Minutes

New Brighton Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting – July 10, 2001

7:30 a.m.

Members/Liaisons Present:

Bob Benke (7:35 a.m.), Eugene Delaune, Linda Harmon, Ken Johnson, John Kaufhold (7:40 a.m.), Maxine Pierson, Char Samuelson, Jeanne Smith.

Members/Liaisons Absent:

Rakesh Agarwala, Dennis Flahave, Steve Larson, Mark Nelson.

Staff Present:

Kevin Locke, David Black.

Others Present:

Kathy Anderson (KKE Architects), Nancy Kneeland, Scott Schmitt (Kraus-Anderson), Paul Sentman (Sentman Enterprises), Lois Zweig, Richard Zweig.

Call to Order

Ken Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.

Approval of Minutes

Johnson noted that a quorum was not present, therefore the minutes of the June 12, 2001 meeting were not presented for approval.

Brighton Village Redevelopment

Kathy Anderson presented the developers' concept plan for the redevelopment of the Brighton Village area. She noted that the combination of senior housing, hotel, medical office, and small retail shops provides an opportunity for a live/work/shop environment. City staff has been suggesting changes to the site plan to provide a walkable site. The needs of the retailers and potential housing residents have also been taken into account.

Access to the site is provided through a rerouted Pike Lake Drive through the center of the site, and a "main street" entrance off Silver Lake Road. At the intersection of the two roads, a traffic circle had been drawn but changes will be considered. The evening parking for Champps would be enhanced by using the lot for the medical office building at off-peak hours. The small retail center would be finished on all four sides, with primary parking to the south. A new Snyder's store would have two drive-thru lanes.

On the east side of the site, parking is broken up into three lots. The hotel would be three or four stories tall. Pedestrian connections to and from the adjacent neighborhood are not shown, but will be provided.

Pierson asked which hotel operator would be involved. Sentman indicated that a franchise agreement had not been negotiated, but that it could be Country Inn and Suites, similar to the 82-
room hotel in Roseville. Room prices there range from $79 for a twin queen, to $159 for a double bedroom suite. He suggested that the 80-unit senior housing building was too small for its own significant amenity package, but that services like a pool and restaurant could be provided here through the adjacent hotel.

Delaune asked what the pedestrian route would be for the residents at Thorndale Plaza. Anderson responded that the paths had not been designed, but that they would probably follow the center road. Delaune asked that the developers be sensitive to the special needs of the residents.

Delaune asked about the pricing for the senior building. Sentman replied that the project would be offered as a cooperative, which is typically financed with one-third up front and two-thirds later. A unit of 800 square feet would cost approximately $630 per month, and a 1400-square-
foot unit would be priced at about $1,155 monthly. The largest units could range up to 1600 square feet.

Delaune asked whether it is assumed that the retail rents would be higher than currently. Schmitt replied that they would be significantly higher in order to pay for the cost of new construction, but that many of the current tenants have been doing well. Locke asked how the rents would compare to other new developments in the area, such as Main Street Village. Schmitt indicated that they would be a little higher.

Sentman noted that there would be meeting rooms in the hotel. He also pointed out that the Roseville Country Inn property had enjoyed the highest occupancy rates in the entire Carlson system worldwide over the past three years. Smith added that she had received many calls from area businesses, expressing a need for a hotel in the city.

Samuelson asked whether groceries would be sold in the new Snyder's store. Schmitt indicated that this store would be 11,900 square feet, much larger than the current space, and that offerings would be broader than a typical convenience store.

Benke asked that the public decision process be clarified for the public. Locke indicated that the Council would be receiving input at meetings to be scheduled over the next month, then the EDC and Council would be asked to consider whether the proposal should proceed in its present form. Staff would then develop a list of zoning approvals and other requirements which would have to be completed before construction.

Northwest Quadrant

The agenda packet included a summary of recent progress on acquisitions and studies of several properties.

Update

Main Street Village: Locke noted that the Risdall Linihan, CU Mortgage, and Silver Lake Dental had all moved in. There is no certainty about the development of the 5th Street corner. The approval process is proceeding for the housing project on the north end of Main Street Village. There would be 121 units in a variety of two-, three-, and four-story segments, a very impressive building. Harmon asked about the proposed rents. Locke indicated that rents would be about $1.00 per square foot, on units of 800-1800 square feet. Johnson noted that a bank would not be locating here, since CU Mortgage was there instead. He suggested that the developer should continue to look for a restaurant for the 5th Street corner.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 a.m.