09-28-04 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AND
REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY/PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Concurrent Worksession of City
Council/HRAlPlanning Commission
September 28, 2004
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:31 p.m.
Council Members
Present: Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Gertrude Ulrich; John Enger; and
Sue Sandahl.
HRA Members
Present: Dan Linnihan; Martin Kirsch; and Kristal Stokes.
HRA Members
Not Present: Thomas Harms, Chair; and Joan Heimberger.
Planning Commission
Members Present: Donna Drummond, Chair; David Gepner; William Kilian; Maureen Scaglia;
Gordon Hanson; and Greg Van Sickle.
Staff Present: Samantha Orduno, City Manager; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation Services
Director; and John Stark, Assistant Community Development Director; Bruce
Nordquist, Housing and Redevelopment Manager; and Cheryl Krumholz,
Recording Secretary.
Item #1
Michelle Mongeon, JLG Architects, presented the proposed Cedar Avenue Corridor Concept
Master Plan. The presentation included District A - Taft Park Greenway; District B - Cedar and 66th
Gateway; District C - Cedar Avenue Boulevard; and District D - Cedar and Diagonal Center.
Assistant Community Development Director Stark stated a written report of the plan, including
meetings with businesses, neighborhoods, etc., is expected in approximately ten days.
Special Worksession Minutes
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September 28, 2004
Assistant Community Development Director Stark reviewed issues related to the
redevelopment, including assembly costs, sharing the vision and the commitment of resources.
Council Member Enger stated airport noise is a concern.
Ms. Mongeon stated Richfield is the only city in the nation located this close to an airport so
Richfield will be addressing the noise impacts first.
Council Member Sandahl asked about bike and pedestrian traffic from east to west.
Mr. Stark explained the connections with Minneapolis and 76th Street.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer stated the Community Services Commission is
reviewing the greenway connections.
Donna Drummond, Planning Commission Chair, asked about housing interest in for-sale or
rental units.
Ms. Mongeon explained it depended upon the developer and the market. The scale needs to
relate to the street and residential neighborhoods.
Ms. Drummond stated her preference for as much underground parking as possible.
Ms. Mongeon explained the parking in office areas depends upon the density. Lots are trying
to be located behind buildings with landscaping.
Bill Kilian, Planning Commission Member, asked about ttie square footage cost of housing
located next to retail.
Assistant Community Development Director Stark explained the range is lower because no
commercial acquisition is needed.
Mr. Kilian asked about a timeframe because it is important for residents to be aware this
redevelopment takes time and will not happen overnight.
Mr. Stark explained the certainty of a timeframe is more secure for the northern development;
the southern portion is less certain. It is hoped there will be a relationship with a developer for multi-
housing when the retail development is in place. The entire plan could take 12 - 15 years.
David Gepner, Planning Commission Member, asked about the funding from Hennepin
County.
Mr. Stark explained the county funding is considered multi-jurisdictional. He explained that the
City will be seeking a $2 million grant for the Cedar Point project area from Hennepin County. The
grant fund is entitled the "Multi-jurisdictional Project Fund." City staff has been working closely with
Hennepin County staff and all indications, to date, are that the County Board will vote on awarding the
grant to Richfield at their November meeting. Without these grant funds, Mr. Stark stated that the
proposed project would be infeasible.
The county funding is not tied to a particular developer or retailer, just a retail development.
Consideration of the county funding is to be at the November board meeting. Ryan is wanting to
move forward.
Dan Linnihan, HRA Commissioner, asked about impact of the value of homes related to the
proximity of retail development-multi-housing. He suggested the development of both happen
together.
Mr. Stark explained there is a large grade issue between the retail development and multi-
housing and those details have not yet been finalized.
Council Member Enger asked about the buildings on Cedar Avenue having street-facing
entrances.
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September 28, 2004
Ms. Mongeon explained the area vvould be an easily navigable area.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:24 p.m.
Date Approved: October 12. 2004
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