Loading...
Commuinity Development Authority- MINUTES - 4/21/2008 CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved, as amended, 5/20/08 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CDA) Audio recording of meeting MINUTES is also available. Monday, April 21, 2008 Chairman Frank Waltz called the meeting of the Community Development Authority to order at 6:32 p.m. Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. PRESENT: Commissioners Rob Glazier, Suzi Link, Gail Miles, Frank Waltz, Ald. Werner, Ald. Pavelko and Executive Director Jeff Muenkel ABSENT: Commissioner David Lidbury GUESTS: Linda Kramer, John Schultz, Mayor Johnson, Ald. Schaefer APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 18, 2008 Ald. Werner moved to approve the minutes for the March 18, 2008 meeting, Commissioner Glazier seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. OLD BUSINESS Redevelopment District #2 Amendments Executive Director Muenkel presented the proposed amendments to the Redevelopment District #2. He had incorporated the changes they had discussed at the previous meeting. Commissioners were also presented with a map showing the changes.  Added parcel between old post office parcel  Removed parcels west of Racine Avenue (Those were added to the Industrial Park District)  Removed parcels unaffected by Janesville Road expansion (thus far, at least)  Removed parcels west of Racine Avenue and put those in the future Muskego Industrial Park Redevelopment District  Removal of a majority of the Basse lands and Forest Glen subdivision He noted that the dam from Little Muskego Lake is already in the proposed changes for the district. Not all the parcels were added going along Pioneer Drive to Racine Avenue. The CDA would have to define the area as blighted by State Statute and develop goals or programs for the area. The ones that are now included are in the area that is zoned mixed use historic and in the realm of the design guide. Commissioner Link brought up the subject of walk-ability in the downtown area; to just extend sidewalks so the people can walk to the parks in the area would be a reason to include all the parcels to Racine Avenue. She also mentioned improvements in the elimination of the ditches, upgrading the storm water management would justify including those parcels. The goal would be to make Muskego pedestrian friendly. Commissioner Glazier included in his comments that these properties from Horn Park Drive to Racine Avenue along Pioneer Drive could be looked at when you have a compelling reason such as a project that the CDA could design around. He agreed with the idea of tying in these properties so the CDA could work on sidewalk access and then he questioned if a sidewalk could happen from downtown to city hall outside the redevelopment district. Commissioner Link stated it could happen outside the redevelopment district but would it be in a reasonable future or be a distant probability. Commissioner CDA Minutes, April 21, 2008 - page 2 Glazier agreed with the borders as outlined in the map. Ald. Pavelko could see the advantage in having the redevelopment district going to Racine Avenue as it would connect the city’s civic center to the rest of the city. Also, businesses in the industrial park have indicated to him that employees having no place to walk is an issue, no sidewalks in the area. Ald. Werner mentioned the bike path from the industrial park in the area by Culver’s on Racine Avenue and it does connect to Pioneer Drive. Chairman Waltz stated that the primary interest at this point of the properties on Pioneer south of the power lines by the bowling alley and the entrance to Horn Park is primary one of bike paths, sidewalks, some pedestrian friendly access between city hall, police department and the properties to the north. Sidewalks and bike paths as opposed to economic development of businesses, purchasing the property and putting in other businesses. One thing is to have staff identify what the alternatives are and what is included in the 2020 comprehensive plan. Of interest to the CDA would be if some other group is taking a look at it. Executive Director Muenkel said that the Parks and Conservation Plan addresses the trails and roadways. The one goal could be to foster the trail system down to city hall and could be done without the parcels being in the redevelopment district. Commissioner Miles expressed that the only true downtown historic area of Muskego is along Pioneer Drive and she felt it could be helped with some redevelopment. Ald. Werner questioned if there would be any advantage in putting public property such as Horn Park in the district considering upgrades, walkways, pathways and he asked staff to check on it. Chairman Waltz would like discussed at the next meeting on plans or other information that may exist in terms of providing walkways. Executive Director Muenkel said the 2020 comprehensive plan committee has looked at allot of it and the Parks and Conservation Plan has recommendations to expedite certain groups of trails based on feasibility of roads and different plans. Commissioner Glazier requested that any plans be overlaid on the maps the CDA has in possession. This would show them what is tied together without them extending the redevelopment district boundaries. (Alderman Pavelko departed for the Pubic Utilities meeting.) Chairman Waltz asked for input relative to the staff’s recommendation for including Country Squire area, St. Luke’s Aurora, the post office and the property behind it, funeral home and fire station. Ald. Werner mentioned the vacant land by funeral home to be included as he felt it has excellent potential for development. However, Commissioner Link thought the forested area was conservation land and this may be the reason why it has not been developed. Executive Director Muenkel will check on it. In summary, Chairman Waltz stated they talked about on the east end not having any particular concern about removing the residential development, adding Country Squire and Aurora area, the old post office and the property behind it. In regards to the funeral home, Executive Director Muenkel is going to look into the status to see if there are any protected areas in the green space. Ald. Werner asked for them to take a look at the vacant property by the Guernsey Meadows subdivision. Staff is going to look at other plans or infrastructure plans that have to do with right-of-way and additional pedestrian ways along the southern part of Pioneer Drive. CDA members would like to keep the walkways separate from the redevelopment district. Industrial Park Redevelopment Districts Executive Director Muenkel provided a new map on the proposed industrial park districts. The map incorporated the changes that the CDA members discussed at the last meeting.  Added parcels along Janesville Road just north of the industrial park; which changed the boundaries. Staff had checked to see if there were any deficient areas in terms of sewer and water utilities, etc. and found none at this time. The deficiency may be in the storm water management area and how the property owner would deal with it wanting more area to develop. The CDA members were provided with a watershed diagram. Executive Director Muenkel explained upstream capacity basically. On the watershed map, everything flows to the south and eventually to Big Muskego Lake. Upstream capacity where there might be open land would be Muskego Park. Studies indicated they may be able to open up culverts in the county park system and try and find some lands for a larger pond in the area. Each vacant property, if they put a pond in there, would only benefit 50 percent of the other vacant lands in the park. The big thing is to identify all the development opportunities and redevelopment CDA Minutes, April 21, 2008 - page 3 opportunities, promote them with the plan, and in looking for loan programs for other areas, the CDA needs one here to help them out with storm water. The CDA members discussed in detail the storm water management program relative to retention ponds and a regional storm water retention facility. Chairman Waltz commented that the CDA needs to stimulate economic development of this area. They need to identify what they want to include in the new redevelopment district plan. Once they have a plan in mind, then to meet with business owners in the industrial park for their input. Ald. Werner would also like a member of the Chamber of Commerce to be at the next meeting to see their viewpoint and to find out how successful Mrs. Chiaverotti was in meeting with the business owners. CDA members discussed a marketing program on what Muskego has to offer. A marketing program that would give incentives to develop and to bring businesses to Muskego. Commissioner Miles shared what the Mayor’s Task Force is doing relative to marketing. In reviewing the Redevelopment District #4 relative to the Tess Corners Industrial Park, the CDA members would like to get input from those business owners. Chairman Waltz mentioned the conversation of adding the residential properties on the west side of Tess Corners Drive; which included an antique shop. Commissioner Miles moved to defer discussion of the item, Commissioner Glazier seconded, until they are able to get the owners together. Commissioner Link suggested sending a questionnaire to see what they perceive their needs would be. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried. CDA-owned Janesville Road Property Proposal Executive Director Muenkel shared that the property is now listed in the Multiple Listing System and they have also sent out notices to many developers and investors in the southeastern Wisconsin area. CDA members discussed the probability of purchasing other properties in the area with the view that a larger parcel may attract developers. NEW BUSINESS: None PUBLIC INPUT — None. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW “But for” discussion for RLF Loan Procedures Commissioner Link expressed the need of putting the “but for” test to the RLF loans. Commissioner Glazier would like to see more information on the business plan with a better understanding of how the money will be used. CDA members had a lengthy discussion on what transpired with the last loan application. (Ald. Pavelko returned.) Chairman Waltz suggested that they meet with John Meland from SEWRPC (South Eastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission) to gain a better understanding of the process; what do they expect from the CDA, what they expect the business to deliver, and what can SEWRPC do. If possible, they would like John Meland to be at the next meeting to give the CDA members a better understanding of what SEWRPC is doing when it comes to the loan applications. Financial Resources Chairman Waltz shared what he had learned about financial aid from the Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Development. In the marketing literature provided to businesses that may be considering Muskego, is a lack of information on financial aid available to them. He would like to see printed literature on the various financial programs available to businesses. The information would contain the financial aid, how it can be used, what group or business can use it, and who to contact. They would like the marketing committee of the Mayor’s Task Force working with staff to put this information together in a fashion that the CDA can use as well as other entities. Next Meeting The next meeting was set for Tuesday, May 20, at 6:30 P.M. CDA Minutes, April 21, 2008 - page 4 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Commissioner Link moved for adjournment, Commissioner Miles seconded . Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m. Stella Dunahee, CPS Recording Secretary