Meeting Minutes HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2007 The Highland Redevelopment Commission ("RC", "Commission") met in Study Session on Wednesday, January 24, 2007, at 6:42 PM in the Council Chambers within the Municipal Building at 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. The Study Session was called to order by Commission President Adam Gawlikowski. The minutes were prepared by Cecile Petro, Redevelopment Director. ROLL CALL: Present on silent roll call included Commissioners: Jim Kessler, Rich Garza, Brice Johnson, and Adam Gawlikowski. At a later time, Mr. Rich Underkofler, the Town Manager, entered the Study Session. GENERAL SUBSTANCE OF THE STUDY SESSION River Park Apartment Site update The Director updated the Commission on the demolition of the former River Park Apartment site. She stated that Mr. Bloskey informed her that the seeding of the former apartment site will be completed in the Spring. Goals for the Redevelopment Commission for 2007 President Gawlikowski presented his list of proposed goals for the Commission for 2007. These included: 1)expanding the Redevelopment Area, 2) developing and implement design standards, 3) establishing a TIF district, 4) determining the future of the corner lot owned by the Commission, 5) establishing a Riverfront Development District, 6) developing the northern gateway to Highland, 7) determining the future of the former Bult Oil site, 8) determining any other issues that need to be resolved by the Commission before the end of 2007. Mr. Gawlikowski asked the Commission to review these goals with these thoughts in mind for the next meeting: 1) which ones are critical for the success of the Commission, 2) what is the priority of these items, and 3) what items, if any, need to be added to this list. Best House on the Block Program The Commission discussed continuing the Best House on the Block Contest for 2007. The Commission was informed by the Director about the funds available for this program and for other initiatives which the Commission desires to fund. The Commission will continue to discuss this item at their next meeting. Presentation by Mr. Bill Baker from Brandt Construction Mr. Baker stated that he is representing a fortune 500 company that would like to develop the site on the southeast corner of Highway and Kennedy Avenues. The challenge for the company is the lack of sufficient egress and ingress onto Kennedy Avenue north. Also, the site lacks adequate parking for a building more than one story high. He emphasized that the company needs curb cuts on Highway Avenue which will allow a left hand turn in order to make a right hand turn onto Kennedy Avenue north. The Commission asked a number of questions and directed Ms. Petro to contact the Commission’s attorney to request information about conducting an executive session. The purpose of the executive session would be to talk privately with the developer about the type of structure and the name of the business proposed for that site. Mr. Baker did not want to divulge this information in a public setting. NIPSCO property east of Ultra Food Store The Director inquired whether the Commission would like her to pursue a possible option on the property. The Town Manager stated the he has asked DLZ, the engineering firm retained by the Sanitary District, to evaluate the potential of this site for storm water detention. If this use would be cost effective, perhaps a portion of the site could also lend itself to a public works facility use. If these could be feasible uses of the site, the acquisition would likely be financed by a bond issue of the Sanitary District. He asked the Commission to defer any proposal to develop housing on the NIPSCO site. Mr. Underkofler also suggested that the Redevelopment Commission should defer including the NIPSCO site within the next expansion of the Redevelopment Area until the storm water drainage engineering study is completed. The next expansion of the Redevelopment Area, in his opinion, should focus upon the Kennedy Avenue Corridor to enable incentives for private, rather than public, development of real estate. Tax Increment Financing Area (TIF) Ms. Petro informed the Commission that the Commission’s legal council for the TIF, Mr. James Shanahan, stated that he is waiting for the developer agreement to be sent to him. He has also emailed a copy of the revised timetable schedule. This was previously emailed to the Commission. The Director also informed the Commission that another public meeting will probably be needed in February to adopt a Declaratory Resolution designating the two allocation areas: 1) the current Redevelopment Area and 2) the area on the northwest corner of Indianapolis Boulevard and Main Street. Comprehensive Plan for the Redevelopment Area The Director informed the Commission that Arsh Group will finalize the Plan this month and it should be printed the first part of March. Design Standards and possible overlay district Commissioners discussed a possible time to meet with Mr. Tarik El Naggar, a possible consultant, to complete our design standards and possible overlay district (or completely new zoning) for the Redevelopment Area. Commissioners Gawlikowski and Garza expressed interest in meeting with Mr. El Naggar. Commissioners are requested to email their questions to the Director or Mr. Gawlikowski. Tentative dates are January 30, 2007 and February 6, 2007 for a meeting. Report on the Economic Development Course attended by the Director Due to time constraints, this item will be discussed at the next meeting. Vice President candidates President Gawlikowski requested that all Commissioners consider a member to take the position of Vice President. Mr. Rex Burton was the former Vice President, but was not reappointed by the Town Council for 2007. This item will be taken up at the next public meeting. Redevelopment powers and duties Commission President Gawlikowski requested that all members review the “Duties and Powers of the Commission” document which each one received upon taking their oath. Adjournment The study session was adjourned by general consent at 9:25 PM. BACK TO MAIN MENU