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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 02-17 HCM MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING CONIlVIISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND STATE OF NIINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION FEBRUARY 17, 2009 ALL AMERICA CONFERENCE ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Landis at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Steve Landis, Commissioners Kathie Amdahl, Gretchen Knutson, Judy Thorbus and Joshua Xiong. Also present were Council Liaison Tim Roche, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel, and EDA/HRA Specialist Tom Bublitz. Commissioner Kris Lawrence-Anderson was absent and excused. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Thorbus and seconded by Commissioner Knutson to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DECEMBER l6, 2008 AND JANUARY 21, 2009 There was a motion by Commissioner Amdahl and seconded by Commissioner Knutson to approve the December 16, 2008 and the January 21, 2009 minutes of the Housing Commission meeting. The motion passed. CHAIRPERSONS REPORT Chairperson Landis noted that the Commission has some time between now and the Comp Plan approval date to review their thoughts and to put them in writing and submit to the Planning Commission. He reviewed the Planning Commission minutes and the Chair Pro Tem's comments from the February 12, 2009 Planning Commission draft minutes. Chairperson Landis commented on the housing element of the proposed Comp Plan and believed it was in pretty good shape. He added that he believes the Commission's comments should also address elements outside the housing plan. The Commission discussed the Maxfield Report and whether the neighborhood model in the report should be included in the Commission's Comp Plan recommendations. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Roche reported on several Council actions and discussion including the following: Salary increases for 2009 for city employees Issues with regard to the link from the Embassy Suites Hotel to the Earle Brown Heritage Page 1 2-12-09 Center, and apparently the spa proposed for the D-Barn will not be moving forward. The Luther auto dealership project is still going forward at the Iten location. Councilmember Roche commented that he attended a Neighborhood Watch meeting this past Saturday where S1 people were in attendance. At the request of Commissioner Thorbus, the Director of Business and Development commented that, with regard to the firefighting foam chemical of concern, the City does not use this particular variety of the chemical. He added that the issue with regard to water quality and PFC's is being investigated. REVIEW AND DISCUSS 2030 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DRAFT Chairperson Landis inquired as to the timeline for approval of the Comp Plan. The Director of Business and Development noted that it would be helpful to receive the Housing Commission's comments sometime during the first week in April. He explained the goal is to get the Comp Plan with recommendations, to the City Council in May and by June submit it to the Metropolitan Council. He pointed out that the Comprehensive Plan can be reviewed even beyond these deadlines and noted that, since we are working with old Census data from 2000, it is difficult to develop some planning recommendations with data this old. The Director of Business and Development briefly discussed the Brooklyn Boulevard study and indicated he would get copies to the Housing Commission. Chairperson Landis noted that the housing section in the draft comp plan appears to be in reasonably good shape with reasonable numbers and statistics. He noted that there is not an emphasis on neighborhoods in the draft comp plan and that he believes the redevelopment section should be strengthened. He also pointed out that the Commission should be able to digest the Maxfield report and look at the housing section of the comp plan in light of our report and then decide what needs to be submitted to the Planning Commission. Councilmember Roche left the meeting at 7:40 p.m. for a previously scheduled engagement. Chairperson Landis explained that at next month's Housing Commission meeting the Commission should be prepared to develop decisive recommendations on the draft comp plan for forwarding to the Planning Commission. A discussion ensued regarding the options for retail versus housing development in the Brookdale area and Opportunity Site area. It was noted by the Chair that he believes that we need a sharper focus in redeveloping housing and neighborhoods and should look at Brookdale as an option for lifecycle housing. Chairperson Landis emphasized that at the next meeting the Commission would develop a report for their comp plan input to be forwarded to staff, Planning Commission and City Council. He also requested a report on the status on vacant and foreclosed homes in the city. Page 2 2-12-09 OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business addressed by the Commission. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Thorbus and seconded by Commissioner Amdahl to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:15 p.m. �1. ��Cf� Chairman Page 3 2-12-09