Town of Guilford Economic Development Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 6, :15 PM Guilford Town Hall-2 nd Floor Meeting Room

Transcription

1 Town of Guilford Economic Development Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 6, :15 PM Guilford Town Hall-2 nd Floor Meeting Room Please note: Minutes are not final until approved at subsequent meeting. Members Present: Members Absent: Others: Town Staff: Ms. Jennifer Cowie, Mr. Robert Cuozzo, Mr. Stephen Kops, Chair, Mr. Matthew Joseff & Mr. Mark White. Ms. Pilar Gonzalez, Mr. Theodore Sands, Vice-Chair & Mr. Mark Wasserman. Mr. Joel Galvin, Pearce Real Estate. Mr. Kevin Geenty, Geenty Group Real Estate. Mr. Charles Havrda, Board of Selectmen. Mr. Frank Hird, O, R & L Real Estate. Mr. Edward Lazarus, Chamber of Commerce Liaison. Mr. Joseph Mazza, First Selectman. Mr. Brian McGlone, Economic Development Coordinator. Ms. Katherine DeBurra, Economic Development Recording Secretary. Mr. Kops called the meeting to order at 5:16 PM. (Ms. Jennifer Cowie. (Arrived 5:18 PM.) 1. Approval of the November 4, 2014 minutes. Motion: Upon a motion by Mr. Cuozzo and seconded by Mr. Joseff, the Economic Development Commission voted to accept the minutes of the Meeting of November 4, Economic Development Commission January 6, 2015 Page 1

2 In favor: Opposed: Abstained: Cowie, Cuozzo, Kops, Joseff, and White. Discussion of minutes. Motion: Upon a motion by Mr. Joseff and seconded by Mr. Cuozzo, the Economic Development Commission voted to approve the minutes of the Meeting of November 4, 2014 as presented. In favor: Opposed: Abstained: Cowie, Cuozzo, Kops, Joseff, and White. 2. Public Forum. No comments or discussion. 3. Economic Development Coordinator s Report. Mr. McGlone presented a draft copy of the Economic Development Commission Annual Report for 2013/2014 to the Commission for review. He reported on the following activity throughout the Town of Guilford. He stated that the new Tea and Spice Exchange is open and will hold a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, January 13, 4:00 PM. Commission. Members will try to attend this event. He reported that the former William Pitt Real Estate Office building has been sold. Mr. Depino of mediaboom has purchased the building and will be moving his business from Broad Street to that sight. Red Rooster Cookies will be moving into the yellow space of the former Trailblazer Building following renovations to that sight. Wire Journal Business will be moving to Madison in early They wanted to purchase a smaller office building in Guilford but could not find a suitable space. The building they have moved from is on deposit with the future use undecided. The former Village Francais building is being reviewed for septic Economic Development Commission January 6, 2015 Page 2

3 capabilities, parking potential and possible use as a casual seafood restaurant. Splash Restaurant is closed. The Village Green Gardens will occupy the former Hocon Gas building. Tractor Supply will be presenting an application to the Planning & Zoning Commission on January 7, The Arrow Paving site is converting that location into apartments. He also reported that the 66 High Street project is in discussions with the Historic District Commission. 4. Chairman s Report. Mr. Kops stated that the final draft of suggested changes to Zoning Code Chapter 273, section is going to be on the Planning & Zoning Agenda at their next meeting. He invited members to attend showing support for the suggestions and changes. He also reported that Tanger has withdrawn from the Cheshire Outlet which may have an impact upon the proposed plan on the rock pile. He also shared an article, reviewing significant points and details from the Washington Post by George Cook titled; How Brick-and-Mortar Stores Can Survive the Internet Shopping Craze. He will forward it in for the Commission to review. He asked Mr. McGlone to help coordinate a presentation from the developers of the 66 High Street project at the next Economic Development Commission Meeting prior to their final presentations to the Planning and Zoning Commission. 5. Chamber of Commerce Report. (Moved to follow Item #6.) Mr. Kops asked Mr. Lazarus to report following the presentations from the commercial realtors. 6. Discussion with commercial realtors: Mr. Joel Galvin, Pearce Real Estate. Mr. Kevin Geenty, Geenty Group, Real Estate. Mr. Frank Hird, O, R & L Real Estate. Mr. Kops and Mr. McGlone opened the discussion and explained that they had invited these professionals to review some of their available properties in Town, areas of Town that were available for development, and possible strengths and hardships that are faced by possible business prospects that wish to locate to Guilford. Mr. Kops asked that the Commission and staff at the table introduce themselves. Economic Development Commission January 6, 2015 Page 3

4 Mr. Joel Galvin began the discussion and complimented the Economic Development Commission on their present progress and assistance to the Town businesses. He especially complimented the Town of Guilford on the present availability of the weekly meetings that Planning and Zoning hold as informational and for discussion. These are unique to Guilford among the Shoreline Towns but very useful to and for potential proposes, asking questions and for informational purposes. He noted that the current status of the rock pile project is a positive progression for the Town of Guilford. He shared handouts of some of the available properties that he has listed in Guilford and the possible uses at these locations. Mr. Frank Hird of O, R & L Real Estate stated that he felt that the attractive Green in Guilford is very unique and attracts business interest to locate here. He stated that some of these sites offer limited options but can be perfect for the right client. He noted that a small strip of businesses where Guilford Food Center and Centro Pizza are located, coincidently are considering other options and sale at this time. The circumstances to each business are not related but the opinions and view of the public are often speculative. Discussion. Mr. Mazza asked about the availability of property and if Guilford was in step with other communities, considering the developers, timing and economy. Mr. Hird stated that Guilford is in a positive state. Mr. Havrda asked about the west end development. Continued discussion of the Commission and group, including sharing examples and ideas from other communities that offer tax incentives to developers and businesses that might be attractive ways to encourage development in Guilford. Mr. McGlone and Mr. Joseff asked what and how the Commission and Town could do to market the available locations. Mr. Galvin complimented Mr. McGlone and the Commission on their support and undertaking of the work of the Commission thus far. Mr. Kevin Geenty 6:10 PM) Mr. Geenty distributed handouts of several examples of available properties that he has listed in Town. He discussed the possible uses that could succeed at these locations. He noted that light industry use is of limited to no availability and sometimes discourages locating in Guilford. He also noted that commercial vacancy rates are considered low at this time. There are several locations that offer wonderful medical and retail space. He stated that interest seems to be steady. It was noted as a positive suggestion to the Town, that copyright protection for plans kept at Town Hall South should be reviewed. Some plans are not allowed to be copied citing copyright issues with architects. This can create problems for current property owners, real estate agents and developers, even years later. Discussion suggested that Guilford may be the only Town that follows that lead. Economic Development Commission January 6, 2015 Page 4

5 Mr. McGlone directed the Commission and group to the CERC research data website for date on Guilford to answer some of the questions on availability and further information. 5. Chamber of Commerce Report. (Moved to follow Item #6.) Mr. Ed Lazarus reported that there will be a ribbon cutting for The Spice & Tea Exchange, January 4:00 PM. The Chamber Annual Dinner will be January 20, Business After Hours will be January 27, 2015 at Page Hardware. Members are invited to attend. 7. Sub-Committee/Board Liaison Reports. 8. New Business. Mr. Kops introduced Mr. Mark White who has been appointed to the Commission as an alternate member. Mr. announced that Mr. Cuozzo is now a regular member. Each member will complete the term that the predecessor was appointed to following Town process. 9. Old Business. 10. Next steps. Economic Development Commission January 6, 2015 Page 5

6 11. Approval of bill (s). 12. Adjourn. Motion: Upon a motion by Mr. White and seconded by Mr. Cuozzo the Economic Development Commission voted to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 7:09 PM. In favor: Opposed: Abstained: Cowie, Cuozzo, Kops, Joseff, and White. Respectively Submitted; Katherine DeBurra Recording Secretary Economic Development Commission January 6, 2015 Page 6