questions twice. The questions should all be
on one list. Departments should only make comments on issues relevant to them and not
other departments.
Aon Toucbette
Staff needs to realize financial impact of requiring changes, and adding new requirements
after developers are into the development process.
Gateway Business Center Comments:
Cathy provided overview (location, history, site constraints).
Victor Pacheco
The City should consider Elk River's population versus how many jobs.
John Weicht
The property is cuxxendy zoned industrial. Does the City want warehouses? After wetland
delineation, the City will maybe have 20 acres to develop.
Victor Pacheco
The current zoning doesn't matter. The City needs to determine the highest and best use for
the site. Can the site be rezoned for residential?
Summary of Developer Comments
Development Forum
March 29, 2006
Page 3
Andy Chnrtenren, Heritage Building Campauier
His biggest challenge is fording suitable sites fox heavy industrial and commercial services
that need more warehouse space than the City allows, yet the City focusing on
manufacturing.
Lynn Caswell
Will gravel mining area be coming on line soon? Scott - No. The City's goal is to start a
land use study fox this area. Another issue is Commercial Reserve. The City is not ready to
start planning for this part of the City in the short term.
Wetland Buffer Ordinance, etc. -Comments
Rebecca provided a presentation regarding wetland delineation, SWPPP and NPDES
processes and projected a new City wetland buffer ordinance.
John W/eicht
He did not see the purpose if the wetlands axe already protected. Rebecca explained.
Tery Maurer
He confirmed that the 60 acres in Gateway Business Centex axe net acres after wetland
delineation. City will need to follow wetland buffer ordinance fox the Gateway Business
Park, will cut into the development potential.
Su//b~~mitted,b1y:/
q/i,~icr
Debbie Huebner
Recording Secretary
DEVELOPMENT FORUM -MARCH 29, 2006
ATTENDEES
Last Name First Business/Com an
1 Anderson Paul Benson-Oath Assoc.
2 Baird Ra Orrin Thom son
3 Baxstad on Ran Com anies
4 Bo art ohn Bo rt Pederson
5 Breuer Scott Scott Breuer Homes
6 Burton Keith M.W. ohnson Construction
7 Caswell L ~nn ohn Oliver & Assoc.
8 Christensen And Hexita e Buildin Com anies
9 Cook Christine Orrin Thom son
10 Fisher Max Premier Commercial Pro erties
11 Glines Mitch D namics Desi & Land Co.
12 Gon oll eff EDA
13 Griswold Dennis Ran Contractin
14 Hanson Vem MetroPlains
15 Hebeisen Ro er 1~~ National Bank
16 Hidde-Hooker an Bank of Elk River
17 Holle eff Holle Construction
18 ackett Arthur
19 Kttollenbex eff Riverview Bank
20 Leonard Rachael Sherburne Coun Commissioner
21 Lindenfelser Lego Bank of Elk River
22 Madsen Tom Benson-Oxth Assoc.
23 McNair Tom Bank of Elk River
24 Me hoff Chad Maus-Anderson
25 Mow ack Metalcxaft
26 Pacheco Victor New Centu Land Develo ment
27 Palmester Richard D.R. Horton
28 Rolfe Mike Rolfe Builders
29 Schulz Chris CSS Builders
30 Theis ohn Orrin Thom son
31 Todd im Ran Com anies
32 Touchette Ron Rock Solid Real
33 Weicht ohn Weicht & Assoc.
34 Wilson Tom TML Land Holdin s
35 Youn uist Ed Riverside Develo meet
~~~~~o~ for attending the
Dev~e~o~~e~~ ~o~r~~
Below are comments received from developers during the forum.
We appreciate your valuable input regarding the City's development process.
• Have available a weekly meeting time that would allow adeveloper/contractor to meet with
key City staff. The purpose would be to discuss development projects during the conceptual stage.
Developers have requested meetings with key City staff during a prof ect's conceptual stage,
which helped ease the process.
• Teamwork among the Community Development Department is crucial in
order to avoid backtracking and extra costs for the developer.
• It is important that City staff, the Planning Commission and the City
Council share similar views and values regazding development.
• A strong leader managing the development process is crucial.
• Increase the City's land inventory for heavy industrial and commercial sales.
• Communication is important among all City departments so that developers/contractors do not
have to ask the same question twice.
• Developers provided several positive comments regazding their experiences working with City
staff during the development process.
We look forward to working with you in the future!
For more information about the City's
development process, visit our Web site at
www.ci.elk-river.mn.us and click on
Community Development.
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