HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.27.2023 Redevelopment Authority Special Meeting Minutes__________________________________
Redevelopment Authority Minutes 1 March 27, 2023
REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
March 27, 2023
PRESENT: Thomas Belter, Steve Hintz, Susan Panek, Todd Hutchison, Lori Palmeri
EXCUSED: Archie Stam, Adam Bellcorelli
STAFF: Kelly Nieforth, Community Development Director; Mark Lyons, Planning Services
Manager; John Zarate, Economic Development Specialist
Palmeri called the meeting to order at 4:01pm. Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present.
Approve February 9, 2023 Minutes
Motion by Belter to approve the February 9, 2023 minutes.
Seconded by Hintz.
Motion carried 4-0.
23-02 Grant Electric Underground and Gas Easements to Wisconsin Public Service for
Undergrounding of Utilities in the Sawdust District
Motion by Belter to approve 23-02.
Seconded by Hintz.
Nieforth explained that as part of the redevelopment of the Sawdust District, city staff has always
wanted to underground the utilities and worked with WPS and T Wall on the proposed easements.
Nieforth stated that since the RDA owns the property, the RDA must approve the easements. The
Common Council will also approve the easements at an upcoming meeting.
The RDA members had general questions about the proposed easement location, the cost to
underground the utilities and what will be allowed in the easement areas. City staff indicated that
there are funds budgeted to cover the costs and have been working closely with WPS and T Wall
on the location. The utilities will be undergrounded as part of the city’s E. 9th Avenue
reconstruction and extension project that is currently underway in the Sawdust District.
Motion carried 4-0.
23-03 Approve Mercury Marine Site Plan for Construction of a Parking Lot East of 505 Marion
Road
Motion by Belter to approve 23-03.
Seconded by Hintz.
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Redevelopment Authority Minutes 2 March 27, 2023
Nieforth explained that the RDA approved an agreement in 2006 which gave Mercury Marine an
option to construct a parking lot on the RDA and City’s vacant lots to the east of their existing
facility along Marion Road. The agreement stated that Mercury Marine must receive RDA and City
approval to construct the parking lot. Nieforth stated that Mercury Marine submitted a site plan
that is currently going through the city approval process and will be considered by Plan
Commission and Council in the future.
Lyons gave an overview of the project from a zoning perspective and discussed the required steps
that Mercury Marine needs to go through to get approval from the City.
RDA members asked multiple questions regarding the amount of proposed parking stalls, the
distance to the river, the required stormwater management, landscaping and the possibility of
surrounding tenants parking in the lot illegally.
Nieforth and Lyons explained that the proposed plan does not exceed the maximum number of
parking stalls in the City’s zoning code and that it met Wisconsin DNR requirements as currently
designed. It will require a CUP for the use of a parking lot along the river, but the Agreement from
2006 dictated the use and current City staff are trying to make the proposed parking lot as close to
compliant with the current zoning code as possible.
Motion carried 4-0.
23-04 Approve Option to Purchase 0 Wisconsin Street (Parcel ID 0501650000); Gallery Homes
Real Estate Rentals, LLC ($1.00)
Motion by Belter to approve 23-04.
Seconded by Hintz.
Nieforth introduced Mr. James Mathusek who has requested an option to purchase the RDA’s
vacant lot at 0 Wisconsin Street.
Lyons stated that the developer is proposing to construct a single family home for a low income
individual and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in the back by the garage and along the alley.
The project is consistent with the housing study’s recommendation to increase infill development
and workforce housing in the city. The developer has reached the point where they’d like to have
an option on the property while finalizing designs for a new structure.
Lyons shared that the city might be able to provide some assistance in the form of down payment
grants for the low income individual and a grant for the developer to construct a home on an RDA
lot. Lyons stated that this project could provide a proof of concept that this type of development
could work in the city.
Motion carried 4-0.
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Redevelopment Authority Minutes 3 March 27, 2023
Adjournment
There was no further discussion. The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:47pm. (Belter, Panek)
Respectfully Submitted,
Kelly Nieforth
Executive Director