TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 17, 2003, 6:30 PM.

10 S. GILBERT ROAD
GILBERT, ARIZONA

COMMISSION PRESENT: Vice Chairman Fresquez, Commissioner Thomson, Commissioner Valentine and Commissioner Iacobazzi

COMMISSION ABSENT: Chairman Haug

STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Specialist Carl
Harris - Morgan, Economic Development Director Greg Tilque, Town Manager George Pettit, Deputy Town Manager Tami Ryall, Council Liaison Steve Urie, Councilman Don Skousen and Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Stupski

OTHERS PRESENT: Sam Bromert (Liberty Market), Todd Brundrett (Norwood Furniture), Nora Stout, Kevin Hoiste and Kelly Mixer (Gilbert Independent)
ROLL CALL

Roll was called and a quorum was declared.

1.        Minutes - Approve the Regular meeting of March 27, 2003
Minutes - Approve the Special meeting of March 6, 2003
Commission Thomson made a correction to page 4 of the March 27, 2003 minutes to read Mr. David Dietlein would like to see a resolution of the projects by the end of the 30 days

A MOTION was made by Commission Thomson, seconded by Commissioner Iacobazzi, to approve the minutes of the March 27, 2003 regular meeting with correction. Voice vote carried 3 - 0.

Commissioner Valentine joined the meeting.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Iacobazzi, seconded by Commission Thomson, to approve the minutes of the March 6, 2003 special meeting as written. Voice vote carried 3 - 0 - 1. Commissioner Valentine abstained from the vote since he was not in attendance March 6th.

COMMUNICATION FROM CITIZENS
Vice Chairman Fresquez opened the floor to the public for any comments or communications on items not on the agenda. Mr. Sam Bromert, owner of Liberty Market, mentioned the sidewalks along Gilbert Road in the downtown area could stand improvement especially with the elevation.

2.        Park - n - Ride Lot
Deputy Town Manager Ryall gave an update by showing a model as well as sketches of the planned park - n - ride lot. The architect came up with a train depot concept as a result of the design charrette and feedback given. A plant palette has not been determined but indicated it would have colorful flowering.

The Commission was given an opportunity to make comments and ask questions.

Issues of concerns:
Dimension of the walkway area being adequate
Enough shelters provided for the volume of cars
Lighting from Gilbert Road to the walkway at the pedestrian crossing

Deputy Town Manager Ryall recapped the unique design of the shelters. Each section could be broken down to individual shelters and replicated as a stand alone shelter in other areas in the Heritage District.

Other changes occurred from original design:
Pedestrian focal point more visible from Gilbert Road
Addition of canopies to provide shading

Questions asked:
Capacity of available parking spaces?Response: 240 spaces as compared to current lot of 30 spaces
How many will utilize the benches. Response: Did not know.

Commissioner Valentine commented he did not see anything that could not be incorporated with the open space and the concept is a unique and workable solution. Vice Chairman Fresquez liked the planned concept for the park - n - ride lot.

Another question was asked pertaining to shading on the north end of the site and street alignment.

Deputy Town Manager Ryall asked for any ideas about particulars on the plant palette to let her know. Vice Chairman Fresquez made a comment on the charrette and many comments were received. She was impressed how quickly the architect came back with changes to the design.

3.        Open Space and Other Land Uses
Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan mentioned after the completion of the DAT event, staff looked at some of the recommendations made. Staff requested the team to look at some of the issues and give some clarification:
Open space
Parking
Land uses in the area north of the railroad tracks and west of Gilbert Road

Commissioner Valentine explained the thought process behind the two concepts. Concept A is the direct result of the DAT Report with more articulation and Concept B is the result of a request by staff to consider a diagonal village green. Commissioner Valentine spoke on the features in each concept.
Concept A
Western Canal as a water feature
Village green the link to the northern section of the district
Commercial Development (gold color) with residential upper level and retail lower
Urban environment does not accommodate all of the developments’ parking needs, only some customers and handicap spaces. Encourages the use of park - n - ride lot
Village green with parking on both sides (east and west) in the upper portion
Use of a grasscrete on Vaughan and Page where it continues with the greenscape effect south of the upper portion to the lot north of the Hale Centre Theatre
Use of trees along Ash Street to incorporate the theatre and the Water Tower Park.
Achieve 1/3 of developments parking requirement in the three developments
Mix - Use to the west of the Theatre?commercial, high density multi - family residential and parking structure and surface lot to the west for overflow.

Concept B
Massive structures for Commercial development by the Western Canal. Parking accommodates 1/3 of the developments needs.
Commercial development north of the theatre with some frontage on Gilbert Road.
Village Green is larger making it more of the Town Square?includes water features at each end and Water Tower to the east.
Opportunity for smaller developments with a Railroad Theme. This may work well with the park - n - ride lot. Could lead to the possibility of a small museum with railroad theme. Keep with the structures on Vaughan.

Economic Development Director Tilque commented he liked the way the green space looks in Concept A but foresees a problem with garbage pickup, parking and deliveries made to the buildings.

Council Liaison Urie made a suggestion to make one of the roads by the commercial development one way and closed off at night making it a pedestrian walkway. He likes the residential area in concept A but suggested the buildings be rotated to make a mini park in the center. He likes how the buildings come out being close and squared off to the street.

Vice Chairman Fresquez agreed with Council Liaison Urie comments. She likes the concept of a long park because it would serve as a pedestrian walkway and would like to see more greenways incorporated in Concept A.

Mr. Sam Bromert, owner of Liberty Market, stated an equestrian trail as well as a bicycle trail is along the canal and wondered whether it would pose as a problem with the green space. Mr. Todd Brundrett of Norwood Furniture made a comment about the height of the new Hale Theatre and obstructing the visual flow of the area especially the Water Tower Park.

Commissioner Valentine forecasted two separate usages?north of the theatre and south of the theatre. The south portion would generate foot traffic starting on Page Avenue. He stated the Hale Theatre really exposes people to the area.

Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan commented on the multiple pieces of open space with Concept A but asked if it was possible to have another look at the current planned parking. Council Liaison Urie suggested hiding the parking in the center.

Commissioner Thomson liked the elements of both concepts. Economic Development Director Tilque inquired if the Commission prefers the linear open space of Concept A or the diagonal open space of Concept B. The Commissions favored the linear open space of Concept A. Economic Development Director Tilque indicated the other elements would be more refined in the future.

Commissioner Valentine added there is a possibility of getting an architectural drafting student from the Community College or a summer intern from ASU to put the essentials of the Heritage District into CADD (Computerized Architectural Design Database).   The program would enable the group to do more “what ifs”. He is unsure of the cost but is looking at the possibility.

Vice Chairman Fresquez thanked everyone especially Commissioner Valentine for all the helpful comments.
4.        Annual Action Plan 2003/04 for HUD
Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan stated the Annual Action Plan is a document the U.S. Deaprtment of Housing and Urban Development requires be submitted by the Town for the participation in the federal Community Block Grant and HOME programs.

Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan reviewed the draft contents:
- Begins with an Executive Summary listing the specific activities to be funded for 2003/04.
- Pages 1 - 4 summarize the activities in more depth.
- Other requirements include
- Geographic Distribution
- Other Resources
- Fair Housing
- Affordability
- Lead - Based Paint
- Page 13 begins the section on Needs Analysis?Research data has not been updated to reflect the 2000 census data.
- Covers employment, existing housing, and public housing and other activities that are required to be included in the plan.

The Annual Action Plan FY 2003/04 must be submitted to HUD by May 12, 2003. Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan asked for any comments or questions.

Vice Chairman Fresquez inquired where the list of organizations came from on page 12. Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan responded the list has been accumulated over the years. He continued by saying when the process for CDBG/HOME funds begins, a mailing is done. The list includes not only funding recipients but also organizations who made an inquiry. Notices are sent every two years to inquire whether the organization wishes to remain on contact list.

Vice Chairman Fresquez opened the floor to the public for comment. No comments were made by the public. Commissioner Valentine enjoyed reading the report and that it was interesting. He appreciates all the work that went into preparing the document.

COMMUNICATIONS
3.        Report from Chairman on current and future events
No report.

4.        Report from Community Development Specialist on current and future events
Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan stated the following:
- A public meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 21st, 6:30 p.m. at the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce to discuss Gilbert Road/Sidewalk Improvement project and the goal is to come up with ideas to make Gilbert Road more pedestrian - friendly. Norwood Furniture and Joe’s BBQ letters to be available at meeting. Approximately 90 postcards were mailed to Downtown Merchants, Redevelopment Commission and those who attended the February 12th and March 27th meetings.

Report from Commissioners on current and future events.
No report.

ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Valentine, seconded by Commission Thomson, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

ATTEST:

Mary Ellen Fresquez, Vice - Chairman

Elizabeth A. Stupski, Recorder