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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHEDRA Minutes 03-12-2020HEDRA HASTINGS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Hastings City Council Chambers Minutes of March 12, 2020, 6:00 PM Regular Meeting HEDRA Commissioners Present: Balsanek (6:11pm), Fox, Goblirsch, Peine, Sinclair, Sullivan and Vaughan. Staff Present: Community Development Director John Hinzman Economic Development Coordinator Rusty Fifield I. Quorum A quorum was established and the meeting was called to order by President Sullivan at 6:00 PM with six members present. II. Minutes Commissioner Vaughan motioned to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of February 13, 2020, as presented, seconded by Commissioner Fox. Motion approved 5‐0; Sullivan abstained. III. Bills Hinzman summarized the bills. Commissioner Fox motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Commissioner Peine. Motion approved 6‐0. IV. Business A. Open to Business Presentation Karen Schaffhausen, Open to Business, presented information about the program. Commissioner Fox asked the approximate number of businesses in Hastings which utilized Open to Business. Schaffhausen responded that year to date, she has worked with six Hastings businesses. Commissioner Fox and Hinzman discussed how Open to Business was advertised. Commissioner Vaughan and Schaffhausen discussed how a new business, Open to Business and the City interact. Commissioner Balsanek arrived at 6:11 p.m. Fifield discussed the future focus on small businesses in the City. Commissioner Goblirsch thanked Schaffhausen for her help and support of small businesses. B. Approve Preliminary Land Sale and Concept Plan - Onyx Industries - 2951 Lightbourn Court The applicant requested that this item be removed from the agenda. C. Panache Cidery Hinzman stated that this item is for discussion purposes and summarized the history of the agreement between the City and Panache Cidery. He also detailed the financial information submitted by Panache; the information was not complete nor substantial to allow for a determination on the feasibility of the project. Therefore, it was recommended that the City explore other options for the property. Fifield also commented on the lack of new financial information submitted by Panache Cidery and that the requested items were submitted. However, the information was not complete. Fifield continued that Panache Cider has had ample opportunity to submit various documents. He stated that HEDRA may open the site up for new applications and that the Panache Cidery could apply again. Hinzman detailed the real estate option exclusivity agreement with Panache Cidery. Commissioner Vaughan and Fifield discussed documents required of Panache Cidery and for all applicants. Commissioner Sullivan summarized the evolution of the building envisioned by Panache Cidery applicants. Commissioner Peine was concerned about setting a precedent with the exclusive agreement with Panache Cidery. Fifield commented about finding the right fit with a parcel of land and the proposed business. Ameeta Jaiswal, Panache Cidery, questioned the criteria being used to make the feasibility determination and that the metrics should be revised. Jaiswal asked when her check would be returned. Hinzman replied that the agreement was through the end of April. Jaiswal and Commissioner Sullivan discussed different valuation methods which could possible be done before the end of April. Commissioner Vaughan asked Jaiswal for clarification about the revision of the metrics. Jaiswal explained that the metrics should be revised not only for the specified parcel but for the entire City. Commissioner Vaughan agreed with her and encouraged her to continue working with the City of Hastings. Hinzman provided information about the Downtown utilization study and that the results may help decide what type of business should be on that parcel. Fifield added that results should be available by late summer. Commissioner Sinclair and Jaiswal talked about metrics and the process of opening a cidery, including laws and required permits. Hinzman commented about the feasibility of a conditional use permit for Panache Cidery. Commissioner Balsanek and Hinzman discussed how cideries are dealt with in the current City Code and the possibility of amending the City Code to include cideries and other food establishments. Commissioner Sullivan summarized the comments: what are the requirements that Panache Cidery has and have not met and was HEDRA willing accept something different in order to meet the April deadline or to open the parcel up for other businesses. Hinzman reminded HEDRA that when the extension to the option agreement was added, it was a way to allow for a tangible evaluation of the viability of Panache Cidery. However, the information thus received from Panache Cidery does not allow for such an evaluation. He continued that because the City paid to have the site cleaned, it would be in the best interest of the City to have a business which can succeed. D. Discuss March 16th Joint City Council HEDRA Meeting Fifield explained the various topics for the joint City Council and HEDRA meeting. Commissioner Sullivan questioned about the possible incentives for home builders and marketing techniques advertising the City to builders. Fifield responded that those items are currently being researched. Commissioner Peine requested that photographs of a variety of successful housing projects be provided to the City Council for their feedback and direction regarding the type of desired housing for the City. Fifield answered that could be done, but a builder is needed first. Commissioner Vaughan recommended discussing and determining the City’s top strengths to market. E. Letter of Support for Real Estate Equities Funding Application Fifield explained a letter drafted expressing support to be submitted to Dakota County CDA on behalf of the project. Commissioner Sullivan suggested adding graphs/charts to the letter. Commissioner Peine motioned to approve as amended, seconded by Commissioner Fox. Motion approved 7‐0. V. Reports and Information A. The Confluence Hinzman updated Commissioners of the environmental and interior renovations. Commissioner Sullivan inquired about how close restaurants can build to the river. Hinzman replied up to 75 feet, not including the flood zone. He added that the State was examining that regulation. Commissioner Sullivan and Hinzman discussed the various types of businesses that may move to downtown. B. Downtown Property Utilization Study Fifield explained the utilization study, type of items examined and that it has started. Commissioner Sullivan inquired about how close restaurants can build to the river. Hinzman replied up to 75 feet, not including the flood zone. He added that the State was examining that regulation. Commissioner Sullivan and Hinzman discussed the various types of businesses that may move to downtown. Commissioner Peine remembered that during the last development of downtown in the 1990’s, there were numerous comments from the public concerning the possibility of the waterfront being privately owned and not available for public use. He suggested that those comments be considered as well as the results of the utilization study. Fifield remarked that the utilization study was be more about the feasibility of what can be built in the downtown area. Commissioner Balsanek, Hinzman and Fifield discussed the vacant land on the corner of 3rd Street East and Ramsey Street and whether it could be included in the study. C. Commercial Vacancy Hinzman indicated that there are no changes from last month. D. Development Update Hinzman stated that on March 9, 2020, the Planning Commission reviewed Rezoning and Comprehensive Plan Amendment for a new senior housing facility on County Road 47. This item will be heard at the April 6th City Council meeting. Hinzman provided an update about the 40 acre annexation which was approved in February. He also noted that the Schoolhouse Scope senior housing project was approved. Hinzman discussed why the Onyx item was pulled. VI. Adjourn Commissioner Vaughan motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 p.m., seconded by Commissioner Goblirsch. Motion approved 7‐0. Next Meeting: April 9, 2020 Respectively Submitted: Erica Henderson Deputy City Clerk