DRAFT
Economic Development Advisory Commission
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday November 7, 2007
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by EDAC Chair, Scot Marsters.
2. Review and Approval of Minutes – October 3, 2007 EDAC Meeting
Motion: Bob Farkas moved and Hal Schuette seconded that the minutes be approved as submitted.
Action: The motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting was approved by a unanimous vote of the Commission.
3. Old Business and Reports
A. Discussion of Downtown Interim Zoning Ordinance
Deborah Nelson discussed with the EDAC Commissioners the Planning Commission’s response to the proposed ordinance to replace the current downtown interim zoning ordinance.The Planning Commission voted 4 to 1 in favor of a one year extension to the current interim ordinance requiring use permits for buildings 2500 sq. feet or larger along the 600, 700, and 800 blocks of Laurel Street and the 1100, 1200 blocks of San Carlos Avenue. One Planning Commissioner wanted the ordinance to lapse. Deborah answered questions of the EDAC Commissioners about specifics of the zoning code and process under the alternatives of the proposed ordinance, the current interim ordinance or if the ordinance lapsed.
Deborah also explained that the public is notified of a public hearing for future use permit consideration via posting the announcement on the property, advertisement sent to owners and tenants within 300 feet of the building, the chamber of commerce mailing list receives notice, and the local newspaper with general circulation provides this information for the public.
Regarding a grocery store along Laurel street to replace the former Bell Market site, the current interim zoning ordinance does not require any further review while the proposed zoning ordinance would require Planning Commission or zoning administrator review. In addition, the new proposed ordinance would add economic findings to criteria for retail space, and provide a more expeditious process to resolve requested use permits.
The EDAC Commission then made a motion to approve the draft ordinance that had been proposed by staff, and suggested review after one year in place for potential amendments.The EDAC Commissioners voted 8 to 1 in favor of approving the motion. Commissioner Lockenmeyer voted against because he feels the ordinance has an excessive tenant cost, will penalize tenants with a 45-60 day processing time, and discourage future tenants from doing business in San Carlos. Commissioner Lockenmeyer also expressed his concern that the zoning code needs more definition.
Other Old Business items were moved to later on the agenda for the next presentation.
4. New Business
Frank Spevacek and Alexa Smittle from RSG presented Economic Development Plan activities in San Carlos. Most recent economic development activities include a potential Holly & Industrial development with retail food service, traffic circulation projects, and a potential Wheeler Plaza land assembly and development feasibility study. The Redevelopment Agency and City Council approved a $7M bond during the October meeting. In addition, the Samtrans Transit Village project is still in the design stage. The current plan includes 281 residential units and 36,000 sq. ft. of space for a restaurant, offices and retail surrounding the current historic depot building.
Alexa then reviewed with the Commissioners our top 20 store rankings based on an informal survey. Some commissioners felt the survey wasn’t objective enough and did not provide for an accurate tabulation of results. Mark Sawicki agreed to forward another survey for the EDAC commissioners using Appendix I categories for future categorizing purposes and identifying our top three retail choices based on this new criteria.
5. Old Business continued
A. Update from Staff
Mark Sawicki provided EDAC with an update on economic development projects and items of interest:
a) PAMF – City Council voted during the October meeting in favor of building the PAMF facility.
b) Levitz – Ross Dress for Less has submitted an application to open in this space.
c) Marketplace – TJ Maxx opens November 8, Pet Smart opens November 12, Bassett opens next month. Construction has begun on the accessory building and will include the following tenants: Chipotle, Starbucks, Jamba Juice, Sleep Train Mattress, and a Mediterranean Restaurant.
B. Update on Economic Development Partnership Group (City, EDAC, Chamber of Commerce, HIA)
Gary Wiessinger passed out Minutes from the October 16, 2007 meeting and briefly discussed key items such as Mark Wiess’ presentation on business friendliness strategies and conducting a survey on the same topic. EDAC commissioners decided not to name a replacement for Hal Schuette on this committee.
6. Discussion of EDAC priorities going forward
EDAC commissioners discussed upcoming meeting topics and the possibility of shifting some topics to another planned month. For example in December, it is likely the RDA implementation plan and the draft community survey for a new revenue measure will not be ready for discussion until January.The Commissioners also decided to conduct the January meeting on the second Wednesday, January 9th, 2008.
7. Discuss next meeting date and time
December 5th from 4:00-5:30 p.m. in City Hall room 207.
8. Public Comment
No public comment for the November meeting.
9. Adjournment
The EDAC meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m.
