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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2005-01-04 RegularCommunity and Economic Development Committee Minutes January 4, 2006 The Community and Economic Development Committee met on Wednesday, January 4, 2006, at 8 a.m., in the second floor conference room of City Hall, 910 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas, with the following members present: Chair Kirk Lippert, Deirdre Brown, Gregory Crinion, Gary Harris, Rebecca Hillenburg, and Ed Sebesta. Also present were the following liaisons: City Council Member Laura Ewing and Friendswood Chamber of Commerce President Carol Jones. Also present were Christina Brodsly and Gwen Griffin of Griffin Integrated Marketing, Colleen O'Brien of the Friendswood Journal, and Bart Masiero of One Percent Realty. Staff members present were Karen Capps and Nick Haby. Absent from the meeting were Tony Banfield, Sr., Brent Goswick, Robert McAfoos, Kevin Holland, Trish Hanks, Lynn Cummins, Jim Reinhartsen, and Don Gartman. 1. Call to Order. Chair Lippert called the meeting to order at 8:04 a.m., with a quorum present. 2. Approval of Minutes. Gary Harris made a motion to approve the December 7, 2005 meeting minutes with modifications. Gregory Crinion seconded the motion and it passed unanimously in the committee. 3. Discussion and possible action regarding CEDC input to update the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The committee continued their discussion from the past two meetings to provide input in order to update the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. This month, committee members Greg Crinion, Gary Harris, and Deirdre Brown reported on research they had conducted regarding various land parcels that currently remain undeveloped throughout the city, as to whether the land parcel has potential for future commercial use or not. The committee discussed these undeveloped parcels regarding its current land use and zoning, adjacent land uses, easements, flood zones, and road access. The parcels were marked on a map indicating their recommendation for future land use identifying the land parcel as potential commercial or residential. Next month, the committee will complete their work with provided input to update the Comprehensive Land Plan. 4. Discussion and possible action regarding 2005-2006 committee goals. It was reported that a letter will be sent out to Homeowners Associations (HOAs) in the city providing information on the CEDC's mission and goals, and offering to provide a short presentation regarding why economic development is needed in the community. It is a goal of the CEDC to better communicate the need and benefits of economic development to our residents. 5. Report from CEDC subcommittee regarding review of the City's tax abatement Policy. A report was given regarding the City's property tax abatement policy in comparison to the cities of Pearland and League City. Economic Development Coordinator, Karen Capps, reported that Friendswood's property tax abatement guidelines are competitive with neighboring communities regarding its eligibility and qualification criteria. Ms. Capps discussed the three cities of Friendswood, Pearland, and League City's policy requirements for minimum capital investment, terms, employment, types of facilities that qualify, and ineligible properties. There were no changes recommended to the existing tax abatement policy. 6. Reports: Gary Harris reported on the December 15 Planning and Zoning meeting he attended. Griffin Marketing reported on economic development related marketing activities. Karen Capps reported on meetings attended during the past month and commercial activity in the city. 7. Adiournment. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 a.m.