Ed021003.doc
CITY OF NEW HOPE
4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH
NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428
EDA Minutes February 10, 2003
Regular Meeting City Hall
CALL TO ORDER
President Enck called the meeting of the Economic Development Authority to order
at 7:51 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: W. Peter Enck, President
Don Collier, Commissioner
Mary Gwin-Lenth, Commissioner
Steve Sommer, Commissioner
Absent: Sharon Cassen, Commissioner
APPROVE MINUTES
Motion was made by Commissioner Gwin-Lenth, seconded by Commissioner
to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of January 27, 2003
Collier, . Voting in
favor: Enck, Collier, Gwin-Lenth, Sommer. Voting Against: None; Absent:
Cassen; Abstained: None. Motion carried.
IMP. PROJECT 597 President Enck introduced for discussion Item 4, Discussion Regarding Preliminary
th
Item 4 Development Proposals for City-Owned Property at 9200 49 Avenue
(Improvement Project No. 597).
Mr. Kirk McDonald, Director of Community Development, stated within the past
several months, staff has been contacted by and met with three different parties who
th
are interested in potentially developing the city-owned property at 9200 49 Avenue
North. All three parties have submitted letters of interest for the development of the
site. Staff requests to discuss these preliminary proposals with the EDA and receive
direction from the EDA as to how to proceed. It is still staff’s desire to sell this
property, coordinate on a new development so that additional tax revenues are
generated, and achieve the city’s storm water goals on the site.
Mr. McDonald reviewed that this property was recently considered for the
relocation of Ahrens Trucking, but the project did not proceed. Staff requests that
the EDA determine which of the proposals it is most interested in and staff would
then work with the parties to develop more detailed plans pertaining to their
proposals.
Mr. McDonald stated the first of the three proposals he wishes to review with the
EDA was submitted by Quest Real Estate, Inc. in conjunction with the owners of
the Plymouth Heights Pet Hospital. He stated the Plymouth Heights Pet Hospital is
seeking to expand their facility. Their present location is 3401 North Highway 169
in Plymouth. The proposed structure would consist of a single story, “state of the
art” pet hospital and boarding facility totaling approximately 7,000 square feet in
size.
Next, Mr. McDonald reported on proposal number two that was submitted by
Driveway Design. Driveway Design is in the process of selling their existing
property in Plymouth. He indicated that staff had shared the previously approved
plans for Ahrens Trucking with Driveway Design, and they have stated the plans are
very close to their needs.
New Hope EDA February 10, 2003
Page 1
The third proposal was from Amcon Construction Company. Amcon has an interest
in building either an office building, or a series of office condominiums compatible
with the adjacent neighborhood.
Mr. McDonald stated staff feels that these are all good proposals and all of the
parties seem agreeable to coordinate with the City on soil correction issues.
Proposals one and three would probably be more compatible with the residential
neighborhood to the south and with the adjacent office-type use properties to the
west and east, however, the Council has previously approved plans for a use similar
to proposal two and it appears they would utilize very similar screening techniques
and construct a quality building.
The EDA noted the city is fortunate to have three good companies considering the
site. The EDA expressed support for the office-type uses for this property
(proposals one and three). It was noted that a final determination as to which
proposal may be selected would be based on the best price offered for the property.
Other factors to take into consideration will include taxes generated from the new
development, traffic issues, and the creation of jobs.
President Enck commented that the only reason the city previously considered a
trucking company at the site was to facilitate relocation of an existing New Hope
business. He emphasized the need to develop the property with a business that is
compatible with the adjacent office-type use properties and the residential
neighborhood.
Commissioner Sommer made the following suggestions: 1) consider the pet hospital
th
for the 9200 49 Avenue site, 2) work with Driveway Design to locate an alternate
nd
site, and 3) ask Amcon to explore the Quebec/42 Avenue property.
Commissioner Gwin-Lenth stated she believes the pet hospital would be the most
compatible use. She recommended continuing discussions with all three of the
interested parties.
Commissioner Collier expressed support for proposals one and three. He questioned
the amount of traffic generated by each business. He asked staff to explore the
th
property at 8501 54 Avenue as a possible site for Driveway Design.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Commissioner Collier, seconded by Commissioner Gwin-
to adjourn the meeting
Lenth, . All present voted in favor. Motion carried. The
New Hope EDA adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Leone
City Clerk
New Hope EDA February 10, 2003
Page 2