Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-16 Regular HRA Meeting MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MAY 16, 2024 7:30 A.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Hovland called the meeting to order at 7:31 a.m. then explained the processes created for public comment. 11. ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Chair Hovland, Commissioners Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, and Risser. Absent: None. III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. MEETING AGENDA APPROVED — AS PRESENTED Motion by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Pierce, approving the meeting agenda as presented. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, and Hovland Motion carried. V. COMMUNITY COMMENT No one appeared. V.A. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY COMMENTS Executive Director Neal responded there were no past Community Comments. VI. ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED Motion by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Pierce, approving the consent agenda as presented: VI.A. DRAFT MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 14, 2024 VI.B. REQUEST FOR PURCHASE; WEST SOTH AND GRANGE ROAD CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, and Hovland Motion carried. VII. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS VII.A. GRANT AGREEMENT WITH OH CREPE LLC —APPROVED Economic Development Manager Neuendorf said in 2021, the HRA established the SPARC Fund to support job creation and investment in Edina. The SPARC Streamlined Grant Program was intended to provide grants up to $24,000 for the re -occupancy of vacant commercial spaces or expansion of commercial businesses. He outlined the SPARC program in further detail then said the first business to use this program was Oh Crepe, LLC. This new coffee shop and crepe bakery located at 4408 France Avenue and would re -occupy the commercial storefront formerly occupied by Caribou Coffee. The space was last remodeled prior to the adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the front entrance needs to be remodeled in order to create an accessible entrance to the space. He noted the building was built in the 1920s and remodeling triggered WAC/SAC fees as well as the rear parking lot needed adjustments. He said staff recommended approval of this grant agreement then outlined the project amount in detail that totaled $140,000 and the reimbursable grant amount of $18,000 for opening yet this summer. Page 1 Minutes/HRA/May 16, 2024 Claire Corvaiser, Oh Crepe, shared her background and further information about her proposed business. She said she loved the look of the building and how it would fit well with her business and shared her excitement with being in the community. She shared about the increased costs to renovate the space due to current requirements which resulted in the request for the grant and said she was excited to serve the community. She also shared about her current partnership with a cider company for her product and her excitement to continue that service here. Steve Young, Arbor Sunnyside Properties Commercial Group, shared their excitement to partner with Ms. Corvaiser and her crepe offerings then commented about the intended work on the parking lot to meet the current ADA requirements. The Board asked questions and provided feedback. Motion by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Agnew, to approve the grant agreement with Oh Crepe LLC as presented. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, and Hovland Nay: Risser Motion carried. VII.B. GRANT AGREEMENT WITH ARBOR SUNNYSIDE PROPERTIES, LLC —APPROVED Mr. Neuendorf said this grant agreement was also related to the new coffee shop and crepe bakery located at 4408 France Avenue. He said while the tenant was responsible for the interior construction and main entrance, the property owner was responsible for other construction on the site. The small parking lot in the rear of the building had not been improved in many years. The current design created a single step into the rear of each tenant space. This step limited access into the rear entrance of the new Oh Crepe business. With this grant funding, the property owner would reconstruct the parking lot to eliminate the single step that was a barrier for all tenant spaces and create an accessible parking space compliant with modern codes. Without the grant, the property owner indicated this reconstruction would be cost prohibitive. He outlined the total investment of $40,000 with a reimbursable grant amount of $20,000 to open summer of 2024. Staff recommends approval of the Grant Agreement. Motion by Commissioner Agnew, seconded by Commissioner Pierce, to approve the grant agreement with Arbor Sunnyside Properties, LLC as presented. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, and Hovland Nay: Risser Motion carried. VII.C. 5146 EDEN AVENUE — HOUSING REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS — REPORT RECEIVED Mr. Neuendorf said staff had received many inquiries from developers since the previous housing developer terminated the purchase contract for a portion of the property at 5146 Eden Avenue. The restaurant partner remained strongly interested in constructing a new restaurant on an adjacent portion of the site. Based on suggestions and preferences expressed from the HRA Board members, staff was preparing a Request for Proposal to be released to the real estate development community. Staff presented key elements of the RFP for discussion and said final input was requested from the HRA Board before the RFP document was formally released. He outlined the purpose of being open and transparent, maximized outcomes for the HRA, intention to select the most qualified developer, site plan details, and purchase price and transaction details to be negotiated as the site plan evolved. He spoke about the distinct elements for a new place in Edina that included public green space, restaurant, parking, housing, and walkability. He shared further about the preferred development program of for -sale townhomes that included the number of units and price point to meet a variety of income groups then reviewed the amenities balanced against the affordability, materials, and other Page 2 Minutes/HRA/May 16, 2024 finishes and encouraged the HRA to consider rental for the time being. He reviewed anticipated submission requirements for both a public and non-public phase process then reviewed the proposed schedule. The Board asked questions and provided feedback. Vlll. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS — Received VIII.A. BUSINESS SUBSIDY POLICY VIII.B. TIF SPECIAL LEGISLATION VIII.C. EDINA INNOVATION LAB STATUS UPDATE The Board asked questions and provided feedback. IX. HRA COMMISSIONER COMMENTS — Received X. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Agnew, to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 a.m. Ayes: Agnew, Jackson, Pierce, Risser, and Hovland Motion carried. -�` • Respectfully submitted, 10 Scott NMI, E ecutive Dir for Page 3