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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 16, 1998 0 U :'__.J CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD NW. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 Economic Development Authority Meeting -June 16, .1998 agenda Call to Order - 7:00 PM Bookmark Name Approval of Minutes minutes Discussion Items 1. Authorize Payment to Anoka County/80Acres South of WOE Site wde 2. Approve Plans & Specs/97-2/Andover Commercial Park (Phase II) appr972 3. Other Business Adjournment " '\ : ) '---' ,-,\ \,J ü u 0 CITY of ANDOVER ANDOVER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING JUNE 16, 1998 - MINUTES A Meeting of the Andover Economic Development Authority was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on June 16, 1998, 7:03p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 168S Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Present: Councilmembers Bonnie Dehn, Mike Knight, John Kunza (arrived at 7:11 p.m.), Ken Orttel Resident members Bill Hupp (arrived at 7:05 p.m.) and Robert Nowak Absent: None Also present: City Attorney, William G. Hawkins Assistant City Engineer, Todd Haas City Code Enforcer, Jeff Johnson Community Development Director, Dave Carlberg City Administrator, Richard Fursman 0 Others APPROVAL OF MINUTES May 19, 1998: Correct as written. Motion by Orttel, Seconded by Knight, approval as written. Motion carried on a 4- Yes, I-Present (Dehn), 2-Absent (Hupp, Kunza) vote. AUTHORIZE PAYMENTTO ANOKA COUNTY/80 ACRES SOUTH OF WDE SITE (Mr. Hupp arrived at this time, 7:05 p.m.) Mr. Fursman explained of the 80 acres south ofthe WDE site, the first 200 feet from the fence line of the landfill is not buildable, and specialized construction for methane gas control is required for an additional 300 feet. Those restrictions on the 500 feet from the toe of the landfill reducef. the value of the property. He has drafted a letter to the Anoka County Commissioners hoping to discuss with them that reduction in value and consequently asking them to consider a reduction in the purchase price of the property. !\ Councilmember Orttel understood the fence around the landfill has been moved. Attorney Hawkins U stated the description of the parcel is based on the location of the fence, and he was informed that there is no intent to change the fence loèation. However, he will check on it. ( \ lJ ,,--) ~ \ Andover Economic Development Authority Meeting \ ) Minutes - June 16, 1998 Page 2 (Authorize Payment to Anoka County/80 Acres South ofWDE Site, Continued) Mr. Hupp was on the committee when sludge was hauled in from Minneapolis for the landfill site. He wondered how much of the remaining 80 acres is not buildable because of that. Council member Orttel thought that all of the sludge was hauled out and dirt brought back in. Mayor McKelvey stated the soil borings that have been done on the site show the area to be clear of contamination. (Councilmember Kunza arrived at this time, 7:11 p.m.) Mr. Nowak asked what is the purpose of acquiring this land. There was discussion that about 40 acres would become commercial. That commercial area would also be extended to the Anoka Auto Parts property if the EDA decides to purchase that property. Mr. Fursman explained preliminary drawings were given to the State to indicate the configuration of uses for planning purposes. One of the options includes the use of ball fields in the restricted area. The State temporarily approved the use of ball fields. Discussion was also on what is required to safely maintain the methane gases from the landfill. The : ) Authority asked Staff to have the Building Department clarify what is required. It was noted that restriction may scare off some potential buyers. The Authority suggested the City obtain a letter from the EPA and/or Department of Health indicating the use of the property for buildings or ball fields is not a health hazard. That would be an assurance of the health and safety factor for the residents and for future purchasers. Discussion was also on why the City should purchase this as opposed to a private party. Mr. Carlberg explained that if the City owns it, it has more control over what uses are allowed. The zoning and ordinances are in place if the property is purchased by a private party. It usually takes City involvement for commercial development to evolve. Councilmember Orttel stated he would prefer that a private developer buy it. The problem with this property is the higher than normal risk because of the adjacent uses and 80 acres is a huge area to develop, so it would probably be parceled out. That would also mean that it would be difficult for the development to be cohesive. Because this is a major gateway to the City and is across from expensive housing, he felt it is in the City's interest to have an attractive theme to the entire development. Mr. Fursman explained the Authority gave permission to purchase the property about a year ago, but it has taken this long to get an agreement with the State. In the mean time, the State has placed these restrictions on the property which were not known when a purchase price was discussed with the county. Because of the restrictions now in place, he suggested an attempt be made to negotiate a lower purchase price with the county. \ Motion by Knight, Seconded by Orttel, to authorize the City Administrator to submit the letter he '- ) has presented to the County Board. Motion carried unanimously. ( ) u ~ Andover Economic Development Authority Meeting , ) Minutes - June 16, 1998 Page 3 APPROVE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS/IP97-2/ANDOVER COMMERCIAL PARK (PHASE II) Mr. Fursman requested the Authority approve the plans and specifications and order the advertisement for bids for grading the entire Commercial Park site, streets and utilities. Bids would be opened on July 10. There will be requests for alternate bids for some of the road options depending on how quickly the City proceeds with the Commercial Auto Parts property. Another alternate will be to grade the fonner M. R. Olson property Motion by Knight, Seconded by Kunza, the Resolution presented (See Resolution EDA004-98 approving final plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids for Project No. 97-2). Motion carried unanimously. AUTHORIZE REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF CONTAMINATED SOIVANDOVER AUTO PARTS AND WILBER SITE Mr. Fursman explained there are some concentrations of petroleum products between Commercial \ Auto Parts and Andover Auto Parts plus on the far corner of Wilber's. He is anticipating it will be I \ / relatively easy to dispose of the soils. They do have approval to use it as the subsoil for the asphalt base ofthe roads. This is granting approval to put that plan in place. This expense was anticipated; and there are some funds in reserve for this plus a part of the $500,000 left over from the environmental clean up fund. Mr. Fursman also explained over 24 site tests were done on the Commercial Auto Parts property. The concentrations found were below the threshold for contamination, so he is fairly confident that there has been a good reading on the contamination for that site. The cost estimate given is the worst case scenario. He hoped it will cost considerably less. Mayor McKelvey asked for a motion to continue the clean up of the soil contamination on the Andover Auto parts and Wilbur sites. Motion by Dehn, Seconded by Kunza, to so move. Motion carried unanimously. DRAFT CONCEPT OF THEATER SITE Mr. Carlberg showed a draft elevation of the proposed theater in the new Commercial Park. Staff thinks it is a good start, but they want to see more architectural design, more uniqueness in the development. He understood there will be a canopy with more of an outdoor court yard setting between the theater and the proposed restaurants. They would like to see the architectural designs ì of that canopy. Councilmember Dehn stated there are some excellent see-through poly canopies '- _/ available which the developers may want to consider. She also wondered what other types of uses can the theater be restored to and still maintain the attractiveness of the building. Possibly there (Draft Concept of Theater Site, Continued) l) (-) Andover Economic Development Authority Meeting " J Minutes - June 16, 1998 Page 4 could be more windows in the lobby area. Councilmember Knight shared the concern of the usability of the building if the theater is not successful. Mr. Hupp wanted to see something different with the top of the building. He has seen façades built on the top of buildings to create different architectural styles, some uniqueness. Mr. Nowak also found the front to be very plain. The building will be seen from both Hanson and Bunker Lake Boulevard, and the design doesn't present anything unusual. Mr. Carlberg reported the theater group had originally looked at developing eleven acres on the corner of Jay Street and Bunker Lake Boulevard. They then expanded their plan to include another three acres for a possible office warehouse development. Now they are expressing interest in buying everything south of Bunker Lake Boulevard to Commercial Boulevard and between Jay Street and the first possible street to the west. Staff may be coming back to the EDA with an additional development plan. The Staff is also dealing with the Anoka County Highway Department on the upgrading of Bunker Lake Boulevard scheduled to be done in 1999. There is a question of realignment of that road. If it is kept on the center line, there will be no problem. If the road is moved to the section line, 30 feet of easement will be lost, which could make it difficult to develop the office warehouse area to the south in the Commercial Park. \ ) The Authority emphasized if the theater group wishes to purchase all of the property in that portion of the Commercial Park, they would be expected to develop according to the uses determined in the master plan. Another issue is the purchase price of the land. The Authority had discussed some incentive to jump start the project, which is a fairly low purchase price. If the group wishes to purchase considerably more land, the Authority should review the purchase price. Motion by Knight, Seconded by Kunza, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~?~ Marc lla A. Peach Recording Secretary '\ I I --