06-15-1998 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City of Long Lake Economic Development should the District serve as the hiding spot for the entire Lake District? • Parking. As expansion space is at a premium, and growth occurs, parking is displaced. This may be a future problem in the district as sites are used more intensively. • Stormwater runoff management. Solutions on a parcel by parcel basis may be inefficient or impossible. • Access to new Hwy 12. This was not an issue with any of the District people we talked with. • Preserve small town, City as the campus feeling. Everyone seemed to like being in Long Lake and the cooperative feeling that is generally the rule in the District. • Employees seem to find the District. No special problems unique to the District In attracting or holding employees were noted. WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? The City can make choices and pursue strategies that will reduce uncertainty about investments in the District and confirm Its future. One of the choices the City could make about the future of the District could be called the “Fairy Godmother Option". The City could contract with a developer who would v/ave their magic wand and create a new district of big box retail spaces (very feasible) or big box industrial, office and warehouse spaces (maybe not so feasible). Or, it could confirm a diverse future for the District and renounce use of its powers and financial tools to encourage a fundamental change in the character of the District. If the City chooses the former, its role is simple. With the developer it prepares a plan and goes forward. If the City chooses the latter, its role becomes more complex. The City could continue its role as a mediator. Shining its light Into different corners of the District to mediate problems (any of the Issues noted) on a case by case basis in response to some crisis. Or. the City could create and provide c ^et of rules or a strategy on how and when it will intervene in the District to assist peopU ^vesting the District This set of rules could cover when and how public improvements will be made. • It could be rules for financial Intervention. When and by what standards it will use its short term revolving loan fund, utility abatements, tax abatements, revenue bonds, land cost write downs, assessment assistance, start up grants, and tax increment financing, both up front bonding and pay as you go. It could be changes to the Zoning Code encouraging or discouraging th(i expansion of retail uses throughout or in some parts of the District, or it could result in