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| Meeting Minutes HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2007 The Highland Redevelopment Commission (“Commission”) met in Study Session on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 6:35 PM in the Council Chambers within the Municipal Building at 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. The Study Session was called to order by Commissioner Adam Gawlikowski. The minutes were prepared by Cecile Petro, Redevelopment Director. ROLL CALL: Present on silent roll call included Commissioners: James Kessler, Rich Garza, Adam Gawlikowski, and Dominic Noce. Commissioner Brice Johnson was absent with notice. Also in attendance were Economic Development Commissioner George VandeWerken, Town Council President Dan Dernulc, and Town Council Vice-President Joseph Wszolek, and Town Manager Rich Underkofler. GENERAL SUBSTANCE OF THE STUDY SESSION Redevelopment Commissioners reviewed the agenda for the Public Meeting. The Redevelopment Director requested that the Commission review the minutes and claims. No comments were received. The Commission discussed the Redevelopment Area Plan for 2007. The Commission generally agreed that the plan would be amended from time to time and will change as development occurs. The Commission reviewed the responses to the Request for Qualifications from two Design and Site Standard Consultants, Wight Company and IN Architects and Planners. The Director distributed a comparison document of the two firms. Discussion about the qualifications and experiences of the two potential consultants ensued. Resolutions regarding the approval of the Riverfront Development District were reviewed and questions were answered by the Director. ADJOURNMENT: The Study Session was adjourned at 7:09PM for the Public Meeting. HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION PUBLIC MEETING MARCH 14, 2007 The Highland Redevelopment Commission (“Commission”) met in a Public Meeting on March 14, 2007 at 7:11 PM in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. Redevelopment Commission President Adam Gawlikowski called the meeting to order. ROLL CALL: Present on roll call included Redevelopment Commissioners James Kessler, Adam Gawlikowski, Rich Garza, and Dominic Noce. Commissioner Brice Johnson was absent with notice. Also in attendance were Town Manager Rich Underkofler, Economic Development Commissioner George VandeWerken and Town Council President Dan Dernulc, Town Council Vice President Joseph Wszolek. Taking minutes for the meeting was Redevelopment Director Cecile Petro. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSIONS: Commissioner Kessler made a motion to approve the minutes of the Public Meeting and Study Session of February 14, 2007 and Study Session of February 28, 2007. Commissioner Noce seconded the motion. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. ACTION TO PAY ACCOUNTS PAYABLE VOUCHERS: Commissioner Noce made a motion to pay claims. Commissioner Garza seconded the motion. Motion passed 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. SPECIAL ORDERS: None COMMUNICATIONS: None UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND GENERAL ORDERS: None NEW BUSINESS: Commissioner Noce made a motion to accept the 2007 Comprehensive Plan for the Redevelopment Area and to forward the Plan to the Town Council for their review. Commissioner Kessler seconded the motion. During discussion, Commissioner Noce noted that this was the second plan that he has worked on for the Redevelopment Area. The first was the Downtown Charrette which guided the town through the first phase of downtown redevelopment. He also stated that this Plan updates the Downtown Charrette and provides a plan for the entire Redevelopment Area. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. Commissioner Noce made a motion to enter into negotiations with Wight Company to provide Design and Site Standards for the Redevelopment Area. Commissioner Garza seconded the motion. Commissioner Noce stated that it was a difficult decision to make because both firms, Wight Company and IN Architects and Planners, gave excellent presentations. He further stated that this motion would provide the Commission with the opportunity to enter into negotiations with Wight Company. Commissioner Gawlikowski stated that Wight Company had a breadth of experience in working with various types of organizations and a wider scope of what is possible in various cities and towns. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. Commissioner Noce made a motion to approve Resolution #2007-02, a Resolution of the Highland Redevelopment Commission to Designate a Riverfront Development District and to include 300 feet where indicated in the resolution and to amend the map to eliminate the inclusion of the Sharp Athletic Complex. Commission Kessler seconded the motion. During discussion, the Commissioners discussed the possibility of expanding the area and the pros and cons of doing so. President Gawlikowski also asked for citizen comments at this time: Mark Spain from Traditions Restaurant, 2739 Highway Mr. Spain asked if this district would encompass the downtown area. He was informed that the District is allowed to extend 3000 feet from the river which would limit the southern boundary to Ross Street. Mark Hines from Town Club Restaurant, 2904 45th Street Mr. Hines was concerned that this District would harm current liquor license owners by devaluing their asset. Economic Development Commissioner George VandeWerken, 2925 44th Street Mr. VandeWerken stated that he saw this resolution as a possibility for development of the area. Town Council Vice President Joseph Wszolek, 3731 42nd Place Mr. Wszolek asked if the Town Council could change the area. He was informed that, yes, the Town Council could do that. Commissioner Kessler, 8532 Henry Street Commissioner Kessler stated that the Town needs to be ready for the opening of Cabela’s in Hammond and for the development that may occur at the former River Park Apartment site. Commissioner Kessler withdrew his second. Commissioner Noce withdrew his original motion. Commissioner Noce made a motion to adopt Resolution 2007-02 and to include 1000 feet where indicated within Resolution 2007-02. Commissioner Kessler seconded the motion. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. Commissioner Kessler made a motion to pass Resolution #2007-03, To Request Approval of a Riverfront Development District from the Town Council. Commissioner Garza seconded the motion. Motion passed 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. BUSINESS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS: None PUBLIC COMMENTS: Town Council President Dan Dernulc, 9905 Prairie Avenue Councilman Dernulc expressed his appreciation of the Commission for taking the time to have public comments on the Riverfront Development District topic. Economic Development Commissioner George VandeWerken Commissioner VandeWerken stated that he appreciated the spirit of the comments made by the public on the Riverfront Development District issue. Mark Hines Town Club Restaurant Mr. Hines told the Commission about his concern for the survival of small restaurants. Mark Spain Traditions Restaurant Mr. Spain stated that he is concerned about the number of empty commercial spaces in Highland and about Highland’s future. Commissioner Gawlikowski Mr. Gawlikowski stated that the Town should perform an exit interview with businesses that are leaving the town. He believes that we should ask these businesses why they are leaving and use this information for future planning purposes. NEXT MEETING: President Gawlikowski informed the public about the dates of the next public meeting and the next full study session. The Redevelopment Commission will meet in a full study session on March 28, 2007. The next Commission public meeting will be April 11, 2007. There will be study sessions before and after the public meeting. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Noce made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Kessler seconded the motion. By a unanimous voice vote the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM. HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2007-02 A RESOLUTION OF THE HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION TO DESIGNATE A RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT WHEREAS, IC 7.1-3-20-16 allows for and authorizes the issuance of specified, non-transferable permits to sell alcoholic beverages for on premises consumption in a restaurant on land or in a historic river vessel within a municipal riverfront development project funded in part with state and town money; and WHEREAS, IC 7.1-3-20-16.5 allows for and authorizes the issuance of a retailer’s permit to sell alcoholic beverages to the proprietor of a restaurant that is located in a facility that is located within the boundaries of a riverfront development district that is established by ordinance pursuant to IC 36-7-11-7; and WHEREAS, the Highland Redevelopment Commission has reviewed the following area for the Riverfront Development District:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the area set out above as the Highland Riverfront Development District, herein attached as Appendix A (map), as an area set apart for development and redevelopment as part of a municipal riverfront project and qualifying for all applicable provisions, such as the above, under the Indiana Code, the Highland Redevelopment Commission designates as its Riverfront Development District. HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2007-03 A RESOLUTION OF THE HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION TO REQUEST APPROVAL OF A RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT WHEREAS, IC 7.1-3-20-16 allows for and authorizes the issuance of specified, non-transferable permits to sell alcoholic beverages for on premises consumption in a restaurant on land or in a historic river vessel within a municipal riverfront development project funded in part with state and town money; and WHEREAS, IC 7.1-3-20-16.5 allows for and authorizes the issuance of a retailer’s permit to sell alcoholic beverages to the proprietor of a restaurant that is located in a facility that is located within the boundaries of a riverfront development district that is established by ordinance pursuant to IC 36-7-11-7; and WHEREAS, the Redevelopment Commission of the Town of Highland has previously established the Highland Riverfront Development District, herein attached as Appendix A, as an area set apart for development and redevelopment as part of a municipal riverfront project and qualifying for all applicable provisions, such as the above, under the Indiana Code. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the area set out above as the Highland Riverfront Development District is hereby approved and confirmed by the Redevelopment Commission; and that the Highland Redevelopment Commission requests Town Council approval of said Riverfront Development District as described in Appendix A. ADOPTED AND PASSED by the Redevelopment Commission of Highland, Indiana, this _________Day of ___________, 2007. __________________________________ Adam Gawlikowski Redevelopment Commission, President __________________________________ Dominic Noce Redevelopment Commission, Secretary HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STUDY SESSION RECONVENED MARCH 14, 2007 The Highland Redevelopment Commission reconvened the Study Session at 8:25 PM in the lower Conference Room within the Municipal Building at 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. ROLL CALL: Present on silent roll call were Redevelopment Commissioners Adam Gawlikowski, Dominic Noce, Jim Kessler, and Richard Garza. Commissioner Brice Johnson was absent with notice. Also in attendance were Town Manager Rich Underkofler, Town Council Vice President Joseph Wszolek and Redevelopment Director Cecile Petro. GENERAL SUBSTANCE OF THE RECONVENED STUDY SESSION 1. Bult Oil site Director Petro updated information regarding the former Bult Oil site. She stated that the site is currently zoned light industrial. The site was originally made up of six lots, then four and now there are two lots. It is located between Condit Avenue and Garfield Avenue along First Street. The county key numbers for this property include #16-27-93-2 and #16-27-93-13. The total dimensions of all lots are 270 feet along First Street and 138 feet along Condit Avenue on the south and 138 feet along Garfield Avenue. The total acreage is .86 acres. The Commission directed Ms. Petro to request rezoning of the property from light industrial to Business-three at the next Plan Commission study session. 2. Possible Tax Increment Financing Area Commissioner Gawlikowski stated that the next meeting with a potential developer is planned for March 26, 2007 at the offices of Ice Miller in Chicago. 3. Expansion of the current Redevelopment Area The Commission discussed several areas for possible expansion of the Area for 2007. The President directed Ms. Petro to provide additional information at the Commission’s next study session. ADJOURNMENT President Gawlikowski adjourned the study session at 9:30 PM by general consent. Minutes were prepared by Redevelopment Director, Cecile Petro. BACK TO MAIN MENU |
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