07-16-2019 EDC Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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EDC Minutes July 16, 2019 Page 2 of 4 ----------------------------- � community that is a community and housing development issue. She stated that to get people to a community you need to have the community development elements going well and to be able to help find the employers the workforce and provide housing, it is all intertwined. Kristen Fish-Peterson noted that we need to learn from the data as well as from going out into the community and connecting with people and the businesses about what is needed in the community. She stated that they have started to look at demographic and income information. They have information for the housing market for the last decade and they found that there has been no new construction for homes in the $120,000-$200,000 price range since 1983. Kristen Fish-Peterson stated that has a trickle-down effect because there are homes that are aging, people moving out of those homes, and there are people that don't want to own a home. She would like the EDC's input on what they have heard about what employers need and the housing market in Pequot Lakes. Commissioner Holley stated that she has lost commercial sales because the potential employers cannot find the workforce in the Pequot Lakes area. Commissioner Holley also stated that homes do not stay on the market long in the $150,000-$250,000 range. Chair Lindholm stated that the average household income for school district is $54,000 and that range of income is not going to live in a $350,000 house and they need that $150,000-$250,000 house or they rent. "1 Jennifer Bergman asked what can we do, as a community, to help. Discussion ensued about moving infrastructure, redevelopment where there is already infrastructure, development of vacant lots, rehab of homes, and the River to Rails project in Brained that was encouraged and the incentives being offered. Mark Jurchen brought up the concept of mixed use like in the City of Osseo where they have the condos and retail downtown and inquired if Redevelopment Resources has seen more concepts like that. Kristen Fish-Peterson stated they have seen it all over and that the City Council of Madison, WI is now requiring new apartment complexes in mixed use areas. She believes it can be very successful. Discussion ensued about people leaving larger homes and selling their lake property but not being able to find suitable housing. Commissioner Lelwica noted there is a need for rental properties more in the $1,500 range. Chair Lindholm stated that most of the teachers live outside of Pequot Lakes in Breezy Point or in Brainerd and Baxter. Commissioner Holley noted the Field of Dreams development was once stagnant � but it is now moving forward.