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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRC-06-12-011 CARMEL REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Meeting, Tuesday, June 12, 2001 President Rick Roesch called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Commission members Edmund Burke, John Koven, Luci Snyder and Ron Carter were present, constituting a quorum. Also present were Mayor Brainard and Les Olds. Sherry Mielke and Phyllis Morrissey present as support staff. Karl Haas arrived at 7:10 p.m. Approval of Minutes Ms. Snyder moved the minutes of the May 9, 2001, meeting be approved. Following a second by Mr. Koven, the motion was approved. Ms. Snyder moved the minutes of the May 24, 2001, public hearing/meeting be approved. Following a second by Mr. Carter, the motion was approved. Report from Mayor Mayor Brainard reported Bill Rust, from Prudential Dixon Hughes, attended the ICSC in Las Vegas in late May. Mr. Rust took information about the City Center area and got six “substantial” leads on developers interested in the retail portion of the project. In response to a question from Ms. Snyder, and after a brief discussion, Mr. Haas said the CRC does not pay commissions because it would be like paying a compensation to a professional for services without having any contract or arrangement. “Any fees must be added into what the developer pays.” Mayor Brainard contacted the president of Café California about moving to Carmel. They have expressed a possible interest in doing so. O. J. Stocker, Sherwin Williams’ developer, told Mayor Brainard their new building is on schedule and they should be ready to move by August 1. Mayor Brainard suggested bids be advertised for demolition of the Kroger complex shortly after it is completely vacated. Mr. Haas: The bids need to be on the basis of having Sherwin Williams either there or not there in the alternative. Mr. Olds: The documents are already prepared that way. As I understand it, we want to get the bids in August and have them good for ninety days. Financial Report Ms. Mielke reported the June 1 balance is projected as $2,106,194. (No interest figures are yet available.) In response to a question from Mr. Roesch, Mr. Haas said Ryland will probably close this month. AMLI downtown should close next month. It could close this month into escrow. 2 Discussion followed about the downtown project. The utilities were discussed. Mr. Koven said he looked at the electrical lines, and there are high voltage lines running over the buildings which must be demolished. It was noted that owner occupied housing is needed in the downtown area. AMLI is building all rentals. Discussion followed at length about both AMLI projects. Report from Attorney Mr. Haas contacted the Goodyear representative suggesting they come back to the CRC with a deal which requires less time commitment on the part of the Commission. If they could do that they were to get back to Mr. Haas by 3 p.m. today. He did not hear from them. “So Goodyear has rejected any compromise on time. We have the option of either deciding to support their variance as it was brought up at the last meeting, or tabling it.” Mr. Haas: Regarding the variance, the CRC could state “we have no objection to the variance continuing for a year. Whatever we do before the BZA either has to be neutral or supportive…or nothing. Discussion followed at length about the potential of City Center retail area and how soon it might occur. Ms. Snyder noted we will more likely get our price once the rooftops are in place from the AMLI and Ryland projects. After discussion, it was decided to table the Goodyear decision until the next meeting after the appraisals are completed. The next item Mr. Haas had was discussion about a resolution to expand the Old Town Redevelopment area. Copies were distributed. “The thrust of the resolution is that the Redevelopment Commission has projects in Old Town at one end of Range Line and the City Center at the other end of Range Line and you’re looking at facilitating redevelopment of any blighted areas between to connect them up as a continuous redevelopment project in Carmel. You’re going to do that incrementally starting with Old Town and this is the first step. You’re going to expand the Old Town project area to include [what was shown on the map] and have a plan developed and adopt a plan for redevelopment. Then take action as is necessary to facilitate redevelopment in that area, including identifying blighted properties within that area.” Ms. Snyder asked about the used car lots on Range Line Road. Mayor Brainard confirmed that is allowed under current zoning. The Range Line Road Task Force is recommending no more be permitted. They will be coming to the Plan Commission and Council with changes to the zoning ordinance. Mayor Brainard went on to explain the two task forces working on the area: the Old Town TF and the Range Line Road TF. The RLRTF deals with Range Line Road from 3 114th Street to the split near 144th Street, excluding the Old Town area. There is a special task force looking at zoning issues just for Old Town. Mayor Brainard continued: Over and above zoning, the CRC has certain powers that go far beyond zoning: the power of eminent domain, the power to redevelop or partnership with people. So even though we need the zoning changes, we probably also need this. Mr. Haas: But the CRC can only engage these projects within its designated boundaries. Mr. Burke asked what the downside of expanding the CRC area was. Mr. Haas: There would be some minor expenses for CSO to prepare a plan. Discussion continued. Mr. Koven: I agree with everybody else that these used car lots are not very eye appealing, but we have the ugliest one on the street in front of the Kroger Center. I can’t believe the City with all the property we own can’t put our own unleased cars in an area where they can’t be seen. I have a real problem with government that says, “Do as I say, not as I do.” Mayor Brainard will follow up on this. Mr. Burke moved Resolution 8-2001 be approved, expanding the Old Town redevelopment area. Following a second by Ms. Snyder, the motion was unanimously approved. The resolution was signed. Ms. Snyder moved the CRC approved $1,000 for Mr. Olds to complete the plan. Following a second by Mr. Carter, the motion was unanimously approved. Report from Architect Mr. Olds reported Parcel #3 has been turned over to Mr. Kestner’s contractor. Carmel Rotary Plaza is moving along. It was originally thought that it would be complete by first of July but it is moving a little slower than that. One issue is the plaza in front of the bike shop, which extends over to the Monon Trail. We are coming across and touching the Monon at that point. To do so we have encroached on the Monon right of way. We will be asking for an encroachment agreement [from the City]. Mayor Brainard said this should be taken to the Board of Public Works and Safety. Mr. Olds: We are modifying the existing curb cut which is in place on Third Street which serves the Kestner property as well as the adjoining Covert property. It’s a joint curb cut. We have passed that by Covert in terms of what we’re doing. The document has been 4 given to Mr. Kestner. It is part of the cross easement agreement between Covert and Kestner for that curb cut. It will be given as an exhibit. [Legal description not needed per Mr. Haas.] Mr. Olds continued: Regarding the dirt on Parcel #2: There is plenty of dirt to finish the job. Mr. Carter asked about the plaques for the Rotary Plaza wall. Mr. Olds: The only thing we haven’t got a firm price on are for the plaques: one that goes on the wall and two that go on the raised pylons, which are bronze plaques, 32 x 32. The one on the wall hasn’t been sized yet. One of the Rotary members will take the drawings (when completed) to Flanner Buchanan who has an interest in a company which makes plaques. Everything is taken care of that the contractor needs to finish the site. The plaques are the very last things that are installed. Mr. Carter asked about the sewer opening by the plaza. Mayor Brainard said it will be lowered as much as possible. Mr. Carter asked Mr. Olds to have his people look at it to see how it can best be camouflaged. Mr. Carter asked if there would be any security cameras overseeing the plaza area. Mayor Brainard said he would ask Mr. Kinder [Communications Department] if they have the capacity to do that. He noted it may already be covered by the camera at the tunnel. No Reports from CRC Members Approval of Invoices Ms. Mielke will establish a procedure for reimbursement of the invoices from consultants for both TIF projects. Copies of all these invoices will be sent to CRC members so the expenses will be known. Mr. Koven asked about the wetlands mitigation costs. Mayor Brainard noted the invoice had to be paid because we had an agreement and the Supreme Court decision came too late to set aside the contract with J. F. New. Ms. Snyder moved the invoices as presented be approved. Following a second by Mr. Carter, the motion was unanimously approved. Old Business The underground power line problems at both City Center and Old Town were discussed. Mayor Brainard spoke with Julie Griffith from Cinergy/PSI. (Steve Powell, City Lobbyist reports to her.) She will meet with CRC representatives and the Mayor at any time. Ms. Snyder volunteered to be on the task force. Mr. Koven will be out of town until July 21 so is unavailable until after his return. 5 New Business Mr. Carter asked if we had seen the design details yet for the Ryland townhomes. He was displeased about the number of coins used on the Ryland buildings at Firehouse Square in Indianapolis and said he hoped they weren’t going to have that same thing on the townhomes at City Center. Mr. Olds: When they were here we had a discussion. They could have brick on three sides, but wood or vinyl siding on the side facing away from the street. Mayor Brainard noted we will be approving the final design according to the project agreement. Mr. Roesch asked Mr. Olds to check into the design question. Ms. Morrissey will check in DOCS to see if any design info has been received. If so, she will send copies to Commission members. Discussion followed about the demolition of Kroger Center and building on the Old Town site. Mr. Koven noted it will probably be necessary to close the Monon Trail while the building next to it is being demolished. Mr. Carter disagreed. Brief discussion followed. Mr. Carter: Do we want to continue to let the Old Town site be used for derelict vehicles? Ms. Mielke said she had talked to the owners and asked them to remove them. Mr. Koven suggested the two demolitions be done at the same time. Mayor Brainard said this will be put in the bids as alternatives. Mr. Carter moved the meeting be adjourned. Following a second by Mr. Koven, the motion was approved and the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.