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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-07-05 HRA Regular Meeting • MINUTES OF THE EDINA HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY JULY 5, 1994 ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Commissioners Kelly, Paulus, Rice, Smith and Richards. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS ADOPTED Motion was made by Commissioner Smith and was seconded by Commissioner Rice to approve the HRA Consent Agenda items as presented. Rollcall: Ayes: Kelly, Paulus, Rice, Smith, Richards Motion carried. 'MINUTES OF HRA MEETING OF JUNE 20, 1994, APPROVED Motion was made by Commissioner Smith and was seconded by Commissioner Rice to approve the HRA Minutes of June 20, 1994, as presented. Motion carried on rollcall vote - five ayes. PUBLIC HEARING HELD: GRANDVIEW AREA PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS APPROVED Presentation by HRA Director: Director Hughes stated that the purpose of this public hearing is to consider the Grandview Area Public Improvement Project. Notice has been sent to all owners of property fronting on public streets in the Grandview area. Also, during the past two months, staff has met individually with many of the owners and tenants in the Grandview area to explain the proposed project in detail. • Grandview Tax Increment Financing District: The City established the Grandview tax increment financing district in 1984. Since then, the HRA has undertaken two public redevelopment projects. In 1987, the HRA constructed the public parking facility and public works garage on Brookside Avenue. In 1989, the HRA reconstructed Link Road between Vernon Avenue and Eden Avenue. In addition to these projects, the City provided tax exempt financing for the construction of the Vernon Terrace project. The City also assisted the construction of the Summit Place senior citizen residence with Community Development Block Grants. Planning Process: In 1993, the City Council considered the redevelopment of the Biltmore Bowling Alley property. As part of the redevelopment plan, the City retained Peter Jarvis who prepared schematic plans for public right of way improvements in the vicinity of the Biltmore Bowl. Following consideration of the development plan, the Council authorized staff to retain a landscape architect to extend Mr. Jarvis' recommendations throughout the entire Grandview area. Since that approval, staff has workd with the firm of Sanders, Wacker, Wehrman and Bergly to prepare the attached plans. Planning Objectives: The major objectives of this improvement project are as follows: 1) Provide an urban streetscape consisting of landscaping, ornamental lighting and other design elements. 2) Underground certain overhead power lines. • 3) Provide better continuity of sidewalks in the area. . 4) Provide screening for incompatible land uses. 5) Remove inappropriate parking spaces with direct access from public streets (principally in the vicinity of Edina Liquor Store) . Cost Estimate: The estimated cost of the proposed project is $862,287.00. Included in this estimate is the estimated cost of undergrounding overhead power lines. Project Schedule: If the project is approved, staff would recommend that it be split into two distinct phases. Phase I would be the construction of public improvements along Vernon Avenue, Arcadia Avenue and that portion of Eden Avenue adjoining the Edina Public Works garage. It is recommended that Phase II include Eden Avenue west of the Edina Public Works garage and West 50th Street in the vicinity of the Biltmore Bowl and that Phase II be deferred until more definite redevelopment plans are approved for the private properties along Eden Avenue and West 50th Street. If the project were approved, staff would hope to solicit bids this fall for the non-landscaping portion of the project, e.g. , undergrounding of power lines and ornamental street lighting. Bids would not be solicited for landscape material until the spring of 1995. Finance: On December 31, 1993, bonds outstanding with respect to the Grandview Tax Increment Finance District totalled $1,650,000. The debt service associated with these outstanding bonds totals approximately $210,000 per year. The • final installment of principal and interest is due in August of 2003. The District is scheduled to terminate in 2010. In 1994, the HRA expects to receive $558,070 in tax increments from the Grandview District. Therefore, the District is currently generating increments of approximately $350,000 in excess of that needed to service the outstanding bonds. The current cash balance of this district, as of December 31, 1993, is $1,572,000. In staff's opinion, this district is well situated to fund the cost of this project, while honoring its previous obligations. Although the district is able to fund the cost of the initial capital improvements, the ongoing cost of maintaining such improvements is generally not eligible for tax increment financing. Therefore, staff would recommend that such ongoing cost be assessed on an annual basis against benefitted properties. Based upon our experience at 50th and France, staff would anticipate an annual cost of $8,000 - $10,000. The establishment of such a maintenance district should more appropriately be considered after completion of the project. Presentation by Landscape Architect Bill Sanders, landscape architect with Sanders, Wacker, Wehrman and Bergly, presented graphics of the overall plan for the proposed redevelopment area. He explained that along Vernon Avenue the plan provides for a four foot high ornamental iron fence alternated with stone columns that would be centered in • bed of annuals. Ornamental light fixtures and boulevard trees would create • streetscape effect. Entrances to parking areas would be enhanced by six • foot high lannon stone columns with street signs and beds of annual plantings. • Responding to comments by the Commissioners, Mr. Sanders said that the plan does consider snow removal and storage, and that the choice of trees would soften the look while not blocking visibility of signage. Director Hughes interjected that if the Council were to approve the project, it would then go to final design to consider a number of issues. He said that during his meetings with individuals in the area, they were generally complimentary of the plan. Two concerns were raised: 1) that trees would block their signage, and 3) annual maintenance cost considering the number of proposed annuals to be planted. Director Hughes said that Mr. Sanders has been told to reduce the total volume of annual plants in the final plan. While there would be no fulltime employee as is the case at the 50th & France area, the annual maintenance cost is estimated at $8,000/10,000 per year to be assessed back to the Grandview property owners on an annual basis. Mr. Sanders elaborated that enhancements would include the bus shelter area, screening of the public works area, compliments along the new McReavey Funeral Chapel property, screening of the parking areas, and landscaping adjacent to the Edina Liquor Store. Director Hughes answered Commissioner Rice that he would contact the Soo Line Railroad regarding possible improvements to their right of way area; i.e. removal of scrub trees, if it could be bridged over for more parking or bus Park and Ride, and whether an easement for air-rights would need to be acquired. In response to Chairman Richards concerning the estimated project cost, • Director Hughes said NSP has been contacted on undergrounding overhead power lines and the estimated cost of $862,287 for the entire project would include this work. Chairman asked if any consideration has been given to a pedestrian overpass for Vernon Avenue. Director Hughes said the signalized intersection at Link Road provides another opportunity for pedestrians to cross and the medians do provide a safe haven for those who cannot cross as fast as others. In staff's opinion, pedestrian volumes would not warrant an overpass. Chairman Richards then called for public comment on the proposed project; no comment was heard. It was noted that one letter had been received from David Carland, Vice President of CSM Corporation, in support of the project. Commissioner Rice made a motion for adoption of the following resolution, subject to approval of final plans and award of bids for the project: RESOLUTION GRANTING PRELIMINARY APPROVAL FOR GRANDVIEW AREA PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT BE IT RESOLVED by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Edina, Minnesota, that the Grandview Area Public Improvement Project as presented at the regular meeting of the Edina Housing and Redevelopment Authority is hereby granted preliminary approval. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kelly. Commissioner Kelly asked that the Soo Line Railroad be contacted and that the proposed plan be discussed with railroad staff. Rollcall: Ayes: Kelly, Paulus, Rice, Smith, Richards Resolution adopted. • • CIAIMS PAID Commissioner Kelly made a motion to approve payment of the BRA claims as shown in detail on the Check Register dated June 30, 1994, and consisting of one page totalling $15,597.84. Rollcall: Ayes: Kelly, Paulus, Rice, Smith, Richards Motion carried. There being no further business on the HRA Agenda, Chairman Richards declared the meeting adjourned. Executive Director • • III