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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-03-17 HRA Regular Meeting MINUTES EDINA HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MARCH 17, 1986 Answering rollcall were Commissioners Bredesen, Kelly, Richards, Turner and Courtney. MINUTES of March 3, 1986, were approved as submitted by motion of Commissioner Turner, seconded by Commissioner Kelly. Ayes: Bredesen, Kelly, Richards, Turner, Courtney Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARING CONDUCTED ON CONCEPT OF ALTERNATIVE C FOR GRANDVIEW AREA. Affidavits of Notice were presented by Acting City Clerk, approved and ordered placed on file. Mr. Hughes explained that the City of Edina, through its Housing and Redevelopment Authority, has undertaken a study to determine the feasibility of various public improvements and redevelopment activities within the Grandview commercial area. Among the improvements considered are the con- struction of a public parking facility adjoining Jerry's Foods, an upgrading of Link Road and the signalization of the Link Road/Vernon Avenue intersection, and the redevelopment of industrial developments located south of Eden Avenue. The entire project started with the initial proposal to redevelop the Biltmore Motel property, and at that time, traffic concerns were cited by affected property owners, focusing primarily on the intersection of Eden Avenue, Vernon Avenue, West 53rd Street and Sherwood. Due to the unusual configuration of that intersection, it presented a safety problem. At the same time, the City and Jerry's Foods had been undertaking some discussions concerning a joint venture that would deal with a public parking facility and Public Works facility located to the east of Jerry's shopping mall. The Council and HRA authorized the consulting firm of BRW to undertake a study of traffic aspects of the area; BRW completed its study in April of 1984. Recommendations were: 1) Closure of the existing Eden Avenue/ Vernon Avenue intersection; 2) Upgrading of Link Road; 3) Signalization of Link Road/Vernon intersection; 4) Widening of Vernon Avenue/Interlachen intersection; 5) Modification of the existing off-ramps from Highway 100; and 6) An improved major entrance to Jerry's. Following that study, the Biltmore Motel project, which had been authorized and rezoned by the Council, floundered and did not proceed, and further redevelopment in the District did not happen for a period of about one year. The City then became aware of the interest on the part of several property owners to pursue redevelopment in the area--Jerry's Foods and the Regis Corporation which owned the old Cedric's building at Highway 100 and 50th Street as well as the Bell Realty building to the south of Cedric's and the Biltmore Bowling Alley. A preliminary commitment had been issued for a new senior citizen housing project containing approximately 28 units to be located on the west side of Summit Avenue. There was also some interest on the part of Lewis Engineering, south of Eden Avenue, to participate in redevelopment. The City then re-authorized BRW in 1985 to conduct a land-use study, which was completed in the fall of 1985. Tax increment projections for the District have been prepared by staff; these should be viewed as very preliminary in nature and should be refined if the Council wishes to pursue any of the Grandview projects. These projections are based on a bond issue of $4.5 million to support capital expenditures of approximately $4.3 million. From BRW's standpoint, Alternative C is the recommended alternative to pursue which has the following three major elements: 1) The construction of a public parking facility containing approximately 270 spaces located east of Jerry's Foods and having as its first level a Public Works Minutes Edina Housing & Redevelopment Authority • March 17, 1986 Page Two facility accessible from the Brookside Avenue side of the parking ramp; 2) The reconstruction of Link Road and the closure of the existing Eden/Vernon inter- section; and 3) The potential redevelopment of the Lewis Engineering/Kunz Oil warehouse railroad property which is being contemplated for approximately 200 units of housing. The BRW alternative for the Link Road improvement shows the possible taking of the Superamerica Station; an interim solution may be possible which would not necessitate the total taking of this station but could substantially affect access to that station. Mr. Alexander Ritter, an architect consulting with the Regis Corporation, explained that Regis is employed to take a look at the overall site which would include the three properties that Mr. Hughes outlined. Regis's interest is in looking at the parcel as a single parcel rather than being divided into two major pieces, and in looking at its long-term needs, Regis is interested in potential vacation of Arcadia and the street in front of the Biltmore. Mr. Ritter indicated that the site is very difficult to develop as it is segmented, but he is very pleased to see that the initial staff report does not see a problem in the potential vacation. Mr. Ritter remarked that they would be coming back in the fairly near future with detailed information about how they would intend to propose a site to be developed. Mr. Andy Rozentals, 5316 Windsor, asked for Mr. Hughes to further explain the developments as shown on the overhead. Mr. Hughes further explained that if the HRA wishes to pursue any or all of the public issues, more details would then be brought back for a project hearing. Commissioner • Kelly asked if the proposed signal which would help seniors cross at the Biltmore was dependent on the reconfiguration of Eden Avenue/Link Road. Mr. Hughes stated that in order for signals to be installed on Vernon Avenue, which is a County road, certain warrants must be met as to the traffic volume. If the existing intersection of Eden/Vernon were maintained, not enough traffic would be diverted through Link to then justify the signal at Link/Vernon. This is not a matter of cost but rather a matter of traffic volume. Commissioner Kelly questioned waiting on the project until it can be done all at one time. Mr. Hughes indicated that from a land-use viewpoint, it would be advantageous to do as much as one could at the start, but from a tax-increment standpoint, it might be more advantageous to spread the projects out a little more. Commissioner Kelly questioned the $350,000 other income on the finance sheet, and Mr. Hughes explained that it is the anticipated sale of the Lewis/Kunz site to a developer for housing. Mr. Richard Rosch, 5248 Richwood Drive, expressed a concern with the road building as to it not being the immediate priority; he felt that the parking ramp going in first would make the traffic situation even worse. Mr. Hughes agreed that adding more development to Grandview would make the Eden/Vernon intersection more traveled. Mr. Hoffman indicated that in 1987 a traffic signal to allow seniors to cross Vernon would be under consideration. Leon Schmieg of Typhoon Car Wash questioned the upgrading of the entrance to Jerry's. Mr. Hughes explained that based on conversations with the County, it may be difficult to justify signalization at that location. Mr. Hoffman indicated that as long as signal warrants are not met at Jerry's main intersection, the County did not justify the closing off the other end of Jerry's entrance/exit, which would help getting into the Typhoon Car Wash. Mr. Schmieg also questioned whether the frontage road by Superamerica and the doctor's building would be left intact. Mr. Hughes commented that if Superamerica • were to stay in place, the frontage road would be maintained, but it would have to be terminated before it would intersect with Link Road. Mr. Hoffman indicated that there would be proposed a change of driveway access location so that it would be on an angle. Commissioner Turner offered support of the signalization of the Link Minutes Edina Housing & Redevelopment Authority March 17, 1986 Page Three • intersection with the interim design rather than the complete taking of Super- america, and supporting the closing off of the Eden/Vernon intersection. She also supported the ramp City-storage facility concept, but with less increment and more special assessments to finance the structure. Commissioner Turner could not find justification for the City taking the initiative in regard to the Lewis site. Commissioner Kelly supported the parking ramp concept and the signalization of the Link intersection, but she is not convinced that the best use on the Kunz property is residential but that there is good potential there for commercial uses as well. Commissioner Richards pointed out that the City seemed to be going ahead prematurely in building something that may be sited later in a better locale and that it is being done in a piecemeal fashion. Commissioner Bredesen shared Commissioner Richards' opinion. There being no further discussion, Commissioner Turner made a motion to approve the concept of the Link Road improvement as well as the ramp/City storage facility; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Kelly. Rollcall: Ayes: Kelly, Turner, Courtney Nays: Bredesen, Richards Motion carried. BID AWARDED FOR CONDOMINIUM DRAINAGE AT EDINBOROUGH. Mr. Rosland presented the tabulation of bids for condominium drainage at Edinborough as follows: Name of Bidder Total Bid Wenzel Mechanical $10,085 • Northern Plumbing 10,100 Northland Mechanical 14,500 It is recommended that the bid be awarded to the low bidder, Wenzel Mechanical, at $10,085. With no further discussion, Commissioner Kelly moved award of the bid to the recommended low bidder, Wenzel Mechanical, at $10,085; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Bredesen. Ayes: Bredesen, Kelly, Richards, Turner, Courtney Motion carried. RESOLUTION ADOPTED AUTHORIZING JOHN WALLIN TO REPLACE JERRY DALEN ON THE FIRST EDINA CHECKING ACCOUNT. Commissioner Kelly introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED by the Edina Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) that the First Edina National Bank is hereby designated as a depository of the HRA and that a checking account be opened and maintained, in the name of the HRA with said Bank, subject to the rules and regulations established from time to time by said Bank. That any two of the following, to-wit: C. Wayne Courtney Chairman NAME TITLE NAME TITLE John Wallin NAME TITLE NAME TITLE • Gordon H„ghes Fx cntive Dirertor NAME TITLE NAME TITLE Kenneth Rosland Director NAME TITLE NAME TITLE Minutes Edina Housing & Redevelopment Authority March 17, 1986 Page Four are authorized, on behalf of the HRA, and in its name, to sign checks, receipts or orders for the payment or withdrawal of funds deposited in said account or deposited to the credit of said HRA in the said Bank, and said Bank is hereby authorized and directed to honor and pay any of said checks, receipts or orders for the payment or withdrawal of funds deposited to the credit of said HRA when so signed. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the foregoing resolution shall remain in full force and effect until written notice of its amendment or recision shall have been received by said Bank and that receipt of such notice shall not affect any action taken by the Bank prior thereto. Motion for adoption of the resolution was seconded by Commissioner Bredesen. Rollcall: Ayes: Bredesen, Kelly, Richards, Turner, Courtney Resolution adopted. RESOLUTION ADOPTED AMENDING THE BYLAWS. Commissioner Kelly introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Edina, Minnesota (the "Authority") that Section 2 of Article III of the Bylaws of the Authority be amended to read as follows: "Regular meetings of the Authority shall be held at the City Hall, City of Edina, in the City Council Chambers, without notice at 7:00 P. M. on the same days as regular meetings of the City Council of the City of Edina, Minnesota." Motion for adoption of the resolution was seconded by Commissioner Turner. Rollcall: Ayes: Bredesen, Kelly, Richards, Turner, Courtney Resolution adopted. SPECIAL HRA MEETING ANNOUNCED. Mr. Rosland announced that there would be a special meeting of the HRA on Monday, March 31, at 7:00 P. M. in the Council Chambers on Edinborough. The HRA meeting was then adjourned by motion of Commissioner Kelly, seconded by Commissioner Turner, at 7:45 P. M. G � Gordon L. Hugh Executive Director i