04.06.05 PEDC Minutes1,SPER
P
Economic Development Corporation
Minutes
Regular Meeting of Prosper Economic Development Corporation
407 F. First Street, Prosper, TX
April 6, 2005
1. Call to Order and Roll Call:
Meeting was called to order by PEDC Board President, Ray Smith, at 7:00 p.m.
All members were present. Kamm Gandy, PEDC Executive Director and Judy Rucker, PEDC
Facilitator were in attendance.
2. Approval of Minutes:
Minutes were approved as submitted. Motion made by Lisa Dritschler seconded by Dan
Tolleson. Motion carried 5-0.
3. Approval of Financial Statement:
The Financial Statement was approved as submitted. Motion made by Jim Campbell and
seconded by Bob Luckock. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Priorities for Economic Development Work Plan were submitted.
The Board reviewed the PEDC Work ' Plan prepared by Executive Director Karen Gandy and
gave her direction on the top ten objectives that she should focus on in addition to the TIRZ
and her ongoing daily activities:
➢ Develop a new PEDC logo and seal, complete aerial map project and develop
marketing flyers and update Prosper's Community Profile.
➢ Conduct market research on business sectors targeted for recruitment/development,
➢ Create and maintain a data base of available properties, including available
infrastructure.
➢ Initiate a direct mail campaign to brokers, developers, and retailers
➢ Develop marketing ads/materials for circulation in trade magazines, business journals,
and newspapers.
➢ Review current contract for website design and maintenance services. Update the
Town's website adding additional Establish Economic Development Roundtable
comprised economic development information.
➢ Support local option election for the sales of alcoholic beverages for on -premise
consumption
➢ Draft and adopt policies, guidelines and applications for granting financial incentives.
➢ of local and area Political and business leaders, PEDC, Town staff and area and NTTA
officials to create a transportation, e.g.TXDOT network of support for city and
regional initiatives that have impact on the local economy.
1
Motion was made by Jim Campbell and seconded by Bob Luckock to approve the item as
discussed. Motion carried: 5-0.
5. Dallas Business Guide Ad
Board approved not to fund an ad in Dallas Business Guide. Motion made by Lisa Dritschler
and seconded by Bob Luckock. Motion carried 5-0.
6. Discussion and Recommendation to Town Council
a. New Zoning Ordinance and its Impact on Economic Development
Karen Gandy discussed with the EDC Board her review of the non-residential standards
found in the New Zoning Ordinance and their impact on economic development efforts.
Ms. Gandy stated that she did only a cursory review of the new Zoning Ordinance and the
Town's Comprehensive Plan. Her overall impression of the proposed ordinance was that it
was well -written, straight -forward in its layout and somewhat user-friendly. There were
several provisions that should appeal to the development community; such as, a wide range
of uses permitted by right, rather than an overuse of conditional or specific use permits
which cost a developer both time and money to seek the additional level of approval. Also,
the parking ratios are more flexible than a lot of cities' standards, and the site plan review
process requiring only one public meeting was also a real plus for developers. Some of the
minimum setback requirements for the commercial districts are more restrictive than other
cities' ordinances, but appeared to be in keeping with the Comprehensive Plan objectives.
On the residential density/lot size issue, she stated that rooftops = shops and that the capital
costs associated with extending new infrastructure greater distances through traditional
large -lot subdivisions increases the cost or development, but that fact must be weighed
against community values. Ms. Gandy concluded by recommending that some of the
standards (such as, parking/loading, landscapes, lighting, etc.) be placed in tables to
simplify the detail of the standards. She felt that the simpler the presentation of the
requirements is the greater likelihood the applicant could comply at the time of their first
submittal.
The Board was O.K. with Gandy's comments. Ray Smith added that there should be
flexibility in the review process and asked that provisions for parking garages on the
interior be added. Lisa Dritscher wants to hold firm to the master plan for now. She wants
to make sure that the architecturally Prosper has its own identity and doesn't look like
Frisco and McKinney with too much Austin stone and cream colored paint. The Board
also discussed the possibility of the Prosper Area Chamber of Commerce working with
new business owners to help alleviate their frustrations during the Town's construction and
field inspection process.
b. Tax Abatement Policy
The Board reviewed the draft Resolution and Tax Abatement Policy that Ms. Gandy
prepared and recommended that it be placed on Council's next agenda.
2
c. Legal Counsel for the Economic Development
Staff explained their reasons for seeking separate legal counsel for economic development
purposes and the Board understood and concurred with their reasons. Staff further
explained that they had not concluded their evaluation process and requested that no action
be taken on this item.
7. Update on aerial map project.
The Board looked at the Frisco EDC maps and determined that they would like Aerial Focus to
produce the maps rather than Landiscor. They asked Ms. Gandy to get a written proposal from
Aerial Focus and to pay Landiscor for the services they rendered. The Board instructed Ms.
Gandy to have the 24" x 36" map show the area 1 mile north of town limits and 6 miles south
The PEDC wanted to wait on printing the 1000 copies until the new seal/logo was completed
and could be added to the map. Motion was made by Dan Tolleson and seconded by Jim
Campbell. Motion carried 5-0.
8. Convened into Executive Session at 8:00 p. m. pursuant to Open Meeting
Act, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, Sections 551.087, Deliberations
regarding Economic Development Negotiations.
Ray Smith so motioned and Dan Tolleson seconded .Motion carried 5-0.
9. Reconvened into Regular Session at 8:37 p.m.
No action necessary as a result of the executive session.
10. Future Business.
Board wants to continue to receive update on status of infrastructure proje".;ts and new
development applications as they come in.
11. Adjournment at 8:39 p.m.
Motion made by Dan Tolleson, seconded by Jim Campbell. Motion carried 5-0.
Approved:
Bob Luckock, Secretary, Prosper EDC
Minutes prepared by Judy Rucker, appointed Secretary.
Date:
t