10-18 CC-HRA-PC Work Session
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
JointCity Council, Housing and
Redevelopment Authority and Planning
Commission Work Session
October 18, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
The work session was called to order by HRA Chair Supple at 6:15 p.m. in the Bartholomew
Room.
Council Members Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Mary Supple, Ben Whalen; Sean Hayford
Present: Oleary; and Simon Trautmann (arrived 6:26).
Council Members None.
Absent:
HRA Members Mary Supple, Chair; Maria Regan Gonzalez; Erin Vrieze Daniels.
Present:
HRA Members Sue Sandahl; and Lee Ohnesorge
Absent:
PC Members Brian Pynn; Jim Rudolph (left 6:30); Brendan Kennealy; and Brett Stursa.
Present:
PC Members Kathryn Quam, Chair; and Susan Rosenberg.
Absent:
Staff Present:John Stark, HRA Executive Director/Community Development Director;
Julie Urban, Housing Manager;Ryan Krzos, City Planner; and Kari
Sinning, City Clerk.
Others Present: Ryan Schwickert, MWF Properties
Item #1 PROPOSAL BY MWF PROPERTIES TO DEVELOP 55 UNITS OF WORK FORCE
HOUSING ON THE CITY GARAGE SOUTH PROPERTY, 7700 PILSBURY AVE S
Executive Director Stark explained the reason for this work session, background with MWF
Properties and introduced Ryan Schwickert with MWF Properties.
Mr. Schwickert presented the workforce housing proposal outlining their development team
and summary.
JointCity Council, HRAand
Planning Commission Work Session-2-October 18, 2021
Planning Commissioner Pynn asked why the original proposal that fell through. Mr. Schwickert
explained that it was due to funding.
HRA Commissioner Regan Gonzalez asked about the replacement of the NOAH that was
mentioned and Housing Manager Urban stated that it was due to the change at Concierge at Penn.
HRA Commissioner Regan Gonzalez questioned the site plan and struggles with the site as it is such
a small area to create that community feel.
HRA Commissioner Vrieze Daniels promotes the housing in that area because it does
promote amenities and questioned the financials. Housing Manager Urban explained the options of
finances with creating a new housing TIF district.
Council Member Whalen supported housing at the site and expressed support of a mix of
income levels. Mr. Schwickert explained the reasoningbehind the lower income levels due to
financingand could look at options to make it more of a mix at a later date. There was discussion as
to how the average income levels affect tax credits.
Planning Commissioner Kennealy questioned the zoning in reference to the comp plan.
Housing Manager Urban explained that the comp plan was made to match the housing already along
494 and the comp plan would have to be amended to accommodate this.
Council Member Hayford Olearyexpressed support of using this site for housing andgave
some feedback on thesite plan and asked for clarification onany other outstanding proposals.
Community Development Director Stark stated that there are no other current proposals other than
Richfield Bloomington Honda.
Council Member Trautmann questioned the long term plan for the adjacent properties in that
areaand City Planner Krzos said that in the comp plan does guide the area to high-density residential
but the current use is mixed-use zoning. Community Development Director Stark stated that the area
is dependent upon those owners and the developers that would contactthoseowners to utilize the
areas better.
HRA Chair Supple was happy to seegarageparking included in the rent along with off street
parking and thethree bedroom unit availability. HRA Chair Supple also gave feedback regarding the
site plan.
Community Development Director Stark summarized the next steps for the HRA, Planning
Commission and City Council.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:00p.m.
Date Approved:October 26, 2021
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kari SinningKatie Rodriguez
City ClerkCity Manager