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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2003-10-01 RegularCommunity and Economic Development Committee Minutes October 1, 2003 The Community and Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday, October 1, 2003, in the second floor conference room of City Hall, at 8 a.m. with the following members present: Chair Gregory Crinion, Brent Goswick, Gary Harris, Maurice Estlinbaum, James Gerland, Andy Massicott, and Zekie McVeigh. Also present were the following liaisons: Council member Tracy Goza and Friendswood Chamber of Commerce President Carol Jones Also present at the meeting were Council member Mel Measeles, Wendy Slaton of Griffin Integrated Marketing, Friendswood resident Frank Garza, and David Gornet of the Grand Parkway Association. Staff members present were Karen Capps and Ron Cox. Absent from the meeting were Tony Banfield, Sr., Kevin Candee, Jim Reinhartsen, Bob Bertrand, Trish Hanks, and Dr. Sandra Mossman. 1. Call to Order. Chair Crinion called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. with a quorum present. 2. Approval of Minutes. Chair Crinion made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 3, 2003. Maurice Estlinbaum seconded the motion and it passed unanimously in the committee. 3. Report from David Gornet, Executive Director of the Grand Parkway Association, regarding the Grand Parkway Segment B study. David Gornet gave a presentation on the history of the Grand Parkway and the proposed routes in the Segment B Study. The concept of the Grand Parkway was proposed in the 1960s. In the 1980s, local businesses and TXDOT pushed the planning process forward. In 1983, 31 miles was designated as SH99 on the west side of Houston and in 1984, the Grand Parkway Association was formed. The portion built from I-10 to US59 was opened in 1984. The Segment B Study covers an approximate 25-mile area that includes Alvin, Manvel, Dickinson, Friendswood, Iowa Colony, League City, Liverpool, and Pearland. The overall Grand Parkway project will cover 177 miles. The committee reviewed maps and discussed the proposed routes. 4. Report from Jim Gerland regarding properties within the city limits owned by CDC -Houston, Inc. Jim Gerland and Karen Capps reported on a recent meeting they attended with CDC -Houston, Inc. representatives regarding two large parcels they own within the city limits of Friendswood. One of the properties was recently annexed through a land trade agreement with League City. CDC representatives stated their company would consider potential commercial prospects for both properties. The company's preference would be to find a financially stable business to sign a long-term ground lease, but would also consider selling one or both properties to the right prospect. The representatives also said they would appreciate any assistance by the City with marketing the parcels to prospective businesses. The CDC representatives also requested that the City take the lead to rezone the adjacent 65-acre parcel that is next to the newly annexed property to business park and commercial shopping center zones so that it may be compatible with the annexed property and marketed for business use. It was decided this would be further considered at the next meeting. 5. Reports: A. Communication/marketing plans Wendy Slaton provided a written report to the committee of economic development related articles published in area newspapers during the last month. B. Broker/Developer events The committee was provided a copy of the agenda and invitation for the Friendswood brokers/developers' day event. Chair Crinion announced the list of sponsors for the workshop. It was reported that approximately twenty persons for the workshop and thirteen persons for golf had signed up. It was reported that Carol Jones is working with RSVPs for the event, bus tour, and a video clip was displayed along with presentation boards of the town center plan. Committee polo shirts were provided to each member for the event and everyone was encouraged to attend. C. Reston Town Center Conference Karen Capps made a brief report on the conference she attended by the Urban Land Institute entitled; Place Making: Developing Town Centers, Transit Villages and Main Streets. She said the conference was held in Reston, Virginia where she was able to attend the conference and tour both the new and old Reston Town Centers. She said the workshops she attended with information from developers, city representatives, and planners will be helpful with developing Friendswood's town center projects. 6. Adjournment. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 a.m.