DDA Board Minutes

Cascade Charter Township

Downtown Development Authority
Board of Directors

May 18, 2004
Cascade Museum Building
2839 Thornapple River Dr. SE

ATTENDEES: Ron Clark, Lori Chu, Ray James, Julie Johnson, Mike Julien, Joann Noto and Dan Wallace.
Absences: Ronald Biermacher (expected) and Diana Kingsland (unexpected)
Others Attending: Township Manager Jay Cravens and Township Planning Director Steve Peterson.
Guests: None Present

ARTICLE 1: Call the Meeting to Order
Chairman James called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

ARTICLE 2: Approval of the Agenda
Vice-Chairman Clark made a motion to approve the agenda submitted by staff. Member Julien seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

ARTICLE 3: Approval of the Minutes of February 24, 2004
Chairman James requested approval of the February 24th Minutes. Supervisor Julien motioned for approval, Member Chu seconded. All in favor none opposed. The minutes of February 24, 2004 passed unanimously.

ARTICLE 4: Consider Approval of 2004 District Development Plan & Tax Increment Financing Plan for Downtown Improvements
Manager Cravens began by calling attention to the boundaries of the DDA barring any other taxing authorities; 800 acres of property have been added to the District. Manager Cravens does not foresee any other obstacles and noted he has had conversations with Bob White from the County regarding the plan and the County is not showing any disapproval at this time.

Manager Cravens reviewed Chapter Three noting the District improvements and Chapter Four "Sources of Funds for the Downtown Development Authority". Manager Cravens also stated the document may look the same as previous publications but revisions have been made. The District is focusing on four distinct development areas:
" The Village Area
" 28th Street Corridor (28th Street between Thornhills and Kraft)
" The Interchange Area
" Centennial Park
Manager Cravens also noted that Steve Peterson assisted with the zoning and has dropped all of the old information from the previous plan. The plan is also presented in a general format, not prioritized. The plan remains consistent with the development schedule of projects beginning from the east to the west and the timetable also notes projects beginning every three (3) years. Manager Cravens provided a review of the projects in order and noted costs for each of the projects.

Manager Cravens noted to the Board that the sequence of projects may be shifted around by a recommendation from the DDA. The plan does not address projects that are still open and what to do with them, such as the amphitheater. The amphitheater is still included in the plan but no details are listed.

Manager Cravens summarized the plan by stating the attorneys have reviewed it. The next step is to adopt an ordinance by the Township Board. Manager Cravens is planning on presenting the plan in late June to the Township Board. Manager Cravens also summarized that the DDA is not looking for a millage increase and if extra funds are collected for the projects, they will be returned to the proper tax authorities. The projects are estimated at a $5.4 million dollar cost which does not include maintenance and repair. The Township's existing debt is approximately $1.9 million plus the project costs, which will equal over $7 million.

Manager Cravens gave recommendation for Board approval of the plans; they are consistent with what the Township has done. One challenge area of the plan is the North 28th Street / Horizon Office Park area, which has vacancy problems, similar to Centennial Park.

Supervisor Julien requested open discussion of the plans and questioned the closures of driveways off of 28th Street by Kraft. Manager Cravens provided further explanation and Supervisor Julien asked for arrows to be added noting the restaurant property and driveways.

Supervisor Julien referred to page 15, number 4 and asked if Centennial Park District is in acceptance of the ten-year plan? They may be disappointed their project is projected that far out. A general discussion was held that the DDA Board did not provide a definitive date for the beginning of that project. The DDA Board felt the attending members of the Centennial Park Property Owners Association were happy to be included in the plans and were not asking for a specific date. Supervisor Julien also noted that the Centennial Park District should have a copy of the DDA's plan.

Supervisor Julien also referred to page 23 and table 16 and questioned the percentage of taxes the DDA would receive and mentioned the fire millage increase as an example. Manager Cravens stated the percentages are correct and the capture will affect Cascade Charter Township more than the other taxing authorities. He mentioned that it was possible for the DDA to forego collecting funds from the fire millage. Supervisor Julien cautioned the Board that unless they are prepared to amend tonight, the ballot could reflect less amounts to the DDA and too many ramifications may transpire if changed at this point. The Board does not want to suggest the DDA will forego future collections of taxes and suggested leaving the plans as presented. Member Johnson suggested using DDA funds for the future main fire station.

Member Johnson reviewed the planned improvements with light posts and other items. Member Johnson believes the mast arms are an added expense since the Township will always have wires hanging over intersections, and questioned if the mast arms are necessary. Member Johnson also expressed her concern of the lighting along 28th Street. She also believes that the sidewalks on both sides of 28th Street should be no more than 5 feet wide. The current plans are for seven-foot wide sidewalk on one side and a five or six foot wide sidewalk on the other.

Supervisor Julien questioned, as a point-of-order, if Member Johnson should propose an amendment to the items she mentioned or should the Board vote by consensus. Manager Cravens stated the plans are general/conceptual plans and specifics to lighting, mast arms and sidewalks do not need to be determined at this time. These details will be determined when more specific construction plans are developed for each project.

Supervisor Julien motioned for approval of the 2004 District Development Plan & Tax Increment Financing Plan for the Downtown Improvements as submitted, Member Johnson seconded. All in favor none opposed. The 2004 District Development Plan & Tax Increment Financing Plan for the Downtown Improvements was passed unanimously.

Member Johnson motioned for an amendment to the plan, striking the words "mast arms" from the plan, Member Chu seconded. Chairman James clarified Member Johnson's amendment noting the words "traffic signals" is appropriate but to delete the words "mast arms" from the table proposals. The Board had general discussion regarding the mast arms and Chairman James requested approval of the amendment. Member Johnson was in favor of the amendment. Member Julien, Member Wallace, Vice-Chairman Clark, Member Chu and Member Noto opposed the amendment; amendment failed.

Chairman James asked if there were any other amendments to the plans? None were heard. Supervisor Julien questioned what are the requirements on developers for street lighting. Planning Director Peterson noted the only requirement of street lighting is that specific amounts of lighting intensity are provided to a designated area within their projects. There are no specific requirements if the lighting is projected downward or upward as long as the area is appropriately lighted. Manager Cravens commented that street lights are viewed as public safety improvements for public thoroughfares. Supervisor Julien suggested that the lighting be reviewed project-by-project.

Chairman James requested Board approval of the plans as submitted. In favor of the plans as submitted were members: Chu, Clark, Julien, Noto, and Wallace; none opposed; Member Johnson abstained.

ARTICLE 5: Discussion with Planning Director, Steve Peterson, regarding Village Design Review Committee & Zoning Ordinance
Manager Cravens introduced Planning Director Peterson and invited him to present the plans for the zoning ordinance. Planning Director Peterson distributed "Chapter 8 - Section 8.01 Title: Use Regulations Relating to the 'B-1' Village Business District" and reviewed the Village Design & Land Use Evaluation and the history of development. Planning Director Peterson said the only changes have been made to section B-1 of the ordinance and shared information that the Design Review Committee is able to recommend deviations in development to the proper Township authorities.

Member Johnson noted how "vanilla" all of the buildings look and everything looks the same; a little variety would be nice. The Board agreed that too many of the buildings look the same and noted the "Cascade circle" on the buildings. Questions were asked if the building codes were too strict and Planning Director Peterson stated the Design Review Committee has not had a need to meet for variances. Supervisor Julien suggested that the Design Review Committee meet to discuss the development of new projects to suggest new ideas to a building's facade. Manager Cravens suggested to Planning Director Peterson that Member Wallace be invited to future sub-committee review meetings.

Article 6: Other Business
Chairman James opened the meeting to the Board for discussion of other business.

The Board questioned the zoning for the acreage next to the medical building, is it zoned residential or commercial. The Board noted that the "for sale" sign notes the land is zoned for commercial use. Planning Director Peterson stated the land is zoned residential. Commercial zoning has not been applied for.

Vice Chairman Clark requested an update regarding the condemnation of the Westdale property. Manager Cravens said the deed is being finalized and the Township is waiting for an executable document. The property is valued at $50,000. The process is complicated by the fact that Westdale is still looking for the correct property owner.

Article 7: Adjournment
Chairman James requested a motion for adjournment. Member Noto motioned for adjournment, seconded by Member Wallace. Meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lisa Hern, Recording Secretary

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