City Council Committee Agendas

City of Mount Vernon Economic Development Committee Minutes from March 16, 2016 Chairperson Joe Lindquist called the meeting to order. Present were Council members Gary Molenaar, Ken Quam, Dale Ragan, Mark Hulst, Mary Hudson, Bob Fiedler and Mayor Jill Boudreau. Staff members present were Bob Hyde, Rebecca Lowell, Kevin Rogerson, Roy Hari, Jerry Dodd and Peter Donovan. Minutes: Mr. Fiedler moved, second by Mr. Quam, to approve the minutes from February 17, 2016. Motion carried. Comprehensive Plan Schedule: Mrs. Lowell provided a schedule for future meetings and hearings on the 2016 Comprehensive Plan. She stated this is a tentative schedule and may be amended. An open house for the Comprehensive Plan has been scheduled for April 20th, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the multi‐purpose room at the Police Court Campus. City Council, Planning Commission and the Citizens Advisory Committee have been invited to attend. A brief review of the six requests for the 2016 comprehensive plan amendments/rezones was given:  Summersun Greenhouse, 4100 E. College Way, request to re‐zone from R‐A to R‐4 or R‐3  PBWA, McLaughlin Road, request to rezone from P (Church) to R‐3 or R‐1, 4.0  St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 15th Street (south of Blackburn), request from R‐1, 7.0 to P (Church)  Alfco LLC, 100 E. Kincaid Street, (multiple parcels), request from C‐2 to C‐1, C‐2 and C‐3  Richard Thurman, 2210 N. Laventure Road, request rezone from R‐2 to R‐3  James & April Axthelm, 2400 N. LaVenture Road, request from R‐1, 7.0 to R‐4 The Axthelms submitted the same application this year as last, and last year’s request was denied. They withdrew their application on March 9th. Due to upcoming municipal code changes Mrs. Lowell recommends three of the five remaining requests be carried over to the 2017 docket. One application, St. Luke’s Church, has staff recommendation and there is no benefit to the applicant to carry it over to 2017. Due to its’ location and environmental issues Mrs. Lowell recommends a sub‐area plan for the Alfco site. A sub‐area plan would allow for more options, and the applicant may pay a portion of the cost. There may also be development incentives. A discussion ensued regarding the site location and cost of a sub‐ area plan for the Alfco property. City Council is favorable to staff recommendation to carry over the Summersun Greenhouse, Thurman Property and Peoples Bank applications to 2017. Council requested staff provide more information on a sub‐area plan for the Alfco site to be heard at the following week’s Council meeting. Comprehensive Plan Vision Statement: Mrs. Lowell presented the draft Comprehensive Plan Vision Statement prepared by Planning Commission member Chris Bollinger. This is still a work in progress. Council members suggested adding something that is locally inspired but not limiting our options. Page 1 of 2 Noise Mitigation Discussion: The noise complaint from resident Donna Klein has not been resolved. While efforts have been made by the school it has not mitigated the noise from the children. Discussion ensued on exempting schools, daycares, churches; code amendment and solid fencing. Council directed staff to contact the school about a solid fence and incorporate in the code new regulations addressing this issue. Miscellaneous: Many residents from Monica Drive were in attendance to voice their opposition to the Lazarus House which has rented a home on Monica Drive. This is an organization that provides transitional housing for people with substance abuse or a mild mental handicap. Mr. Rogerson stated this organization, and others like it (the Oxford House), are protected by the Fair Housing Act. Following discussion on fire safety, building codes and possible exemptions, Council directed staff to follow up with more research. The Farmers’ Market lease will be presented to Council next week for renewal. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Page 2 of 2