04-21-1986CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
HOUSING AND. REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING
APRIL 21, 1986
MEMBERS PRESENT: Tom Harms, Chairman; Joan Helmberger; Ivan
Ludeman; and Vern Luettinger. Don Hassenstab
was out of town on business.
STAFF PRESENT: Steven Devich, Acting Executive Director;
Bruce Palmborg, Housing and Redevelopment
Coordinator; Bruce Nordquist, Housing
Specialist; Lidy Flom, Community Development
Aide; Thomas Ferber, City Clerk; Rick Jopke,
City Planner; and Clayton LeFevere, City
Attorney.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Harms at 7:37 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Luettinger, S/Ludeman to approve the minutes of the
regular meeting of March 17, 1986.
Motion carried 4-0.
Item #1 OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE HRA ON ANY ITEM
NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA.
- No one wished to address the HRA.
Item #2 DISCUSSION OF DEVELOPMENT CONCEPTS FOR THE GRAHAM
AVENUE DEVELOPMENT SITE L/H/N REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
HRA LETTER N0. 11.
Acting Executive Director Devich reviewed HRA Letter No. 11
regarding two development concepts for the site located adjacent
to Lyndale~Avenue between Circle Place and Auto Lane.
Karen Struve, representing Walker Methodist Residence and
Health Management Services, reviewed the management structure of
the company, the company's involvement with housing for the
elderly, and services it provides. She stated that a market
survey indicated the Graham Avenue site would be an ideal
location for 200 rental units of the elderly.
Barbara Kilbourne, Walker Management, Inc., reviewed the
purpose and methodology of the market survey conducted by Walker.
She reviewed the results of the survey stating that it revealed a
strong interest for senior rental housing in Richfield. She
stated the project would be targeted for people over 65 years old
with yearly incomes of $15,000.
Chairman Harms stated his concern that this project would
attract most of its residents from outside of Richfield and that
the project would not meet the needs of the lower income seniors
in Richfield.
Barbara Kilbourne reviewed the penetration rate of several
similar projects indicating that 80~ of the residents came from
within a three mile radius.
Commissioner Ludeman stated that the anticipated rent of
$600-$800 was higher than Market Plaza and was too high to serve
many of Richfield's seniors who would desire rental housing.
Mike Gould, E. J. Plesko Developers, reviewed a similar
project being developed in St. Louis Park which raised some of
the same concerns. He said that the rent level was an
educational issue addressed in marketing the apartments.
Chairman Harms stated that he did not doubt that this
project could be successful; however, he felt a mixed income
development with some sort of private subsidy for lower income
seniors would be more attractive to the HRA.
E. J. Plesko, developer, stated that seniors had shown
interest in the Market Plaza apartments and that it may be
possible to scale down the Walker project to lower rental rates.
He stated that the best land use for the Graham Avenue site is
residential.
Chairman Harms suggested that the developer study the
-possibility of providing affordable housing for lower income
seniors in the project. Chairman Harms also requested that the
developer provide a traffic study to assess traffic increases
resulting from the project.
Mike Gould responded that a traffic study would be done and
that the developer would assess the rent issue.
Bruce Schmitt, architect for the Schaller-Trestman proposal,
reviewed the site plans showing a building addition to unite the
Big Wheel and Trestman Music buildings and providing for
additional parking.
Commissioner Ludeman questioned the provision for allowing
parking to remain in front of the building and layout of the
pedestrian sidewalk in .relation to the building.
Bruce Schmitt stated that the addition was set back to
provide for landscaping and that the parking and sidewalk in the
front of the building was similar to the Ahlquist retail area.
Mayor Hamilton cautioned the HRA that Mr. Trestman had
previously presented extensive plans for the site but that the
project was never carried through.
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Dick Schaller, President of Big Wheel Auto, stated that
everything was in place to begin this project and that all they
needed to proceed would be the approval of the HRA and the City.
George Applebaum, real estate agent, stated that the
Schaller-Trestman project would serve as a buffer to the
residential areas and that it would help maintain Lyndale Avenue
as a prime retail street. He indicated the project would provide
space for two additional retail shops.
Jerry Trestman, Trestman Music, reviewed the reasons his
prior proposals had not proceeded. He also stated his business
fulfills a need in the community and he wished to continue at
this location.
Commissioner Luettinger requested that specific tax
information be provided regarding the two proposals.
Chairman Harms stated that a neighborhood meeting should be
conducted regarding the proposals and suggested a joint HRA/City
Council meeting be scheduled to consider the proposals.
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Mayor Hamilton also suggested that the Planning Commission
review the project proposals in conjunction with the HRA and the
City Council.
Acting Executive Director Devich requested interested
parties submit written commends to him by May 5, 1986.
-Item #3 CLAIMS AND PAYROLLS
M/Ludeman, S/Helmberger that the following claims and
payrolls be approved:
FIRST WESTERN BANK
Checks 6704/6716 7259/7286
Motion carried 4-0.
REPORTS OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
There were no reports.
COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSION ITEMS
There were no discussion items.
$121,110.26
ADJOURNMENT
M/Harms, S/Luettinger that the meeting adjourn.
Motion carried 4-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:26.
Date Approved:
Thomas P.
City Clerk
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Acting Executive Director