Minutes

New Brighton Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting - May 12, 1998

7:30 a.m.

Call to Order

Roll Call

Present:	Rakesh Agawala, Mayor Bob Benke, Carol Frey, Ann Hoffman, Ken Johnson, John Kaufhold, Maxine Pierson,

Absent:	Eugene Delaune II, Dean Tollefson

Also Present:	Jill Bishop, Economic Development Specialist

Kevin Locke, Director of Community Development

Cary Teague, Planner

Erny Mattila, Project Coordinator

Matthew Fulton, City Manager

Approval of Minutes

Minutes of the April 14, 1998, Economic Development Commission meeting were approved as written.

Project Planning Discussion

Fulton led a discussion asking what the Commissioners saw as our challenges, what types of programs we should be exploring, and how can the City make the experience of commission service a positive one? The following are the points and issues raised:

Housing- maintenance of home values, meeting housing needs of changing demographics.

Transportation- managing traffic growth, mass transit transportation within New Brighton and surrounding suburbs.

Technology - meet needs for access to technology as it evolves, stay on top of antennas on the water tower, keep in communications with access providers.

Public and Other Services- a swimming pool for the FSC, street lighting to deter vandalism, continue Clean-up days twice a year, Ramsey County hazardous waste sites should be open more hours, maintain current excellent water/sewer infrastructure, additional day cares considered in new development projects.

Positive Experience Suggestions- a more formal orientation process for new commissioners, bring in speakers on issues, additional contact with local business people and residents, access to additional training opportunities in planning and economic development.

Zoning Changes

Mattila explained the proposed zoning for the areas in the NW Quad area designated as Mixed Use in the Old Highway 8 Corridor Study. Copies of the draft Ordinance were distributed developed to encourage the development of mixed uses. It also included performance standards for buildings. Benke asked about the need for convenience services such as gas pumps in that area. Mattila indicated that this ordinance would not allow for such a use. Locke said Barr Engineering has just completed a Phase I environmental study on the entire area that will be an important component as we make plans to develop the approximate 90 acres in this project area.

A Comprehensive Plan Task Force is being created. Two volunteers are being sought from the EDC to attend a meeting per month until approximately November. Staff will call Commissioners not present to check on their interest.

Other Business

Old Highway 8 Name Change. Staff is in the process of notifying property owners and tenants of the changes that will be made to their property address as of July 1st . Safety Services, Post Office, Ramsey County and other affected organizations will also be notified.

BCP III Neighborhood Retail Project. The developers for the E-2 and 5th Ave, Stony Lake Properties and Pratt Homes will have a proposed site plan for the EDC meeting in June. Because of the importance of the corner at the County Road E-2 Extension and 5th Ave NW, the developers are working on that area first. The project will feature building close to the roads in a "downtown" style. The road within the project are expected to be private. An early Fall start is expected.

Bell Pole. Staff is now looking at how best to redevelop the southern portion of the MacGillis and Gibbs site including the Bell Pole parcel on the eastern side of the railroad tracks. Several options are being considered.

Chamber Updates. The Business of the Year Luncheon will be held on Thursday, June 4, at the Family Service Center.

Comprehensive Plan Update. Hoisington Koelger Group was hired to assist in the City's Comprehensive Plan Update. A "Mini Town Hall" meeting will be held April 30.

New Population Figures- Metropolitan Council released the new 1998 population figures recently and estimated New Brighton at 22,768.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 a.m.