05-13-08 Special HRA/CC
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY AND CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL WORKSESSION MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession of the HRA
and City Council
May 13, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 6:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
HRA Members
Present: Sue Sandahl, Chair; Martin Kirsch; Joan Helmberger; David Gepner; and
Doris Rubenstein.
Council Members
Present: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Sue Sandahl; Fred Wroge; and
Bill Kilian.
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, Executive Director; John Stark, Interim Community
Development Director; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Tom Foley,
Transportation Engineer; Melissa Poehlman, Zoning Administrator; and
Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item #1 DISCUSSION REGARDING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVIEW (HRA MEMO NO.
12/COUNCIL MEMO NO. 76)
Mark Koegler, Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc., discussed the draft summary of the Richfield
Comprehensive Plan. The Community Character and Implementation Strategies sections will be
included at the time of presentation to the City Council on July 8, 2008.
Mr. Koegler reviewed the future land use plan, including the area near 69th Street and
Xerxes Avenue re-guided to medium density residential.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- May 13, 2008
Commissioner Rubenstein stated there should be proactive communication with the
residents in the 69th Street and Xerxes Avenue area to ease anxiety on the choice of a
development.
Mayor Goettel commented that she liked the land use inclusion of sustainability and
environmental impact of transportation related to developments.
Mr. Koegler stated he envisioned that in the Community Characteristics section. The HRA
requested move-up housing, as well as affordable housing, be included.
Chair Sandahl suggested roundabouts be considered for each development.
Mayor Goettel said traffic calming measures should be included.
Commissioner Rubenstein stated she believed the plan well-written and expressed concern
for providing living wage jobs in Richfield. She asked about the number of Richfield residents who
work for Best Buy.
Interim Community Development Director Stark explained there are general multipliers and
an economic impact study estimate but no census. Staff will contact Best Buy to attain that
information, if they are willing to provide it since it may be considered private data.
Council Member Wroge suggested that if Best Buy employees do not live here, the City
should find out why or what needs to be done to make that happen.
Commissioner Gepner suggested the plan be less generic and more Richfield specific.
Chair Sandahl asked about “B” minor arterial streets.
Transportation Engineer Foley discussed regional impacts of certain roadways.
Council Member Wroge stated his desire to reduce arterials to one-lane both directions with
parking so these streets do not serve as conduits to other communities. He questioned the impact
of changing demographics and recreation trends on the park system.
Mr. Koegler explained populations do recreate differently. Those trends are watched so
parkland is used effectively.
Council Member Wroge asked about the data and its collection to substantiate increased
wellness activities/exercise to support bikeways and walking paths.
Mr. Koegler explained the changes are not statistically driven but opportunities are made
available. It is related to generational trends.
Council Member Kilian stated a recent community survey indicated residents consider park
use an amenity. He commented on the walkability within the community.
Commissioner Helmberger asked about the Highway 494 expansion and the impacts on
Portland Avenue.
Transportation Engineer Foley explained that Highway 494 is forecast for improvements in
2023-2030. The plan takes into consideration the narrowing of the roadway and sidewalk
upgrading.
Special Worksession Minutes -3- May 13, 2008
Commissioner Gepner suggested advocating that Richfield is a limited area made up of
many roads and streets and some of them could be considered for elimination to provide more
land area for development.
Council Member Rosenberg questioned the data on housing affordability in Richfield. She
said Richfield's income level is different than in the greater metro area.
Mr. Koegler explained the data includes the entire housing supply and regional norms may
not fit local level needs.
Council Member Kilian stated the plan is to provide directional guidelines not mandates.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:47 p.m.
Date Approved: June 16, 2008
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Cheryl Krumholz
Recording Secretary
SuzanlPfe MlSandahl
Director