HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 06-22 HCMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN
AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA
SPECIAL SESSION
JUNE 22, 1979
CITY HALL
CALL TO ORDER
The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission met in special session and was called
to order by Chairman Plummer at 8:23 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Chairman Plummer, Commissioners Haroldson, Hastings, Ainas, Williams and
Weitzel. Also present were Councilmember Bill Fignar and Administrative
Assistant Brad Hoffman. It was noted John McNamara from BRW was also in
attendance. Commissioners Cilke, Turner and Duenow were absent from the
meeting and were excused.
HOUSING ELEMENT
The first agenda item was a discussion of the proposed housing element of the
Comprehensive Plan as submitted by the BRW. Administrative Assistant Hoffman
expressed the Commission's concern for the need for elderly housing relative
to the housing plan. A brief discussion then ensued with Johp McNamara indica-
ting that the statement indicating the need for elderly housing would be
accompanied with demographic projections indicating the growing elderly popula-
tion in Brooklyn Center. Chairman,Plummer then indicated that there were two
(2) types of facilities for the elderly. First, were the facilities that would
allow the residents to take care of themselves and, second, were facilities
where the residents were taken care of. Chairman Plummer indicated her concern
for the need for housing that took a position in between the two extremes.
Administrative Assistant Hoffman noted the Commission's concern for the definition
of mid and high density housing. John McNamara indicated along Brooklyn Boulevard
the need for mid density should be defined as 5 -15 units per acre, more specifically,
as townhouse development. John McNamara then took the opportunity to review the
Brooklyn Boulevard development plans in detail. He indicated that there were
two to three unstable areas along Brooklyn Boulevard and that the City needed to
take action now or'Brooklyn Boulevard would end up being strip commerical. He
added that the Brookdale area land values restrict housing opportunities to high
density types or office buildings. Commissioner Haroldson asked for a definition
of high density. John McNamara indicated that high density would be in the area
of 40 units per acre. Chairman Plummer then expressed her concern for the con-
struction along Brooklyn Boulevard. Following a brief discussion, Councilmember
Fignar inquired as to the number of units that were required to make the develop-
ment economically feasible along the Boulevard. John McNamara indicated that
presently it would require 12 -15 units. Commissioner Williams indicated his con-
cern with the future maintenance of proposed townhouse developments. John McNamara
indicated the City should adopt an ordinance regulating cooperative or association
agreements.
Discussion then turned to a variety of housing needs, especially for first time
buyers. Commissioner Williams indicated that the plan needs to address the needs
of handicapped also. Commissioner Hastings added that the plan also needs to
address the needs of large family rental units. Commissioner Ainas inquired as
to the definition of a large family. Administrative Assistant Hoffman indicated
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that a minimum of three people could require a three bedroom unit. He indicated
that a mother with two children of the opposite sex would require a three bed-
room unit. The Commission also added their desire to see the energy needs as
they relate to housing added to the housing element.
Following the Commission's comments, John McNamara reviewed the meeting he had
held with Jim Crosby of the Metropolitan HRA. He noted that Jim Crosby had
indicated that the housing element needed an implementation chapter with an
established number of target goals. John McNamara indicated that he would take
the Commissions comments into consideration and would present a redraft of the
housing element to the Commission at their August 14 meeting.
REHAB GRANTS AND LOANS
Administrative Assistant Brad Hoffman introduced the next agenda item, a dis-
cussion of staff proposed guidelines for evaluating rehabilitation grant applica-
tions. He added that the proposed criteria for guidelines dealt strictly with
the income aspects and did not deal with the review guidelines for the project
itself. He indicated that there were 30 possible points that could be accumulated
by a perspective applicant. He indicated the City was attempting to make a
determination of an applicant's ability to financially assist in the rehabilitation
of their respective homes. The Commission then reviewed the proposed guidelines
noting that a minimum of 20 points was required on the part of the applicant to
be eligible for a 100% grant. It was also noted that an applicant with 19 points
was eligible for a 90% grant, 10% loan; 18 points was eligible for a 75% grant,
25% loan; 15 points for a 50% grant, 50% loan; 12 points for a 25% grant, 75%
loan and 11 points or less would be strictly a loan. The Commission indicated
that they liked this approach and that they would like to see this finalized.
Administrative Assistant Hoffman indicated that the entire review criteria would
be available at the August 14 Housing Commission meeting for the Commission's
review and action. Councilmember Fignar indicated that a good number of individual
in Brooklyn Center would be eligible under these guidelines and that he supported
the concept.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner Weitzel and seconded by Commissioner Haroldson to adjourn
the meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the Housing Commission meeting
adjourned at 9:36 a.m.
Chairman