03-26 Concurrent CC, HRA, and PC Work Session
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Concurrent City Council, Housing
and Redevelopment Authority and
Planning Commission Work Session
March 26, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
The work session was called to order by Chair Supple at 5:45 p.m. in the Bartholomew Room.
HRA Members Mary Supple, Chair; Pat Elliott; and Maria Regan Gonzalez.
Present:
HRA Members Sue Sandahl and Erin Vrieze Daniels.
Absent:
Council Members Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Mary Supple; Edwina Garcia; Simon
Present: Trautmann and Ben Whalen.
Planning Commission Sean Hayford Oleary; James Rudolph; Susan Rosenberg; Peter
Members Present: Lavin; Kathryn Quam; and Allysen Hoberg, Chair (arrived at 6:00 p.m.).
Planning Commission Bryan Pynn.
Absent:
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; John Stark, Community Development
Director; Julie Urban, Housing Manager; Melissa Poehlman, Planning &
Redevelopment Manager/Assistant CD Director; and Kari Sinning, Deputy
City Clerk.
Item #1 DISCUSS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CITY GARAGE SOUTH (301
TH
77 STREET WEST) SITE
Mayor Regan Gonzalez introduced City Manager Rodriguez who reminded the Council and
Commissioners that this meeting is not to decide what happens with the site but a discussion of the
options for the site. She thanked Community Development Director Stark and Housing Manager
Urban for their work on the presentation of which Council Member Garcia echoed.
Community Development Director Stark stated how the comprehensive plan and City policies
can influence what the site could be and how the feedback (need) from the community affects the
proposals.
Housing Manager Urban gave an overview of the site and the proposal from MWF Properties,
a 55-unit workforce housing which could provide 1 bedroom units at 30% AMI for residents. The
communities input for what will be built here is important.
Special concurrent Council, HRA and Planning
Commission Work Session -2- March 26, 2019
Community Development Director Stark spoke about the financial aspects of the site and
stated questions for the Council and Commissioners to discuss.
Planning Commissioner Lavin defined “workforce housing” as an affordable housing project.
Community Development Director Stark stated that there is no single definition of workforce housing
or affordable housing. Commissioner Hoberg gave examples of people that would be classified as
workforce housing.
HRA Commissioner Elliott stated that what we call the housing isn’t important but what we
offer the community is; the safety of children in the area is a concern. He posed a question regarding
a potential nuisance claims from LaMettry’s Auto Body if a housing unit was built there. He also
inquired if there was any commercial interest in the property (i.e. from Richfield Bloomington Honda).
Community Development Director Stark responded that other cities have used different tools to
address odor nuisance problems but he does not believe that this will be an issue and Richfield
Bloomington Honda has not expressed any interest in the property.
Council Member Supple read aloud a statement of support from Commissioner Vrieze Daniels
who was unable to attend.
Planning Commission Chair Hayford Oleary stated that the site is a good location for high-
density housing and provides additional housing for Richfield residents.
Council Member Garcia agreed with Planning Commission Chair Hayford Oleary and stated
that Richfield does not have area for expansion and we need affordable housing for the Residents.
The proposed amenities and the building size are very much needed to invest into our people.
Council Member Whalen thanked the staff and the developers for the opportunity to have more
30% AMI units which is needed in Richfield. He also commented on the availability of units for people
with disabilities and larger families.
Council Member Supple stated that the accessibility of the proposed plan and the support staff
for those with disabilities is a significant influence. However, there is no green space available on the
lot for children to play or families to spend time with one another. Overall the pros outweigh the cons;
the City of Richfield needs housing and it’s great to have a local developer.
Commissioner Quam is in favor of the company and agrees that we need housing but we need
to look at it as a whole.
Council Member Trautmann likes the developers and the financial aspects but dislikes the
location. There are structural deficits of the site.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez is in support of the idea but it’s not an ideal site. She posed a question
as to what could be done to make it more neighborhood like. Council Member Whalen stated that
there is already housing along 77th Street that already seems too ostracized from the rest of the City.
There was discussion about the wall along 77th Street.
Commissioner Rudolph posed a question of the impact on the schools which Community
Development Director Stark stated that there will be a meeting with the School Board in May.
Commissioner Rosenberg stated that she is proud of the work to provide affordable homes for
people and shared thoughts on how to include those already in the residential areas of 77th Street.
Special concurrent Council,HRA and Planning
Commission Work Session -3- March 26,2019
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:01 p.m.
Date Approved: April 15, 2019
Mary B. S ple
HRA Chair
J / 1
/11
Kate Aitchison ,• n'St.
Housing Specialist xecu e Director