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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-17-12 Co' JEFFERSONVILLE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES April 17th, 2012 The Jeffersonville Redevelopment Commission held a Special Meeting on April 17, 2012 at 6:00 PM in the Planning and Zoning Conference Room, 500 Quartermaster Court, Jeffersonville, Indiana. The following were present: . "t Mike Hutt, President Monty Snelling James Lake Dennis Julius Steve Strocen Staff: Rob Waiz, Redevelopment Director DeLynn Rutherford, Grant Writer Les Merkley, Attorney Mike Moore, Mayor Len Ashack, Waste Water Department Council Members: Connie Sellers Dennis Julius Mike Smith CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Hutt called the meeting to order at 6:04 PM. Special Meeting: A Presentation of The Plan for The Big Four Bridge Landing for discussion, and interceptor project with construction of interceptor project to begin in 2014. This can be funded under current sewer rate structure through The Waste Water Department. Mike Hutt stated that he would like to see a shelter structure that incorporates an open -air structure and a large fireplace type feature within. James Lake agreed with this completely and stated at the meeting that it could be a perfect place to house functions on a routine basis; gatherings, Santa, pictures, walks, tours, etc. 1 The main objectives for the landing area stated by the Mayor and the others was to: Ripe 1) Provide an area for functions and gatherings 2) Provide increased commercial tax revenue generation 3) Be different than Louisville. James Lake stated he was concerned that the plan as presented did not address these items as being essential to a successful landing area. James Lake stated he felt the area should incorporate a much larger and open plaza space that would be capable of housing these functions, in lieu of just a wide walk thru the landing area as shown. James Lake also stated the buildings on site did not appear to produce the commercial tax revenue we may desire. James Lake also stated he was concerned the existing small and low commercial buildings onsite, presently owned by us, need be considered to not necessarily remain if the plan allows a better solution and other options. He also thinks the area calls for a much denser construction of commercial and residential that will bring value to the property and generate revenues and that this would bring residents to this great area and provide a much desired residential strip fronting both Market and the plaza. The current proposed uses will not do this and needs to be considered much further. Steve Strocen made some comments regarding proper parking. The plan shows 1/3 of the landing block as parking lot. Parking is always a concern, but the last thing a successful downtown needs is more vast parking lots. Rob Waiz stated that the parking can be taken out or adjusted as needed. Steve also stated the proposed use of Chestnut Street as being closable at times to house functions; maybe including the farmer's market. Dennis reviewed some of the key features of the canal landing design that he thought might be desired by the community. He also stated that the landing area previously was designed for more than 1,000 people. The current design does not allow for this gathering to occur in his opinion. Rob Waiz stated that we cannot mirror the image of the City of Louisville's River Front Park. Main Street Revitalization Grant was discussed and that the timing would be good if we receive the funds this round. This is a $500,000 grant with half of that matched by the UEZ and Redevelopment. Green Plan Dennis Julius discussed the prior administrations green plan outlining the water feature C o' and shelter house area and emphasizing the need for larger green space areas for large =: 2 } } , gatherings for things such as races for runners etc. The Mayor would also like to get input from the public on any water features etc. before final planning begins, he also emphasized he would like a water feature or fountain that is easily maintained. Farmers Market A farmers market was also discussed in the area of the landing, this was discussed that it would need to be structure that could possibly be open air or having pull down doors to make it enclosable. It was also expressed by the Mayor that we would be able to have guest chefs and concerts or small bands /musicians playing and art displays and such items. Grant funding for the farmers market was also discussed as well as UEZ work on this in the past. Mike Smith was going to look into what progress was made prior to this It was also decided public meetings with local farmers and residents for public input. Colson Park Future development is completely on hold due to current findings of the burial sites and any further action is still uncertain at this point. /1 ,President Respectfully Submitted by Delynn Rutherford F.' } 3