EDC 11-20-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Supplemental notes to November 20, 2013 EDC Meeting Agenda The following are supplemental notes for the regular meeting agenda. IV. New Brighton Exchange A. Pulte Homes As reported last month, Pulte Homes (Pulte) still hasn't received its environmental approvals from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). These approvals are needed before the company can close on the property. As such, Pulte sought and received approval of an amendment to the redevelopment agreement, extending the due diligence period for another 60 days (December 15, 2013). The redevelopment agreement allows the company until December 31, 2013 to close on the property. In talking with Pulte staff this week, we learned that the company is working with two different administrative units within the MPCA (Brownfield Petroleum and Voluntary Investigations and Cleanup), each of which need to provide approve the clean-up plan. The City cleaned up most of the property in 2006-2007, however there is an area along the former railroad spur that was not remediated. In addition, there was a segment of the property just south of the park that did not have any soil corrections (i.e. because the City was waiting for the MPCA and Ashland to figure out their clean-up plan for the former Northwest Refinery). So far, the only feedback the company has received is that there may be limitations on basement construction for a few lots — due to concerns about soil gas vapors. Pulte has indicated that it would build slab-on-grade homes where needed and active venting systems for the affected homes. Both of these concessions were offered to appease the MPCA's concerns and keep the project moving ahead. The MPCA has said that it will meet on November 19th to coordinate its comments and report back to the Pulte. The City has offered to join forces with the company to elevate the issue to higher officials within the MPCA, if necessary. No action is requested by the EDC at this time. B. API Group Expansion City staff and APi continue to work on the details of the redevelopment agreement. The parties negotiated an adjustment in the schedule (extending the start dates by 9 months) and requiring the company to pay additional monies ($17,300 in 2013 and $69,000 in September 2014). The City also agreed to extend the option date for the north parcel to 2018. All of these changes were incorporated into a new draft of the redevelopment agreement that was sent over to APi and their attorney earlier this month. Staff will continue to work with APi in hopes of finalizing an agreement for Council consideration either later this month or in December. No action is requested by the EDC at this time.