03-08-2022 Council Work Session WORK SESSION
CITY COUNCIL/HRA/PLANNING
VIRTUAL MEETING HELD VIA WEBEX
MARCH 8, 2022
6:00 PM
Call to order
1.Proposal by Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative to develop up to 40 units of supportive housing on the
Portland Avenue roundabout remnant parcels (6613-25 Portland Avenue).
Adjournment
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. Requests must be made at
least 96 hours in advance to the City Clerk at 612-861-9739.
AGENDA SECTION:Work Session Items
AGENDA ITEM #1.
STAFF RE P ORT NO. 07
WORK SESSION
3/8/2022
RE P O RT P RE PA RE D B Y: Julie Urban, A ssistant C D D irector
D E PA RTME NT D IRE C TO R RE V IE W: Melissa P oehlman, C ommunity D evelopment D irector
3/1/2022
O THE R D E PA RTM E NT RE V IE W:
C ITY MA NA G E R RE V IE W: K atie Rodriguez, C ity Manager
3/1/2022
I T E M F O R WO RK S E S S IO N:
Proposal by Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative to develop up to 40 units of supportive housing
on the Portland Avenue roundabout remnant parcels (6613-25 Portland Avenue).
E X E C UT IV E S UM M ARY:
Beacon I nterfaith Housing Collaborative (Beacon) has expressed an interest in developing a 30 to 40 unit
building on the property owned by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) at 6613-25 Portland
Avenue. Beacon develops supportive housing at deeply affordable levels throughout the Twin Cities.
All units would be efficiencies and 25 parking stalls would be provided under the three-story building. The
population to be served would include neuro-diverse youth and young adults, and supportive housing services
would be provided on-site. The units would primarily be affordable at 30% of the Area Median I ncome.
Beacon would seek Low I ncome Housing Tax Credit (L I HTC) funds, along with funds offered by Hennepin
County and others to finance the project. They would be asking for a reduced land price and potentially
additional financial contributions by the HRA.
Kirsten Spreck, the Housing Director at Beacon, will present the concept in greater detail at the work session.
Some of the questions for policymakers to consider:
- The density being proposed would be consistent with High Density Residential; however, the site is currently
guided for Medium Density Residential in the Comprehensive Plan. Do policymakers believe a re-guiding of
the property would be appropriate?
- The proposed development contains all efficiencies. The City's Zoning Ordinance limits the number of
efficiencies within a building to 20%. Given the population to be served, would it be appropriate to exceed that
limit?
- The proposed parking ratio is below that of the City's requirements. Given the population to be served, is a
reduced parking requirement appropriate?
- W ould HRA members consider a reduced land sale price and potentially additional financial assistance for
the project?
D IRE C T I O N NE E D E D:
Beacon is seeking direction from the policymakers on the proposed concept, as well as on the
questions of density, unit-size, parking ratio, and financial assistance.
B AC K G RO UND INF O RM AT I O N:
A.H IS TOR IC AL C ON T E X T
The property contains remnant parcels from the Portland Avenue roundabout project. HRA staff
have received interest from a variety of housing developers over the past few years but no project
has progressed beyond the exploratory stage. Proposals for both apartments and townhouses
have been discussed.
The adjacent commercial property owner has also expressed an interest in acquiring the property
and expanding the existing service station.
B.P OL IC IE S (resolutions, ordinances, regulations, statutes, etc):
The Portland Avenue and 66th Street Sub Area Study encompasses this property and provides
design guidelines that encourage townhomes or apartments and building(s) set forward on the
property.
The Comprehensive Plan guides the property as Medium Density Residential, which suggests a
density between 8 and 34 units per acre. The proposed 30-40 unit building would result in
densities consistent with High Density Residential.
The property is currently zoned for single-family residential; however, a rezoning to a district
consistent with the guide plan is expected once a specific development concept is identified.
C.C R IT IC AL T IMIN G IS S U E S:
Beacon is seeking direction from policymakers in order to refine a development concept in time to
submit for funding applications during 2022.
I f policymakers express support for the project concept, a resolution of support for the project
concept, similar to the one prepared for the MI C C project, would be brought before the Council
and HRA so that Beacon can incorporate that support into funding applications. The first funding
application is due April 14.
D.F IN AN C IAL IMPAC T:
Beacon would be seeking a reduced land price.
Given the small size of the project, it is unlikely that a tax increment financing (TI F) district would
be created. Pooled TI F, through the City's Affordable Housing Trust Fund, is a possible local
funding source for filling any financial gaps.
E.L E GAL C ON S ID E R AT ION:
None at this time.
ALTE R N AT IV E(S):
N/A
P R IN C IPAL PAR TIE S E X P E C TE D AT ME E TIN G:
Kirsten Spreck, Director of Housing, Beacon I nterfaith Housing Collaborative
AT TAC H ME N T S:
D escription Type
B eacon P resentation P resentation
Suburban Hennepin Development Opportunity
City of Richfield
2
As a collaborative of congregations united in
action, Beacon creates homes and advances
equitable housing.
Create New Homes
Sustain Stable Homes
Shelter Families
Change Systems
Beacon engages in new construction and
rehabilitation in the Twin Cities metro area
providing quality, affordable homes for those with
the lowest incomes.
We develop award-winning properties with a
portfolio of 600+ homes and an additional 450+
homes on the way. 85% of our homes serve
residents at or below 30% AMI.
Our strengths include:
•A proven record of technical expertise
•A mission that strongly aligns with public funders
•A collaborative model that inspires public
support and lived-experience engagement
•A trusted partner with well-respected service
providers and property managers
3
Similar Beacon Development 66 West, Edina
•39 permanent
supportive apartments
for youth and young
adults emerging from
homelessness
•Near transit, jobs, and
education
•Services Partner,
Simpson Housing
provides on-site
professional support
staff to help with the
transition from
homelessness to
stability –housing,
education, and work
•Professional on-site
property management
•Hennepin County
Coordinated Entry
4
Similar Beacon Development Prior Crossing, St Paul
•44 permanent
supportive apartments
for youth and young
adults emerging from
homelessness
•Near transit, jobs, and
education
•Services Partner, YMCA
provides on-site
professional support
staff to help with the
transition from
homelessness to
stability –housing,
education, and work
•Professional on-site
property management
•Ramsey County
Coordinated Entry
5
The Population Concept Beacon is Developing
with our Partners
Beacon’s concept
articulates a program
that “prioritizes”
youth/young adults
living with
Neurodiversity (ND),
likely youth with a
variety of disabilities,
and some 20% who
are explicitly
understood as living
with ND conditions.
Site-based supportive
housing for youth and
young adults living
with ND does not
currently exist.
Key Stakeholders
Beacon is connecting
with (Fraser, Arc,
Hennepin Co, YMCA)
who serve this
population state that
this housing is
“desperately needed.”
Accommodate youth
with neuro-diverse
conditions.
Create new multi-
family rental at/below
30% AMI for those
experiencing
homelessness with
equitable access.
Connect to local
employment, schools,
transit, and services.
Neurodiverse Youth &
Young Adults
Supportive Housing
Needed
Hennepin County
Priorities
6
Project Feasibility
Hennepin
County
Supportive Housing,
AHIF, Housing Support,
TOD, ARPA
Metropolitan
Council
LCDA, TOD, TBRA,
LHIA
Minnesota
Housing
Finance Agency
9% LIHTC, 4% LIHTC,
Housing
Infrastructure Bonds
(HIB)
The City of
Richfield
Reduced land cost,
other?
Multiple funders align and
prioritize with the
development Beacon is
proposing.
Stable
Homes for
Youth and
Young
Adults in
your
community!
7
Project Feasibility
•High Priority Homeless ($763)
•Persons with Disabilities
($763)
•Project-Based Vouchers ($840)
Majority of
the units at
30% AMI
•Contract Rent ($882)
Some of
the units at
50% AMITotal Development Cost -$17M
8
The Richfield Site
66th Street East and Portland Avenue South
Beacon envisions a development that…
•enriches the neighborhood
leveraging transit, parks, and
amenities
•is three stories (35’) with 32% lot
coverage
•provides 40 furnished efficiency
apartments
•contains 25 below grade parking
stalls plus bicycle storage
•offers 5,500 SF of program, service
and community spaces
•includes outdoor spaces for residents
9
The Richfield Site
66th Street East and Portland Avenue South
These concept floorplans provide for an efficiently
designed building that will enhance the neighborhood
leveraging the transit, parks, and amenities.
Level Parking Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
10
The Richfield Site
Hennepin
County
Supportive Housing
(April), TOD (March),
ARPA (May)
Metropolitan
Council
LCDA, TOD, TBRA,
LHIA (Spring)
Minnesota
Housing
Finance Agency
9%, 4%, HIB (June)
The City of
Richfield
Reduced land cost,
other? (Now)
Stable
Homes for
Youth and
Young
Adults in
your
community!
Time is of the essence as we
position ourselves to seek
resources from multiple
funders.
11
Suburban Hennepin Development Opportunity
City of Richfield
Questions?