BM 2009-05-06 EcDev
COPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
May 6, 2009
MINUTES
The Coppell Economic Development Committee met at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at Coppell Town
Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, Texas 75019. The following were present:
Bill Rohloff, Gary Roden, Amanda O’Neal, Dornell Reese, Bradley Snyder, Kenneth Luttmer, Thom Hulme,
David Apple, Scarlett Hovland, and Mindi Hurley.
Call to Order
1.
Bill Rohloff called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
Approval of Minutes: March 4, 2009
2.
It was noted that the March 4, 2009 minutes be amended to correct the spelling of Amanda’s last name to
O’Neal. It was moved by Kenneth Luttmer and seconded by Amanda O’Neal that the minutes of
March 4, 2009 meeting be approved as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
Follow-up discussion from April 6, 2009 Joint Meeting
3.
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Mindi reviewed discussion from the joint meeting with City Council, Economic
Development, and the Planning & Zoning Commission that took place on April 6, 2009.
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Discussion was in regards to:
Redefining “what is mixed-use”
o
Review of design standards and ordinances
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Update comprehensive plan
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Addressing commercial development while protecting primary image zones
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Guidelines for re-development and new development
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City is in transition with implementing more re-development and less new
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development
Incentive plans for retention and revitalization
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Incentive plans for small businesses rather than focusing solely on national chain
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businesses
Discussion on “what attracts citizens to Coppell” and “what will get them to stay.”
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Incentive plans for infrastructure improvements including both residential and
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commercial
Streamline Sales Tax influence
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New Tech High Presentations
4.
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New Tech High was unable to attend.
Incentive Policy Discussion
5.
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Discussion followed concerning the following:
City of Coppell defined as “A family community for a lifetime”.
Coppell is surrounded by retail.
School district is decreasing in number of students
What do we want the community to be and What do we not want it to be.
Community feedback from a business viewpoint
Create a sector by sector identity
Old Town development
Westside business district
Interior of City identity and Parameter identity
Façade Grants
Shopping center identity
Communities to research that have an identity
Consider a redevelopment consultant
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Committee was asked to email Mindi with names of communities to research
Chamber of Commerce Update
6.
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Thom Hulme shared the following:
Calendar of events hand outs were provided.
o
Chamber members have scheduled a “Biz Walk” for the week of May 11 – 15. Teams
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of 2 will canvas ach and every business will be visited. Each team will be assigned a
specific geographic area. Each team will decide what tome(s) to walk. Specific
questions will be provided and the results will be published on the chamber website.
Thom encouraged the committee members to volunteer for the walk.
Planning on group gathering opportunities for businesses.
o
Working towards building their membership.
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Utilize an Arts center for the talented group we have in Coppell such as the High School
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Band, Community Theater, Choirs, etc……..
Plan events that would draw people to the community.
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School District Update
7.
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David Apple shared that the election included the school bond proposition totaling $40.9 million
dollars, along with the City Council election. He encouraged all to vote on Saturday,
May 9.
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A Charter school is interested in moving into the empty school building previously owned by
Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church located at 140 S. Heartz Rd.
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The school district is beginning to see a decrease in student enrollment.
General Discussion and Update on Commercial and Industrial Projects
8.
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Mindi reviewed projects under construction and businesses that are now open or opening
soon.
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Mindi attended the NTCAR Industrial Bus Tour. Approximately 140 realtors
participated. The tour included industrial tours in Grapevine, Flower Mound,
Carrollton, Lewisville, and Coppell. Brokers spoke about their buildings and vacancies.
Mindi advised that the City of Flower Mound is very aggressive with incentives for their
business district.
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Mindi advised that the Foreign Trade Zone at Point West will be a draw for businesses
to Coppell.
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Sprouts Family Market projected opening is late May, early June.
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A business prospect may be locating to Point West bringing up to 1800 employees.
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Rosa’s Café has begun building on the Northwest corner at Denton Tap and 121.
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A potential hotel prospect to be located at Beltline and 635 or Freeport and 635.
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Mindi continues to be in communication with Mr. Walker with discussion of prospects
for the shopping center space located at MacArthur and Sandy Lake.
With no further business to discuss, it was moved by Bradley Snyder and seconded by Dornell Reese that
the meeting adjourn. By unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Scarlett Hovland
Secretary