I.                   Call to Order – Dean Infinger

Mr. Infinger called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m.

II.                Approval of Minutes:

Mr. Warner made a motion to approve the minutes from the June 3, 2010 meeting.  Mr. Phillips seconded the motion. Hearing no discussion, Mr. Infinger called for a vote.    All in favor, none opposed.  Motion carried.

III.             Restaurants: 

Mr. Molinari mentioned a recent article in the Business section of the Post and Courier highlighting the pizza industry in the Lowcountry.  He stated that Andolini’s, which has several locations in the Lowcountry, was exploring locations in both Goose Creek and Summerville for when the economy rebounds.  Mr. Molinari stated he had provided his contact information and would be interested in discussing the time frame and potential locations.  Mr. Phillips inquired how the Papa Murphy’s pizza franchise was working out.  Mr. Molinari stated he understood the restaurant to be doing very well; Goose Creek was the first of a proposed twelve (12) locations to be opened up in the Lowcountry, with the second opening on James Island.  Mr. Phillips inquired if Mr. Molinari had made contact with the restaurant owner in Mount Pleasant.  Mr. Molinari stated he had heard very positive reviews about the restaurant from a colleague, but had not spoken to the owner yet.  There was a brief discussion on various vacant commercial properties in Goose Creek, including the vacant Burger King location at Crowfield Boulevard and College Park Road.  Mr. Molinari stated he had not received information from the Planning Department of anyone looking to lease or renovate that property.  Mr. Phillips stated was advised the Cici’s Pizza restaurant in Goose Creek had closed, but was not aware of the reason why.

IV.              Downtown Redevelopment:

Mr. Molinari stated there was finally some tangible progress on the redevelopment of Central Avenue.  He stated the decorative brick at the intersection of Etiwan Drive and Central Avenues had been installed as well as a majority of the subsurface drainage.  He stated the next few months would bring significant strides toward the completion of the project.  Mr. Molinari stated the project had been challenging with dealing with numerous utility conflicts and other issues.  He stated the Central Avenue project was anticipated to be completed in early 2011.  He stated the City was dealing with time constraints related to the Tax Increment Financing District (TIF), since the funds paying for the improvements would expire at the end of 2012.  He stated the City was close to compiling the necessary documents to place the Thomason Boulevard project up for bid.  He anticipated the redevelopment of Thomason Boulevard to be an easier project than Central Avenue since there were fewer utility conflicts and larger established right-of-ways.  Mr. Molinari stated it was gratifying to see the project come together, since the EDAC was very active in formulating the downtown redevelopment concept and gathering feedback from residents and key stakeholders.  He stated he was anxious to see what type of catalyst the investments will be for future redevelopment in that area.  Mr. Molinari stated the City is compiling the bid documents for the Thomason project and was in the process of coordinating with the property owners.  He stated the City was working with AT&T to have all of the utilities relocated prior to breaking ground on the new project in order to avoid conflicts that could delay the project. 

V.                 Crowfield Corporate Center:

Mr. Molinari stated the Planning Commission held a public hearing earlier this month to consider rezoning the Crowfield Corporate Center from Planned District (PD) to Light Industrial (LI).  He stated the Crowfield Corporate Center was developed as a “Class A” Industrial Park by Westvaco Development, and all development within the park was light industrial.  He stated the three (3) vacant parcels within the park were being marketed and the Planning Commission wanted any future development to conform to the current uses.  Mr. Molinari stated the Planning Commission unanimously recommended re-zoning from PD to LI to protect the existing land owners that any future uses would be consistent with existing uses.   He stated keeping the land usage consistent would help the City clarify questions about what was permitted on the property by having a more definitive direction.  Mr. Molinari stated there were no definitive prospects for the vacant parcels, but the properties were currently listed on the Alliance Web site, with all specifications, infrastructure, and pertinent transportation information.  Mr. Molinari stated there had not been any official meetings with the Alliance, since they were in the process of updating the Regional Economic Development Plan, but he had an opportunity to visit and explain what was going on in the City of Goose Creek.  Mr. Phillips stated he had an informal discussion with Mayor Heitzler who suggested City Council invite the Alliance to explain operations since they had been restructured.  There was a brief discussion regarding the properties in the Crowfield Corporate Center and the responsibilities of the Park Owner’s Association.  Mr. Warner stated there were more delivery trucks in the Corporate Center because of the increased business.  He stated there were instances when the large trucks blocked the entrances from potential customers which would be a turn off for businesses that were considering relocating to the Corporate Park.  Mr. Infinger stated after the Corporate Center was rezoned, the EDAC could discuss any other changes the City could do to make the Corporate Center more desirable for potential buyers. 

VI.              Commercial Buffer Zones: 

Mr. Molinari stated the Planning Commission had been working on the Comprehensive Plan update, to include review of the commercial buffer zones.  He stated the goal was to develop a balance between new commercial development and existing residential neighborhoods.  Mr. Molinari stated the EDAC’s business perspective from was valuable in determining the balance.  He stated additional information would be provided when the time came to set distances for actual the buffers.  Mr. Infinger stated from commercial perspective, the larger the buffer, the better.  He stated developers will use every available piece of property, so it was important to set an appropriate buffer. 

VII.           Comprehensive Plan Update: 

Mr. Molinari stated the steering committee has completed drafts of eight (8) of the nine (9) elements, and will be formulating goals and objectives within the next few months.  He stated the proposal will be ready to go before City Council in early 2011.

VIII.        Chairman’s Time:

Mr. Infinger stated he appreciated Mr. Warner attending the meeting and providing insight to the Crowfield Industrial Park.  Mr. Infinger recognized Mayor Pro Tem Esarey who stated he had real concerns with what the City had planned for the Corporate Center.  He stated he had spoken to Mayor Heitzler who suggested he speak to the EDAC.  Mr. Esarey stated the City needs to take the opportunity to try to capitalize on the suppliers that will be relocating because of the Boeing plant moving to Charleston.  He stated at the end of 2012, the source of funds for capital improvements will no longer be available.  He stated the Marguerite H Brown Municipal Complex, Community Center, fire stations and downtown redevelopment were all financed through the TIF funds.  Mr. Esarey stated the only other place to collect additional revenue was by raising taxes.  He stated the City had done a great job making Goose Creek what they had always wanted it to be, a sleepy, residential town; but in his opinion, it would not be able to pay for itself unless businesses relocated to Goose Creek.  He stated there were several locations within the city that could accommodate small businesses, not just the Corporate Park.  Mr. Esarey stated it was important that the EDAC relay a message to the Mayor that he has to get the face of Goose Creek in front of the CRDA and Berkeley County Economic Development.  He stated City officials had to get in front of the development and meet with other municipalities in order to determine how they were attracting new businesses.  Mr. Infinger stated he would speak to Mr. Buckner about setting up a meeting to brainstorm specific goals for the EDAC and a plan to accomplish the goals.  There was a brief discussion regarding the new Boeing plant and how it will affect business opportunities in Goose Creek. 

IX.              Comments from Staff: 

Mr. Bagwell inquired if there was an update on the commercial development at the Carnes Crossroads area of the City.  Mr. Harmon stated he had been in contact with the president of the Daniel Island Development Corporation.  He stated the developers had seen increased activity and had established a timeline to complete the Harris Teeter grocery store by the third quarter of 2011.  Mr. Harmon stated the developers were looking strongly at residential development and were more optimistic than they had been in the past. 

X.                 Adjournment:

Hearing nothing further, Mr. Warner made a motion to adjourn.  Mr. Phillips seconded the motion.  All in favor, none opposed.  Meeting adjourned 11:47 a.m.

Minutes approved and adopted:_____________________________       

Date: January 27, 2011  Rick Buckner, Chairman