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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-12 HRA Regular Meeting MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AUGUST 12, 2021 7:30 A.M. I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Hovland called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. then explained the processes created for public comment. 11. ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Commissioners Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Chair Hovland. 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. Roll call: Ayes: Commissioners Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Chair Hovland Motion carried. V. COMMUNITY COMMENT No one appeared. VI. CONSENT AGENDA ADOPTED — AS PRESENTED Member Jackson made a motion, seconded by Member Anderson, approving the consent agenda as presented: VI.A. Approve minutes of the Regular Meeting July 29, 2021 VI.B. Single Family Ownership Preservation Program Rollcall: Ayes: Commissioners Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Chair Hovland Motion carried. V►1. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS VII.A. GRANDVIEW PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE — PROJECT UPDATE — RECEIVED Economic Development Manager Neuendorf shared the item pertained to the design of the pedestrian bridge and sidewalk to be constructed in the Grandview District. Staff provided additional information in response to concerns regarding the aesthetic and functional aspects of the bridge and said they were seeking direction and guidance regarding the preferred design elements to provide to the contractor. In June 2021, the HRA awarded a construction contract to Pember Companies to build the new pedestrian bridge and related sidewalk at 5146 Eden Avenue. At that time, the members of the HRA expressed the desire to redesign specific portions of the project. The designers at Kimley Horn Associates prepared additional graphic renderings to better illustrate the preliminary design of the bridge in relation to the surrounding context. Staff explored other examples to illustrate the types of changes that could be reasonably accommodated. The updated renderings and examples were shared for review and discussion. Staff also has suggested functional and aesthetic criteria to consider and shared recommendations regarding several elements and asked the HRA for direction on others that included if the bridge should be `open air" or redesigned to include a roof, support for the recommended aesthetic changes and select the aesthetic theme. Page 1 Minutes/HRA/August 12, 2021 The Commission asked questions regarding whether the design should contain a cover to the bridge and the goal to have people park at the ramp and come across to utilize the site even during adverse weather and ice conditions. They spoke about not knowing about parking and the need to not have parking occur on Arcadia then spoke about personal safety, welcome signage, and adequate lighting. The Commission spoke about alternative ways to make the bridge deck safe as well as the stairs then stressed the need for aesthetics, ease of maintenance, and how to engage the community in the decision making and the desire for the area to be a marquee. Consensus was to engage the neighborhood for recommendations with the goal to tie from the bridge end to Arcadia. VII.B. 7001 FRANCE AVENUE — PROJECT UPDATE — RECEIVED Mr. Neuendorf shared this item pertained to the potential use of tax increment financing (TIF) to promote redevelopment of the underutilized site at 7001 France Avenue. The developer had alerted staff that the rapid escalation in construction material prices had a severe impact on the financial viability of the redevelopment plans and intended to pursue changes in the site plan to scale back some elements of the proposed project. The 6-acre site would still be split into four separate parcels with four separate buildings and the Southdale Design Guidelines would still be applied. He said based on redevelopment costs and the high level of design requirements, staff still anticipated a financial gap that would need to be resolved with public financing and was seeking input regarding the potential use of public financing on this project. Mr. Neuendorf said the developer was preparing updated site plans for reconsideration by the Planning Commission and City Council but in order to achieve a bold redevelopment strategy capable of securing adequate debt and equity investors, the developer would need to secure obtain new zoning entitlements for the site as well as a commitment to provide public financing to address the anticipated gap in the pro forma. Rezoning without TIF was not anticipated to result in a buildable site plan. He said the site would continue to be subdivided into four separate parcels with four separate buildings with the mixed -income (affordable) apartments on Site C replaced with a 6-7 level pre -cast concrete (sloped floor) open parking structure with high level of exterior design, majority of which would be available for public parking. The five levels of parking in the podium of the office building would be reduced or eliminated to reduce the height and cost of the Site B office. The developer would comply with the City's affordable housing policy by preserving NOAH housing off -site or by making a financial contribution to 'buy in' to the affordable housing pool instead of constructing affordable units on site and no changes would occur to the branch bank on Site D. Nate Podratz, Mortenson, shared comments regarding the project and how they attempted to adapt to the changing market as best as possible and create a budget that allowed them to continue. Brent Webb, Mortenson, said they had a strong partnership with the building team and spoke with many others on how to make the project work. He said they still planned to do buy -in with the hopes to do another affordable housing project in the future. The Commission asked how much this was a timing issue with the current market and if they believed the original design could work today as opposed to not moving forward or find additional funding through TIF. Mr. Neuendorf noted the timeframe was only 15 years and if the full amount was pledged it would result in no more available TIF funding. He said they could pursue grants for $1-2 million but the gap was too high. The Commission asked about the parking garage height of 6-7 stories, 500 stalls and proposed district parking and said they struggled with the loss of workforce housing and referred to public transportation options in the site and asked about the projection of district parking and how this could be an anchor and need for another public benefit element as they did not want to use public funds to create parking and increase carbon footprints. Mr. Webb said the focus was on office to Page 2 MinutesHRA/August 12,2021 suburbs and vvakabUitvcould play inthis project. Mr. Nmuendorfsaid there was nocomprehensive count yet on parking but they wanted to move away from individual private parking and create shared, vva|kub|Utyoptions to reduce the overall parking need, The Commission asked about a policy of participation and the need to be clear with the development community regarding structured parking and create parking similar to Twin Cities Orthopedics that looked more like public art, V7LC. HOUSING STRATEGY TASK FORCE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN —APPROVED Affordable Housing Development Manager Hawkinson stated this item pertained to the December |O. 2020. Housing Strategy Task Force report on Housing Goals and Strategies adopted by the Commission with the direction for staff to return with an implementation plan. She outlined the proposed implementation plan in detail that included goals and strategies in four categories: strategy items in process; strategies recommended to include in 2D22Work Plans; strategies recommended to include in 2023 Work Plans; and strategies where the City had limited authority to implement, Executive Director Noo| noted the process was similar to the Race and Equity Task Force that approved the inclusion of intentions into the work plan, The Commission asked if there were missing items from the plan and life cycle housing strategy as there did not appear to include changes to create opportunities for more housing stock for the "missing middle". Ms. Hawkinson said items from the implementation plan were already in the Task Force'm report and the timeline to explore more was to add to the next year's work plan for accessory dwelling units and upzoning along traditional areas. Mr. Neal said staff proposed to add those topics to the Planning Commission's priorities. The Commission spoke about the importance of arcing towards the next Comprehensive Plan and in all aspects realign the City's vision to accomplish the goal or not. They spoke about the need to address the missing middle and other housing needs and confirmed sidewalks would be concrete and stamped where possible, Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Jackson, to approve the Housing Strategy Task Force Implementation Plan as proposed and direct staff to incorporate into future work plans asrecommended. RoUcaU: Ayes: Commissioners Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Chair Hovland Motion carried. Vill. HRA COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS —Kece|wad IX. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS—Recaived IX.A. PENTAGON VILLAGE — PROJECT UPDATE REGARDING LOT 3 X. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Jackson, to adjourn the meeting ot9:W8 a.m. Roll call: Ayes: Commissioners Anderson, Jackson, Pierce, Staunton, and Chair Hovland Motion carried. Respectfully submitted,