04-19 Concurrent CC, HRA, and PC Work Session
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
ConcurrentCity Council, Housing and
Redevelopment Authority and Planning
Commission Work Session
April 19, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
The work session was called to order by HRA Chair Supple at 6:00 p.m. via Webex.
Council Members
Present: Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Mary Supple, Sean Hayford Oleary and
Simon Trautmann
Council Members
Absent: Ben Whalen
HRA Members Mary Supple, Chair; Maria Regan Gonzalez; Sue Sandahl; Lee Ohnesorge
Present: and Erin Vrieze Daniels
HRA Members
Absent: None
PC Members
Present: Kathryn Quam, Chair; Peter Lavin; Brendan Kennealy; Brett Stursa and Jim
Rudolph
PC Members
Absent: Brian Pynn
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; John Stark, HRA Executive
Director/Community Development Director; Melissa Poehlman, Assistant
Community Development Director; and LaTonia DuBois, Administrative
Assistant.
Others Present: Tim Carter, Richfield Bloomington Honda
Item #1 DISCUSSION OF THE SALE OF 7700 PILLSBURY AVENUE SOUTH TO
RICHFIELD BLOOMINGTON HONDA, AND THE ZONING
CODE AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHANGES REQUIRED TO ALLOW ITS USE
AS AN OFF-SITE SURFACE PARKING LOT.
Concurrent City Council, HRA and Planning Commission Work Session -2-
April 19, 2021
Executive Director Stark provided background information of the site (previously the City
Garage).
Tim Carter, Richfield Bloomington Honda, shared his proposal for the site to purchase the
land and use it for employee parking. How he would purchase the land and the struggles with
employee parking.
The site plan was shared and Tim Carter reviewed the site plan with policymakers.
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman provided history of the site,
explained how the property is currently zoned and policy changes and actions that would be
necessary for the proposed use.
Executive Director Stark spoke of a previous housing proposal that didn’t work out for the
site and another recent proposal that has been put on hold due to funding and how that developer still
may be interested and a business that has expressed interest in the site.
Executive Director Stark stated that he believes the best value for this site is for housing
and explained changes that would be required to the Comprehensive Plan to allow for parking as a
stand-alone use and the tremendous interest for housing in Richfield.
Executive Director Stark provided the direction needed from policy makers.
Council Member Trautmann inquired about granting a variance to allow the stand-alone
parking and if it would apply to the single site or the city as a whole.
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman explained that a variance would not
be allowed as a use change and a change to city ordinance would be required.
Council Member Hayford Oleary inquired about the ramp that Richfield Bloomington Honda
agreed to build on their property.
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman explained the ramp was agreed on
in the original planned unit development submitted and that building the ramp on Richfield
Bloomington Honda property is a requirement of that planned unit development.
Council Member Hayford Oleary expressed his thoughts on the proposal, mentioned it may
not be the best use of land for the community and spoke about tax base for housing versus parking.
Chair Supple asked Mr. Carter to explain the reasons he did not build the parking ramp.
Mr. Carter explained that building the ramp is not affordable due to higher tax costs than
originally anticipated and struggles with Covid-19. Mr. Carter explained that if he removed current
inventory and shut down for a year to build the ramp his business would be unsustainable and the
value Richfield Bloomington Honda adds to the city and the potential to acquire additional property in
the area to build on in the future.
Executive Director Stark explained that staff is supportive of Richfield Bloomington Honda
and that staff is only opposed to sand-alone parking and explained that the tax value is established by
Hennepin County not the city.
Concurrent City Council, HRA and Planning Commission Work Session -3-
April 19, 2021
Chair Supple inquired about a possible extension to allow Richfield Bloomington Honda
additional time to build the ramp.
Executive Director Stark informed policy makers of previous conversations between staff
and Mr. Carter to find parking solutions.
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman explained how extensions could be
granted through amendments to the original planned unit development.
Commissioner Sandahl expressed support of the current temporary parking agreement and
granting an extension. Commissioner Sandahl commended Mr. Carter for his partnership and
involvement in the community.
Planning Commission Chair Quam asked for clarification of changing permitted use in the
area.
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman explained that you could not just
rezone one property and the area that would be affected if zoning changes were made.
Executive Director Stark explained spot zoning is not legal.
Chair Supple shared a written comment from Council Member Whalen stating that he is
opposed to a parking lot on the site and no more staff or council time should be devoted to the
proposal.
Commissioner Vrieze Daniels stated her opposition for using this site as parking.
Administrative Assistant DuBois shared a written comment from Commissioner Lavin stating
that he is opposed to the parking lot and does not find a housing development to be a desirable use
for the land either. Commissioner Lavin was present virtually, but was only able to provide comment
through the chat function.
Commissioner Rudolph expressed desire to work with Mr. Carter and Richfield Bloomington
Honda for a solution.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez expressed desire to work with Mr. Carter and Richfield Bloomington
Honda to find a solution as well and spoke of what a great partner he is to the city, but does not
support the proposal for surface parking due to the location in the city.
Commissioner Stursa agreed with previous comments regarding working with Mr. Carter,
but that stand alone parking would not be a good idea for the city.
Executive Director Stark acknowledged Commissioner Lavin’s thoughts regarding the site
not being the best housing site. Director Stark also stated that he will work with Mr. Carter to find
solutions and the possibility of exploring possible resources to build the parking ramp.
Chair Supple thanked Mr. Carter for all he has done for the city and sharing his proposal.
Concurrent City Council, HRA and Planning Commission Work Session -4-
April 19, 2021
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:52 p.m.
Date Approved: May 25, 2021
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
LaTonia DuBois Katie Rodriguez
Administrative Assistant City Manager