TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 15, 2004, 6:30 PM.

132 W. BRUCE AVENUE
GILBERT, ARIZONA

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

COMMISSION ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: Economic Development Director Greg Tilque, Town Manager George Pettit, Council Liaison Steve Urie, Councilmember Don Skousen, Senior Planner Mike Milillo, and Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Stupski

OTHERS PRESENT: Doug Whitneybell (Whitneybell Architects Inc), Lori Rossi (Mercy Housing), Richard Andrews (Consultant), Jim Flanagan and Todd Brundrett

ROLL CALL

Roll was called and a quorum was declared. Vice Chairman Fresquez welcomed the newest Commissioner, Jason King, to the Commission and was glad to have him aboard.

1.        Appointment of Chairman and Vice Chairman
Vice Chairman Fresquez continued item to the next meeting.

2.        Minutes - Approve the Regular meeting of December 18, 2003
Commissioner Valentine made the following corrections to the December 18, 2003 minutes:
Page 2, Item #3, 2nd paragraph?typographical error?complied should be compiled.
Page 9, Item #8, 3rd paragraph?should be Commissioner Valentine not Commissioner Thomson mentioned about Water Tower Coalition liaisons and the membership should be revisited.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Thomson, seconded by Commissioner Valentine, to approve the minutes of December 18, 2003 with corrections. Voice vote carried 5 - 0.

COMMUNICATION FROM CITIZENS
Vice Chairman Fresquez opened the floor to the public for any comments or communications on items not on the agenda. Mr. James Flanagan inquired about the project on the NEC of Gilbert and Elliot and how to see the color palette selected for project. Economic Development Director Tilque responded that AZ Hardwood Floors will be on the February agenda.

3.        Page Commons Senior Housing Project
Senior Planner Milillo briefly reviewed the features of the project for the benefit of the new Commissioner.

Senior Planner Milillo highlighted the changes of the project since December 18th:
Site Plan
Added additional parking for a total of 90 spaces
Added covered parking
Town Council approved the transfer of ownership for the 5,200 square foot parcel on the SEC of site. Will meet open space requirements
Landscape Plan
Minor adjustments to the plant palette
Rearranged some of the trees by adding a significant number of shade trees
5,200 square foot parcel to include a Community Garden and some sort of recreational such a bocci ball and horseshoes but tenants will be surveyed to see what they want
Building Elevations
Added a terra cotta blend Founders block for columns and some patio walls
Added window sills and mullions
Changed the color pattern on the walls of the bottom of the buildings to a darker color
Senior Planner Milillo commented that he believes the applicant addressed all the concerns of the Redevelopment Commission and Design Review Board. He also stated Design Review Board, earlier in the evening, recommended approval of the site plan, landscape and elevations with stipulations as noted in the communication.

The Commission was given an opportunity to ask questions. Commissioner Valentine asked if applicant had a sample of the founder block. Senior Planner Milillo showed a photograph of the block.

Vice Chairman Fresquez opened the hearing to the public for comment. No comments received by the public.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Iacobazzi, seconded by Commissioner Thomson, to approve the site plan, landscape plan and building elevations for the Page Commons Senior Housing project proposed in the downtown heritage district (DR03 - 113), subject to the conditions as stated:
1.        Construction of the project shall conform to the exhibits approved by the
Redevelopment Commission at the January 15, 2004 public hearing as modified below.
2.        Prior to the issuance of any permits, the applicant shall submit for Planning Department approval:
a.        Proposed benches, planters, and other pedestrian oriented design elements using the current Heritage District outdoor furniture palette.
b.        A photometric survey, along with lighting cut sheets for all pole and wall mounted light fixtures shall be a style that complements the architecture of the buildings proposed.

Voice vote carried 5 - 0.

4.        Water Tower Coalition Liaison(s)
Economic Development Director Tilque said that this issue was brought up by Commissioner Valentine at last month’s meeting and asked it be placed on the January agenda.

Commissioner Valentine reported the Commission appointed two (2) representatives to the Coalition a while back and he is one of those representatives. He indicated he has not be active with the Coalition for more than one year and felt it should be revisited and possibly appoint a new representative. Vice Chairman Fresquez mentioned she would be willing to attend the Coalition meeting if no other Commissioner would like to do so. Commissioner Iacobazzi asked when the Coalition meets. Mr. Todd Brundrett responded that the Coalition meets once a month, generally on a Tuesday, at 4:00 p.m.

Vice Chairman Fresquez asked for volunteers. Commissioner Iacobazzi would not be able to make a meeting until 6:00 p.m. He also indicated he could attend if the meeting was held at either 7 or 8 a.m.

Commissioner Iacobazzi volunteered to be a second designee.

Notification of the next Coalition meeting to be e - mailed to Vice Chairman Fresquez and Commissioner Iacobazzi by Mr. Brundrett.

5.        Update on Projects in the Heritage District
Economic Development Director Tilque stated the Commission requested this item be placed on the agenda monthly. He said a memo was included in the packet giving updates on the projects in the Heritage District.

Economic Development Director Tilque added one project not included in the memo. He said Hale Theatre wants to expand the north side of the building. The 4400 square foot addition will used for rehearsals and storage of equipment and props. The owner has submitted something for preliminary review and this project will come before the Commission in the very near future.

Economic Development Director Tilque entertained questions on the memo. Vice Chairman Fresquez asked for an update on the status of the Water Tower Coalition. Mr. Todd Brundrett gave the following report:
HDA Architects agreed to do the site plan at no charge for the 3 lots at the water tower site
Currently trying to get some state grants funding
Next planned meeting to talk about fund raising goals and come up with a timeline for doing presentation to the Redevelopment Commission, Design Review Board, Town Council and Parks & Rec.
Stall in moving forward with project was due to
Original plan was to develop one lot but two lots were added to the site.
Coalition waited for the completion of DAT Study
Had to deal with the issue of trash collections and circulation which is coming along nicely
Design is user - friendly and Gilbert can be proud of it
Coalition has raised approximately $20,000 through various raffles and selling bricks.

Commissioner Valentine asked if there was an established timeframe the Coalition was working with Town Council on the project. Town Manager Pettit does not recall. Economic Development Director Tilque said it will be researched.

Vice Chairman Fresquez thought the Water Tower was going to be painted and when will it happen. Town Manager Pettit responded that it should be in a couple of weeks after bids go out.

Commissioner Thomson had a question on the fire station and the length of the lease. Town Manager Pettit responded it is a month - to - month lease.

COMMUNICATIONS
6.        Report from Chairman on current and future events
No Report.

7.        Report from Economic Development Director on current and future events
Economic Development Director Tilque mentioned the joint meeting scheduled with Town Council is January 27th to discuss the SE and NW Corner of Gilbert and Elliot. He indicated direction has been received for the NW Corner and the RFP for the corner to be out shortly but nothing definite has been decided about the SE corner. He inquired whether the joint meeting should be pushed back to a later date. The Commission would like to reschedule the joint meeting to a future date.

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

Vice Chairman Fresquez recessed the meeting and the group reconvened at the open house that was being held in classroom 2 of Page Park Center.

The Commissioners reviewed the information presented at the Heritage Street Lighting and Street Furnishing open house and had questions about the placement height of the light poles, the slope of the sidewalk being replaced and timing of the project. Commissioner Valentine expressed that he felt the presentation was well done and he liked what he saw. Vice Chairman Fresquez concurred with his comments. Comments on the plan from the Commissioners and the public in attendance were also captured on boards at the open house

ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Valentine, seconded by Commissioner Thomson, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

ATTEST:

Mary Ellen Fresquez, Vice Chairman

Elizabeth A. Stupski, Recorder