By Alan Johnson, IDB/EDC member
Both volunteer groups met for their monthly meetings Thursday (10.24.19) at City Hall.
Links to agendas: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/884
https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/883
The Lakeland Industrial Development Board (IDB) met briefly to review a draw request for Tax Increment Funds (TIF) for the Lakeland Commons Project. The draw request was unanimously approved.
Next, the Economic Development Commission (EDC) convened, beginning their discussion with updates from City Planner Forrest Owens. Site work on both the Lakeland Commons project and The Lake District continues. Sign package proposals are expected for the projects next week.
An 18-month moratorium on multifamily residential construction has been established to allow time for studies on how they would affect the school system and public services.
Approvals have been given for a revised Landscape Plan for EconoLodge, 9822 Huff N Puff Rd., including improved lighting and signage. A Final Site Plan has also been approved for Starbucks Coffee in The Lake District.
Several ordinance amendments are being considered including adding regulations regarding landscape screening, adding a prohibition on hotels with exterior entrances, and adding land use definitions and regulations for breweries in the City of Lakeland. There are currently no allowances for these types of establishments and Delta Blues Winery is proposing to develop a new product line of hard ciders, which would be considered a brewery by the State of Tennessee. The Board’s recommendation was to move forward with efforts to develop land use regulations to support local breweries.
A brief discussion was held regarding the proposal to the MPC (Municipal Planning Commission) regarding a PDP (Preliminary Development Plan) amendment to The Lake District to replace 64 single family units with 109 townhomes. Concern was that the townhomes were being built as rentals or could become rentals. The Board was assured that HOA covenants and restrictions could be developed to not allow 2nd party rentals. These covenants have proven effective in other developments, such as Cool Springs.
Mr. Owens also reported that to date, the City has granted 91 building permits, 76 of which were for single family homes. Others were for additions, pools, etc. With the current developments under way, the number of single family homes could exceed 100 for 2019, setting a new record for residential growth.
The Lake District (TLD)
Dexter Muller, part-time economic consultant for Lakeland, followed with an update on economic development, beginning with The Lake District. Grading and compaction for Phase 1 is complete, sanitary sewer is 80% complete, and storm sewer infrastructure is 70% complete. Plans for water infrastructure are in-process with MLGW and expected to be approved early November. The water infrastructure should be finished within 30 days of approval and approvals for foundation plans and structural plans are shortly following. Vertical building construction is expected to begin in February. Framing and shell construction for Phase 1 is expected to take four months.
Phase 1 is 90% leased with other tenants expected to move from Letters of Agreement (LOA) to lease contracts shortly. Tenants ready to announce include The Stock Market Grocery, Starbucks, Memphis BBQ, ATT, Gould’s Spa, Osaka, Hollywood Feed, Lake District Liquor, Gloss Nail Salon and a major medical company.
The TIF Trust Fund for The Lake District is being established by the County Trustee’s office and is expected to be finalized by December 2019.
Potential senior housing
Mr. Muller also gave updates on other possible development including a potential independent living facility. Story Point Senior Living is looking for a 10-12 acre site that would house 160 independent living units. The project would include an approximately $30 million investment and is expected to generate $150,000-$225,000 in additional revenues for the City each year. Questions were asked about the facility falling under the multifamily moratorium. However, Mr. Owens assured that the current regulations allowed for this type of facility within the commercial zoning districts.
Aldi
Plans for construction of the Aldi on Highway 64 have been submitted to the City and Shelby County for review. Plans are moving forward and a traffic study for the impact on U.S. Highway 64 traffic has been authorized.
Websites for City
Next, Board Member Alan Johnson presented a proposed structure for the City’s three public-facing websites: www.mylakelandchamber.org, www.lakelandtn.gov and a new www.discoverlakelandtn.com. Objectives for the new structure include streamlining the presentation of information, increasing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for the three sites, consistency with Lakelands new branding and messaging, the incorporation of new functionality and more proactive marketing efforts. The concept was discussed and members were asked to look at the plan in detail and submit feedback. Plans for updates on the www.lakelandtn.gov website have already begun, and the www.discovelakelandtn.gov website will be designed and constructed shortly.
U.S. Census 2020
City Manager Shane Horn provided an update on the U.S. Census 2020 Complete Count Committee and it was decided that the EDC would take the training on a separate date and plan a strategy for action items going forward. The purpose of the committee will be to promote the importance of participation in the upcoming Census so that the City can capture accurate information. Government funding and other important decisions are based off of Census data.
…Photo by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
