EDAC Minutes - June 7, 2006
Economic Development Advisory Commission
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday June 7, 2006
Commissioners Present: Connie Barton Barba Chris Bianchini Mark Green Tory Hartmann Mark Lockenmeyer Scot Marsters Robert Stafford Geoffrey Stern Staff Present:
Laura Snideman, Economic Development & Housing Manager
Liz Cullinan, Planning Director
1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. by Vice Chair Scot Marsters. Action: Minutes of the previous meeting were approved. 2. Discussion of City Council Referred Item on Limiting Coffee Shops, Incentives for Small Businesses and Additional Review for Retail Chains in the Downtown and Recommendations to the Planning Commission A. Discussion: Should the City of San Carlos limit the number of coffee shops? A lively discussion about the pros and cons to limiting a certain type of business in the downtown area touched on both the advantages and dangers of limiting competition, discouraging businesses, and yet trying to preserve San Carlos’s “village feel.” Action: The following motion was made by Mark Green, Seconded by Geoffrey Stern and approved unanimously by the commissioners. Motion: At this time EDAC does not support limitations on coffee shops or a moratorium, but the issue should be considered at a later date within the Economic Development Plan. B. Discussion: Do national retail chains belong in the downtown area? The pros and cons of bringing in national chains, the ensuing traffic and yet the obvious economic advantages with having more foot traffic for existing small retailers as well as making an exciting downtown were discussed. Concerns about maintaining the intimate small town feel of San Carlos was juxtaposed to economic advantages. The difficulty of crafting a law that would fairly exclude certain types of business without squelching normal competition and fair trade was also discussed. Action: The following motion was made by Mark Green and seconded by Bob Stafford and passed unanimously by the commissioners.Motion: EDAC is not at this time in support of additional review of retail chains. The need for and mechanism of such review should be considered in the Economic Development Planning process as part of creating a village downtown. C. Discussion: How to create incentives for small businesses. The Downtown Citizens Retail Advisory Committee Report was discussed. Action: The following motion was made by Mark Green and seconded by Chris Bianchini.Motion: EDAC recommends a strategic approach to incentivize small businesses and recommends this issue be studied extensively in conjunction with city staff and consultants in the draft of the Economic Development Plan. 3. Updates from Staff Laura Snideman provided the following updates to EDAC:
The City Council welcomed the idea of meeting with EDAC. This will probably happen in the fall. · EDAC is short one member and staff is recruiting. · The draft of the Market Study is forthcoming. Questions were asked and/or information shared about the following: · 1133 Industrial· Albertson’s · Foodville · PAMF · Staff changes 4. Next Meeting The next EDAC Meeting will be held on August 2, 2006 at 4:00 pm. An agenda for that meeting will be forthcoming. |
