Grand Marais City Councilor Tim Kennedy and other members of the Grand Marais Planning Commission attended the June 9 meeting of the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) seeking direction on how to proceed with a rezoning request. Kennedy explained that the commission was unsure how to respond to the request from Stephan Holtz of Advanced Housing Concepts to change the zoning of a Cedar Grove Business Park lot from commercial to residential to facilitate an affordable housing project. Kennedy said because of the proximity of the Gunflint Trail and commercial lots, the lot sought for residential use doesn’t seem to fit well. Kennedy said the lot would be better suited for light industry.
Director Matt Geretschlaeger said the EDA would prefer to see housing created on the far end of the business park, adjacent to existing residential property. Board member Mark Sandbo said the intent was to get something started on the business park property. Board chair Mike Littfin said the EDA had agreed this lot was not ideal, but noted that since it had infrastructure available, it was something that could move ahead.
Consultant Dick Grabko of SEH Engineers, who helped the EDA obtain grant funding for the business park said the question may be moot. He said he believed that under grant funding agreements, the business park couldn’t include residential structures. He agreed to research the question.
Sherrie Carlson from the Planning Commission said the commission just needed some direction regarding the EDA’s long-term plan for the business park. The EDA board said its intention was not to make a wholesale change to the business park. It also agreed a long-range plan for sale of the lots needs to be developed.
At its July 1 meeting, the Grand Marais Planning Commission denied the rezoning request with a 5-0 vote.
Golf course cart path concerns
Director Geretschlaeger reported on the complicated process to pave the Superior National at Lutsen Golf Course cart paths, a project that will increase the number of rounds that can be played at the course each year. Geretschlaeger said the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has concerns regarding the project’s water engineering. If the project is done in the manner suggested by MPCA, it could be quite costly, with engineering costs
resulting in 25% of the project. Geretschlaeger said it might be helpful to meet with the engineers from SEH Engineering and MPCA to go over plans, to try to find a less costly solution. The board directed Geretschlaeger to travel to Minneapolis to have a faceto face meeting with the parties involved, to try to find a solution. Board member Bruce Martinson asked what the deadline was to complete the project so Iron Range Resources
funding is not lost. Geretschlaeger said it had to be completed in 2009. Martinson asked how long the actual work would take. The board guessed it would take about three weeks.
Golf course manager Greg Leland said it could possibly be completed in three weeks. “There are a lot of holes that already have cart paths. This is just tying everything together,” he said.
Geretschlaeger said, “We just need a better engineering solution. This is just a six-inch base and a three-inch wear course. But with the numbers we’re receiving, we can’t do it.”
Sandbo expressed his frustration, adding, “We’re not rebuilding Highway 61 here.”
In other golf course business, Leland gave information on year to date sales numbers at Superior National. He said rounds are up slightly, from 1,681 to 1,863. Overall income is up from $146,943.75 to $147,277.19. He said numbers were fairly flat, but good, considering the cold weather.
Board member Jan Sivertson complimented Leland on the staff’s good work, adding that considering the country’s current economic situation, the golf course is doing well. She said, “Flat is the new up.”
Housing rehabs on track
Dick Grabko also gave a report on Lake/ Cook County housing activities. He said five housing rehabilitation projects are underway in Grand Marais and it is anticipated that nine will be rehabbed by September. However, because of privacy laws, he said he is unable to give the names of the people who are receiving assistance. He provided a list of typical housing rehab projects, which include things such as replacement of windows, doors, installation of smoke alarms and stair rails, installation of sheet rock and tape of exposed fiberglass installation, etc. He said the first step is testing the home to ensure that it does not contain lead. Grabko said the average cost of projects is $2,200, but added that projects range from $12,000 – $30,000.
Grabko also said housing coordinator Nancy Grabko is working to inform homeowners about the availability of Department of Energy weatherization funds. He said if a homeowner is eligible for fuel assistance, they are eligible for weatherization funding. “We’re committed to spreading the word on this information. We will make an effort to market this,” said Grabko.
Anyone interested in the DOE weatherization program is encouraged to call the EDA Lot 7
Lot 2
Outlot Lot 4 Lot 6 Lot 5
Lot
housing coordinator Nancy Grabko toll-free at (877) 889-2716 or (218) 244-7251. Business research Director Geretschlaeger asked for authorization to travel to Minneapolis to meet with businessmen and developers there, to research what it would take for them to move their businessestoCookCounty. He said he is confident that the EDA, working with the IRR, the county, the city, and other organizations could provide what is needed, but said the EDA needs to know what businesses want.
“I want to know what it would take to make a deal. We may need to get creative. This will take a little shoe leather,” said Geretschlaeger. “Sitting in my office in Grand Marais is not going to get this done.” Mike Littfin agreed that the EDA’s past work has been “passive” and said he supported the proposal. “I think Matt’s idea will give the EDA a better feel for what is needed, what is happening in the Cities,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if a business is making a widget or gizmo, it needs power, water, etc. We need to know what else we need to provide,” said Littfin. Jan Sivertson noted that there might be numerous small industries that would be a good fit for Cook County. “We can’t do it cheaper here— so we need to show that we have something different here.”
Theboard agreed that the director should spend a week in Minneapolis talking to industry contacts to research what it would take to get a business to move to Cook County.
His research, and other EDA matters, will be discussed at the next EDA meeting in city hall council chambers at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2009.
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