Loading...
04-21-1997~. i ~ HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT • AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES ~ Richfield, Minnesota Regular Meeting April 21, 1997 The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Helmberger at 7:00 p.m. 1 HRA Members Present: Joan Helmberger; Kristal Stokes; Michael Sandahl; and Russ Susag. HRA Members Absent: Thomas Harms. Staff Present : James Prosser, Executive Director; Thomas Ferber, City Clerk; Bruce Palmborg, Community Development Director; Bruce Nordquist, Housing & Redevelopment Manager; and Corrine Thomson, City Attorney. M/Susag, S/Sandahl to approve the minutes of the Special Joint HRA/City Council/Planning Commission/Community Services Commission Meeting of March 17, 1997• and the minutes of the regular HRA Meeting of March 17. 1997: and the minutes of the Special HRA Meeting of March 24. 1997. Motion carried 4-0. HRA Meeting Minutes -2- April 21, 1997 Item #1 ~C1~P~~tT~l~~ ~~,#!~ C~"f3~l~'T:~3~Q~?RESS ~'!~E'HRA' No one wished to address the HRA. Executive Director Prosser reviewed HRA Letter No. 17 regarding the sale of the property at 6601 Bloomington Avenue for redevelopment. He stated that two proposals had been received for the site: • Clinton Press, Inc., which is currently located immediately across 66th Street from the site, proposed a 6,600 square foot building to relocate their printing business. • Minnesota Valley School of Music proposed to build a 6,800 square foot split level building for their music school. Tim Heinecke, owner of Clinton Press, Inc., 1524 East 66th Street, presented preliminary drawings and described his proposal to construct a 6,600 square foot building on the site. He indicated that initially approximately 2,000 square feet of the building would be leased to an ancillary business tenant. He stated that he had been working with John Melin of the Community Development staff over the last several months regarding a building design and development possibility for the site. He stated that Signal Bank would finance the project. Mary Ann Namtvedt, 2 East 39th Street, and Kay Ellickson, 8409 Baybridge Circle, representing Minnesota Valley School of Music (MVSM), stated that MVSM is a private music school which currently leases space from the Bloomington Schools and specializes in teaching piano and string instruments. They described the proposed 6,800 square foot split level building to be built for the music school. James Shannon, 9164 Vincent Avenue, a teacher at MVSM, described the cultural and community benefits that the school would bring to the City. Chuck Ellickson, 8409 Bayridge Circle, broker for MVSM, reviewed the site plan and building design proposed for the site. He stated that the school would retain the same architect, contractor, and financing that were used for their previous proposal. HRA Meeting Minutes -3- April 21, 1997 John LaFrance, 6621 Bloomington Avenue, stated that his main concern was the type of building that would be built. He stated he felt Clinton Press would be a good neighbor but that he would be concerned about the type of building and location of the loading dock. He also stated concern about what would happen to the building currently occupied by Clinton Press. He stated concerns about parking for the school and the height of the proposed building. Mary Ann Namtvedt, MVSM, stated that their proposed building was a split level style which would blend in well with the neighborhood. She stated the on-site parking would be adequate for the school. Commissioner Sandahl noted that there is no guarantee that the recommended number of parking spaces will be enough or too many spaces. Selden Saunders, 6739 17th Avenue, indicated he thought commercial buildings were not supposed to look like a house and that the music school building looked like a house. Executive Director Prosser stated there is no such design criteria. Larry Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, stated support for the music school proposal. Commissioner Susag asked if the Planning Commission had commented on the proposals. Executive Director Prosser stated that the Planning Commission had passed a resolution stating that a commercial reuse for this property is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. M/Sandahl, S/Susag to close the public hearing. Motion carried 4-0. Commissioner Sandahl stated that it was a difficult choice with two good proposals vying for the same site but that he would support the music school proposal. Commissioner Susag stated frustration that the HRA had asked MVSM to look at this site after they were not chosen for the Richfield Floral site and that now again there were two good competing proposals. He stated that all things being equal, he would vote for the Clinton Press proposal because they are an existing Richfield business. Vice Chair Helmberger stated it was difficult because both were good proposals. She stated that MVSM could become a real asset to the community and she would support their proposal. HRA Meeting Minutes -4- April 21, 1997 Commissioner Stokes stated it was difficult position to be in since MVSM had been encouraged by the HRA to look at this site while she was unaware Clinton Press had an interest in the site also. She stated that she had concern for what would occur at the current Clinton Press site if they relocate. She stated that she had known the Clinton Press people for a long time, but felt that the music school was the best proposal for the site at this time. M/Sandahl, S/Helmberger that the following HRA resolution be adopted, that it be spread in the HRA resolution book and that it be made part of these minutes: HRA RESOLUTION NO. 625 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY AT 6601 BLOOMINGTON AVENUE TO MINNESOTA VALLEY SCHOOL OF MUSIC (MVSM) Motion carried 3-1. (Susag opposed) This resolution appears as HRA Resolution No. 625 in HRA Resolution Book No. 5. Vice Chair Helmberger stated that she hoped that the HRA could work with Clinton Press to find another site. Item #3 ~~~.:<>::::;:::>::<:<::==«:::::«_:::::<=>_::<.:::::::<::::=::<:<:<><:<::::<:::::<:<<:<.:::<:<<:<<>::::~:::<>:_>::=::::=::>`~~~<~~~~~~~`~~'~~~~~>i~=~~~~~~>`=><>~~~»<>~<<< ~>~> ~I~ ~~~~~~ ~ ~t3I~~~~Ell'~`t~ ~~ ~~L3L.~Tlfl_>::;:<: ::»t:;:;<'1`.~,l`t~#~. ~. ~~ ~'~ "~~R~ .~~.~~~ ~~ ~~~[~;E~'~" NTH ,> Executive Director Prosser reviewed HRA Letter No. 18 regarding the proposed sale of the property located at 6205 Morgan Avenue to Shade Tree Construction, Inc. and 7415 Third Avenue and 2517 West 70th Street to Rockport Homes, Inc. for Richfield Rediscovered single family home development. M/Sandahl, S/Susag to close the public hearing. Motion carried 4-0. M/Susag, S/Stokes that the following HRA resolution be adopted that it be spread in the HRA resolution book and that it be made part of these minutes• f' L HRA Meeting Minutes -5- April 21, 1997 HRA RESOLUTION NO. 626 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 6205 MORGAN AVENUE TO SHADE TREE CONSTRUCTION, INC. AND 7415 THIRD AVENUE AND 2517 WEST 70TH STREET TO ROCKPORT HOMES, INC. IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS Motion carried 4-0. This resolution appears as HRA Resolution No. 626 in HRA Resolution Book No. 5. Item #4 Executive Director Prosser reviewed HRA Letter No. 19 regarding the proposed Third Amendment to the Contract for Private Redevelopment for the Meridian Crossings development between TOLD Company and the HRA. Mr. Prosser answered questions regarding the environmental issues related to this amendment. M/Stokes, S/Sandahl to approve the Third Amendment to the Contract for Private Development (TOLD) as drafted by the HRA's legal counsel and to authorize the Chair and Executive Director to execute the amendment. .- Motion carried 4-0. Executive Director Prosser reviewed HRA Letter No. 20 presenting a status report on the Richfield Rediscovered Program and proposed changes to the Richfield Rediscovered procedural guidelines. Commissioner Helmberger asked about the level of interest in the program and the potential for twinhomes or townhomes. Housing and Redevelopment Manager Nordquist indicated there continued to be a high level of interest from potential builder/buyer teams and that site opportunities for townhomes or twinhomes may become available near main corridors in the future. HRA Meeting Minutes -6- April 21, 1997 M/Susag, S/Stokes to approve the changes to the Richfield Rediscovered procedural Guidelines as outlined in HRA Letter No. 20 and direct staff to continue to explore funding options for the program and identify a preferred course during the annual budget process. Motion carried 4-0. to m #6 .;;;:E::;::~3:~':;.::..~.~~..~.."~'~.#.~I__~ R'!".~~C..s.~...:T:C~. ~t.~~.f~x ~iFt~4.~FTTER Executive Director Prosser reviewed HRA Letter No. 21 presenting a status report on the Section 8 Rent Assistance Program. Housing and Redevelopment Manager Nordquist introduced Lynnette Chambers who was hired for the position of Leased Housing Specialist effective on April 24. Commissioner Susag asked if welfare reform would have an impact of the Section 8 program. Housing and Redevelopment Manager Nordquist stated that it could have an indirect impact if incomes are reduced resulting the need for higher rent assistance, therefore reducing the number of households that may be served by the program with the available funding. M/Sandahl, S/Susag to accept the status report on the Section 8 Rent Assistance Program. Motion carried 4-0. Executive Director Prosser reported on the status of the proposed VFW/American Legion Joint Facility. Commissioner Susag reported on the April 21 joint workshop meeting of the City Council and the Metropolitan Airports Commission regarding airport issues. ~~ ~I HRA Meeting Minutes -7- April 21, 1997 The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:07 p.m. 1 Date Approved: 5/19/97 ~~ Thomas P. Ferber City Clerk J an Helmberger Vice Chair n .~ . - - Ja es .Prosser Ex u ve Director