TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 17, 2005, 6:30 PM.

HERITAGE ANNEX BUILDING
119 N. GILBERT ROAD
GILBERT, ARIZONA

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

COMMISSION ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: Economic Development Director Greg Tilque, Town Manager George Pettit, Deputy Town Manager Tami Ryall, Council Liaison Don Skousen, Council member Steve Urie and Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Stupski

OTHERS PRESENT: Kyle Morrison, Ashley Karner, Sam Dodini and Todd Brundrett (Norwood Furniture)

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.

3. Minutes-Approve the Regular meeting minutes of October 20, 2005 and
Special meeting of October 27, 2005
A MOTION was made by Vice Chairman Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Fresquez, to accept the minutes of the regular meeting of October 20, 2005 as written. Voice vote carried 5-0.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Fresquez, seconded by Commissioner Iacobazzi, to accept the minutes of the special meeting of September 19, 2005 as written. Voice vote carried 4-0-1. Commissioner Valentine abstained from the vote.

Economic Development Director Tilque requested a modification be made to the agenda to allow the presenter for the public hearing item #4 to arrive. Chairman King honored the request.

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
5. Strategic Plan
Economic Development Director Tilque briefly stated he has met with Chairman King, Vice Chairman Taylor and Mr. Lance Decker to discuss the confusion on the part of the Commission by simultaneously working on two important documents–updating the Redevelopment Plan and developing a Strategic Plan. Based upon the discussion, it was concluded that the Commission should focus their efforts to updating the Redevelopment Plan.

The Commissioners had an opportunity to express their feelings on the subject:
• Agrees in principle of not confusing the Redevelopment Plan and Strategic Plan.
• Is in agreement but would like to set a time frame to have the updates to the Redevelopment Plan done.
• Does not want to loose sight of the Strategic Plan

Based upon the general consensus of the Commission, development of a Strategic Plan will be on hold until the updates to the Redevelopment Plan were complete.

6. General Plan Update
Economic Development Director Tilque mentioned:
• Planning staff is in the process of doing the annual update to the General Plan.
• The section in the General Plan pertaining to the Heritage District cannot be changed until the updates to the Redevelopment Plan are complete.
• One potential area that can be changed now is the Commission’s vision for the district.
• Planning staff would like to know if the Commission would like to incorporate the new vision statement into the General Plan.

Economic Development Director Tilque read the current vision statement: “The overall vision for the Heritage District is for it to become a unique retail destination that reflects the Town’s agricultural history. The District will have a mix of entertainment, professional office, medium to high-density residential, single family, governmental, recreations, and transit uses.”

The Commission indicated that they worked very hard on the developing the new vision statement and all would like to see the new one replace the current statement in the General Plan.

A MOTION was made by Commission Iacobazzi, seconded by Commissioner Fresquez, to incorporate the new vision statement for the Heritage District into the General Plan Update. Voice vote carried 5-0.

7. IDA Conference Update
Vice Chairman Taylor gave a brief overview of the 51st Annual International Downtown Association Conference held in Denver, CO and distributed a memo on the subject. Highlighted the following:
• Attended by Chairman King, Vice Chairman Taylor and Economic Development Director Tilque
• Conference was incredible, informative and beneficial
• Others in attendance were members of downtown corporations or BID’s (Business Improvement Districts)
• It was clearly a conference of ideas for improving the redevelopment process, avoiding mistakes, securing and taking calculated risks

Vice Chairman Taylor identified some key points and sessions of the conference. He included in the memo website addresses and encouraged the Commission to visit the sites.

Educational sessions focused on issues like:
• Building an inclusive downtown
• Big events downtown
• Maximizing big investments in a downtown (i.e., ballparks, arena’s, etc)
• Business Improvement districts and downtown safety
• Wi-Fi—Wireless opportunities for the downtowns
• Public/private partnerships in downtowns
• The essence of “walkability” downtown
• Traditional downtowns vs. ‘Lifestyle Centers’
• Enticing supermarkets downtown
• Building a Business Improvement District for your downtown
• Building a Vision-Driven downtown
• Creating a retail mix for downtown
• Pedestrian and transit Malls downtown
• Managing downtowns with technology
• Adaptive reuse of old buildings downtown
• Cultural amenities—leverage these assets
• Targeting the right business mix downtown
• Downtown parks—a new frontier
• Mixed uses successes and parking

He mentioned who attended from Arizona: City of Phoenix, Downtown Phoenix Partnership, City of Tucson, Tucson Downtown Alliance, Downtown Tempe Community Inc., Downtown Mesa Association, Mesa Town Center Corporation and City of Scottsdale.

Highlighted the following sessions:
• New Approaches to Mixed Use Parking Structure—Organization: Shears Adkins, Architects; Key contact: Christopher Shears. Key points for Gilbert: Parking isn’t just parking anymore, mixed use parking structures are working.
• Steps Forming a Business Improvement District—Organization: Urban Place Consulting Group; Key Contact: Steve Gibson; Example town—Sacramento, CA. Key Points for Gilbert: BID’s do for Gilbert? Public space management, Quality of life issues/social service, Planning/Policy, special events, capital improvements, marketing, parking/transportation; created by, governed by and implemented by the private sector; ‘those who pay” are the ones who manage.
• Master Plan Development for Downtown—Organization: Hunter Interest Inc.; Key contact: Taylor Yewell. Key points for Gilbert: The town identifies in a Master Plan the vision, goals and objectives, work with experience development companies and private funds to reach Town Goals
• To Muni WiFi or Not to Muni WiFi—Organization: Vivato, Key contact: Glen Booth. Key points for Gilbert: Marketing for the town and businesses, increasing pedestrian traffic and reasonable entry costs through partnerships. Vice Chairman Taylor briefly explained what Wi-Fi is.
• Targeting and Attracting the Right Business Mix—Organization: Ccintellect, Key contact: Ben Wright. Key points for Gilbert: Not doing things the old way-thick in consultants, new approach blends economic and marketing.
• Downtown Energizer, Revitalization and Strategic Development Programs—Organization: Urban Marketing Collaberative, Key contact: Maureen Atkinson and Organization: ERA Downtown Works, Key contact: Midge McCauley. Key points for Gilbert: Using professionals who already know the formula and Planning with the end in mind.

Vice Chairman Taylor displayed on a table all the materials he received from the conference for the Commission to view. Economic Development Director Tilque added good contacts were made during the conference.

Chairman King returned to the public portion of the agenda.

PUBLIC HEARING
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 distributed a map in which she identified a potential breakdown of tree zone areas. She had completed the assessments of the neighborhoods.

Highlighted what map shows:
1. Area west of Gilbert Road down by the Boys & Girls Club is similar in character to the area across Gilbert Road. Suggest it stay as one zone district even though it is separated by Gilbert Road.
2. Commercial area around park-n-ride lot and Hale Theatre, Joe’s BBQ up to the parking lot should be its own zone.
3. Residential area should be treated differently drawing in many of the same tree elements but bring in some more color.

Deputy Town Manager Ryall asked for some direction for two areas currently undeveloped:
• Big parcel to the north and whether the Commission wants to include it in with Hale Theatre
• SEC Corner of Gilbert & Elliot Roads and if it should relate to the Historical Society Museum and Gilbert Schools District offices.

She pointed out the Commission has a unique opportunity to have a visual impact as it develops in the future.

Commissioner Fresquez gave her thoughts:
• Northern end—Arbor Walk residential area should not be included since it is set. Area along Gilbert Road should reflect the business district. Make a commercial corridor.
• The two residential areas have one standard and commercial to have something different.
• SEC parcel should reflect the Historical Society Museum and the Gilbert School District office character.

Deputy Town Manager Ryall mentioned that the tree theme would give a pronounced character with color to identify areas within the district and give a distinctive look.

The Commission was in agreement with the suggestion made by Commissioner Fresquez. They hope the northern part of the district would be reconnected with the downtown through the use of a tree and landscaping theme. Another suggestion was made to have a Gilbert Road Corridor.

It was noted that the Town is the recipient of two grants totaling $1.4 million for improvements to the Western Canal trail and landscaping. A design charette is scheduled to begin in January for the Western Canal power line trail project. She mentioned there is an issue with SRP and planting of trees near power lines. The Town will be sitting down with SRP representatives to work on a viable solution.

Deputy Town Manager Ryall will come back to the Commission with a recommendation of trees for the designated zones.

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

Chairman King closed the public hearing portion of the agenda.

Chairman King returned to the remaining Administrative agenda items.

8. Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair
On behalf of the Town Council and Mayor Berman, Economic Development Director Tilque thanked Chairman King and Vice Chairman Taylor for their service this past year and announced that Mayor Berman appointed Commissioner Taylor to serve as Chair and Commissioner Valentine to serve as Vice-Chair for a one-year term effective November 17, 2005. He presented each with a letter of appointment.

Economic Development Director Tilque gave a special thank you and recognition to the outgoing Chair—Jason King and Vice Chair—Ted Taylor. He presented each with a token of appreciation for their hard work and dedication over the past year.

9. Update on Projects in the Heritage District
Economic Development Director Tilque highlighted the following:
• Old Boys & Girls Club RFP—RFP Review Committee has met and conducted interviews with each applicant. The Committee is waiting for additional information from some of the applicants. Committee should have a recommendation for the December meeting.
• Juniper/Gilbert Road Site—Commission should expect a presentation from the owner of the property bounded by Gilbert Road, Arbor Walk, Juniper Road and the Western Canal. They will bring conceptual designs on what they have planned for the site to the December Commission Meeting.
• Four Peaks/Chilipistols—Staff is in the process of finalizing a potential development agreement with the applicants and will have an update for the December meeting.
• Oregano’s Pizza Bistro—Closing escrow on property and should be starting construction shortly. Sign package will be on a future agenda.

• K & K Papery has a new owner. Changing business name to Papers, Etc.
• Stamped Asphalt—Contractors have completed as much as possible on Gilbert Road before Gilbert Days. Will complete the median after Gilbert Days and complete the crosswalks after the 1st of the year.
• Announced Gilbert Days is this weekend and extended an invitation to everyone to attend the festivities and parade.

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

11. Report from Economic Development Director on current and future events
No report.

12. Report from Commissioners on current and future events.
Commissioner Iacobazzi inquired about the status of the Water Tower. Town Manager Pettit announced that Deputy Town Manager Ryall has been chosen as the point person for the Water Tower Park.

ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Fresquez, seconded by Vice Chairman Taylor, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

ATTEST:

Jason King, -Chairman

Elizabeth A. Stupski, Recorder

Digg this