TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

WORK SESSION OF AUGUST 18, 2005, 6:00 P.M. AND
REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 18, 2005, 6:30 PM.

132 W. BRUCE AVENUE
GILBERT, ARIZONA

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

COMMISSION ABSENT: None

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

OTHERS PRESENT:        Lance Decker, Kelly Mixer (Gilbert Independent), Todd Brundrett, Tony Bianchi, Marc Barlow (Marc Barlow & Associates), and Eric Barlow (Embiviz Studio)

WORK SESSION
Chairman King opened the work session at 6:05 p.m. The purpose of the work session was to create and compose a Vision Statement narrative. Mr. Lance Decker, who facilitated the June 25th Retreat, led the group in composing a vision statement based upon the thoughts the Commissioners provided. Mr. Decker took each response submitted and extracted key elements. During the discussion, Mr. Decker asked for clarification on some of the elements:
?        Need an identify
?        Attractive & distinctive
?        Agricultural History & Culture (Water Tower)
?        Diversity of Continuous Experiences
?        Improve quality of life
?        Family orientation
?        Vibrant yet peaceful gathering place
?        A unique convenient and safe experience
?        Catalyst to stimulate the right kind of growth
?        Significant input from both resident & Business
?        Retail/Office destination
?        Pedestrian Friendly
?        Cheerleader in promoting the downtown.

The Commission determined some of the elements were for a mission statement and should not be included in the vision statement.

Based upon the key elements, Mr. Decker presented a draft vision statement in paragraph form as a beginning point.

The Commission suggested:
?        The style should be in bullets points versus paragraph form
?        Incorporate the railroad theme in addition to the agricultural theme.
?        Begin document with We Will Be:

The Commission brainstormed and generated a Draft Vision Statement which looked like this:                WE WILL BE
?        A downtown that reflects both the agricultural history and the railroad heritage
?        A diverse mixed use destination
?        Healthy mix of uses
?        Day and evening activities for families
?        The place to be? and a place families want to go to
?        The Town?s gathering place
?        Unique

Due to the time, the Commission requested another work session be scheduled to continue their work on the vision statement. Mr. Lance Decker will send draft to Economic Development Director Tilque who will get it to the Commission for their review.

Chairman King adjourned the work session at 6:45 p.m.

ROLL CALL
Roll was called and a quorum was declared.

COMMUNICATION FROM CITIZENS
Chairman King opened the floor to the public for any comments or communications on items not on the agenda. There were no communications from citizens.

4.        Minutes-Approve the Regular meeting minutes of July 21, 2005 and the Redevelopment Commission Retreat of June 25, 2005
Vice Chairman Taylor made a correction to the minutes on page 3, under the Pedestrian Design Guidelines, 3rd sentence to ?She indicated that several Commissioners participated in the stakeholders meetings and a portion of the suggestions and comments were captured.?

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Iacobazzi, seconded by Commissioner Fresquez, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 19, 2005 with the noted correction. Voice vote carried 4-0.

A MOTION was made by Vice Chairman Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Fresquez, to approve the Redevelopment Commission Retreat minutes of June 25, 2005 as written. Voice vote carried 4-0.

PUBLIC HEARING
5.        DR05-47?Revised Building Elevations and Minor Site Plan changes for an office building at 343 N. Gilbert Road.
Chairman King opened the public hearing on DR05-47 Revised building elevations and minor site plan changes for an office building at 343 N. Gilbert Road, located within the Heritage District at the southeast corner of Hearne Way and Gilbert Road.

Planner I Veljic gave a presentation of the revised building elevations and minor site plan changes for an existing building located at 343 N. Gilbert Road. Planner I Veljic mentioned the applicant, Marc Barlow, is present to answer any questions the Commission may have.

Highlights of the project:
?        No impact on building placement, refuse pick-up, grading and drainage, or screening.
?        Planter boxes added that will bring some landscaping and interest to the front of building as well as buffer for vehicles.
?        Parking lot to be repaved
?        Site of the former Heritage Animal Hospital
?        Proposed remodel of the building fulfills the intent of the Design Guidelines for Redevelopment Projects and new projects the following way:
o        Installation of planter boxes with seat bench enhances pedestrian scale
o        Building will maintain its historic proportions and scale
o        New architectural treatments and materials compliment other projects in the area (palette was shown to the Commission)
o        Existing monument sign will be the only sign with no additional signs on building.
o        Pattern of windows and doors will remain and not change
o        New masonry along the corners and entry way.
o        Building elevation to change with the added height to screen the existing roof mounted units (air conditioner).
?        Addition of goose neck lights that will compliment the Heritage District and enhance the building?s architectural theme

The only concern of the Commission was with the sign and the white background. Some felt it might be too bright and the Commission?s intent is to help it conform to the downtown area. The applicant, Mr. Barlow, indicated he would be willing to match some of the colors of the building for the sign.

Chairman King opened the floor to the public for any comments. None received.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Fresquez, seconded by Commissioner Iacobazzi, to approve DR05-47, the revised building elevations and minor site plan changes with a recommendation that the illuminated sign colors be more integrated with the design of the building for an office building at 343 N. Gilbert Road, located within the Heritage District at the southeast corner of Hearne Way and Gilbert Road, subject to the following conditions:
1.        Construction of the project shall conform with exhibits approved by the Redevelopment Commission at the August 18, 2005 public hearing.
2.        The monument sign panel, should it be internally illuminated, shall be constructed with a routed aluminum panel and finish to match the building?s main body color.
3.        At the time of construction document submittal, the site plan shall include Town of Gilbert standard commercial and industrial site plan notes adopted by the Gilbert Design Review Board March 11, 2004.

Voice vote carried 4-0.

The applicant asked about the next step in the process for the sign and whether it must come back to the Commission for approval. The Commission felt comfortable to allow Planning staff to approve the new sign color providing it matches the color palette for the building.

6.        June 25th Retreat Action Plan Follow-Up
Economic Development Director Tilque provided an updated Action Plan in the packet. He indicated a number of items required more time and research so they were moved to a future agenda.

6a. Essential uses for a successful downtown
Vice Chairman Taylor gave a report and summary on the essential uses for a successful downtown which was assigned to him at the June 25th Commission Retreat.

Vice Chairman Taylor gave a definition of ?walkable urbanity? which is a key for a successful downtown. He said walkable urbanity refers to a distance at which people will find a walk interesting, interactive and safe continuously filled with the sights and sounds of downtown. The Commission needs to keep this in mind when planning for the future as many challenges face the downtown, in particular, the railroad tracks separating downtown.

(Commission Valentine joined the meeting)

The report included the twelve key steps for revitalizing downtowns according to Christopher Leinberger:
1.        Enunciate the vision
2.        Draw Up a plan
3.        Force a private-public partnership
4.        Clear out the legal and bureaucratic obstacles
5.        Set up business improvement districts to raise money
6.        Create a catalytic development company
7.        Earmark an urban entertainment district
8.        Develop a rental housing market
9.        Include people of modest means in the revival
10.        Focus on the for-sale housing market
11.        Development retail services for the new residents
12.        Re-create a strong office market

Vice Chairman Taylor gave his perspective and opinion as to Gilbert?s status or role for each step. He mentioned the website where the Brookings Institute Research findings can be found in its entirety (www.brookings.edu/dybdocroot/metro/pubs/20050307_12steps.pdf)

A copy of complete report attached.

Chairman King opened the floor to the public for any comments. None received.

6b. Business Concerns in Heritage District
Another assignment given to Vice Chairman Taylor from the June 25th Retreat was to visit with merchants in the Heritage District to discuss their beliefs and concerns regarding the redevelopment of the district. He indicated he visited 34 businesses with a response rate of 41%. He assured the businesses all responses to the questions would be kept anonymous.

Vice Chairman Taylor asked the same three questions to each business and highlighted some of the responses received. These responses are ranked by the highest number at the top.
1.        What do you like about downtown Gilbert?
?        The small town feel
?        The proximity
?        It?s getting attention/Visibility
?        Good shops and restaurants
?        Joe?s
?        The atmosphere
2.        What do you dislike about downtown Gilbert?
?        Speed of traffic
?        It looks old/poor fronts
?        Parking
?        Poor neighborhood behind Heritage Square
?        Police scaring away bar business, nicknamed ?Gilbert Gustapo?
3.        What would be your primary concern regarding downtown redevelopment?
?        Business draws are moving customers out of downtown
?        Keeping the character of Gilbert
?        Parking for businesses
?        Restricting Gilbert Road would kill business
?        That the town may use eminent domain to secure property
?        Too much traffic

A copy of complete report attached.

Chairman King opened the floor to the public for any comments. None received.

Commissioner Fresquez thanked Vice Chairman Taylor for the incredible job he did on the reports.

6c. Development of success measures
Vice Chairman Taylor reviewed the information he put together on potential metrics that could be used to measure success in the redevelopment of the Heritage District. He began by giving a definition of metrics as a systemic measurement of some organizational activity which, when accomplished, predicatively moves the organization toward a higher goal.

His report identified twelve key goals and related metrics for potential use in the revitalization of downtown Gilbert. Three key goals along with potential metrics highlighted were:
?        Funding and implementing the Business Improvement District (or similar entity)
1.        Dollar donated / downtown business
2.        Grant money percentage of funding
3.        Crimes/capita in Heritage District
4.        Marketing dollars spent/tax dollar revenue vs. competing communities
5.        Number of festivals and events/year vs. other Valley communities
?        Creating Catalytic Development
1.        Number of catalytic projects vs. total projects (expressed in %)
2.        Square footage of catalytic development vs. total redevelopment project square footage
3.        Private dollars vs. public dollars spent on catalytic development
?        Retain and attract local serving retail to downtown
1.        Square footage of local servicing retail vs. total downtown retail
2.        Marketing dollars spent on support local serving retail
3.        Parking spots/local serving retail square footage
4.        Local servicing retail owner satisfaction survey

A copy of complete report attached.

Chairman King opened the floor to the public for any comments. None received.

Chairman King thanked Vice Chairman Taylor for all his hard work, time and amount of research he did for each of the reports.

6d. Identify incompatibilities and inconsistencies between Heritage District Redevelopment Plan, General Plan, Land Development Code, DAT and the Pedestrian Design Guidelines
Economic Development Director Tilque distributed several handouts:
1.        Inconsistencies and/or differences between documents (i.e., Building Heights, Setbacks, zoning, streetscape, maps)
2.        Updates to the Redevelopment Plan by the Commission and Updates to the Redevelopment Plan by staff
3.        Vision Statement from Land Development Code and from Redevelopment Plan and Excerpts of State Statutes of required components. Both vision statements will to be sent to Mr. Lance Decker.

Economic Development Director Tilque mentioned updating the Redevelopment Plan will be a big task at hand and a lengthy process. He said it will require additional assistance of Planning Staff.

Chairman King opened the floor to the public for any comments. None received.

Chairman King closed the public hearing portion of the agenda.

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
7.        RFP Review Committee
Economic Development Director Tilque indicated that responses to the RFP for the NWC of Gilbert Road & Vaughn Avenue are due August 24th. He asked for one or two members of the Commission to serve on the committee to review the submittals. Economic Development Director Tilque mentioned that he hoped that Council Liaison Urie will serve as a member as well as a member from Planning.

Commissioner Iacobazzi volunteered to serve on the committee. Chairman King would also like to volunteer for the committee but noted his time is limited to evenings. Vice Chairman Taylor volunteered as an alternate.

8.        Update on Projects in the Heritage District
Economic Development Director Tilque highlighted the following:
?        Hale Centre Theatre?Plans submitted for the expansion have been put on hold.
?        Old Boys & Girls Club RFP?Staff received Council authorization to advertise and distribute the revised RFP. Submittal deadline is October 14, 2005. Economic Development Director Tilque is receiving quite a few calls.
?        Property Acquisition?Request was approved by Council to fund the acquisition, replacement housing differential, relocation, demolition and site clearance of the property located at 32 East Vaughn Avenue.
?        Meeting Location?Beginning September 15th, the Redevelopment Commission will move their monthly meetings to the Heritage Annex Building, 119 North Gilbert Road. Access to the meeting room through back doorway entry.
?        Oregano?s Pizza Bistro?Sign package has not been submitted. But review for building permits should be complete in about a month.

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

10.        Report from Economic Development Director on current and future events
Economic Development Director Tilque announced on September 10th ? 13th, Chairman King and Vice Chairman Taylor will travel with him and attend the International Downtown Association 51st Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado.

11.        Report from Commissioners on current and future events.
Commissioner Fresquez had a concern about the maintenance of the Elm Street Parking Lot as well as the garbage dumping that is happening near Cullumber. She did not request it be on a future agenda but would like the Town to address the problem. Economic Development Director Tilque asked Commissioner Fresquez to contact him.

Vice Chairman Taylor mentioned during the personal interviews he conducted with downtown businesses, he obtained several business e-mail addresses who wish to have the Redevelopment Commission agendas sent to them on a regular basis. Administrative Assistant Stupski requested Vice Chairman Taylor forward the addresses to her and she will make sure those businesses receive the agenda.

ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Fresquez, seconded by Vice Chairman Taylor, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

ATTEST:

Jason King, Chairman

Elizabeth A. Stupski, Recorder

Digg this