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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2004-02-04 RegularCommunity and Economic Development Committee Minutes February 4, 2004 The Community and Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday, February 4, 2004, in the club house of Timber Creek Golf Club, at 8 a.m., with the following members present: Chair Gregory Crinion, Tony Banfield, Kevin Candee, Maurice Estlinbaum, James Gerland, Brent Goswick, Gary Harris, and Zekie McVeigh. Also present were the following liaisons: Council Member Tracy Goza, Friendswood Chamber of Commerce President Carol Jones, and Clear Creek ISD Coordinator for Policy and Administrative Services Mike Kuhrt. Staff members present were Karen Capps, Ron Cox, Mike Hodge, and Christal Kliewer. Committee members and liaisons absent from the meeting were Andy Massicott, Bob Bertrand, Trish Hanks, and Jim Reinhartsen. 1. Call to Order. Chair Crinion called the meeting to order at 8:10 a.m. with a quorum present. 2. Approval of Minutes. Kevin Candee made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of January 7, 2003. The motion was seconded by Gary Harris and it passed unanimously in the committee. 3. Discussion and possible action regarding industrial -zoned property in the panhandle area. Chair Crinion introduced Dan Rucker to the committee and thanked him for hosting the CEDC meeting at the golf course. Dan Rucker, partner of Coastal Bend Property Development, provided information regarding the properties his company has developed in the Forest of Friendswood, and also the 318-acre Timber Creek Golf Club and Restaurant. Mr. Rucker stated that 48,000 rounds of golf were played on the course last year. Mr. Rucker said the land surrounding the golf course at Beamer and FM 2351 is now prime for development, adding that the Brio site is now contained. A 36" waterline is being laid on Beamer that will connect water to Houston soon, Beamer Road will be expanded as an evacuation route, and the City is constructing sewer lines along FM 2351. He also stated that Exxon owns an 8" waterline and a 450 gallon water tank that is located on an adjacent property, that in the future, may be a possibility to access the water. Mr. Rucker stated that he plans on relocating his company to a tract he owns on Beamer, and is currently acquiring ownership of a 110-acre tract at the hard corner of FM 2351 and Beamer. During his presentation to the committee, Mr. Rucker suggested that the city reconsider its position on re -delegating site plan approval to staff in order to expedite and facilitate economic development. He also thought the city should update the market study that was conducted in 2002. He said an updated study could spur development by reflecting a more current demand now that the economy is better and that NASA is more secure and may possibly expand operations and functions. Mr. Rucker asked for assistance in studying what the highest and best uses would be for the properties located in the panhandle. Once these uses are determined, Mr. Rucker asked the city to assist with developing an overall master plan and mixed -use zoning category for these best uses. He said the city could then facilitate meetings with other landowners to plan for development similar to what was done for Main Street. He said that an overall plan would benefit everyone including the landowners, the city, and it residents. 4. Discussion and possible action regarding 138-acre parcel located on FM 528. Chair Crinion introduced Richard Browne, urban planner and partner of the Whitcomb property development. Richard Browne provided a brief history of his experience in urban planning that spans over several decades. Mr. Browne has lent his expertise to planning urban renewal projects that stretch from The Woodlands, Brownsville, and San Antonio to projects on the continent of Asia. Mr. Browne said that in the early part of 1998, he was contacted by the Whitcombs to help master plan their property into a special place of mixed -uses that would enhance the property's natural amenities, creek front, and location. Last year, a partnership was finalized between the Whitcomb family and Mr. Browne. Since the time the partnership was formed, Mr. Browne has been gathering floodway/floodplain information on the property and obtaining surveys. Most recently, a market study was conducted by Metro National of Houston. The study determined there is an ample customer base already present to support new commercial development within the immediate 10-mile radius from the property. The study determined there are 80,000 persons living within a three-mile radius from the property, 190,000 people within a five -mile radius, and more than 600,000 people living within a ten -mile radius. Mr. Browne shared with the committee, a preliminary conceptual plan for development on the property. The summary of land uses proposed would be 92 acres of retail, residential and other commercial structures. There would be 28 acres of park -land along Clear Creek and 14 acres dedicated for right-of-way easements. Proposed land uses were presented that could be developed in several phases on the property. Mr. Browne estimated that 180,000 square feet of office space would be developed along with 300,000 square feet of large format retail, 300,000 square feet of standard mix retail, 300 units of urban residential flats, apartments or townhomes. Other proposed uses include a marina facility and an 80-100 room boutique hotel and spa by the creek. Mr. Browne said he wants to get started on rezoning the property and will need assistance from the City in obtaining an overlay zone or mixed -use zone for the property. Mr. Browne concluded his presentation to the committee by providing an estimated economic impact of this proposed project. He said that an estimated 1,400,000 gross square feet could be built on the property valued at $160,000,000 and could employ 3,000 persons on the site. A conservative estimate for retail sales based on $200 per square foot per year could amount to $120,000,000 new revenues annually. After the presentations, City Manager Ron Cox, suggested that a joint meeting be held to discuss these conceptual plans with CEDC, City Council, Planning and Zoning, and the Main Street Steering Committee. Adjournment. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:10 a.m.