Community Development Department Annual Report

Transcription

1 Community Development Department Annual Report 2016 Submitted by: Michael Ostrowski, Director

2 The Community Development Department promotes a safe, diverse, dynamic, and vibrant community, and enhances the living, working, and recreation choices for community residents and visitors. The Community Development Department is broken into five different divisions: 1. Economic Development 2. Planning and Zoning 3. Historic Preservation 4. Permits and Inspections 5. Property Maintenance Several major projects and activities occurred in 2016, including, but not limited to: Nearly $54 million in construction value. The groundbreaking and construction of the approximate 97,000 square foot expansion of Service Cold Storage LLC in the East Park Commerce Center, valued over $4 million. The groundbreaking and construction of the expansion of the Marshfield Clinic Cancer Center at 4100 Highway 66, valued at nearly $10 million. The groundbreaking and construction of the expansion of the Aspirus Clinic at 5409 Vern Holmes Drive, valued at nearly $12 million. Infill development in the downtown area with the construction of the 4-story, 61-room Cobblestone Hotel. Completion of Skyward s world headquarters in the Portage County Business Park. Review, selection, and development of departmental software system, CityView. Such software will be used for permits and inspection, property maintenance, planning and zoning, and rental housing administration. Implementation is anticipated in early Continued development of the City's Comprehensive Plan update, including the hiring of Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. to draft and format the plan using the initial feedback from citizens and stakeholders. Creation of a full-time Neighborhood Improvement Coordinator position. This report will outline the major projects and activities that occurred in 2016 with respect to each individual division. Page 2

3 Economic Development There were several significant projects that were completed or began within the city during Summaries of those projects have been provided below. 1. Skyward World Headquarters 5500 E M Copps Drive: Construction completed on a 4-story, 180,000 square foot corporate headquarters for Skyward, Inc. on a 40+ acre parcel along Interstate Highway 39 in the Portage County Business Park. The facility was completed in early The development marked one of the last large properties available within the Portage County Business Park. 2. Service Cold Storage LLC. Expansion / Addition 5700 E M Copps Drive: Service Cold Storage LLC constructed a 97,000 square foot addition to their cold storage warehouse facility. The project is valued at nearly $4.5 million. Service Cold Storage LLC. Warehouse Addition 3. Marshfield Clinic Addition 4100 Highway 66: Marshfield Clinic broke ground on a cancer center addition at their location on Highway 66, which is valued at nearly $10 million. The addition matches the existing facility s architecture and design, as well as allowing the clinic to expand services. Marshfield Clinic Cancer Center Addition Page 3

4 4. Aspirus Expansion / Addition 5409 Vern Holmes Drive: Aspirus broke ground on an approximate 40,000 square foot addition which will double the size of their facility. The addition is a two-story design that will match the existing facility s architecture and design. Other site work will be completed as well, such as the expansion of the parking lot and the installation of a helicopter pad. Aspirus Expansion / Addition 5. Cobblestone Hotel 1117 Centerpoint Drive: Cobblestone Hotel is under construction in the City s downtown, along Centerpoint Drive. This development consists of 61 hotel rooms and a restaurant, and has a total estimated value of nearly $3.2 million. The hotel is occurring between Shopko and Great Lakes Loan Services which previously served as a parking lot for the demolished portion of the Centerpoint Marketplace Mall. This infill development will greatly improve the downtown as it will regularly inject customers into the area that will patronize local establishments and assist in ensuring the downtown s vitality. Cobblestone Hotel 6. Business Retention, Expansion, and Attraction: While staff continued to assist several businesses in finding suitable locations or relocating, staff also worked with the Portage County Business Council in developing a business retention and expansion (BR&E) survey program. The program Page 4

5 has had preliminary success in 2016 by allowing the Business Council to gain knowledge about the local business environment. Staff has also worked extensively with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to respond to inquiries by expanding or relocating businesses. The table below represents several businesses that have located, relocated, or expanded within the city during Lastly, staff has continued to promote and redevelop infill sites throughout the City, many of which have pending projects. A listing of business closures or relocates out of the city has also been provided. Please note that these lists may not be all inclusive. New or Expanded Businesses Centerpoint Marine Limitless Boot Camp No Hassle Mattress Stevens Point Liquor Christopherson Family Dentistry Wildcard Corp. Finer Consigner Simply Serenity Massage & Wellness Shaw s Jamaican Kitchen T-Nails Jr s Auto Body Best Foot Forward Dance Company Kuby s Bar & Grill Inc. Star Business Machines Inc. Watchman s Gone Monarch Aerial Arts Ansay & Associates Agrometrics Brawley Arms LLC Red Arrow Labs 2625 Patch Street 3260 Church Street 2501 Church Street 2800 Stanley Street 2901 Church Street 1324 Centerpoint Drive 2501 Church Street 1052 Main Street 2824 Stanley Street 3278 Church Street 3448 Minnesota Avenue 3507 Church Street 2408 Division Street 3709 Patch Street 3324 Jefferson Street 1909 Wood Street 2916 Church Street 3233 Business Park Drive 1600 Brawley Street 1039 Ellis Street Departed / Closed Businesses Hancock Fabrics 5373 US Highway 10 Jerry s Auto (Fire/Demolished) 1105 Second Street Fox Tire 3446 Church Street Wendy s 5347 US Highway 10 First Law Group 2900 Hoover Avenue Marvin s 2824 Stanley Street Supreme Bean 900 Illinois Avenue Clay Corner Studio 1105 Main Street Point Oil Express 3417 Church Street Square Scoops 824 Main Street Massage Therapy Oasis Humble Warrior 1313 Second Street Cricket Wireless 800 Clark Street Farmers Insurance 101 Division Street Page 5

6 PLANNING AND ZONING Planning requests have been outlined in the below table: Planning Request Summary Request Annexations / Detachments Conditional Use Permits / Amendments Land / Street Vacation & Extension Ordinance Amendments Rezonings Sign Variances / Requests Site Plan / Landscaping / Parking Review Subdivision / Land Division / Survey Variances /Administrative Appeals Conceptual Project Review TOTAL Several other plan commission items and requests were received which are not identified above, including the approval of lease agreements, land purchases, transfer and land sales, grant applications and other miscellaneous approvals. Conditional use permit requests still remain the most frequent requests, as they incorporate many review activities, such as use of the Traditional Overlay District standards. It should also be noted that while a total of four (4) rezonings occurred throughout the year, a large rezoning of 36 downtown properties was counted once in the totals for the year. This rezoning was done with public support to more appropriately zone properties on the periphery of the downtown that no longer operate as manufacturing and industrial uses. 1. Downtown Redevelopment: Planning staff focused greatly on infill and redevelopment opportunities within the downtown which should lead to beneficial projects in the near future. As mentioned earlier, the Cobblestone Hotel will be built on a development pad adjacent to the former mall location. Also, the rezoning mentioned above will assist to ensure future uses are compatible. The former Lullabye Furniture property (1017 Third Street) remains one of the largest remaining development sites in the downtown. Therefore, staff has focused efforts on ensuring that redevelopment creates a mix of uses conducive to the surrounding property and downtown. Growth in the area also stems from the efforts of the property owners, Association of Downtown Businesses, Portage County Arts Alliance, and other community organizations that see great value in creating a vibrant downtown. In 2017, the mayor created an advisory council on arts and culture, which will likely place priority on making downtown a place full or arts and culture. 2. Comprehensive Plan Update: The City embarked on the process to perform the 10-year statutory update to the Comprehensive Plan by gathering public input and feedback in 2014 and Obtaining feedback and input led to the creation of guiding principles for the plan, and a vision and mission statement. Furthermore, the statistics gathered were tabulated and will assist in the creation of goals, objectives, and policies throughout the plan. Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. was Page 6

7 hired in 2016 to draft and format the plan using the initial feedback from citizens and stakeholders as well as gathering other sources of information to construct goals and objectives for each chapter. Each chapter will be reviewed by the Plan Commission, public, and other City committees and set for an anticipated adoption in Additional information pertaining to the Comprehensive Plan update is available at the following website: StevensPoint.com/compplan. 3. CityView Software Program Implementation: The Community Development Department started the implementation of a new software system that will be used for permits and inspections, property maintenance, planning and zoning, and rental housing administration. Department staff began creating workflows and workbooks to document all processes within the department and amongst staff. The lengthy but crucial review of operations will assist CityView in tailoring the software to the department s needs, as well as assisting in improving department efficiency, document management, and public access. 4. Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation - Connect Communities Program: The Connect Communities Program is led by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and provides access to resources and networking opportunities. Designation as a Connect Community and member of the program requires the submittal of an application and fee of $ annually. In 2015, the City applied for the program, and cited the Division Street Corridor as an area of interest for the use of program resources. Ultimately, the application was not approved. However, after a community visit from WEDC staff and further conversations, a second application was submitted in 2016 and approved. Staff looks forward to utilizing many of the program resources for redevelopment and attending program events and training. Furthermore, other communities who are members of the program have used it as a stepping stone to eventually become a Main Street Community, a designation which was lost several years ago due to not being able to financially support an executive director. 5. Wisconsin Department of Transportation Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant: The City of Stevens Point, with the assistance of several members of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) applied for a Wisconsin DOT Transportation Alternatives Grant (TAP) to implement goals within the Portage County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. See BPAC s annual report which was included in the January, 2017 Plan Commission Agenda and Packet for more information regarding other initiatives. The TAP grant was officially submitted in January 2016 and included a request for projects estimated at $487, to fund the creation of 13 miles of bicycle lanes, shared paths, and appropriate signage. A city match of 20% ($97,535.33) is required for the project. The Wisconsin DOT approved the grant application and awarded the City $390,141 in the fall of The design component of the project will begin in the fall of 2017, with construction anticipated for Geographical Information Systems (GIS): GIS is an integral part of the department as it is used to create maps for developers and businesses, as well as to identify utilities, roads, property lines, and more. There are also several layers available within the program, such as floodplain, wetlands, and historic districts, which greatly assist in disseminating information visually to the public. The process to maintain the department s zoning layer was created in 2015 and was Page 7

8 complete in 2016 (see below). The new zoning map will improve use and functionality, and allow the public to clearly distinguish zoning. Page 8

9 Historic Preservation 1. Façade Grant: A total of fourteen (14) applicants have received funds from the Façade Improvement Grant Program, one of which was approved in Unfortunately, not enough funds remained to do additional grants. At this time, no additional funds have been earmarked for the program, if Common Council was to approve additional funds, the program could restart. Below is a table that summarizes the grants and grant funds. Below is the sole grant for 2016 in the full amount of $30,000. Façade Improvement Grant Summary Applicant Business / Use Business Funds Approved James Laabs Apartments, Retail & Office 1205 & 1209 Second St. $30, Street Total $30, Page 9

10 The project at 1205 & 1209 Second Street included tuckpointing, awning replacement, second floor window replacement, and new windows and openings. The new windows openings are to serve new apartment units on the second floor of the building & 1209 Second Street - Before 1205 & 1209 Second Street During Cons. It is important to note that the biggest façade grant award project continues toward completion at 1055 Main Street. A large amount of work had occurred on the exterior, as seen in the photos below, as well as in the interior. The first of three apartments on the second floor is nearing completion, and an office space is complete on the second floor and is currently leased to a tenant. First floor retail space is near completion as well Main Street - Before 1055 Main Street Near Completion 2. Ordinance Improvements: The City s Historic Preservation Commission approved the adoption of paint palettes for structures within the City s Historic Districts. Three historic paint palettes were adopted: Sherwin-Williams America s Heritage Historical Exterior Colors, Benjamin Moore Color Collections Historical Colors, and Valspar Paint National Trust Historic Colors Exterior. The Historic Preservation Design Review Commission chairperson and designated agent can internally approve adopted paint pallet colors. Requested colors by applicants that are not on the adopted palettes are reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission. Note that color matching for different brands and manufactures are permitted. In summary, the palettes ensure that historic homes, design, and Page 10

11 architecture have corresponding colors, while preventing bright or intense colors that may destroy the historical integrity of historic districts or properties. 3. Wisconsin Certified Local Government Grant: The Wisconsin Historical Society offers yearly grants to Certified Local Governments (CLG) for historic preservation projects. The 2011 Intensive Historical Survey recommended the adoption or expansion of five historic districts (see map below). After receiving positive feedback from residents within the proposed districts and general public at a May 31, 2016 special meeting, the City applied for the CLG grant in the maximum award amount of $25,000. In February 2017, the Wisconsin Historical Society informed the City that the application had been denied. Given the strong recommendation in the 2011 survey and the positive feedback by the State, staff will likely continue to apply for the grant or seek other funding sources for the adoption/expansion of historic districts. Page 11

12 4. Design Review: The City s Historic Preservation Commission reviewed several projects for compatibility with the Historic Design Guidelines. Most notably, the Commission reviewed and approved designs for the Cobblestone Hotel, an addition onto 1009 Clark Street, and a new bathroom structure in Pfiffner Pioneer Park, as well as the removal of the AT&T tower. Cobblestone Hotel Pfiffner Pioneer Park Bathroom 1009 Clark Street Addition Page 12

13 PERMITS & INSPECTIONS Below is a table that outlines building permits issued in 2014, 2015 and 2016 which compares figures for each year. Residential and Commercial Permits Permit Type # Total Value Total Total Total # Total Value # Total Value Fees Fees Fees Commercial 10 $41,661,571 $55, $11,824,809 $32, $34,236,403 $117,508 New or Addition Commercial 201 $5,692,845 $59, $9,472,236 $99, $10,608,123 $109,286 Remodel New Single- 17 $3,276,790 $17, $4,423,500 $17, $4,962,250 $20,250 Family Residential New Two- 7 $1,613,000 $10,500 3 $876,500 $4,500 2 $428,100 $3,000 Family Residential Residential 459 $2,365,387 $24, $3,264,011 $31, $4,089,848 $41,922 Remodel TOTAL 695 $54,709,593 $166, $29,861,056 $185, $54,324,724 $291,967 % Inc. / Dec % 81.9% 57% Year 2014 proved to be the best year on record for construction value in the last two decades. In 2014, construction value totaled just over $54 million, which would be the second best year on record, largely due to a $32 million Skyward project. In 2015, there was nearly $30 million worth of construction value, still representing a strong year. However, in 2016 total valuation numbers again rose to over $54 million, but in this case, there were many more projects throughout the year. When comparing the number of permits issued for 2014, 2015 and 2016, 2016 had nearly a 20% increase from 2015 and 35% increase from 2014, mainly stemming from residential remodel projects. Total construction value of permits rose from 2015 and nearly matched those in Furthermore, permit fees rose significantly from both previous years by over $100,000. This rise is primarily attributed to commercial remodel projects. The higher commercial and residential remodel values suggest an improvement or trend in reinvestment for existing properties, along with the increase in new commercial permits. It is important to note that while a single large commercial project in 2014 attributed to a high total valuation, multiple projects attributed to high values in Page 13

14 PROPERTY MAINTENACE It is important to note that the part-time Code Enforcement Officer position was vacated in April A new full-time Neighborhood Coordinator position was created in 2016 and filled in February Given the vacancy for a large part of 2016, figures for many items below were reduced. In 2016, 662 orders were issued, with a corresponding $29,310 in service charges Inspection Orders, Violations, and Complaints As indicated in the table above, the number of violations decreased by nearly 55% from 2015 to 2016, largely due to the vacation of a part-time code enforcement officer. Given the decline of violations and orders, fees collected also declined by $26,032. The part-time Code Enforcement Officer position provided a good test case for the need for a full-time position that not only focused on ordinance enforcement, but in finding ways to ultimately get compliance. With this being the case, a new full-time Neighborhood Improvement Coordinator position was created in 2016 and filled in early The new position will not only focus on ordinance Page 14

15 enforcement, but also in developing initiatives and programs to improve compliance and proactively addressing issues before they arise. If you should have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Michael Ostrowski Director of Community Development / Redevelopment Authority City of Stevens Point Page 15