Standale DDA Minutes

Downtown Development Authority
September 23, 2008
Minutes
Fire Station #2 – 4101 Lake Michigan Drive NW
1:00PM – DDA Conference Room

1. The meeting was called to order at 1:00PM by Jack McIsaac.

Members Present: P. Goodale, C. Vander Meulen, J. McIsaac, M. Neal, A. Hartzler, L. Rios

Members Absent: J. Veldheer, D. Felton, J. DiLeonardo, G. Hicks

Also Present: Frank Wash - Walker Planning Director, Darrel Schmalzel, Asst. City Manager, Howard VandenToorn- Boardwalk Subs

2. Approval of Minutes – On a motion by C. Vander Meulen with support by M. Neal,

the meeting minutes of August 19, 2008 were approved. Motion Carried.

3. Update of Goodwill Project – Planning Director Wash stated that the new building was approved. Goodale, Goodwill and Meijer are working together on the details of the project including the service drive connections. The building will be set back from the street but will still provide shoppers with easy access. The road coming from Wilson heading west into the Meijer property (that currently circles around the Meijer lot) will go through to the Goodwill Store and Ferndale (coming from the north) and eventually cross Lake Michigan Drive and become a through street as well. Goodwill, Meijer, MDOT and the Kent County Road Commission are in favor of the connectors. Goodwill may begin to break ground as soon as this coming fall. Decisions will be forthcoming regarding signage. Streetscape lighting items will be worked on with the Walker DPW.

City Manager Vander Meulen thanked Pat Goodale and Planning Director Wash for their efforts in coordinating planning efforts to get this project underway. Vander Meulen stated that the project will be an asset to the City and DDA.

4. Downtown District Ordinance – Planning Director Wash distributed copies of a draft Standale Downtown District Ordinance and described details relating to some of the possible changes. Representatives from the DDA, Planning Commission and City Commission worked together on the formation of the ordinance. DDA members were asked to review the draft ordinance and bring any changes and/or ideas to the next DDA meeting.

Vander Meulen asked how the new ordinance would benefit owners and developers as compared to existing zoning regulations. Wash responded that it would allow a great deal of flexibility and allows for more opportunities. It was further stated that when the economy begins to turn around and the Cummings/4 Corners project gets underway that there will most likely be more interest in development in the area. For current owners of property in the district, they will not be affected by the ordinance changes unless they would request a rezoning in the future.

5. Status of offer on 4284 Lake Michigan Drive – After last month’s meeting, a counter offer was made on the property(s) by the DDA. Mike Murray, who is representing the DDA, contacted Vander Meulen to inform her that the developer no longer was interested in purchasing the property – reasons unknown. It was further stated that it is possible that the developer did not want to purchase just the DDA property. He also wanted to purchase the property (owned by Vos) as well. Vander Meulen further stated the offer from Goodale was still on the table in the amount of $175,000, and the DDA could reconsider the offer. Following discussion, it was decided that the DDA would like to continue the listing at an asking price of $230,000. The listing agreement is good until February, 2009. Another inquiry was received by Vander Meulen regarding the property. She would like to wait until there is a full DDA board and discuss the topic at October’s meeting.

6. Discussion of Cost Sharing for DDA Landscaping at Lake Michigan Drive and Wilson – Discussion took place regarding the new Walgreen’s location at the northwest corner of Lake Michigan Drive and Wilson, and the monetary assistance the DDA would give the new project regarding landscaping at the corner such as brick, and circle grading. They are also providing the DDA with a formal easement. The improvements are consistent with the Master Plan as well as previous discussion at a DDA meeting earlier in the year. The approximate cost for the improvements will be less than $20,000, which is available in the budget. Discussion also took place regarding inserting a retainer in the landscape agreement that would include a new monument-type sign on a foundation. Koning asked about flagpoles on that corner as well as the opposite corner. It is not clear yet if the poles are included in the design.

7. Discussion of Public Parking Lot Easements and Special Assessment District –

Vander Meulen stated that letters were sent to property owners regarding renewing the special assessment for their individual properties. Twenty-one letters were sent out, but only six responses were received that wanted to renew. 51% is needed to re-establish a Special Assessment District. The letters (two separate mailings) informed the property owners that the Special Assessment was expiring and that snow removal and additional services will then become their responsibility. Koning stated that there could also be irrigation issues with properties if not properly maintained.

Howard VandenToorn (Boardwalk Subs) spoke regarding his property and asked for information regarding details of the Special Assessment District. Vander Meulen explained that the 15-year Special Assessment District had expired which is why the DDA wanted to re-establish another Special Assessment District. She further explained that being part of the Special Assessment District guaranteed property owners that their parking lots would be maintained year round, especially important in the winter due to the snow removal. Property owners will also need to pay for any lighting, irrigation and back flow systems, and time clock issues themselves. Koning and Vander Meulen will meet to discuss lighting and back flow items. A letter will be drafted by Vander Meulen that will inform the property owners exactly what they will be responsible for without the Special Assessment District being in place. Sidewalk snow removal will continue to be taken care of.

Vander Meulen stated that the DDA will move forward without a Special Assessment District for the next year and will revisit the possibility of establishing another one next year.

8. Any Other Business –

• House on Parkside – Vander Meulen stated that the house is in fairly good shape but would like to do some "sprucing up" to make it look nice and then rent it out (on a 1 year lease) until the Standale/4 Corners project gets underway.
• House on Cummings – Koning sent out bid packages for work to be done including demolition, underground well and asbestos abatement. The bids are due back next week. A motion was made by Hartzler with support by Rios to authorize staff to choose the lowest qualified bidder to perform well, demolition and asbestos abatement with a not-to-exceed cost of $10,000. Motion Carried.

9. Next Meeting Date and Time – The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 1:00PM, Fire Station #2, 4101 Lake Michigan Drive NW.

10. Adjournment – On a motion by Hartzler with support by Goodale, the meeting was adjourned. Motion Carried.

Respectfully Submitted to City Manager Vander Meulen,

Julia Kozminski, Recording Secretary