04-26-2022 Joint CC, PC, and HRA Work SessionCITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Joint City Council, Planning
Commission, and HRA Work
Session
April 26, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
The work session was called to order by Mayor Pro Tempore Supple at 6:00 p.m. in the
Bartholomew Room.
Council Members
Present:
Mary Supple, Mayor Pro Tempore; Simon Trautmann; Sean Hayford Oleary;
and Ben Whalen
Council Members
Absent:
Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor
Planning
Commission
Members Present:
James Rudolph, Chair; Brett Stursa; Brendan Kennealy; Eddie Holmvig-
Johnson; and Ben Surma
Planning
Commission
Members Absent:
Kathryn Quam
HRA Members
Present:
Mary Supple, Chair
HRA Members
Absent:
Maria Regan Gonzalez; Erin Vrieze Daniels; Lee Ohnesorge; and Gordon
Hanson
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Melissa Poehlman, Community Development
Director; Julie Urban, Assistant Community Development Director; Chris
Swanson, Management Analyst; and Kari Sinning, City Clerk
Others Present: Elwyn Tinklenberg, Project Management Consultant, American Legion Post
435; Diane Miller, Controller, American Legion Post 435; Nic Meyer, Project
Landscape Architect, Westwood Engineering; Dennis Pelowski, Counselor at
Law; Andy Keller, Vice Commander of American Legion Post 435
ITEM #1 INTRODUCTORY PRESENTATION OF REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL FOR THE
AMERICAN LEGION SITE AT 6501 PORTLAND AVENUE
Joint City Council, Planning Commission, and HRA
Work Session Minutes -2-April 26, 2022
Mayor Pro Tempore Supple stated that Mayor Regan Gonzalez was not able to be present out
of an abundance of caution and turned over the meeting to staff. Community Development Director
Poehlman outlined some feedback guidelines for the discussion and introduced Elwyn Tinklenberg.
Elwyn Tinklenberg expressed gratitude for the opportunity to discuss these proposed plans with the
members present and shared the preliminary plans that included apartments, a restaurant, community
space (ballroom) with underground parking spaces. Tinklenberg stated that continuity is important
within this project so that it is connected with the park, the neighborhood, and with the history and
heritage of the Legion Post. The Legion wants to continue to serve the community and be a force
within the community.
Chair Rudolph asked about veteran’s preference for affordability apartments. Elwyn
Tinklenberg stated that it has been a part of the discussion and the goal is to provide housing,
especially to veterans, and possible short term stays for families that come to visit the VA hospital.
Counselor Dennis Pelowski stated that they have talked with the County Commissioner and US
Representatives who would be supportive of a veteran’s preference and it is possible that the units
could be subsidized.
Council Member Whalen expressed excitement for this project and appreciated many of the
concepts from the proposed plans that would benefit the community especially the variety of unit sizes
and asked if the affordability would be across the different unit sizes. Elwyn Tinklenberg stated that
the units would all be treated the same way regardless of size and would be dependent upon who
would reside in the unit. Council Member Whalen raised concerns about the abundance of parking;
there could be more units instead of more parking. Director Poehlman stated that the plans are
conceptual and the number of parking spaces could come down as the details change including
handicap parking stalls as the current plans do not show any.
Elwyn Tinklenberg stated that the transit opportunities of this site make this a unique project
and they want to incorporate those opportunities into the plan.
Council Member Hayford Oleary was glad to see this progress and raised a few concerns such
as a view from the legion of the memorial (the inward facing of the legion), the possibility of the legion
post closing, a main entrance to the building along Portland Ave that could possibly be moved to the
northwest corner of the building so all could access and not just residents, and full trail widths for the
sidewalks along Portland Ave to match the rest of the park. He also echoed the parking concerns from
Council Member Whalen. Elwyn Tinklenberg appreciated the concerns brought forth by Council
Member Hayford Oleary.
Commissioner Kennealy thanked them for the design and asked if the neighboring homes and
businesses would be affected by this plan like the other plans that were illustrated. Director Poehlman
stated that the other plans were created by a consultant and they are not a part of this plan.
Commissioner Surma asked for an explanation of public vs private pedestrian areas. Elwyn
Tinklenberg showed the public pedestrian right of ways in the proposed plan and explained that they
want to be a part of the park making it an amenity for the residents and public alike.
Council Member Trautmann echoed the comments and concerns that were previously stated
and noted the curated approach to the neighbors of the site. He also asked about the ADA
compliancy of the units. Elwyn Tinklenberg stated that there are currently four ADA compliant
apartments which may change over time.
Chair Rudolph shared that sometimes during events at the ice arena that parking lots will be
filled and to be mindful of that with the parking allotment at this site.
Joint City Council, Planning Commission, and HRA
Work Session Minutes -3-April 26, 2022
Commissioner Stursa echoed the excitement and comments regarding parking and asked
about a shade study being completed as to not affect the pool. Director Poehlman stated that it is a
requirement of code for a shade study to be completed. Diane Miller expressed appreciation for the
great comments and explained that in order to shadow cast upon the pool it would have to come from
the south. Elwyn Tinklenberg stated that regardless a shadow study will be conducted.
Mayor Pro Tempore Supple brought forth a message from a resident regarding more
accessible parking spots. Architect Nic Meyer stated that the proposed project operations would be
taken into consideration and the needs of the events that would be held there. Director Poehlman
stated that there are calculations that they would complete to make sure that there are enough
accessible parking spots. Elwyn Tinklenberg stated they are also making adjustments for EV charging
stations outdoors. Mayor Pro Tempore Supple expressed excitement for the project especially for
three bedroom apartments for families.
Council Member Whalen asked about the thoughts from legion members. Counselor Pelowski
stated that the history of the building is important to some members but there has been support from
members to offer more housing to veterans and the concept has brought members together. Vice
Commander Keller stated that the goal of the legion would be to be more of a veteran community
aspect versus just a bar. Counselor Pelowski also stated that the restaurant would be independently
run so the legion can focus on the community aspect to provide more services to veterans. Elwyn
Tinklenberg stated that when the project is completed the property would be owned by the legion, not
an investor.
Mayor Pro Tempore thanked the developers for the proposal and thanked the legion for all that
they have done for the community over the years. She asked staff if there was anything else that
needed to be addressed.
Director Poehlman asked if anyone had any questions or concerns regarding pedestrian
connectivity to the surrounding areas. Council Member Hayford Oleary stated that it would be nice to
have another exit from the ice arena to Portland Ave but it is not necessary as he saw no major
problems with the connectivity and liked the north-south pedestrian connection that extends to the
memorial. Counselor Pelowski stated that the proximity to the park, pool, and ice arena will make this
a very sought after location to live. Commissioner Kennealy stated that it looks great from a
pedestrian view. Council Member Trautmann appreciated that there is greenspace between the ice
arena and the site.
Chair Rudolph commented that as a veteran he is very proud of the effort to create a space for
veterans to share their time together.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:52 p.m.
Date Approved: May 10, 2022
Mary Supple
Mayor Pro Tempore
Kari Sinning Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager