EDC MEETING MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 27, 2007

CITY OF LAKELAND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2007, 6:30 PM
CITY HALL, LAKELAND, TENNESSEE 38002


I. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:37 p.m., Thursday, September 27, 2007, by Connie Hess, Acting-Chair.

II. ROLL CALL:
Kathleen Brasfield Absent
John Dudas Present
Connie Hess Present
Mark Lawrence Absent
Randy Nicholson Present
Don Oliver Absent
Josh Roman Present
Melissa Smithmier Absent
Pamela Womack Present

City of Lakeland staff members present were Growth Management Director J Higbee and Theresa Meyer

III. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:
EDC Regular Meeting Minutes, August 23, 2007, 6:30 p.m.
Motion made by Pamela Womack to accept the August 23, 2007, Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes as written. Motion seconded by Randy Nicholson.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

IV. PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
None.

V. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:
Update on Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. (Oliver)
The next Chamber meeting will be Thursday, October 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Oakwood Clubhouse. The speaker for the event is Tom Leatherwood, Shelby County Register of Deeds.

There will be a ribbon cutting at Askew Hargraves Harcourt and Associates on Friday, October 5, at 5 p.m.
(Report attached)

Update on New Business Licenses. (Franklin)
There was one new business since the August 23, 2007, EDC meeting – Your Business Partner (Financial Inventory Guide Sales).
Report attached)

Update on Planning Department. (Higbee)
Growth Management Director J Higbee distributed a printed Planning Department Report.

Mr. Higbee highlighted the following projects nearing completion:
-Estates of Maple Grove (now known as The Grove at Lakeland) is almost through with construction. Once complete, they can begin selling lots.

-The Preserve is near completion and will begin selling lots soon.

-The Windward Slopes Park improvement project is near completion.

The Development Contract for Corner Shops is on the BOC agenda for approval. Once approved, construction may begin.

In front of Canada Woods, across from Woodland Park Subdivision, one of the two lots south of Saskatoon is in the inquiry stage. Someone would like to put in a 20,000 square foot carpet warehouse. City is trying to interpret the regulations to see if this use is permitted.

Canada Woods Commercial will probably go before the MPC in October or November. It is a 20,000 square foot multi-tenant facility.

Phase 1 of Lake Forest is on the BOC Agenda for approval of a Development Contract. Contract approval will enable them to break ground.

The Lakeland Outlet Mall has been talking with the City about a site plan approval.

We have pending approvals for Arcadia and Equestria.

Mr. Higbee is working with the City Engineer, Phil Stuckert, and City Manager, Robert Wherry, on traffic signals for Monroe Road and the collector road for the Lake Forest development.

Lakeland Commons was withdrawn due to denial recommendation by MPC. They intend to come back with a new plan.

Neighbors have convinced the MPC to place a discussion item on the next agenda regarding amending the Comprehensive Plan to remove the Commercial recommendation from the Lakeland Commons site and the site on the east side of Seed Tick and to revert back to Estate Residential.

Harding Academy brought in a revised concept plan. Planning has not been advised of a filing date.

Kensington Manor, 116 lots on 64 acres, was withdrawn for the second time; MPC did not want to recommend approval. They are working on addressing a few remaining issues and will bring the plan back in. J advised them to go straight to the MPC.

The May property (20 acres) is at an inquiry stage.

Ivy Creek is interested in a mixed use development. There would be some commercial with residential behind it. The site is shown as mixed use on the new Comp Plan.

The Meadows has been approved for a preliminary development plan for approximately 180 lots north of Old Brownsville and north of the Harding site. They are going to file a secondary detailed development plan for the first phase. Not ready to construct, but they are moving along.
(Report attached.)

Update on Code Re-write Project from Advisory Committee. (Brasfield)
Mr. Higbee distributed the book for the Land Development Regulations and Design Guidelines. The Committee will review the material.

The meeting focused on the flow of the approval process. The committee will determine what areas can be more efficient and where to streamline the process.

There were a number of questions from Farr and Associates for the committee to respond to. They will submit their comments to Mr. Higbee.

Mr. Higbee intends to hold another meeting with the committee before Farr and Associates returns to Lakeland. They will be back within the next sixty days. There may also be a third public meeting at that time.

Update on Interchange Project. (Wherry)
No time schedule is known at this time. The City Manager has sent a letter asking to finalize the arrangements and schedule.

The EDC emphasized how critical the interchange project is to Lakeland’s economic development. They will communicate concerns to City Manager, Robert Wherry, regarding the scheduling of the Interchange project.

Update on Wi-Fi and Surveillance Project. (Roman)
The Resolution was accepted with high regard and enthusiasm. The Resolution was accompanied by a presentation. Following the presentation, the item was placed on the BOC Agenda as an action item and approved for bids. It is now in the process of getting bids.

VI. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Discussion on the TVA “Consumer Connection” Community Retail Development Program. (Hess)
Connie Hess provided a written report of the September 19, 2007, meeting at Center Point Church. There were 22 team members and 2 TVA representatives present.

The group discussed its vision for the future commercial development of Lakeland, the “Commercial Potential in the Lakeland Retail Trade Area” report, and the consumer statistics for the Lakeland area.

Team assignments included producing a vision (mission) statement, providing a membership profile, and distributing the Consumer Shopping Survey for completion.

The next meeting will be October 10, 2007, from 2-6 p.m. at Center Point Church.
(Report attached.)
General Discussion. No action taken.

VII. NEW BUSINESS:
None.

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None.

IX. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no other business to discuss, John Dudas moved to adjourn the meeting. Josh Roman seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.


These minutes were approved October 25, 2007.