Minutes

New Brighton Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting – June 12, 2001

7:30 a.m.

Members/Liaisons Present:

Rakesh Agarwala, Bob Benke, Eugene Delaune, Dennis Flahave, Ken Johnson, Steve Larson, Mark Nelson, Maxine Pierson, Char Samuelson, Jeanne Smith.

Members/Liaisons Absent:

Linda Harmon, John Kaufhold.

Staff Present:

Kevin Locke, David Black, Patrick Boylan.

Others Present:

Phil Carlson, Nancy Grant, Nancy Kneeland, Lois Zweig, Richard Zweig.

Call to Order

Ken Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m.

Introductions

For the benefit of those who had not previously attended meetings of the commission, all those present introduced themselves.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the May 8, 2001 meeting were presented for approval. All approved.

Brighton Village Redevelopment

Larson noted that three community planning meetings had been held, and several letters and other communications had been received. He noted that the City has only zoning laws to control any proposals on the owner's property itself, but that we can influence the development as long as we are a partner. He noted that the legislature continues to debate key changes in the tax-
increment financing laws. Delaune suggested that the City can better strategize if we wait until the TIF laws are known. Benke noted that one option is that owner Kraus-Anderson could abandon the redevelopment plans and lease the existing center to low-rent tenants.

Carlson agreed that the owner could lease or redevelop the property without City involvement. But he pointed out that the Sinclair station is at the "front door" along Silver Lake Road, and that the current Pike Lake Drive intersection is awkward for travel or development purposes. He noted that KKE Architects, now working for Kraus-Anderson, had designed a number of "signature" projects, including Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove and Calhoun Crossings in Minneapolis.

In attempting to come up with the best plan for the area, Carlson had concluded that there were an infinite number of ways to arrange the site. It was therefore decided that a set of principles would be more appropriate. In that way, we can define a vision for a sense of place, without limiting the possibilities. A set of planning and design standards was offered for consideration, along with letters from proposed developers Kraus-Anderson and Sentman Enterprises, criticizing the standards. Delaune suggested that the owner's experience doesn't correspond to this type of development. Carlson noted that specific redevelopment plans had not yet been submitted.

Flahave asked whether the principles came directly out of ideas offered at the neighborhood meetings. Carlson indicated that some did, and others represent sound planning principles. Larson suggested that an appropriate process was (1) Adopt the principles, (2) Staff examines any proposal in relation to the principles, (3) A development agreement is prepared, (4) Additional neighborhood meetings are held, (5) Planning Commission reviews, and (6) City Council considers. Benke largely agreed, only suggesting that the neighborhood meetings precede the development agreement. Kneeland asked whether accepting the principles amounts to accepting the development proposal. Black indicated that the principles were not intended to dictate any specific development. Grant indicated that most were interested that the types of businesses included in the development be suited to the needs of the residents. Locke noted that his memo, included in the packet, had summarized the controls that the City has over redevelopment.

Agarwala moved to recommend that the City Council adopt the planning and design principles as proposed, and that the City staff work with Kraus-Anderson to enhance the redevelopment plans. Benke seconded. All in favor.

Lois Zweig asked how emergency vehicles would be able to access the neighborhood to the east through the Brighton Village area, with cars parked along Pike Lake Drive. Larson assured her that engineers would review the plans to ensure that the road is wide enough to allow fire trucks to pass.

Northwest Quadrant

The agenda packet included a summary of recent changes considered by the legislature, and progress on the area-wide plan, acquisitions, and studies. Delaune suggested that options could be discussed at next month's meeting, along with additional information on Midwest Asphalt. He also asked that a summary of all projected acquisition costs be provided.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 a.m.