02-28-12 CC/HRA/PC Worksession maAll CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
RICHFIELD Richfield, Minnesota
Special City Council/HRA/Planning
Commission Worksession
February 28, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Pat Elliott; Sue Sandahl; Fred Wroge; and Tom
Present: Fitzhenry
HRA Members Sue Sandahl, Chair; Doris Rubenstein; and Debbie Goettel
Present:
HRA Member Steven J. Quam and David Gepner
Absent:
Planning Members Rick Jabs, Chair; Josh Root; Robert Hall; Maureen Scaglia (arrived 5:50
p.m.); Daniel Kitzberger; Tom Rublein; and Dennis Schuller
Planning Member Gordon Vizecky
Absent:
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager/HRA Executive Director; John Stark,
Community Development Director; Jim Topitzhofer (arrived 5:55 p.m.),
Recreation Services Director; Jeff Pearson, Transportation Engineer; Kristin
Asher-Osberg, City Engineer; Karen Barton, Community Development
Manager; Nancy Gibbs, City Clerk; and Theresa Schyma, Deputy City Clerk.
Item #1 DISCUSSION REGARDING LYNDALE GARDENS PROPOSED
DEVELOPMENT (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 30)
Colleen Carey, The Cornerstone Group, updated the group on progress with the concept plan
for the redevelopment of the former Lyndale Garden Center site.
Ms. Carey stated they are anticipating a construction start on the commercial component of
the project in the fall of 2012. Ms. Carey also mentioned her team worked hard to build more public
amenities in the site plan.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- February 28, 2012
Bruce Jacobson, The Cornerstone Group, made a PowerPoint presentation of the preliminary
site plan.
David Stahl, Urban Works, continued the presentation speaking more specifically about the
former Lyndale Garden Center building.
Ms. Carey did announce that they decided on a final name of"Lyndale Gardens."
Commissioner Rubenstein stated that she is concerned with water quality of the lake, noise
level of night concerts and outdoor activity, and flight patterns that go directly over the Lyndale
Gardens site.
Council Member Wroge questioned what size restaurant they are looking to fill the space with.
Ms. Carey responded that the restaurant will be approximately 2,500-3,000 square feet.
Ms. Carey mentioned that they do still intend to build a mixed-use multi-story building on the
Lyndale Avenue side of the site and to provide affordable units within the development but the
Minnesota Life College is no longer going to be part of that building. Ms. Carey also mentioned the
possibility of acquiring additional property for the Minnesota Life College.
Council Member Wroge stated he was concerned about parking spaces. He also stated his
concerns for having all affordable housing units. He would prefer to see 80/20 or 75/25 market rate to
affordable housing.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:38 p.m.
Date Approved: March 13, 2012
Deg - G'ettel
'Ma e r
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T C esa Schyma 'e- L. Devich
Deputy City Clerk City Manager