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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHEDRA Minutes 11-12-2020HEDRA HASTINGS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY The Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a regular meeting on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom video conference. HEDRA Commissioners Present: Sullivan, Peine, Fox, Sinclair, Goblirsch, and Vaughan. HEDRA Commissioners Absent: Balsanek Staff Present: Community Development Director John Hinzman City Administrator Dan Wietecha I. Quorum A quorum was established and the meeting was called to order by President Sullivan at 6:00 PM with six members present. Director Hinzman introduced Eric Maass to the Commission. Mr. Maass will begin his role as Economic Development Coordinator for the City on November 16th. II. Minutes Motion by Commissioner Fox to approve the minutes from the October 8, 2020 Regular Meeting as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Vaughan. Roll call vote: Ayes 6; Nays 0. Motion approved. III. Bills Hinzman summarized the bills. Commissioner Peine motioned to approve as presented, seconded by Commissioner Goblirsch. Roll call vote: Ayes 6; Nays 0. Motion approved. IV. Business A. Presentation - Open To Business Director Hinzman introduced Natalie Mouilso the Dakota County Business Advisor for Open To Business. Ms. Mouilso presented a summary of Open To Businesses’ activities in assisting prospective and existing busineses. Commissioner Vaughan appreciated the focus on providing services to existing businesses, he believes the program is best known for assisting new businesses. How can the program be enhanced? Ms. Mouilso stated advertising has been retooled to target existing businesses. Commissioner Sinclair asked how other economic development groups within Dakota County have utilized Open To Business. Ms. Mouilso stated she has presented to a handful of economic development groups and will develop ways to work more closely. President Sullivan thanked Ms. Mouilso for her information and attendance. B. Preliminary Land Credit Sale and Concept Plan - Simply Secure Storage - 2030 Spiral Blvd - Smurawa Director Hinzman summarized the request of Simply Secure Storage to purchase another property within the Hastings Industrial Park from the City to develop business and mini storage units. Chad Smurawa of Simply Secure Storage stated the storage units assist with small business growth. Commissioner Vaughan concurred with the Mr. Smurawa. Could HEDRA better advertise the Land for a Dollar program by putting up signage on new development sites that tell of HEDRA’s involvement to make it happen. Director Hinzman stated he thought that was a great idea. Commissioner Goblirsch stated he supports the project. Motion by Commissioner Goblirsch to recommend approval of the land credit sale and concept plan as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Sinclair. Roll call vote: Ayes 6; Nays 0. Motion approved. The recommendation will be brought forward to the City Council on December 7th. C. Discussion - Potential Property Sale - 317 East 3rd Street Director Hinzman provided a summary of Luke Siewert’s conceptual plan for purchase of the HEDRA owned property for development of a 30 unit four story apartment building. Commissioners are asked to provide comment for any potential future action. Commissioner Peine asked how the parking for this project compared to the Artspace project. Is parking determined by looking at number of bedrooms or square footage of the units. Director Hinzman stated move parking spaced were provided per unit on Artspace and parking for residential uses is not based on number of bedrooms or square footage. Chair Sullivan asked if other variances were granted for parking. Director Hinzman stated a parking variance was issued for Artspace but he is unaware of any other residential parking variances. Commissioner Sinclair asked if the number of units proposed by Mr. Siewert was a minimum threshold to make the project feasible; can additional units be eliminated. What is the market for the development. Could the property located immediately to the west be incorporated into this project. Mr. Siewert stated 30 units is near the minimum threshold for project feasibility. The apartments will be market rate. The change from 36 units (as presented in the staff report) and 30 units now proposed has allowed for additional amenities to be added to the site. Commissioner Sinclair asked if a massing study could be completed to better understand how the building would fit within the neighborhood. Mr. Siewert stated a massing study could be completed. Commissioner Peine stated the building height is not an issue for him. Commissioner Fox stated this type of development is needed within downtown. Commissioner Vaughan stated he supports it and is not as concerned with the parking. Mr. Siewert asked the Commission to consider sale of the property for less than market value. Director Hinzman stated requests for reduced sales price have been reviewed by our Financial Consultant to determine need. D. Resolution - Authorize 2021 HRA Levy Director Hinzman provided a summary of the request. The requested levy rate is similar to that approved in past years. Motion by Commissioner Sinclair to adopt HEDRA Resolution No. 2020-06 Authorizing the 2021 HRA Levy. Seconded by Commissioner Fox. Roll call vote: Ayes 6; Nays 0. Motion approved. V. Reports and Information A. 3rd Quarter Financial Report Director Hinzman provided a summary of the report. B. Commercial Vacancy Director Hinzman provided information on new business activity C. Development Update Director Hinzman provided a recap of a number of new applications for new residential development. VI. Adjourn Commissioner Goblirsch motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:22 p.m., seconded by Commissioner Sinclair. Roll call vote. Motion passed 6-0. Meeting adjourned. Next Meeting: December 10, 2020 - 6pm Respectively Submitted: John Hinzman