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City of Apple Valley, Minnesota Community Development Director

Position Profile

The Community

The City of Apple Valley is located in Dakota County in the southeastern Twin Cities metropolitan area. Acclaimed as a great place to live, work and play, residents are proud of their quality neighborhoods and schools, central commercial district, conveniently located business parks, and abundant recreational opportunities. Apple Valley is within easy access of Interstate 35W and Interstate 35E. Cedar Avenue (Highway 77) connects the area across the Minnesota River to Interstate 494 and Highway 62. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is located within a 15 minute drive.

Apple Valley covers 17.5 square miles and is set in a diverse terrain. Hilly and rugged in the north, the area provides a very attractive setting for residential neighborhoods. In the south, the land levels out to a flat plain. Historically the city has been the host of many sand and gravel extraction operations. These areas are rapidly being reclaimed for residential and commercial uses. A thriving community, Apple Valley has experienced an astounding growth in population and development over the last fifteen years. With a population rapidly approaching 50,000, Apple Valley is ranked as the 15th largest community in Minnesota. Approximately 250 housing units are developed annually. The median home value is $240,000. Demographically, it is a uniquely young community with a large school age population and more than one-half of the entire population is under the age of 35.


Development

The commercial centerpiece of Apple Valley is the "Ring Route", comprised of numerous retail shopping centers and a coordinated streetscape. A sidewalk system allows for easy pedestrian access to the area.

Central Village is a relatively new 70-acre development located in the southeast quadrant of the downtown that will contain 1,350 housing units, 450,000 square feet of commercial/office/retail space, and 12 acres of parkland in a mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented development. Within this area, the two-story, 45,000 square foot office/retail Legacy Shops building was recently completed. Other approved projects in the Central Village area include The Village at Founders Circle – a 19-acre mixed-use development with 517 residential units, and 195,000 square feet of commercial uses, including a new Grandstay Suites Hotel, and LA Fitness, a new 45,000 square foot health club facility. Another exciting development underway in the community is Cobblestone Lake, a 320-acre development located in the southeast corner of the community. This neo-traditional development includes a mix of single family, townhouse, apartment and commercial uses. In the center of the development is a 40-acre central lake, surrounded by 30 acres of parkland.


Education/Health Care

Six elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools serve area students. Apple Valley High School and Eastview High School are nationally recognized comprehensive high schools. The School of Environmental Studies was recognized as a New American High School, one of the top 13 high schools in the United States. The primary school district is Independent School District #196. Independent School District #191 provides for students in the northwest corner of the city. The Galaxie Library provides full library services for all area residents and the Community Education program provides a variety of youth and adult programs beyond normal school hours. Higher education opportunities are provided at the Partners in Higher Education facility which offers degree programs from St. Mary’s University, Dakota County Technical College, and Inver Hills Community College.

Apple Valley residents have access to three major clinics, emergency services, a number of dentists, and other health care professionals conveniently located throughout the community. A major hospital is located minutes from downtown Apple Valley.


Recreation

The City of Apple Valley boasts four lakes and over 823 acres of parkland in 50 locations. Over 100 ballfields, 58 miles of trails, playgrounds, tennis and volleyball courts, picnic facilities, outdoor skating rinks, and athletic fields are found throughout the various parks. The city has several very active athletic associations providing youth programs for football, soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, lacrosse, wrestling, and hockey.

Recreational facilities include the Redwood Community Center, Johnny Cake Ridge Park Athletic Complex, Apple Valley Senior Center, Teen Center, Apple Valley Aquatic Center, and the 18-hole Valleywood golf course. The Johnny Cake Ridge Complex was developed in conjunction with the School District next to Eastview High School and received the Cooperative Public Service Award from the State of Minnesota.

The Hayes Park arena is owned by the city and the Apple Valley Sports Arena is jointly owned and operated by the city and School District 196. Both indoor arenas host school district skating activities. A municipal swimming pool has a capacity for 1,200 patrons. The city hosts several community events including Mid-Winter Fest, Freedom Days Celebration, and Ring-Around-The-Arts featuring performing and visual arts.

One of the most prominent recreational facilities is the 450-acre Minnesota Zoological Gardens, ranked among the nation's best year-round zoos. The Minnesota Zoo features 2,700 creatures in natural habitat exhibits, a dolphin pool, shark tank, and a 600-seat IMAX Theater. The 2,000-acre Lebanon Hills Regional Park, partially located in Apple Valley, provides hiking horseback trails, camping, canoeing, fishing, and swimming.


The Organization

The City of Apple Valley is a statutory city with a Mayor and four City Councilmembers elected at-large to alternating four-year terms. The professional management staff is appointed and consists of a City Administrator, City Clerk, Finance Director, Public Works Director, Parks and Recreation Director, Police Chief, and Community Development Director. Human Resource functions are provided by a full-time Human Resources Manager and consultants are utilized for legal and engineering services.

The city employs 187 full-time employees. The 2006 city budget is approximately $40 million.


The Planning and Development Department

The Department is comprised of a Community Development Director, City Planner, two Associate City Planners, and a Community Development Department Specialist. The role of the Department is to plan and recommend improvements to the human, natural and built environment and provide professional quality land use planning, and economic development services and information to elected officials, commissions, citizens, property owners, developers, and other departments and units of government.

The Department provides staff support to the Planning Commission, the Urban Affairs Committee, and the Apple Valley Economic Development Authority. The Department also serves as a key liaison to the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, the Metropolitan Council, and many other professional organizations.

The Department budget for 2006 is $520,000.


Organizational Structure

In 2005, a total of 59 land use development applications were received by the Department. Land use development applications consist of multiple actions that are reviewed by staff, and then presented to the Planning Commission and City Council for their consideration and action.

Land Use Actions Requested in 2005

The Position

The Community Development Director reports to the City Administrator with accountability to the City Council. The Community Development Director is responsible for planning and development functions and economic development activities.

Specific duties include:

• Direct the activities of planning, community development and economic development, including the development of departmental goals and objectives.

• Develop long range plans, work programs and marketing strategies for economic development and growth. Promote the city and contact prospective businesses.

• Direct businesses relocation or expansion by providing the necessary assistance including financial analysis, research and technical information.

• Supervise the planning staff including hiring and performance evaluations.

• Participate in community activities and organizations and serve as the official representative in economic development efforts.

• Prepare and recommend the annual Department operating budget.

• Coordinate activities and meetings for the Planning Commission, Urban Affairs Committee and Apple Valley Economic Development Authority and serve as staff liaison between these bodies and the City Council.

• Direct updates to the Comprehensive Plan.

• Coordinate with the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and others in the planning and development of transit services within the community.

• Coordinate with the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Metropolitan Council and others on matters related to community development and redevelopment.

• Meet with developers, citizens and neighborhood groups regarding planning and development issues.


Background and Experience

Qualified candidates for the Community Development Director will possess a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in planning, public administration or related field and a minimum of eight years experience in professional planning, redevelopment, economic development or a related position.
Specific qualifications include:

• Background in economic development and redevelopment activities and processes. Understanding of attracting industries compatible to existing businesses.

• Solid understanding of the planning/zoning elements of development.

• Experience in blending new and old development projects.

• Understanding of new urbanism philosophy and design, specifically mixed use development.

• Solid knowledge of planning and zoning activities and the site review process.

• Experience in Comprehensive Planning with an emphasis on land use planning.

• Experience working with a Planning Commission and other citizen groups.

• Experience in working with developers and understanding of development agreements and policy statements.

• Strong understanding of transportation and transit issues and strategies.


Management Capabilities and Goals

• Promote the use of a public process in development activities. Develop a relationship with the community through the business community and citizen groups.

• Fine tune communications among Department functional areas.

• Possess a strong political awareness in working with elected officials, developers, business leaders and residents.


Departmental Priorities

• Seek out ways to assist existing businesses and industries to grow.

• Need to develop more clean industrial businesses and household supporting jobs.

• Place a higher emphasis on economic development and develop incentives for development. Identify goals and tools for achievement.

• Bring economic development issues into the Comprehensive Planning process. Devise 7-10 year forecasts for development and review annually.

• Look at the need to increase redevelopment opportunities, particularly in commercial/retail areas.

• Explore options for development of large areas of available open land. Provide guidance in developing vacant land and dealing with undesirable land areas.

• Leverage available financing options for business attraction and expansion projects. Develop policies for the use of TIF. Explore public funding of private investments.

• Boost promotion and marketing efforts. Create an Apple Valley “brand” to attract businesses.

• Increase housing rehabilitation opportunities and assist in the development of a rental licensing/registration program.

• Evaluate Department goals and missions, and clarify expectations of the City Council, Planning Commission, Urban Affairs Committee and Apple Valley Economic Development Authority.

• Increase coordinated planning efforts regarding expected transportation system modifications to address growing traffic volumes.

• Better coordinate inter-departmental issues affecting zoning regulations, code enforcement violations and building code issues.

• Devise redevelopment strategies to encourage neighborhood vitality.


Announcement

Community Development Director; City of Apple Valley, MN (pop. 50,000). Starting salary $77,148 to $101,920. A thriving Twin Cities metro community, Apple Valley has experienced significant growth in population and development over the last fifteen years. Position responsible for planning and development functions and economic development activities, and supervision of department staff. Qualified candidates for the Community Development Director will possess a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in planning, public administration or related field and a minimum of eight years experience in professional planning, redevelopment, economic development or a related position. Background in economic development and redevelopment activities and processes, with specific knowledge of new urbanism philosophy and design, and mixed-use development. Position Profile available. Send resume by 8/21/06 to The Brimeyer Group Executive Search; 50 S. 9th Ave., #101, Hopkins, MN 55343. Phone: (952) 945-0246, Fax: (952) 945-0102, e-mail: brimgroup@aol.com web: www.brimgroup.com

For more information on the City of Apple Valley, please visit: www.cityofapplevalley.org


Timetable

8/21/06 Deadline for Application

9/14/06 Present Candidates/Select Finalists

Week of 9/25/06 Interviews/Selection

October 2006 Start Date