TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

RETREAT OF JUNE 25, 2005, 8:00 AM.

50 E. CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
GILBERT, ARIZONA

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

COMMISSION ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: Economic Development Director Greg Tilque, Town Manager George Pettit, and Council Liaison Steve Urie

OTHERS PRESENT: Lance Decker (Facilitator)

Chairman King called to retreat to order at 8:00 a.m. He thanked the Commissioners for their attendance.

Mr. Lance Decker, facilitator for the retreat, discussed the conversations he had with each of the Commissioners. Facilitator Decker apologized to Commissioner Valentine for not connecting with him prior to the meeting.

Facilitator Decker reviewed the administrivia and the retreat objectives. A Power Point Presentation (copy attached) was used to keep the discussion focused and to utilize the time effectively. The Commission agreed with the objectives outlined. He also reviewed the outcomes from the pre - planning research interviews.

INTRODUCTIONS

Facilitator Decker reviewed themes he heard during the Commission interviews. The Commission expressed their dismay about the process that allowed the change in color on the roof of the Boys & Girls Club.

Topics needing discussion:
o        Old Boys & Girls Club and status of the RFP was questioned and discussed in detail. A suggestion was made by Commissioner Fresquez to invite developers to discuss options for site with no restraints (solicit proposals)
o        Town owns five to six properties on Hearne with two to three more to acquire according to Town Manager Pettit.
o        Commissioner Fresquez stated that the Town has never sponsored an event or festival in the downtown area
o        Vice Chair Taylor commented that consultants should come in and perform a business use analysis.
o        Commissioner Fresquez stated that it depends on information that we received in the past (DAT) and information staff can gather.
o        Would like to see Redevelopment Plan updated by the end of the year. Commissioner Iacobazzi recommended that multiple meetings be schedule to update the plan.

The following notes summarize the day’s discussion:

Q - What is the heritage district theme?
A - Intergenerational family focus
Railroads
Respect of agriculture heritage
Agricultural icons

Q - What do we want to known as ?

Public Facilities
Public restrooms where?
Parking
Parking garage consideration
What town/merchant functions need plaza/park space?
How much parking do we need?
Financing and Resources
Will the town spend money to develop downtown?
Above land acquisition.
Traffic and circulation
Traffic circulation
What do we do with the heavy traffic on Gilbert road?
Where should Ash Street go?
Gilbert Road front entry or rear entry?
What about the Cullumber intersection?
Vibrant experiential businesses
Time line and commit to it
What mix of use is optimum for a successful downtown?
Non - Specific
Restaurant/brewery
Yes or no???

Q - What uses do we want? Mix of uses?

Proposed direction
Do we need to meet more than one time per month?
Two/three stories? Uses on each level? Retail, office, housing,

Q - What questions that still need answers?
? What is the definition of a successful down town?
? What actions, now, will bring the desired results later?
? Mixed use??? Residential??? Density???
? What does George want down town to look like?
? Does the TOG want to sponsor festivals in down town?
? What are the trade offs (vis - à - vis, %open space %use %parking)?
? What is the future of Vaughn Ave Basin?
? SE Corner, Elliot/Gilbert - Profit/non - profit?
? “Block” face lift? Northwood influence?
? Downtown theme, marketing, branding?
? What is the use of the open space?
? How many people do we need downtown?
? How much open space do we want?
? Do we want to keep the Historic Neighborhoods?
? What kind of open space?
? What is the ideal use of the eight acres? Se 0,0
? Eight acres private vs. public? Cost to Cooley’s for private.

An Action Plan was drafted as follows:

What might be done?        Who will do it?        When will it be done?
Establish the end future state - - work back to present (the vision thing)

Confirm listing of constraints facing the Heritage District        Jason King
Greg Tilque
Steve Urie        07/21/05
Confirm with merchants via meeting/discussion the constraints and concerns in the Heritage District
Ted Taylor
Greg Tilque        07/21/05
Determine if festivals are desirable for Heritage District Plan
Mary Ellen
07/21/05
Identify incompatibilities and inconsistencies between Heritage District Redevelopment Plan and General Plan, Land Development Code, DAT, and Pedestrian Design Guidelines
Greg Tilque        08/18/05
Update on traffic calming options on Gilbert Road including speed sign, timing at Gilbert & Page, on street parallel parking, additional signals.
08/18/05
Parking requirements given types of uses based upon ultimate build out of uses discussed in the Plan (focused on W of Gilbert, north of tracks)        Greg Tilque,
Gene Valentine,
Planning staff
08/18/05
Open space purpose:
Major public festival space?
Linear connections with trail system?
Agricultural row theme?
Pocket parks?
Functionality?
b        Relationship to Parking
o Type of parking (surface, structure)
o Location (parking nodes)
b        Access to business (limiting or inviting)
b        Traffic circulation
Burying Western Canal?
George Pettit
Consultant        09/15/05
Business use perspective of essential uses for successful downtown
Ted Taylor        08/18/05
Report back on status of property N of Juniper
Pettit        07/21/05
Need to update Redevelopment Website content        Greg Tilque
John Zupon
Develop success measures        Greg Tilque
Ted Taylor         08/18/05
Plan on meetings for twice per month in September and October

Staff to identify costs from Cooley family for release of deed restriction at Gilbert and Elliot        Pettit        07/19/05

The Commission was given an opportunity to evaluate the overall retreat through the plus/delta format.

PLUS (+)        DELTA (Δ)
+        All Commissioners present and concerned over future of Heritage District
Δ        Bacon and eggs for breakfast
+        Lance liked his sandwich
Δ        More questions need to be asked and answered
+        Staff and Council support of Commission
Δ        Need more facilitated retreats at least annually for Commission
+        Diversity of Commission

The retreat adjourned at 3:09 p.m.

ATTEST:

Jason King, Chairman

Gregory M. Tilque, Recorder