TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 21, 7:00 PM.

132 W. BRUCE AVENUE
GILBERT, ARIZONA

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

COMMISSION ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: Town Manager George Pettit, Senior Planner Mario Manigamele, Community Development Specialist Carl Harris - Morgan, Council Liaison Steve Urie, Councilman Don Skousen and Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Stupski

OTHERS PRESENT: Virginia Hill, Todd Brundrett, Dennis Call (Ancon), Mesquite High School Students from Ms. Abbot’s class
ROLL CALL
Roll was called and a quorum was declared.

COMMUNICATION FROM CITIZENS
Chairman Fresquez opened the floor to the public for any comments or communications on items not on the agenda. There was communications from citizens

3.        Minutes - Approve the Regular meeting minutes of September 23, 2004
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Valentine, seconded by Vice Chairman King, to approve the minutes of September 23, 2004 as written. Commissioner Iacobazzi indicated he would abstain from the vote. Voice vote carried 4 - 0 - 1.

PUBLIC HEARING
Water Tower Coalition
Mr. Todd Brundrett, Water Tower Coalition Chairman, gave a brief history:
Coalition has been meeting regularly since June 2001.
Presented a preliminary site plan and budget in early 2002 for the one lot.

Design Assistance Team event took place in late 2002. Recommendation was made to add 2 additional parcels just south of the tower, Coalition had to revised the budget and site plan to include the two parcels.
Mr. Brundrett thanked everyone who has been involved with the Coalition in some way.

The Coalition has been working with HDA Architects and Planners on a revised site plan as well as with the Water Feature Division of Ancon for the water features. Preliminary budget estimated to be approximately $560,000. A breakdown of the budget is as follows:

Water Tower Coalition - $120,000
Additional Funds from Town of Gilbert - $160,000
Heritage Fund Grant - $280,000

Mr. Brundrett stated the Coalition is going to Town Council on November 2nd to request the additional funding of $160,000 as well as designate the water tower site and 2 vacant parcels as a Town Park and direct staff to complete a 2005 Heritage Fund Grant application.

Current fundraising efforts by the Coalition have raised $20,000 to date. Mr. Brundrett has met with the State Heritage Fund Grant program staff. The staff person liked the project. He is hopeful the project would be approved for grant funding.

Mr. Dennis Call of Anacon gave an overview of the proposed site plan through the use of a visual aid. Highlights of the major features and supporting features are:

Focal point on water tower with a floating stage and amphitheater of grass plus a fountain with 27 water spouts, a 75′ pendulum & stage weir
28 Foot diameter water table, one mode with 49 bubblers (all the same & approximately 6″ high), and a 90′ x 12″ high weir, another mode with a reflection table and a 90′ x 12″ high weir
Avenue of booths and backdrop of trees

A 6′ diameter spring and a dry stream bed with large salt river boulders under a canopy of trees

Bench walls
Water Tower Lighting
Park Sign & Flag pole
Planters with low maintenance plants
Business Donors’ Plaques, individual & family donors’ bricks
Sign Walls (SRP/APS)

Mr. Call indicated that when the bubblers are turned off, the water tower will reflect in the water. The water features are low maintenance and safe.

Commissioners were given an opportunity to ask questions:
Will the bubblers be randomly timed? Response: Yes, not sure how late they will run, might be longer hours of operation for weekends than weeknights.

Who is responsible for the maintenance of park? Response: Parks & Recreation would be providing the maintenance as long as Town Council designates the area as a Town Park.

Is anything being done to the jail or pump house? Response: Nothing at this time

Did the Coalition receive input from Hale Theater and surrounding area? Response: They were invited to the meetings. Mr. Sam Bromert from Liberty Market has attended meetings.

What does the $560,000 budget buy? Response: It is hoped it would buy everything shown in the site plan. It was stated that $300,000 is for the water feature alone.

Is there an alternate plan if grant is not received? Response: No. Coalition would have to go back to the drawing board.

What safety precautions are being taken at the legs of the water tower? Response: Currently there are metal plates on the legs to prevent people from climbing the tower. This is an area that needs to be addressed in the final site plan.

The Commission made the following comments for consideration by the Coalition:

Northeast corner has an opportunity to attract visitors from Gilbert Road but there doesn’t appear to be any features that would do this.
Likes the northwest softscape but would prefer hardscape
Jail adobe structure ought to be highlighted.
Would like to see some picnic tables provided to make it friendly and attract families
Public Restrooms should be provided.
Have the adobe theme carried throughout the site
Has to be bold in planning.

Chairman Fresquez opened the meeting to the public for comment. There were no comments.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Iacobazzi, seconded by Commissioner Valentine, to recommend that Town Council:
1.        Designate the Water Tower Site and 2 vacant parcels at the southeast corner of Page and Ash as a Town Park
2.        Approve the preliminary construction budget for the water tower site
3.        Approve the conceptual site plan with the understanding that the final site plan come back to Redevelopment Commission
4.        Direct staff to complete a 2005 Heritage Fund Grant Application for the Water Tower Site.

Voice vote carried 5 - 0.

5.        Z01 - 9-Overview and discussion of draft Land Development Code
Senior Planner Mangiamele presented an overview of the Draft Land Development Code. He commented the Commission should take particular note of two primary areas of the draft LDC: 2.4 Heritage Village Center Zoning District and Section 5.109 Redevelopment Commission. Article 2.4 was drafted to promote small - scale, pedestrian?oriented mixed - use development, consistent with the Heritage District Redevelopment Plan and General Plan. Section 5.109 sets forth the creation, membership, terms of office and establishes the powers and duties for the Redevelopment Commission.

Copies of the draft Land Development Code on CD were distributed to the Commissioners. Senior Planner Mangiamele reviewed the public hearing process:

November 17th-First P & Z Special Hearing
December 15th-Second P & Z Special Hearing
January/February-Town Council

From the August 19th presentation, there were three major concerns expressed by the Redevelopment Commission which dealt with the section pertaining to:
Tattoo parlors and piercing studios
Second Story uses
Outdoor Retail Sales & Merchandise Display
Senior Planner Mangiamele commented staff has not had an opportunity to address the concerns brought forth by the Commission.

To date, the Town has completed 5 public open - house meetings with a collective attendance of 20 - 25 individuals, 21 stakeholders meetings with attendance by developers, attorneys, and land owners and 9 Working Session with Planning & Zoning.

Senior Planner Mangiamele briefly explained the driving force behind revising the ULDC. He said it was because of the Growing Smarter legislation and Gilbert adopting a new general plan. The final document will be easier to use, be consistent and predictable.

Chairman Fresquez opened the meeting to the public for comment. There were no comments.

The Commission may contact Senior Planner Mangiamele with any additional concerns or comments either by phone or e - mail.

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
6.        Update on Projects in the Heritage District
Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan stated a memo was included in the packet regarding updates on projects in the Heritage District. He asked if any Commissioners had questions or comments.
Chairman Fresquez had a question about the Stamped Asphalt. She had requested at an earlier meeting for the Town to provide an estimated cost to do an entire intersection with stamped asphalt. Intersections would be Page/Gilbert and Elliot/Gilbert.

Chairman Fresquez had a question about the Street Light project. She wanted to know if the easements are an issue to be concerned about. Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan responded the easements would be temporary for construction and he does not believe it will halt the project. She mentioned businesses are suffering with all the construction.

Commissioner Iacobazzi had a question regarding the Heart Throb Café and whether this is a first time venture. Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan indicated the restaurant operators have had two or three successful ventures in Minnesota. He stated that this is a private business and the Town does not own the property. The only concern the Town has is if it meets the development agreement.

COMMUNICATIONS
7.        Report from Chairman on current and future events Chairman Fresquez encouraged the Commissioners to attend the November 2nd Town Council meeting in support of the Water Tower project.

8.        Report from Economic Development Director on current and future events

In the absence of the Economic Development Director, Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan reported:
The FY 2005/06 Community Development Block Grant HOME Investment Partnership Funding Priorities will be on a future agenda in one or two months.

9.        Report from Commissioners on current and future events.
Council Liaison Urie stated with the move of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, the Commission should start planning the “green blob” as well as the proposed Ash Street and the surrounding area. He also said it may be time to do a walking tour.

ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Valentine, seconded by Commissioner Iacobazzi, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

ATTEST:

Mary Ellen Fresquez, Chairman

Elizabeth A. Stupski, Recorder

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