Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting

July 27, 2011

11:00 a.m.

City Hall

Chairman Rick Buckner                                               David Warner

Dean Infinger                                                              Ron Henderson

Councilmember Mark Phillips

Dean Infinger

Joseph Bagwell

Ron Anderson

             

Dennis Harmon, City Administrator                            Mayor Michael J. Heitzler

Jeff Molinari, Assistant City Administrator

Press Present:                                                                                                            

                                                                                                           

I.                   Call to Order:

 

Mr. Buckner called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m.  Mr. Buckner requested that everyone review the Agenda and determine if there were any additions, deletions or changes necessary to the Agenda, as printed.  Mr. Buckner stated he had one (1) request to add to the Agenda and that was for Mayor Heitzler to speak to the EDAC when he was ready.   

 

II.                Approval of Minutes:

EDAC Meeting – April 27, 2011

 

Mr. Infinger made a motion to approve the minutes as presented.  Councilmember Phillips seconded the motion.  All in favor, none opposed.  Motion carried.

 

III.             Land Use Buffer Ordinance:

 

Mr. Molinari stated Mr. Ben-Yisrael was the most familiar with the project and he was running a few minutes behind.  He inquired if they could go ahead and move forward with the Agenda.  He stated the Land Use Buffer Ordinance was scheduled to go before the Planning Commission that following Tuesday, for a public hearing and he wanted to make sure the EDAC had an opportunity to further review and comment on the matter prior to the public hearing. 

 

IV.              Mayor Heitzler – Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA) Briefing:

Mr. Buckner suggested Mayor Heitzler go ahead and speak in regard to the CRDA and he could update them on the latest happenings.  Mayor Heitzler stated after being appointed by City Council to represent the City on the CRDA, he has had the pleasure to attend two (2) meetings thus far.  He stated one (1) was a strategic planning meeting and the other was a two (2) hour business luncheon. 

 

Mayor Heitzler stated the general message was that the CRDA would be presenting a shift in strategy.  He stated instead of targeting certain businesses and then trying to reel them in, the CRDA has more of a broadcasting type philosophy wherein they have a desire to get their message out across the nation in order to become more attractive to those critical audiences by letting them know who we are and what we have to offer in this region.  Mayor Heitzler continued by saying although he would be a spokesperson for the region, he felt he would also have an opportunity to send a message on behalf of Goose Creek.  He stated he wished he had more, but at this time there have only been the two (2) meetings and he was still in the process of a learning curve. 

 

Mr. Buckner stated from what Mayor Heitzler stated it was certainly an interesting perspective and probably paralleled pretty much from what he had envisioned that if he put himself in the place of the businesses that would locate here, how would they find the City of Goose Creek?   He stated  what he believed the City should be doing in order to bring businesses into the City and that was to start with the City’s website.  He stated the website could show available properties to businesses interested in coming into the City, whether they are buildings or acreage, it could have a metrics that has to do with the City showing what it would cost to open a business in the City; and, then they would continue along those lines with being provided information.  Mr. Buckner stated it was up to the City and how they convince the CRDA and the people that support them to let them know Goose Creek is here.  Mr. Infinger stated he believed the most important thing he saw was that the Mayor of Goose Creek was now on the Board of Directors.  He stated when he was on the Board of Directors he felt like Goose Creek was always coming in last amongst everyone else in the area and when Goose Creek did get mentioned, it was always competition with the Mount Holly Industrial Park. Mr. Infinger stated at least once per year, he would invite Mr. David Ginn to come and speak with the EDAC. 

 

Mayor Heitzler stated he had an opportunity to speak with several of the Mayors and Supervisors from surrounding municipalities and counties and he spoke with them about past dealings with the CRDA.  He stated the impression he received was that there was some resentment toward the CRDA because they felt they have been shutout and there was some discussion about pulling monies out, until the CRDA squealed and came to them and negotiated.  He stated when he went to the first meeting he had a bitter taste in his mouth, but he has given them the benefit of the doubt that they are on the right track and he has yet to be shut out of discussions.   

 

V.                 Land Use Buffer Ordinance – Planning Director, Daniel Ben-Yisrael:

 

Mr. Ben-Yisrael reminded the EDAC that he appeared before them several months ago and made the initial presentation on the proposed Land Use Buffer Ordinance.  He continued by stating there was a discussion regarding the contents of the proposed ordinance and the impact it would have to future and existing businesses in the City.  He stated that information was absorbed and shared with the Planning Commission.  He stated the Planning Commission has held approximately seven (7) meetings and in addition to other Agenda items, the Land Use Buffer Ordinance was discussed.  He stated there was a brief hiatus from the proposed Land Use Buffer Ordinance so the Planning Commission could wrap up the Comprehensive Plan.  He stated the Planning Commission was scheduled to hold a Public Hearing the following week to consider recommending the Land Use Buffer Ordinance to City Council.  Mr. Ben-Yisrael stated he would also brief the ARB about the proposed ordinance.  Mr. Ben-Yisrael thoroughly reviewed the proposed ordinance with the EDAC and answered all of their questions; to include, answers to some of the questions the EDAC members had from their previous meeting.  There was a brief discussion concerning what the buffer would entail in regard to landscaping, commercial/residential areas where a buffer would be required or not required and liability concerns as they relate to buffers and crime prevention.  Mr. Buckner inquired if Mr. Ben-Yisrael would be briefing the EDAC again with an update of the proposed ordinance.  Mr. Ben-Yisrael stated he would like to take the feedback offered by the EDAC back to the Planning Commission at their next meeting, along with City staff’s recommendations.  He stated this would then provide him with an opportunity to tweak the proposed ordinance a little more.  He stated they would be at least looking at taking the proposed ordinance into September at the Planning Commission level and he would have had an opportunity to present it to the ARB as well.  He stated once he has made some revisions he would like to forward the amended version of the proposed ordinance back to the EDAC and if they could, provide comments prior to their meeting.  He stated that would be helpful in the event the Planning Commission felt like they have addressed everything and desire to forward it to City Council for first reading.  He stated he would prefer to not be in a position where City staff would have to wait for three (3) months.  He stated it was the Planning Commission’s privilege to forward the proposed ordinance to City Council should they be comfortable with the document, but it was his job to field comments from the different verging commissions and try to incorporate those comments where appropriate and to inform the Planning Commission of their sentiments in the background.  Mr. Buckner stated he would like to see the proposed Ordinance brought back before the EDAC right before the Planning Commission planned to forward the document to City Council.  Mr. Anderson inquired as to the vision of the Planning Commission and their opinion of what the proposed buffer ordinance should entail.  Mr. Ben-Yisrael reviewed some of the discussions he has had with the Planning Commission in regard to buffers and stated street buffers were not included in the original draft of the ordinance.  He stated the street buffer requirement was not in the original draft of the ordinance and the objective was to buffer land uses.  He stated the street buffer came up during the initial hearings held by the Planning Commission and places like Mt. Pleasant, Summerville and Hilton Head Island were cited as being models for where the City would like to go in the future.  He stated the Planning Commission gave much consideration to the same concerns as the EDAC and that was to make sure the City provides an environment where businesses can function, where businesses are encouraged to come to the City, reflects the City is business friendly, but at the same time, making sure the City is beautified.  Mr. Buckner inquired if it would be out of line for the EDAC to request they look at it at their next meeting once the ARB has made their review of the proposed ordinance.  Mr. Ben-Yisrael stated he did not believe it would be out of line and he was prepared to take the document back to the Planning Commission and request they consider continuing the Public Hearing in order to allow the EDAC to rework the document a little, but to postpone a recommendation until he has had the opportunity to go back before the EDAC.  Mr. Buckner thanked Mr. Ben-Yisrael for his briefing and stated it certainly was enlightening. 

 

VI.              Downtown Redevelopment:

 

Central Avenue - Mr. Molinari briefed the EDAC on the Downtown Redevelopment Project of Central Avenue.  He stated the decorative lighting had been installed and it was really starting to come together.  He stated the next and final component of the project would be the milling and resurfacing of Central Avenue which should be completed by August 5^th.  He stated there were a few change orders that needed to be addressed in regard to the rear access of JK Harris and Publix which had to do with piping that needed to be reinforced and at the corner of St. James Avenue and Central Avenue there was some concern about the amount of slope coming off of the sidewalk into Bank of America’s parking lot. 

 

Thomason Boulevard - Mr. Molinari stated Thomason Boulevard was going great and AOS?????? was doing a fantastic job.  He stated all of the overhead utility lines on the north side of Thomason, minus the shopping center and Highway 52, have been placed underground.  He stated the sidewalks were in place, drainage improvements were being made and the City anticipated the project to be completed before Central Avenue.  He stated their contract would run until October 3^rd, but he anticipated they would be done with the project well before that date.  Mr. Molinari stated the City could then focus on Brandywine Boulevard and get it designed, out for bid and brought before City Council so all of the projects could be wrapped up before 2012.  Mr. Phillips stated he recently received a compliment from a resident about Thomason Boulevard and how placing the power-lines underground has visually changed and improved the appearance of that street.    

 

Highway 52 (Landscaping/Drainage Improvements) – Mr. Molinari stated the City recently received and encroachment permit from SCDOT to boar under Highway 52 in order to provide the power for the irrigation line and that would be put in that week.  He stated the City would wait until the fall for the final portion of that project which would be the landscaping.  He stated if the City put the landscaping in now, there would be a chance the plants would not survive.

 

There was a brief discussion in regard to the building of a new Headquarters Fire Station with the Tax Increment Fund monies included in the development plans for downtown.  Mayor Heitzler mentioned the EDAC of the intent to request County Councilmember’s Dennis Fish and Bob Call to help the City extend the recreational district into unincorporated areas of Crowfield Plantation and other areas such as Okatee and Devon Forest and the commercial property around Wal-Mart that is not currently in the recreation zone.  There was a brief discussion concerning the traffic signals at the intersection of S Goose Creek Boulevard (Highway 52), Red Bank Road and St. James Avenue (Highway 176).  

 

VII.           Goose Creek Classic Golf Tournament:

 

Mr. Molinari stated a few weeks ago he sent an email to the members of the EDAC in regard to the City’s upcoming first annual Goose Creek Classic Golf Tournament in commemoration of the City’s 50^th Anniversary scheduled for Friday, August 26^th, at 9:00 a.m., at Crowfield Golf Course.  He stated there have been twelve (12) teams secured thus far.  He stated the City decided to engage its business community to participate and there has been a very good response and he believed it would be a great event and a start to an annual tradition.  Mr. Buckner stated he was glad to see the City pulling the businesses together by using one of the City’s most valuable resources.     

 

VIII.        Chairman’s Time:

 

Mr. Buckner thanked Mayor Heitzler for participating on the CRDA and making Goose Creek proud.  He stated he believed Mayor Heitzler could bring a lot to the table for the City.  Mr. Buckner thanked everyone for their participation in the meeting and the information provided.  Mr. Anderson stated the individuals who have been working on Thomason Boulevard have been very cooperative with his staff at NBSC (National Bank of South Carolina).  

 

IX.              Comments from Staff:

 

Mr. Molinari stated he had some unfortunate news in that Mr. David Warner was no longer employed by AAI.  He stated Mr. Warner actually moved to Texas and was now with another company; therefore, he had to resign his seat on the EDAC, effective immediately.  He stated Mr. Warner was the first representative from the Crowfield Corporate Center and he felt he brought a really good perspective to the EDAC.  He stated he and Mr. Buckner have discussed recognizing Mr. Warner for his years of service on the EDAC with a plaque.  Mr. Molinari stated the City has not yet advertised a vacancy, but if anyone had any thoughts to please let City staff know. 

 

Mr. Molinari stated over the past couple of years the EDAC and City staff have discussed making things easier for individuals to start-up businesses in the City.  He distributed some information in regard to some research he has done on the City of North Augusta, South Carolina, and stated they had an excellent “Business Start-up Guide” that takes you through the entire process and he thought the City could use this as a starting point.  He stated it was pretty in depth and extensive and would assist the City in its endeavour to make things easier for anyone who was interested in starting a business in the City of Goose Creek.  Mr. Buckner thanked Mr. Molinari and stated he felt with the information provided it would make things relatively easy for the City to make the application available on-line as well.  Mr. Molinari stated it was something the City could definitely work toward.  Mr. Molinari thanked the EDAC for their comments in regard to the proposed buffer ordinance and stated he felt it was imperative that the EDAC review the document since it would have a direct impact on the business community.  He stated the Planning Commission was coming at it from a much different perspective and he felt input from the EDAC needed to be taken into consideration. 

 

X.                 Adjournment:

 

Hearing nothing further, Mr. Anderson made a motion to adjourn.  Mr. Bagwell seconded the motion.  All in favor, none opposed.  Meeting adjourned 12:31 p.m.

 

Minutes approved and adopted:

_________________________________      Date:                          , 2011

Rick Buckner, Chairman