Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-15 Regular HRA Meeting MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FEBRUARY 15, 2024 7:30 AM I. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Jackson called the meeting to order at 7:34 a.m. then explained the processes created for public comment. 11. ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Vice Chair Jackson, Commissioners Agnew, Pierce, and Risser. Absent: Chair Hovland. III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. MEETING AGENDA APPROVED — AS PRESENTED Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Agnew, approving the meeting agenda as presented. Roll call: Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, and Risser Motion carried. V. COMMUNITY COMMENT Andy Brown, 5512 Park Place, shared concerns regarding lack of trust with the City and said he did not appreciate Executive Director Neal's insinuation regarding sharing disinformation in reference to a recent data request. Marie Katyal, 6421 Indian Hills Road, shared advocacy for allowing people with disabilities in a higher percentage of housing and acknowledged her support. V.A. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY COMMENTS Executive Director Neal said there were no past Community Comments. VI. ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA AS AMENDED Motion by Commissioner Agnew, seconded by Commissioner Pierce, approving the consent agenda as amended to remove VI.C: W.A. EDINA HOUSING FOUNDATION APPOINTMENTS W.B. APPOINTMENT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HRA PEDESMAN GROS IN VI.D. APPROVE DRAFT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 11, 2024 Roll call: Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, and Risser Motion carried. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA VI.C. REQUEST FOR PURCHASE; PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR THE FRANCE AVENUE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING — APPROVED The HRA commented on the project scope that ended with the upper deck of the parking ramp as a disservice with no ADA access to the east. They questioned the maneuver of cutting across Gallagher as it was a safety concern and needed to include bike/pedestrian connections and more dedication to the Southdale Design Guidelines which required a grid structure to serve the broader Page 1 Minutes/HRA/February 15, 2024 public. They requested the project be reconsidered and that this study needed to be broader and scope changed to address the bike trail, especially with the library and Fred Richards Park nearby. Director of Engineering Millner referred to a 2007 study that identified this location as a crossing and how it would be used as a starting point for this process. The Board asked questions and provided feedback. Motion by Commissioner Agnew, seconded by Commissioner Risser, to approve the request for purchase for Professional Services for France Ave Pedestrian Crossing with LHB for $80,000 with the extension of the red area to include the intersection of Gallagher and pedestrian bilceway at that intersection. Roll call: Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, and Risser Motion carried. VII. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS VII.A. FIRST AMENDMENT TO REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR 4620 WEST 77TH STREET — APPROVED Affordable Housing Development Manager Hawkinson shared that on December 8, 2022 the HRA approved a Redevelopment Agreement with 4620 LLC for the development of a 276-unit multi- family development located at 4620 W. 77th St. 100% of the units were planned to be affordable to the general workforce: ten percent (10%) of units (28 units) would be affordable to households with incomes at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and an additional 40% of the units (I 10 units) would have rents restricted not to exceed 120% of AMI. The remaining 50% of the units were intended to have rents not to exceed 120% of AMI but could increase in response to increasing expenditures. The 28 affordable units were to be available to any income qualified household. In the past year, the Managing Member of 4620 LLC, Solhem Companies, had been meeting with advocates for people with developmental disabilities, including the parent group that participated in the development proposal for St. Peter's church that did not move forward. Based on the prevalent need for affordable housing to serve people with disabilities, 4620 LLC was requesting to amend the Redevelopment Agreement and Declaration of Restrictive Covenants to reflect that the target population for the affordable units would be people with developmental disabilities. All other deal points remain as previously approved. She shared how AbleLight had presented a sketch plan in 2022 but withdrew for lack of support and how in 2023 staff introduced advocacy groups to Solhem for a partnership then spoke about the community benefits that would result by providing more in independent living opportunities. The Board asked questions and provided feedback. Motion; by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Agnew, approving the First Amendment to Redevelopment Agreement for 4620 West 77th Street and authorized execution thereof. Roll call: Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, and Risser Motion carried. VII.B. AFFORDABLE HOUSING DISCUSSIONS — DISCUSSED Ms. Hawkinson said the HRA had discussed the need for community discussions around the issue of affordable housing then shared a brief history on the community engagement undertaken for the creation of the Housing Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan and on the Housing Strategy Task Force Plan. Page 2 Minutes/HRA/February 15, 2024 The Board shared comments regarding affordable housing definitions as included in the Comprehensive Plan and the suggestion for a simplified definition for the public. They discussed the overall housing makeup in the community and the importance of meeting housing needs and not make housing exclusive. The Board spoke about the need for sustained housing affordability now and into the future and how we needed to think more than just today's market but the market going forward and if the median home value in the City was $1 million than the result was less affordable housing available. The Board acknowledged the need for residents to build equity and have diversity of land use around where affordable housing existed. They spoke about the importance of not deleting neighborhood nodes and create alternatives for vehicles as well as the need to review residential construction and eliminate diversity of land use. The Board spoke about the current shortage of housing and the most efficient way to construct apartments and the idea of a comprehensive review of current housing stock to continue to make this a community for those with different needs and jobs to live. They discussed the Maxfield study and if we wanted to add more housing in Edina that we needed to look at the overall housing stock and placement of housing and how do we develop a variety of new housing given that the City was fully developed. They spoke about how apartments only would not meet the need and that changes would impact zoning and the need for a broader conversation that included community input. They outlined next steps that included review of overall housing stock using the Maxfield study and identify ways to create more housing in a fully -developed city. The Board asked questions and provided feedback. Vlll. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS — Received VIII.A. 2023 YEAR IN REVIEW IX. HRA COMMISSIONER COMMENTS — Received X. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Agnew, seconded by Commissioner Pierce, to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 a.m. Roll call: Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, and Risser Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Scott Neal, Executive Director Page 3