ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES - THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2008

CITY OF LAKELAND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2008, 6:30 PM
CITY HALL, LAKELAND, TENNESSEE 38002

I. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:36 p.m., Thursday, August 28, 2008, by Mark Lawrence, Chairman.

II. ROLL CALL:
Don Barber Present
Shirlee Clark Present
John Dudas Present
Mark Hartz Present
Connie Hess Absent (Excused)
Mark Lawrence Present
Joshua Roman Absent (Excused)
Boyd Ruppelt Present
Pamela Womack Absent (Excused)

City of Lakeland Staff Members Present:
City Manager, Robert Wherry
Growth Management Director, J Higbee
Executive Assistant, Theresa Meyer

III. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:
EDC Regular Meeting Minutes, July 24, 2008, 6:30 p.m.
Motion made by Mark Lawrence to approve by acclamation the EDC Regular Meeting Minutes dated July 24, 2008, as amended.
Approved by acclamation.

IV. PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
None.

V. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:
Update on Lakeland’s Chamber of Commerce. (Lawrence)
The next Chamber meeting will be an after-hours mixer and ribbon cutting Thursday, September 11, at Lakeland Chiropractic, 8950 Highway 64, Suite 109. The speaker will be Dr. Darrin Jessup.

Rene Daniel, Leasing Manager for the Lakeland Station Mall, will be the speaker for the October 9 lunch meeting. Ms. Daniel will bring a Lakeland Station floor plan and list of tenants.

Update on New Business Licenses. (Franklin)
There were six new businesses reported operating in Lakeland since the July 24, 2008, meeting.

Update on Planning Department. (Higbee)
J Higbee provided a written report of MPC projects. He noted that MPC recommended denial on the Lakeland Commons project which will proceed to the BOC.

Work continues on the new land development regulations with the Advisory Committee. Since there are no submittals for the September MPC meeting, Mr. Higbee is considering bringing some discussion items on the land development regulations to the Planning Commission.

Update on TVA Consumer Connection Community Retail Development Program. (Lawrence)
No report given.

VI. OLD BUSINESS:
None.

VII. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Discussion of New Land Development Regulations. (Lawrence)
General discussion regarding the pros and cons of the proposals laid out in the new regulations.

Discussion on the welfare of the City and its revenue generating capabilities. At capacity, currently designated and reasonably well-developed I-40/Canada Road Interchange and Highway 64 could generate revenue to sustain the City of Lakeland to some point into the future. There is a huge footprint with the Lakeland Station Mall and on Highway 64. Areas of Lakeland may be underserved, but as a whole, Lakeland will be over-served when developments reach capacity.

The discussion continued regarding the place of neighborhood support centers and neighborhood shopping centers in the overall plan.

This item concluded with discussion regarding EDC involvement in recommendations to Boards regarding the viability of new regulations.
Discussion only. No action taken.

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS:

IX. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no other business to discuss, Boyd Ruppelt moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Mark Lawrence.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

The meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m.

These minutes were approved September 25, 2008.


Mark Lawrence, Chairman


ATTEST:

Sontidra Franklin, City Recorder