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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-14 EURA MINUTESENGLEWOOD URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY September 14, 2005 I. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Englewood Urban Renewal Authority was called to order at 6 :30 p.m . in the Community Development Conference Room of the Englewood Civic Cen- ter, Chair Bertoluzzi presiding. Present: Absent: Staff: Anthony Gallardo, Douglas Garrett, Laura Rogers, Don Roth, Eric Bertoluzzi Robert Simpson , Executive Director/Executive Secretary Thomas Burns and Robin Weddle (both excused absences ) Community Development Manager Harold Stitt Senior Planner Mark Graham II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES May 18, 2005 Chair Bertoluzzi stated that the Minutes of May 18 , 2005 were to be considered for ap- proval. Roth moved: Rogers seconded: The Minutes of May 18, 2005 be approved as written . AYES : NAYS: None ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Gallardo, Rogers , Roth, Bertoluzzi Garrett Burns , Weddle The motion carried. Ill. DEVELOPMENT UP-DATE South Acoma Street Property 3400 Block South Mr. Graham provided an up-date on the South Acoma Street property, noting that interest in purchase and development of the site has been expressed recently by a couple develop- ers . Mr. Graham anticipates receiving development proposals from two companies within the next week to 10 da y s. These proposals will encompass some retail, housing options, and parking proposals. Mr. Garrett asked whether the proposals encompassed the total site from Broadway to Acoma, and from Englewood Parkway south to Hampden Avenue, or only a portion of the site. Mr. Graham stated that both proposals establish street frontage on Englewood Park- 1 way, and one proposal would include a significant portion of the Acoma Street frontage. One proposal includes town homes and retail development. When staff is in receipt of the proposed developments, they will be presented to and reviewed by the Acoma Develop- ment Review T earn. Mr. Graham stated that the second proposal is expected to indicate two buildings fronting on Englewood Parkway; one building would feature ground floor commercial with up to four stories residential development above, and the second building would be residential units with below-grade parking to serve tenants/residents. This proposal would accommo- date some other type of development on the south end of the block -possibly a cinema proposal that has been floated for consideration. Mr. Simpson discussed a recent meeting with City bond advisors regarding financing con- struction of a parking structure. Mr. Simpson st ated that it does appear possible to ac- commodate residential units in two buildings, 30,000 sq. ft. of parking area, and still have some retail or commercial development on the south end of the block. He stated that the City must have assurances, such as a letter of intent, or letter of credit, before proceeding with any further consideration of a parking structure. Mr. Simpson pointed out that no formal RFP has been advertised, but developers are contacting the City expressing interest in properties available for development or redevelopment. Brief discussion ensued. Mr. Graham noted that the developer proposing to build town- homes has also expressed interest in development around the Bates Light Rail station. Mr. Bertoluzzi asked what about the parking structure makes it a "do-able" project. Mr. Graham stated that a financing mechanism simi lar to that used on the Civic Center project - -Certificates of Participation (COP ) -could be used as a financing method. Mr. Simpson stated that the parking survey has been completed. This survey shows that while there is sufficient parking in the downtown area , it is not properly utilized; a lot of it is in "private ownership", and , therefore, not open to parking by general shoppers. When parking in private ownerships is subtracted, demand for general use off-street parking does exceed supply. Mr. Bertoluzzi asked if the estimated cost of a parking structure is still $10,000 per space . Mr. Graham responded "yes , or more", depending upon design considerations. Additional brief discussion ensued. Mr. Simpson stated that the development proposals will be reviewed by staff, taken to the Acoma Street review team, then brought to the EURA, before taken to City Council. Mr. Simpson advised members of a possible EURA meeting in October, with a possible request to authorize negotiation. This is dependent on the qual- ity of anticipated submittals, and review by the Acoma Street Review T earn. Mr. Stitt was asked to discuss the parking survey that was conducted by Walker Parking Consultants. Mr. Stitt stated that staff also did parking counts during July -at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and at S p.m. to determine times of highest demand and deficit of parking. He stated that the greatest demand for parking spaces is d u ring the day when shoppers and employ- ees must be accommodated. Parking is available in the evening. 2 Mr. Garrett asked when the development proposals will be presented to the downtown business community. Mr. Simpson reiterated the need for staff analysis and review by the Review Team, then presentation to the EURA. He stated that he did attend the last Alliance for Commerce (ACE) meeting on September 8 1h, and mentioned the interest in the Acoma site development at that time. Considering a projected timetable for analysis and review, it's possible the proposals may not have a general "presentation" for another month to six weeks. Mr. Garrett noted that the downtown business community has been exploring pos- sible formation of a Business Improvement Dis t rict (BID), and they need to be aware of the Acoma Street proposals . Mr. Simpson stated that Mr. Vasil as of Ted's Clothiers is heading up the BID committee, and he will plan to discuss the proposals with him upon receipt and staff review. IV. BATES STATION AREA Activity Up-date Mr. Graham provided a brief up-date on activities in the Bates Station/General Iron Works area. Property owners Winslow and Barton Brothers are working together to craft a "de- velopment agreement" for both ownerships. The y have also been in touch with RTD re- garding a possible parking solution for the proposed Bates Station; 450 parking spaces is suggested. Winslows still have Tim Leonard working for them on the financial phase of their proposal. The cooperation between the Winslow family and Barton Brothers seem to be working, and things are moving along at a good pace. Mr. Graham advised that neither the City nor the EURA are involved in these private discussions, and there are no tax incre- ment financing (TIF) issues on the table at this time . V. LEGISLATIVE UP-DATE Mr. Stitt directed the attention of the Authority to two articles included in the packet. The first is a CML summary of Senate Bill 05-224. This was signed into law on June 3, 2005, and addresses urban renewal issues such as: • Impact report requirements • County participation • Authorized agreements • Arbitration process • Additional findings • Use of TIF revenues outside the urban re ne wal area The second article summarizes the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Keio v. New London case , concerning use of eminent domain and disposition of property for economic devel- opment purposes. Ramifications of this Court decision were discussed. State legislatures are expected to study the issue of eminent domain and enact legislation in each state . Use of federal funding in eminent domain proceedings was discussed. 3 VI. LEGAL COUNSEL CHOICE No legal counsel was present. Mr. Simpson advised that a member of the City legal staff may be present at the next meeting because of a possible need for resolution /action on the Acoma Street development proposals. Mr. Simpson stated that when special legal counsel is needed, the EURA uses Paul Benedetti, who has specialized in urban renewal law. VII. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE Ms. Rogers referenced conceptual drawings of the parking structure viewed by the Author- ity in May, and commented that she hoped those design concepts will be used when the parking structure is constructed. She felt those design concepts were quite attractive. Mr. Stitt stated that he also hoped to see an attractively designed parking structure. Mr. Simpson reiterated that there may be a meeting of the Authority in October -the regu- lar meeting date would be October 12 , but October 19 might be a possibility. Brief discus- sion ensued . There was no further business to come before the Authority; the meeting was declared ad- journed. 4