04-02-1984HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AU'1~i0RITY
CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
April 2, 1984
7:00 P.M.
City Council Chambers
Chairman Tom Harms called the meeting of the HRA to order at 7:00 P.M.,
Monday, April 2, 1884, in the Council Chambers of the City Hall building.
Members Present: Tom Harms; Don Hassenstab; Joan Helmberger; Ivan Ludeman;
and Vern Luettinger.
Chairman Harms announced that this was a point meeting between the HRA, the
City Council, the Planning Commission and the Community Services Commission, to
consider the Legion Lake development, and the concerns on housing and park
improvements. -
Don Fondrick, Director of Community Services, reported on the history of
v Legion Lake prior to 1980. He also summarized the 1881 Sutter, Leach & Lind-
strom, Inc. study on Legion Lake in the early 1980'x. Mr. Fondrick concluded
his report by discussing current park issues (soil conditions, storm sewers,
facilities to be provided, acres available, cost to development and timing of
development). ,
Dennis Kraft, Director of Community Development, and his staff discussed the
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Richfield housing plan, which consisted of the following:
A. A historical overview of Richfield demographics and housing
characteristics;
B. Existing housing policies, goals and priority issues;
C. The HRA and their programs that address challenges;
D. Drawing conclusions: a 1884 perspective.
The staff then proceeded to discuss the housing strategy for 1984 and the
future. A fact sheet on the proposed Portland Avenue housing project known as
PADA was reviewed and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency funding proposal.
Special Joint Meeting -2- ~ Aprii 2, 1984
Chairman Harms expressed on behalf of the HRA members, the need for owner-
occupied housing that is affordable for young families in the community.
The Chairman of the Community Services Commission stressed the importance of
undertaking a park master~lan, before further development of Legion Lake Park
is authorized. He expressed the Commission's interest in utilizing the services
of the University of Minnesota for park planning, if timing would permit.
Chairman Mark Ahlquist, of the Planning Commission, pointed out the break-
down in communications over the past several years concerning Legion Lake and
the proposed DADA project. He pointed out that in 1982, the Planning Commission
did not approve of housing at Legion Lake. Apparently, this decision was not
communicated by the City staff to the HRA members.
Mayor John Hamilton, and the members of the City Council, expressed their
opinions that it is important to have a Legion Lake master plan for the parks,
and this type of study would guide them as to whether they could support the
PADA housing project at the proposed site.
City Manager John Cartwright then summarized the four alternatives facing
the City of Richfield:
A. Proceed with all due speed on PADA housing project;
B. Slow down, consider park planning, but don't jeopardize M~iFA funding;
C. Slow down, implement full park planning regardless of MHFA funding; and,
D. Abandon near-term PADA plans for Legion Lake and proceed with park
planning and development.
The City Manager concluded that the discussions of tonight clearly eliminated
alternatives A and D.
The consensus of those persons present were that the City staff should
consider the input given by various city organizations, and return to these
organizations within thirty days with a recommendation. The staff should
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Special Joint Meeting -3- April 2, 1984
contact N~'A to determine if there is any possibility of a time extension
beyond September 1st, to keep alive the funding. Also, the City staff should
consider the possibilitiy for a different site in the community or a different
site, such as along 66th Street at Legion Lake. The City staff was also
directed to see if a park planning firm could be contracted with to complete a
park master plan within the timing limitations, recognizing that such a study
could be done in stages, with emphasis in the first stage on the compatibility
of housing and park development at Legion Lake.
The City Manager presented one claim to the HRA for consideration. This
claim was in the amount of $200,929 for relocation expenses for Coit Cleaners.
The City Manager said that this was a partial claim.
Don Hassenstab made a motion to approve the claim as submitted by the City
Manager. The motion was seconded by Ivan Ludeman, and carried unanimously.
Chairman Tom Harms adjourned the meeting at 9:50 P.M.
Date Approved: April 16, 1984 .
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pan Helmberger Secretary Thomas E. Harms Chairman