ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2008

CITY OF LAKELAND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2008, 6:30 PM
CITY HALL, LAKELAND, TENNESSEE 38002

I. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:34 p.m., Thursday, September 25, 2008, by Mark Lawrence, Chairman.

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

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, August 28, 2008, 6:30 p.m.
Motion made by John Dudas to approve the EDC Regular Meeting Minutes dated August 28, 2008, as amended. Motion seconded by Mark Hartz.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

IV. PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
None.

V. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:
Update on Lakeland’s Chamber of Commerce. (Lawrence)
Rene Daniel, Leasing Manager for the Lakeland Station Mall, is the confirmed speaker for the October 9, 2008, Lakeland Chamber luncheon meeting at Stonebridge Clubhouse.

Nominations for Chamber officers will be open at the October meeting. The election will be held at the November meeting.

The September Chamber meeting was held at Lakeland Chiropractic. It was well attended (40 -50 people).

Update on New Business Licenses. (Franklin)
There were five (5) new businesses reported operating in Lakeland since the August 28, 2008, meeting. Chairman Lawrence will forward contact information to the Lakeland Chamber.

Update on Planning Department. (Higbee)
Discussion on new land development regulations deferred to Old Business.

J Higbee reported City permit levels are operating at less than one-half or one-third of last year’s rates.

There were no submittals for the August MPC Agenda.

Five projects were submitted in September:
● Meadows of Lakeland Secondary Detailed Development Plan
● Waters Edge Preliminary Subdivision Plat
● Harding Academy Planned Development
● Lakeland Commons Planned Development revision
● Arcadia Planned Residential Development revision

The next MPC meeting is Monday, October 20, 2008.

One project that was approved for 60 lots in phase 1 has been reduced to 30 lots.

Update on TVA Consumer Connection Community Retail Development Program. (Lawrence)
No further updates.

VI. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Discussion and possible action on new land development regulations. (Lawrence)
Following discussion, Connie Hess moved to put forth a Resolution from the Economic Development Commission as written. Motion seconded by Joshua Roman.

John Dudas moved to amend the second to last paragraph of the Resolution to read:

"The question of viability of specific types of standalone or mixed use convenience, neighborhood, and community shopping centers remains a concern which needs further research. The EDC requests that the Municipal Planning Commission instruct Farr & Associates to provide further evidence of the viability of proposed retail commercial development types such as corner stores, Type III and IV neighborhood centers, and Type V shopping centers be required before adoption of the new regulations could be considered.”

Motion to amend seconded by Shirlee Clark.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

Motion by Shirlee Clark to strike the last paragraph from the Resolution. Motion seconded by Mark Lawrence. Connie Hess called for a vote on motion to strike the last paragraph from the Resolution.
Motion carried, roll call vote. 6-1-0 Shirlee Clark Yea
John Dudas Yea
Mark Hartz Yea
Connie Hess Nay
Mark Lawrence Yea
Joshua Roman Yea
Pamela Womack Yea

Main motion carried as amended, roll call vote. 7-0-0
Shirlee Clark Yea
John Dudas Yea
Mark Hartz Yea
Connie Hess Yea
Mark Lawrence Yea
Joshua Roman Yea
Pamela Womack Yea

VII. NEW BUSINESS:
None.

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Lakeland WiFi is up and running! Wireless internet service is available at City Hall and City Hall Park. Video surveillance is operating at City Hall Park.

City of Lakeland Phone Directory will be out in two-three weeks.

Friday, October 3, 5:30 PM, Lakeland Family Night - bicycle derby and movie.

Tuesday, December 2, 6:30 PM, Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at Club Windward.

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

The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.

These minutes were approved October 23, 2008.

Mark Lawrence, Chairman

ATTEST:

Sontidra Franklin, City Recorder