08-04-97 Special
HRA MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special HRA Study Session
with the City Council
August 4, 1997
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Helmberger at 7:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
HRA Members
Present:Joan Helmberger; Michael Sandahl; and Kristal Stokes.
HRA Members
Excused:Tom Harms and Russ Susag.
City Council
Members Present:Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Michael Sandahl; Susan Rosenberg; and
Kristal Stokes.
Staff Present :James Prosser, Executive Director; Bruce Palmborg, Community
Development Director; and Thomas Ferber, City Clerk.
Item #IDISCUSSION OF SELECTING SITE FOR STORMWATER STORAGE POND
NEAR RICHFIELD LAKE. S.S. LETTER NO. 31/HRA LETTER NO. 47
The HRA met with the City Council for the purpose of reviewing and discussing the
issue of selecting a site for a stormwater storage pond near Richfield Lake.
City Manager/HRA Executive Director Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No.
31/HRA Letter No. 47 regarding the alternative sites considered for providing additional
stormwater ponding capacity related to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s
HRA Special Study Session Minutes-2-August 4, 1997
(MnDOT) plans for I-35W improvements. He recommended the Lyndale Garden Center
location which was also the site recommended by the City’s engineering consultant and
the Planning Commission. He stated that the City Attorney has proposed the following
courses for condemnation should that be necessary: Two parcels would be identified.
Parcel one, that portion of the site needed for ponding, would follow a quick take
condemnation process by the City. The decision to acquire parcel two would wait until a
redevelopment plan is approved. Then if acquisition is required as part of the plan, then
parcel two, the remainder, could follow a regular condemnation path in accordance with
the approved redevelopment plan. Condemnation of parcel two could be by the HRA in
the future.
Community Development Director Palmborg reviewed the efforts to inform Mr. Tim
Duoos, owner of the Lyndale Garden Center, regarding this issue, potential
redevelopment of the area, the Richfield Lake Area planning process, and the future of
the Lyndale Garden Center.
Staff responded to questions regarding the following:
x
Minimum requirement of 2.5 to 4.4 acres of ponding.
x
Whether a partial taking from the Lyndale Garden Center property for a
stormwater pond would require a total taking of the property.
x
The potential impacts of a partial taking on parking and inventory space at
Lyndale Garden Center.
x
The stormwater treatment purpose and process of the pond related to water
quality in Richfield Lake.
Steve Lindgren, President of the Richfield Chamber of Commerce, stated that the
Chamber Board is concerned about the possible loss of a viable business and that their
preferred option is the apartment site. He stated that the Chamber has a subcommittee of
Steve Kirchner and Dr. Robert Dietl meeting with business owners to discuss this issue.
Dr. Robert Dietl, 6837 Newton Avenue, owner of the Woodlake Veterinary Hospital,
stated concern that the Richfield Lake Area planning process appeared to de-emphasize
commercial development which was the focus of the LHN Redevelopment. He stated
concern about Planning Consultant Fred Hoisington’s comments regarding the
appearance of the area.
Mr. Lindgren stated that Mr. Kirchner disagreed with Mr. Hoisington regarding the
trend of commercial property valuation in the area.
City Manager Prosser stated that some commercial properties in the north Lyndale
Avenue area have generated resident concerns about their declining appearance. He
noted that commercial redevelopment is important to maintaining adjacent residential
vitality.
Ted Farrington, 6839 Humboldt Avenue, spoke in support of retaining the Lyndale
Garden Center because of its community tradition, attraction of shoppers, and
employment opportunities for the youth of the community.
HRA Special Study Session Minutes-3-August 4, 1997
It was the consensus of the City Council that this issue be scheduled for
consideration at the August 25, 1997 City Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The special HRA Study Session with the City Council was adjourned by unanimous
consent at 8:05 p.m.
Date Approved:
Joan Helmberger
Vice-Chair
Thomas P. FerberJames D. Prosser
City ClerkExecutive Director