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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/19/2010 - Minutes The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County Roanoke County Administration Center -- 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke,Virginia 24018 Minutes Wednesday,May 19,2010, 9:00 A.M. Members Present Chairman-Bill Branch, Chair Steve Musselwhite, Vice-Chair Greg Apostolou Woody Windley Alan"Cap"Robinson Anthony Conner Secretary-Treasurer, Doug Chittum Recording Clerk, Glenna Ratcliffe Members Absent Carole Bradman Guest Paul Mahoney, Staff Counsel - Rebecca Owens, Director of Finance Elizabeth Atkinson, Manager of Finance Lindsay Blankenship, Planner II Consuella Caudill, Vinton Assistant Town Manager The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the Roanoke County Administration Center,this being their regular monthly meeting Call to order Chairman, Billy Branch, called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M. Minutes A motion was made by Cap Robinson and seconded by Woody Windley, to approve as read the minutes of January 20, 2010. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Finance Report Elizabeth Atkinson, Finance Manager, presented the financial report for the period ending October 31. She reported the equity in pooled cash to be $643,151. Ms.-Atkinson reviewed reimbursements made in accordance with current performance agreements since January, 2010. The financial report was accepted as presented. Page 2 May 19, 2010 Economic Development Authority Minutes NEW BUSINESS Vinton Facade Grant Consuella Caudill, Assistant Town Manager, was present representing the façade grant request. She stated the applicant, Luther C. Pagans, was proposing façade work in the amount of $5,173.00 for his property located at 107 W. Lee Street. The property currently is leased and doing business as Vinton Professional Hair Stylist. The façade grant will be in the amount of $2,845.50, one-half of the total quote of $5,173.90 by Specialty Wood Interiors. Ms. Caudill stated staff has reviewed the application and determined that all façade grant guidelines have been met. A motion was made by Steve Musselwhite, seconded by Anthony Conner, to approve the application as presented. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. Change in Use Incentive Grant Doug Chittum reviewed the proposed Change in use Incentive Grant Program Guidelines and if approved by the Board of Supervisors and Vinton Town Council, it will be necessary for the EDA to administer the program per Mr. Mahoney. Funding would then be allocated by the County and Town of Vinton for this purpose. A work session will be held by the BOS on May 25, 2010. Mr. Chittum asked the EDA to support this effort by formally agreeing to administer the Grant. Steve Musselwhite stated the EDA was charged with promoting economic development and felt the Incentive Program a positive approach; however, felt the grant should be made when the physical improvements are completed rather than waiting for a business to locate in the building for some length of time, as was suggested by County and Town officials. Mr. Branch stated it would be beneficial to the county to encourage the upgrading of buildings located in commercial areas even if they were not leased at the time of the grant application. Mr. Connor agreed, and stated that he had personal experience with these issues and felt the grant should be awarded at the time the improvements were successfully completed. He further stated the Town and County should encourage this type of redevelopment whether or not a business was committed to occupying the building. Recognizing the EDA was unanimously interested in assisting small business whenever possible, Mr. Chittum advised the EDA that this proposed program was just one way to help business owners, and that staff is open to suggestions from the EDA on other ways to assist the business community with their development projects. Mr. Musselwhite then asked staff, both County and Town, to research what other communities are successfully doing to help business property owners regarding change of use regulations, renovation, etc. q Page 3 May 19, 2010 r Economic Development Authority Minutes After more discussion, Mr. Musselwhite made a motion to support the Incentive Grant Guideline purpose and proposed incentives as presented to them by staff, with the comment that a business should not be required to occupy the property for some certain length of time, and that the grant should be distributed after the improvements were successfully completed. The motion was seconded by Anthony Conner which carried by unanimous voice vote. BRIEFINGS Plantation Road Corridor Grant Mr. Chittum acknowledged the County did not receive the Plantation Road Corridor Grant and stated it would be re-submitted at a later date. He stated there was no problem with the submission but no new grants were approved until projects already approved in other jurisdictions were completed. Salem Vent Site Mr. Chittum stated there had been no movement on this property. There have been no recent conversations with the owner or realtor representing the property. Community Development Authorities Mr. Chittum stated staff continues to work on this issue. Edward Rose Property Mr. Chittum stated this project consists of a 220 unit apartment building, hotel, and retail pad located on Cove Road. The project is currently on hold because of unexpected costs and the financing involved. A performance agreement will be before the EDA should the issues be resolved and development move forward. Accreditation Roanoke County has one of 29 Economic Development Departments in the county accredited by the International Economic Development Council. This designation is up for evaluation in 2010 and staff is currently working on the renewal process. Noise Ordinance Mr. Chittum stated the county is currently in the process of reviewing the current noise ordinance. Paul Mahony, County Attorney, stated the current ordinance is 18-20 years old, focused on a different economy and doesn't fit well today. He stated some of the anticipated tightened requirements may hurt businesses. The county is different from cities as the county has no industrial corridor with industry running along arterial highways resulting in conflicts and complaints from neighborhoods. Page 4 May 19,2010 Economic Development Authority Minutes REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS In response to a query by Woody Windley regarding the future of a site in the Jack Smith Industrial Park owned by the EDA, Paul Mahoney stated that Roanoke County and Botetourt County are still in negotiations over this issue. Mr. Mahoney said negotiations were currently not progressing favorably, but the County was committed to finding a favorable solution for Roanoke County first and foremost. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m. Next Scheduled Meeting June 16, 2010 Respectfully submitted, E. Douglas Chittum Secretary-Treasurer