06-15-1998 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • ' »J . City of Long Lake Economic Development Authority A binding the space on a temporary or permanent basis to allow growth, vai ability of space to grow or change is limited both within the District and in Long Lake and Orono generally. The need is probably in 5.000 to 10,000 sf inci^ments. Expansion is complicated by the necessity in some cases to acquire bom the land and the business, and the cost and equity issues that raises As we talked it was clear many busine^es are proof of the resident based niche the District has captured, and which would make moving even more difficult. % The need to ensure efficient use of sites In the District both in terms of *-rr .''jctivity (jobs, ^rvice to the area, yield to the City), and organization (recycling j assembly of sites, open space requirements) may provide direction for a jl City role. 4. About now decisions are made and who makes them. When most of the ' businesses in the District were operated by people who lived in the City or the • area there were many formal and informal opportunities to get together to resolve issues. The relationships were very often personal, and agreements could be made on intentions, or a handshake, and often v/eren ’t very carefully recorded. There truly were, for better or worse, city fathers. In Long Lake, as in most communities, these connections are being broken as a second generation assumes management of businesses or new businesses with no residential or personal relationship to the others in the District or City become the rule rather than the exception. The business of the City is also changing. It has taken new roles and become more formal, and is keeping better records. Increasingly the members of City Councils, Planning Commissions, and advisory boards are people whose connection with the City is as a resident. Their experience and focus Is on their city as a place to live. And. at least at the beginning of their term, they may not be as aware of or sensitive to the City as a place to work or run a business, and the Issues that arise from that focus. B. Issues s we talked with the business people in the District, as we hoped, a number of IsVues were rioted. They are presented not in any order of frequency or importance, but simply table, to begin a discussion of their.importance, and to encourage additional issues to be added. The issues we picked up were; Enforce the rules. Specifically on the auto auction, paving of parking lots and greening of outside storage. Comments ranged from “maybe it has gotten a little out of hand" to “this is a problem for my business, employees and clients ”. Hiding spots. This is an Industrial district. It Is well separated and buffered, except for Virginia Ave., from residences. Businesses need a hiding spot. The issue Is how big should that hiding spot be. where should it be located, and 4