Um welcome to the September ninth, twenty twenty-five meeting of the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority.

Um Executive Director Key, could we have a roll call, please?

Commissioner Arington.

Here, Commissioner Martin, Commissioner Redondo.

Here, Commissioner Rogers, Commissioner Williams, Victor Cutler, here, Chair Muller.

Here.

We now move on to public input.

Check the online meeting, see if we have anyone.

We have no public attendees there.

And none present here on in the chamber.

So we'll move on to item three, which is the approval of the August twelfth, twenty twenty-five meeting minutes.

Does everyone have a chance to review?

Any changes or additions?

No.

Make a motion to approve.

We have a motion to approve the minutes.

Second.

Motion is second.

All those who favor, please say aye.

Aye.

It's unanimous.

Move on to our first agenda item, which is resolution 2025 dash zero for delegating development review to the Lure Executive Director.

Thanks, Kevin.

So just an agenda, I'm gonna go over our urban renewal plan specifically with the section related to development review.

Um, talk about this transition period, and then introduce resolution 2025-04.

Yep.

Um, which delegates development review from the authority to the executive director to just help streamline things as we wind down, uh, open up for questions and discussion, and then have some proposed motion language.

So within our urban renewal plan, um, there is a specific section uh related to plan review, and I I'm just gonna read all of it because I think it's helpful to just frame the conversation.

So it says that all development applications in the urban renewal area will first be considered by the urban renewal authority for compliance with this plan, design guidelines and standards and all applicable city codes and regulations.

So that's why we have been reviewing different site up spAs and PUDs.

Um following approval by the urban renewal authority, all development applications will then follow the normal city review procedures as set forth in section 26-16 of the Lafayette Code.

Uh, any development application that undergoes any substantive change in the city's development uh review procedures must be reconsidered by the urban renewal authority, notwithstanding the requirements of the Lobby Code Section 26-16-7.

The planning commission shall have final approval authority for site plans and architectural reviews, provided that the site plan or architectural review was initially approved by the urban renewal authority and remain substantially unchanged throughout the city review process through the planning commission consideration.

So we're in this transition period where, as we all know, our uh taxing permit financing expired last year, and our role within our down the downtown is reducing, especially as we have transitioned to have a downtown development authority be the main special district within our old town area.

So while we are still winding down, our urban renewal plan is still active, and so we are still responsible for guiding development under our urban renewal plan.

Um but it convening the board um for full authority review is no longer the most efficient use of um our time during this transition period, and also we'll just help streamline um applications by not having to schedule a meeting one month and then a meeting for planning commission.

This will allow us to be a little bit more nimble where I'm able to review things as they come forward, and then they'll just have to go through the planning commission process.

Um City Council will ultimately deem at some point that the urban renewal plan is complete, and they'll do that through a resolution, and then we'll we won't have this authority anymore.

And we're also rewriting our land use code right now, which will include design guidelines and uses that are aligned with the urban renewal plan.

So within this transition period, um this resolution 2025-04 delegates development and review authority to the Lord Executive Director, which is me.

Um, this will help streamline administrative processes and uphold requirements of the urban renewal plan, provide content uh contiguity as Laura transitions out of its active redevelopment role.

Um, also I have an undergrad in urban design architecture and a master's in planning, so I feel comfortable doing this role on behalf of the authority.

Um so I have some proposed motion language here and happy to turn it back to Kevin for any questions.

Great.

Thanks, Bridget.

Open up to the board.

Okay, couple of questions.

One is uh maybe it's the only question I have.

So if something comes forward that we are helping to fund.

Um I notice that in the upcoming in the next agenda item.

I think you say urban renewal may want to weigh in on this.

We would be weighing in less formally.

But the money we would still have an ability to put some limits on it based based on the dollars that were given with an expectation.

Is that uh I don't know that we need to go do this, but where is our voice?

So you're delegating that review to me.

Um, if there are things that you as with applications, I can forward those to the board, and so if there is a need for you to opine or call it up, you can.

Um, but this would just provide it through me.

But if there is an economic development agreement, which I think you are speaking about, then um we could provide different terms about you know uh if we're giving you this dollar amount, then we expect this in return.

So that could be done through the public room as well.

Okay.

Does that help answer that question?

That perfect.

Okay, thanks.

What do we think city council is actually gonna?

Um so we need to sell two pieces of property, and so we'll still be in existence until we do that.

Um so I think those are the the two big things that are um holding us up from saying that the plan is complete.

Okay.

Yeah.

Well, and also there's also a bunch of other things.

Yeah, I mean, urban renewal needs to be written out of the zoning code, if that's so.

Yeah, so there's a number of things, but I think the the last two things that need to happen.

I mean, we we need to transfer funds to the the DDA, there's some easements that need to be transferred, our parking lot program needs to be formally transferred.

So there is a list of things which I'll have at the end of this meeting.

But I think the last two things based on like the timeline of everything is selling those two properties, and then we can that the plan is complete, and then we don't need a big meeting anymore.

So it's more like a next year thing versus this year thing.

I think by the end of this year, we'll get the bulk of everything done.

Um, and by at some point next year when we sell those other two properties, then I think we'll be done.

Okay.

Yeah.

So like mid next year ish, we'd think I would love that.

Yeah, that sounds great.

But I think after our meeting in November, we are not.

I know I said this last year.

Um, you know, I've only wound down uh urban renewal 41, so I have a lot of great lessons learned.

Uh I think by mid next year, hopefully we're we're wrapping up those two properties.

Okay.

Any other questions?

Um yeah, I um I I guess it's something I'd said to you earlier.

Like it seems like it to your discretion, you know, if if you felt the need to convene during that time for whatever may seem something more appropriate for you know, a panel to weigh in on.

Yeah, but I think everyone would be open to that.

Yeah, this delegates it, but we can you all have the authority to say we want to review this as the full board.

Are you willing to entertain motion?

I'll make a motion.

Uh I'd like to move to approve resolution 2025-04 delegating development review to the Laura Executive Director.

I'm second.

Okay, motion second, any further discussion.

I am happy to give you this responsibility.

Yeah, I'm happy to receive opportunity.

Yeah, thank you.

It is an opportunity.

Yeah, yeah.

I can think of no better person to do this.

Perfect.

Um, okay.

All that we have a motion and a second.

All those in favor, please say aye.

It is unanimous.

Great.

All right, we'll now move on to our second agenda item, which is resolution 2025-05 approving the expenditure of funds to the city council to support the acquisition and purchase of approximately 0.33 acres of land located at 108 North Public Road from JP Morgan Chase Bank.

Great.

Um, so I'm gonna give um some background about the parcel, talk about some strategic opportunities, the public benefit, the purchase and disposition strategy, um, introduce resolution 2025-05, have some proposed motion language and open it up for questions and discussion.

So as you all are familiar with, uh 200 North Public Road is on the corner of North Public and Geneseo.

It is the former um Chase Bank site, and they actually own 108 North Public Road, which is just south of that.

Uh we've been leasing 35 parking spots from them since I think 2016.

Um, and it's provided some central parking that's been really important for our district.

Um Chase Bank uh vacated the site in late 2024, and uh let us know about their um desire to sell both sites.

We initially have always had our eye on just 108 and approach them to see if they we can make an offer on just that um parcel, but they said that they were going to sell both properties together.

So that presents actually an interesting opportunity to um purchase both properties and sell the Chase Bank site and um do a request for proposal process to try to sell it to local business or local businesses or a local developer, and lines has a lot of our goals of wanting to activate a site and not have it sit vacant for an extended period of time.

So it's uh actually a pretty large lot and uh has a lot of opportunity to activate it through adapted reuse.

Um we can put a patio on the uh west side of it, we can do the parking to the east side of the building.

There's a lot of different opportunities, and so our goal is to um sell this and activate it with a sales tax generating use.

It could also provide additional parking for the adjacent businesses that are going in and um helps with pathways to ownership.

Um purchasing 108 um is great because previously we could only use it for parking, but by being able to own it, we have opportunities to expand um just different seasonal pop-ups, so allowing the farmers market to go into there, um, have you know new uh pop-ups such as like a taste of the Lafayette or a makers market um and that aligns with our downtown vision plan and then the DDA's plan of development.

And I was able to pull some fun renderings from the front pork project, which Laura funded years ago, and we've always thought of this idea that it would be great to be able to use the streetscape as an opportunity to also have different food trucks that so um I think it's important to just reflect on the public benefit.

So municipalities and urban renewal authorities are authorized to acquire prop property for public purposes, and that includes transportation, housing utilities, and economic development.

And in this case, this acquisition directly advanced the public interest related to economic development and public parking.

So to facilitate this acquisition, Laura has requested that the city initially fund the purchase of both properties, the general fund reserve, and that we would reimburse um for the the parking lot for a million dollars.

Umce there's two sites, I wanted to just walk through how this will happen.

Um the city um last meeting approved um the purchase and sales agreement, and so um we've the properties were listed at 2.7, and the city was able to negotiate it down to 2.6.

And so the idea is that for the parking lot 108 that we would reimburse the city for the cost of the parking lot, and then the DDA would be responsible for any pop-ups or programming, and also it would be included in the public parking lot program, and they would have maintenance for 200 North Public Road.

Um the Laura executive director would put together a subcommittee, um, likely members of city departments, Laura, the DDA, other interested parties, and release a request for proposals to sell that Chase Bank property to a local business or developers with some guidance as far as you know, wanting it to be a sales tax generating use, local business preference.

Um we imagine that this will be a very uh transparent process where we are uh doing engagement with the general community as well, and then that subcommittee will review the proposals and select a proposal to recommend to council.

Ultimately, council will decide um which proposal they want, but the subcommittee will help go through that process and make that recommendation, and then the goal is that we would sell that property um summer 2026.

So hold on to the parking lot, sell the other property, have that be a competitive process, and flip it quickly.

So resolution 2025-005 authorizes the expenditure of a million dollars for the acquisition and purchase of 108 North Public Road, and the funds would be transferred to the city via a budget supplemental at the November 18th City Council meeting.

So I have some proposed motion language here and happy to turn it back over to Chair Muller for any questions or discussion.

I think it's great.

I think it's great.

Are there any like small businesses that can afford like the actual purchase of it?

So we're gonna list it for 1.6, and then we are engaging with economic and planning systems, which is a consultant to run different models about different types of businesses that could go in there, like if a brewery went in there or a bunch of small businesses went in there, or if you were to do adapted reuse or new construction, what sort of gaps would be there, and then trying to think about what sort of other incentives or waivers or rebates we could do to try to package this so it's something that a business can do.

Um the DEA could also get involved with it, but we think that the reduced purchase price is just the first step, and there's probably going to be other things that we need to cobble together so we can really make sure a local business can get in there.

That was gonna be my second question.

What's the like condition of the actual building?

Like, does it need a ton of work?

We are getting an inspection done next week.

It is very much a 1970s style bank.

It's giving 1970s bank vibes.

Um what's interesting that has a full basement with multiple bathrooms and offices.

Um, so it's a very large building, surprisingly, for how small it actually looks.

Um, but we know that uh the roof got replaced recently, the water heater got replaced recently, um, and recently, I mean in the last 10 years.

It just does take good care.

The building itself, I feel is in very good shape and can actually be demised in a couple different ways.

Um, space and all sides.

I mean, I mean, I've I think it's there's lots of potential for it and being able to kind of bring the price down to a reasonable price is a great thing.

So I I I expect a lot of interest and ideas when that time comes.

So does it have like gas plumbed into it?

Because I know like for breweries, for example, you can't really run a brewery off electricity and all the new builds that you know.

Like they haven't been able to build a new location because of the gas.

Yeah.

There is gas nearby the site.

Um I'm not sure if it's exactly connected to it because I haven't seen the alt time.

And yes, yeah, we'd be shocked that there was no gas at that property.

Yeah, they might have to upsize the gas line, but it all the utilities are there with as many toilet rooms and other stuff there.

I mean, there's sufficient plumbing.

I mean, you know, they have theoretically adequate water service.

If they had to do a restaurant, there might be some increase in line, but my guess is it's still pretty well set up.

Like the building department will approve an upgraded gas line, but not to put in new gas lines to new sites.

I just want to make sure I'm understanding.

So there is um opportunities for restaurants um to be able to get um uh waivers for the all electric um if it's for cooking, and so there are opportunities for um businesses to get to be able to use gas.

Okay, yeah.

And that's just done through this building.

Yes.

I just I just heard you say brewery, so I just wanted to make sure that that is actual that they're gonna be able to be using building as for a brewery.

Okay, that's not cooking.

Yeah.

Any other questions?

I think we're breaking.

Okay, I will move to approve resolution 2025-05 approving expenditure of funds to the Lafayette City Council to support the acquisition of purchase of approximately 0.33 acres of land located at 108 North Public Road from JP Morgan Chase.

Do we have a second?

Two seconds.

Two seconds.

Any further discussion?

I just want to say we've been trying to get that parking lot or use it for decades.

Yeah.

And the idea that we won't have to look for somebody else to beg or ask for permission is going to be really good.

It's gonna be an asset downtown.

Yeah, just it's location.

Well, don't worry, yeah.

It's location is really really great for the north end.

It was definitely part of Rophore Porch Vision.

It's taken almost 10 years to do.

All right, uh, we have motion and a second.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

It's unanimous.

Thank you, Bridget.

So I just have some updates.

Um we are rescheduling our October meeting because there are a number of um holidays that uh we are looking we just don't want to have meetings on.

Um, and so our next one is on October 21st, and um I'll be introducing the lower budget.

We'll need to amend our 2025 budget for additional property tax revenue that came in.

And we will also hold some minor funds for next year um while we wrap things up.

Um we'll also be approving the transfer of the lure easements to the city of Lafayette, the uh Laura parking lots to the DDA, and then approving an IGA with the city of Lafayette to have this me as the economic development director manage the economic development agreements um moving forward, not the the funding will go to the DDA, which is something that you approved it in your last meeting, but this is just the management of the economic development agreement.

Um then uh I'll be going to city council um on October 28th to introduce the lower budget to them to get their feedback and then also bring forward those easements in the IGA for them to approve, and then November 13th will be our last meeting for the year, and then we'll have a public hearing for the lower budget.

Great.

Those are my updates.

And any new business?

Um the TDA is going uh up and running, and um we had a great discussion last month about our work plan.

They uh approved their recommended budget yesterday.

Um the farmers market team came yesterday to talk to the DDA, and there's some really cool partnerships out there, excited to do.

Um so a lot of cool stuff happening, and um they also uh approved their first logo.

I guess the logo.

Um so they're getting this different logo than the old town logo, and that was intentional to not have any confusion about like there's something separate than old town, they are not old town.

Um, and so it's it's like starting the business for them.

Um that's cool.

And uh next year there'll be much more of a more um uh presence in the downtown.

Um they want to do networking events, they want to do postcards, so definitely want to um set the tone for who they are and what they're trying to accomplish.

So a lot of exciting stuff.

That's cool.

Will there be um a location, a physical location that belongs to them?

What are you are they gonna have an office?

Is very kind of yeah.

So um the through the IGA or the city.

Um it's similar to Laura where um I'll be sitting here and we'll have a separate office.

But um, something that I've been thinking about that um we'll probably end up doing is I'll probably end up trying to do office hours at different places as the executive director.

Um, so businesses can pop in or um we'll have informational sessions and so um that will probably be something that we do, and uh the Starkey building just got renovated and it's gorgeous and it's really cool.

So that might be a good opportunity because it's in the center of town and easy for businesses to pop in if they need to get some help.

Cool.

Thanks.

Commissioners, does anyone have anything to report up?

Do is there a date yet for the Khalida Grill?

It's looking up and looking at us, yeah.

Um, I believe that they were having um a little bit of a delay because Excel needed to put in the transformer, but I've heard that that's all been wrapped up, so I can imagine that it's very soon.

Cool, great.

All right.

Well, if no one has anything else to report out, we will be adjourning to executive session.

And so I'll make the motion.

Um pursuant to CRS 2464024E1 for purposes of determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategy for negotiations and instructing negotiators with respect to potential economic development agreements for urban renewal projects in the old town urban renewal area.

That was a motion.

Um do we have a second?

And um I would like to add that uh the members who are not present would have the ability to uh to review the executive session.

Second that as well.

Okay.

Um so motion is second.

All those in favor, do you say aye?

Aye.

So we are adjourned.