TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

SPECIAL MEETING OF OCTOBER 27, 2005, 6:30 PM.

HERITAGE ANNEX BUILDING
119 N. GILBERT ROAD
GILBERT, ARIZONA

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

COMMISSION ABSENT: Commissioner Valentine

STAFF PRESENT: Economic Development Director Greg Tilque, Town Manager George Pettit, Deputy Town Manager Tami Ryall and Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Stupski

OTHERS PRESENT: Lance Decker

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.

PUBLIC HEARING
3. Strategic Plan
Chairman King opened the public hearing on the Strategic Plan-Discuss the draft Redevelopment Commission Strategic Plan

Economic Development Director Tilque mentioned that a draft Strategic Plan was included in the packet for the Commission’s review. He said that Mr. Decker is looking for input on the contents.

Mr. Decker, with the help of a Power Point visual aid, reviewed the general content of the plan by section.
~ Purpose and Approach-Purpose of plan is to develop a clear picture of the Commission’s future as a force for moving development and redevelopment for the Heritage District and to communicate that picture to the Town Council, community and staff. The plan includes a series of goals, objectives and actions that the Commission would strive to achieve. It also identifies milestones to be achieved. A one-year Action Plan would then be prepared.
~ Objectives of a Strategic Plan-Identifies the business factors (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) affecting the Heritage District over the next three to five years; update the mission, vision, values and guiding principles; identifies and develops a limited number of key result areas for the Commission to focus on, and recommend objectives, strategies and action plans.

Mr. Decker mentioned the internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) and the external factors (opportunities and threats).
Strengths:
~ Strong support by the Town Manager and other department for redevelopment of the district
~ Great capital assets, buildings and infrastructure currently in the district
~ Support from business and residential communities
~ Overt support from the Town Council
~ Experience and committed staff and Commission members
Weaknesses:
~ Lack of written strategic plan and clear rules/procedures
~ Limited staff resources
~ Limitations for financial support from the Town of Gilbert
~ Lack of time for the Commission members to review and consider redevelopment recommendations
~ Confusion by community interests as to redevelopment direction
~ Lack of clear understanding of the Commission’s members’ roles in redevelopment process. One role is to recommend policy, the other is to be active in promotion.
Opportunities:
~ Timing good for commercial, residential and retail redevelopment
~ Pressure for all types of commercial and retail development in the East Valley
~ Identification of partnership opportunities with local business and real estate interests
~ Currently healthy economy and financial strength for redevelopment investment
~ Pressure from political and community forces to redevelop area
Threats:
~ Possible real estate bubble ready to break
~ Competition for public support and resources
~ Reluctance to invest in non-traditional residential housing in district
~ Poor redevelopment will occur because of poor planning, oversight and/or control
~ Direct competition from numerous “lifestyles centers” being built in other parts of Gilbert.

Part of the Strategic Plan identified the boundaries of the Commission, current partners and potential future partners.
Current partners:
~ Gilbert Chamber of Commerce
~ Local residents
~ Local businesses
~ Town Council
~ Gilbert Historical Society
Future partners:
~ Real Estate community
~ Development Community
~ Heritage District Merchants

The Commission suggested the following changes:
~ Switch local businesses to the future partners.
~ Move Heritage District merchants to current partners.
~ Add the school district to the list of future partners.

Several Commissioners stated they do not remember working on a mission statement. Economic Development Director Tilque indicated that the Mission Statement was taken directly from the Land Development Code. The Commission would like to have a brainstorming session similar to the one held during the creation of a Vision Statement.

The last part of the document to be discussed was the goal and objectives.

Comments and concerns of the Commission:
~ Is the Commission pro-active or re-active
~ Not prepared at this time to discuss
~ Can any of the goals/objectives be included in the Economic Development Department Strategic Plan like GEDAB is? Response: yes.
~ With amount of work facing the Commission, the group would have to meet twice a month on a regular basis.
~ Review the Responsibilities of the Commission in the LDC. Inquired as to the process and whether it is permissible to revise. Economic Development Director Tilque will check into it.

Mr. Decker requested each Commissioner to complete the short-term actions element on pages 6 through 8 and return to Economic Development Director Tilque. Mr. Decker will provide an electronic version to the Commission.

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

Chairman King closed the public hearing on this agenda item.

4. Plant Guide List
Chairman King opened the public hearing on the Plant Guide List-Discuss and receive Commission input in regards to theme tree/plant palette

Deputy Town Manager Ryall recalled an earlier discussion of the tree palette with a recommendation to use five trees for the Pedestrian Design Project. She would like to continue the plant palette discussion and receive input as to whether the Commission would like to have a theme tree to define neighborhoods within the Heritage District. A map was distributed to assist in identifying the potential areas and a modified tree and plant list was distributed. The district potentially has about six defining areas. She articulated that during the Pedestrian Design meetings, the Commission indicated they wanted to have seasonal color and blooming. She touched upon the number of trees/plants in the palette of the Redevelopment Plan:
~ Nineteen trees listed but would like to narrow the list to thirteen or less.
~ Fourteen different shrub species listed but proposes seventeen to allow more selection for flowering variety.
~ Nine groundcover species listed but proposes thirteen.
~ Four accent plants on list but propose it increase to thirteen to include the use of vines mainly due to Oregano’s and the outdoor eating areas with trellises.

The Commission made the following remarks or comments:
~ In favor of selecting trees that would give the Heritage District a definite look.
~ Would the Town be supportive if a tree theme was recommended? Deputy Town Manager Ryall indicated yes, especially with the sidewalk project.
~ Commission should define the unifying elements and let staff propose a color accent.
~ Need to look at the long-term best interest for the district.
~ Likes the idea of doing the district with a different tree theme for each area identified.
~ Would like to see some picture of other communities where themed trees are located so the Commission can see how it might look. Example given was in Tempe.

To help with the process, Deputy Town Manager Ryall explained some of the characteristics of certain trees such as the Texas Ebony which is not being fast growing.

After much discussion, the Commission selected the following trees: Chaste, Chinese Pistache, Evergreen Elm, Fan-Tex Ash, Ghost Gum, Palo Brea, Sissoo and Tipu. The following shrubs were eliminated from the list: Baja Ruellia and Mexican Petunia.

Deputy Town Manager Ryall stated she will bring some ideas of themes to the Commission for discussion and consideration next month.

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

Chairman King closed the public hearing on this agenda item.

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 reported the following:
~ The ribbon cutting ceremony for Page Commons is scheduled for November 3rd at 10:30 a.m.
~ The Review Committee will meet on Monday, November 7th to review the RFP responses for the NW Corner of Gilbert & Elliot Roads.

11. Report from Commissioners on current and future events.
Vice Chairman Taylor inquired about the status of the painting of the Water Tower. Town Manager Pettit responded that the engineer has been out-of-town for two weeks. The painting of the tower is scheduled for the fall.

ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Fresquez, seconded by Vice Chairman Taylor, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

ATTEST:

Jason King, Chairman

Elizabeth A. Stupski, Recorder

Digg this