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EDA addresses expired wetland delineations, considers funding policy and targeted developer outreach for Headwaters 123
Summary
Staff reported wetland delineations for city‑owned sale parcels have expired and recommended updates in spring; EDA discussed using CDA predevelopment funds, drafting a policy for assistance to private landowners, and hiring a consultant to run a developer 'RFP light' for Headwaters 123.
City staff told the EDA that wetland delineations for publicly owned parcels the city is marketing have expired and cannot be redone during winter months.
"Wetland delineations expire after 5 years," Abby said, adding that the airport business park and Headwaters 123 delineations were no longer valid. She asked whether the EDA would be willing to pay to update delineations, noting the city can apply to county CDA predevelopment funds to cover some predevelopment costs.
Members discussed impacts on current offers: staff said an existing option on one parcel was accepted despite expired delineations but that the offer expires in June and the missing delineation could complicate final design and permitting. Commissioners asked how much delineations cost; Ryan estimated prior delineation work for the Southwest area ran under $10,000 for substantial acreage, while staff discussed consultant estimates for Headwaters 123 outreach in the $10,000–$20,000 range depending on scope.
A CDA representative explained that CDA predevelopment funds are grants to the city that require a match and cannot be used once a specific developer has been identified; the funds are eligible for economic development sites but not for housing projects. "The grant has to go to the city... the funding can come from the private landowner until the point in time where a developer has been identified," the CDA representative said.
On Headwaters 123 marketing, staff described consultant feedback that a full RFP might not be the best first step. Instead, staff proposed updating concept sketches, publishing them on the Invest in Forest Lake website with clear watermarking, and conducting a targeted developer questionnaire or 'RFP light.' Staff said Ehlers had recommended a developer outreach approach and that the EDA should consider engaging a consultant to manage outreach and consolidate responses; commissioners were generally favorable and asked staff to return with consultant proposals and cost estimates.
Why it matters: valid wetland delineations are required for permitting and precise parcel marketing; updating them sooner can enable design and sale processes and improve grant competitiveness. EDA members requested policy parameters to guide when and how EDA funds or CDA predevelopment grants would be used for public or private delineations.
