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Report to City Council regarding Development Task Force Roles and Responsibilities Page 2 of 3 Economic Develovment Strate An Economic Development Summit was held on August 23, 2005 with the Council, Directors, the Chamber of Commerce and others to discuss what the City as a collective unit needs to do in order to promote economic development within the community and sustain its future. Notes from the Summit are attached hereto as Exhibit "B." A great deal of discussion centered upon providing a high level of customer service to the City's business community, existing and prospective businesses alike. As follow-up to the Economic Development Summit, staff recommends creating an economic development strategy from which to work from. It is further recommended that the Council establish an advisory committee made up of key stakeholders from within the community. Ideally the body will be made up of approximately 10 business and property owners, including residents. Interested candidates will complete an application, and be selected by the DTF. As part of the City's economic development strategy, it is recommended that the Council consider adopting a policy that outlines the types of assistance and incentives to be offered to businesses meeting pre -established thresholds (i.e. creation of a certain number of high paying jobs, increase in level of sales taxes generated, etc.). Simultaneously, walking tours of key commercial/industrial corridors will be continued to identify needs of the businesses, the infrastructure and individual characteristics of the area upon which overall beautification and design guidelines will be based. The tours also provide a positive interaction with businesses, fostering a sense of community and strengthening the City's business retention efforts. Sign Guidelines At its March 8, 2005 workshop, the Council requested that the sign ordinance be reviewed and amended, if necessary. Although businesses in attendance at the workshop were requested to submit their concerns to the City in writing to date, none have been received. At its August 9t' meeting, the DTF directed staff to divide the sign ordinance into 3 parts: 1) city wide; 2) Cooley Ranch; and 3) freeway oriented signs, applicable city wide. At its September 27 meeting, the DTF reviewed a matrix of freeway -oriented sign regulations from several surrounding cities. The DTF requested a workshop to discuss the Philosophy of the sign ordinance. Land Use Element In the Fall of 2004, the City awarded a contract to update the Land Use and Circulation Elements of the General Plan. Preliminary land use issues identified include: consideration of lower densities in the Downtown area to preserve buildings of historical or architectural significance; change the general plan designation for Stater Bros. warehousing property from Heavy to Light Industrial; consider changing designations in vacant industrial areas that abut existing residential areas in South Colton to a residential designation (with a sensitive development overlay); allow higher densities in the Reche Canyon Specific Plan area to reflect the densities of existing residential developments; and, possible land use changes within Santa Ana, West Valley and Agua Mansa specific plans. Discussions have also been held and some funding has been budgeted to consider the update of the Reche Canyon Specific Plan and to develop a new specific plan for the La Loma Hills. It is recommended that a joint workshop be held with the Planning Commission and possibly an Ad Hoc Land Use Committee be established to include two to three DTF members (or other Council members), and two Planning Commissioners to review land use alternatives and make recommendations for the preferred land uses. It is anticipated that three meetings will be adequate. R:\Administration\Meetings\2005 MEETINGS\October 4, 2005\Development Task Force Roles and Responsibilities staff report.doc