HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-11-26 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes
BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
City Council Chambers
MINUTES
Attendees: Committee Chair Councilor Durgin, Councilor Civiello, Councilor
Blanchette, Councilor Graham, and Councilor Nealley
Staff Present: Tanya Emery, Cathy Conlow, and Norman Heitmann
1. Brief Update – Redevelopment of Freese’s Building
Director Emery introduced Mike Myatt from Bangor Housing Development
Corporation who gave an overview of the progress that has been made
regarding the Freese’s redevelopment project. Mr. Myatt discussed the proposed
changes to the building that were depicted in the handouts provided by Staff.
He indicated that their next step is to obtain City Council approval of a
development agreement. Once this is approved, they will move forward. The
next steps will be to go before the Planning Board for approval (if needed),
obtain ownership of the condominium unit, and put the project out to bid.
Director Emery indicated that if the Committee is in agreement then staff would
finalize a development agreement to be brought forward to the full Council for
approval. The Committee recommendation was to forward this on to the full
Council.
2. Design Review – BanRes, LLC Hotel Project
Director Emery introduced Rob Frank, P.E., from WBRC and Attorney Andy
Hamilton from Eaton Peabody who are representing BanRes, LLC in their
development of a hotel on Bass Park Boulevard. She indicated that this item was
basically an update on where the project is in the planning process.
Attorney Hamilton indicated that Dutton Street had been extended and that
portion has been renamed Bass Park Boulevard. Also, a contract zone change
has been approved for the site. He discussed the hotel facility and the
restaurant facility noting that the Site Location of Development Act application
will be forwarded to the State and the Site Development Plan will be submitted
to the Planning Board for review, after this meeting.
Rob Frank discussed the preliminary site plan elements including the building
design, parking, buffers, lighting, signage, screening and layout. He indicated
that they are estimating that the project will employ 150 people consisting of
three shifts with 50 employees per shift. He discussed the proposed layout of
parking spaces noting that they have designed the parking to make it appear to
be a separate parking lot from the Cross Center parking. They are proposing
approximately 200 spaces and exceed the minimum of 120 spaces required
under the development agreement.
The Committee Members discussed signage. City Manager Conlow indicated that
Dana Wardwell, Public Works Director, has been working with Maine Department
of Transportation regarding signage on I-395.
Councilor Graham suggested that the plans be posted on the City’s website. All
agreed.
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.