Set Preliminary Goals for Corridor Improvement Program (Strategic Action Plan Tactics No. 28 & 29)

Staff acknowledges the complexity of this case, and is not expecting to develop a full policy in a single work session. The intent of this case is to provide broad, preliminary policy direction in order to develop a framework for a policy, and ultimately an adopted policy. Due to potential budgetary impacts, Staff has not recommended implementation of each of these ideas, but provides a menu of options to begin brainstorming ideas.

The purpose of this case is to discuss initial categories and tactics to develop a Corridor Improvement Program as established by Strategic Action Plan Tactics No. 28 & 29. Both of these tactics fall within the Strategic Plan Initiative to 'Improve the image of key corridors (Highway 10, County Road 5, and Highway 47)'. This falls under Strategic Imperative III: Smart, Citizen-Focused Government.

Strategic Tactic No. 28 is 'to use property owner citizen engagement strategies' to develop a key outcome indicator of an Adopted Statement of Goals. A component of this, in addition to reaching out to corridor stakeholders, is to develop acceptable tactics and strategies for this specific goals. Staff offers up the following broad strategies for City Council feedback. The City's planning consultant, WSB Associates, assisted with the development of these alternatives.  

1. Strategic Acquisition, especially in 'gateway' districts (borders with adjacent communities)
2. Increased Code Enforcement for city code violations
3. Financial Incentives for facade improvements
4. Increased scrutiny in management of leases for City-owned parcels
5. Utilization of Public Works Resources for improvements/clean up of private property

Strategic Tactic No. 29 states to proactively implement corridor improvements through public investment and code compliance initiatives. The tactic has a metric of 30% of targeted property clean-up per year of plan. The City Council has not yet identified which properties to target. Additionally, this tactic noted a need to add 0.5 FTE of staff resources in order to accomplish this goal.

1. Strategic Acquisition for 'Gateway Districts'

A primary gateway to the community is the border with the City of Anoka along Highway 10. Several aging buildings exist at this gateway. A noticeable vacancy exists along the north side of Highway 10 at this gateway. A significant amount of outside storage exists along the south side of Highway 10 at this gateway. Additionally, these properties are impacted in various levels by the Highway 10 Access Planning Study. This strategy would likely have the largest positive impact on aesthetic improvements, but is also likely the most costly alternative presented. Policy Direction: Does this City Council want Staff to explore the idea of approaching Property Owners to research willing sellers and potential asking prices to inventory the financial feasibility of strategic acquisition in this area?

2. Increased Code Enforcement Resources

The City responds to a number of nuisance complaints along key corridors ranging from outside storage to building maintenance. The City is generally able to keep up with complaints regarding outside storage. However, case management for lack of maintenance to buildings and structures is a time-consuming process for the City and the necessary corrective actions are often times costly to property owners. This topic will likely be discussed as part of the 2017 Budget preparation. Policy Direction: Does the City Council want Staff to explore allocating additional resources to code enforcement efforts along key corridors either through additional Staff/contracted services, redirection of existing resources (limited), or other. This can also be discussed in the context of revised revenue forecasts that can be utilized for building maintenance code enforcement.

3. Financial Incentives for Facade and Site Improvements

Rather than full property acquisition, the City could consider financial incentives in the form of improvements to existing buildings. When considering this option, the City Council should evaluate the problem attempting to be solved, and whether improvements to the building truly solves the issue, or simply delays the ultimate solution. For example, is the City incentivizing an improvement that will ultimately be removed for right of way acquisition? Will the overall site continue to appear blighted even with facade improvements (is there still outside storage issues, other aesthetic issues, etc.)? The City Council should consider the longevity of the improvements in the context of return on investment. Policy Direction: Does the City Council want Staff to explore a program of financial incentives for facade or other site improvements?

4. Increased scrutiny in leases for City-Owned Parcels

The City owns various parcels along the Highway 10 Corridor acquired for the purposes of Highway 10 expansion purposes. In the interim, the City has chosen to lease several parcels to private entities in order to retain these parcels as taxable parcels. Staff would like the City Council's thoughts on development standards for these parcels and its policy stance on continuing to lease these parcels. The City Council should consider this in the context of return on investment versus resources used to manage leases and the quality of aesthetics of these leased properties. Policy Direction: Does the City Council want to continue to lease these Highway 10 parcels? Does the City want to set a higher standard for its properties (i.e. gravel parking, outside storage)?

5. Utilization of City Resources for voluntary clean up and improvements (Non-Violation Improvements)

This would apply to improvements that are not a violation of City Code. Examples include painting/graphic wraps of plywood coverings of vacant structures and tree removal. This would direct resources to provide visual improvements for elements that are not violations of City Code. Before moving forward with this alternative, Staff would highly recommend a clear policy as to circumstances the City will consider this approach to avoid allegations of unfairness to properties receiving code violation notices. Policy Direction: Does the City Council want to consider the utilization of City resources to provide visual improvements to structures and sites for those issues that are not a violation of City Code?

30 Minutes

This case is being prepared as part of normal staff duties.

Community Development Director

Consensus on acceptable approaches to explore in the formation of a Corridor Improvement Program to be brought back to a future session for further review and eventual adoption.