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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000 03-21 HCM MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION MARCH 21, 2000 CONFERENCE ROOM B CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Erickson at 7 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Ernie Erickson, Commissioners Dennis Snook, Lloyd Deuel, Kathleen Carmody, Michael VonDeLinde and Donald Arm. Also in attendance were Council Liaison Bob Peppe, Community Development Director Brad�Hoffman and Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz. Commissioner Yelich was absent and excused from the meeting and Commissioner Muhammed Okoya-Lawal was absent and unexcused from the meeting. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Arm and seconded by Commissioner Deuel to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 15, 2000 There was a motion by Commissioner Deuel and seconded by Commissioner Carmody to approve the minutes of the February 15, 2000 Housing Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed. CHAIRPERSONS REPORT Chairperson Erickson noted that on March 20, 2000 he attended a meeting held between the chairs of all city conunissions and the City Council. He noted that on April 17 of this year at 6:30 p.m. there will be a commission recognition event. Present commissioners and past commissioners will be recognized at this event. He made special note that former chairperson of the Housing Commission, Robert Torres, will be honored at this event in April. He noted that former chairperson Torres was on the city's Housing Commission for 11 years many of those years as chair of the commission. Chairperson Erickson noted that Councilmember Lasman gave him a brochure on the upcoming golf tournament on Friday May 19 to support the Brooklyn Center Crime Prevention program. He distributed brochures to Housing Commission members regarding the Crime Prevention program golf tournament. 03-21-00 -1- r r Chairperson Erickson also noted that he briefly discussed the Housing Commission's review of City Ordinances at the March 20th meeting. Chairperson Erickson explained that Commissioner James Lano had submitted his resignation from the Housing Commission and acknowledged Mr. Lano's contribution to the Housing Conunission since his appointment. There was a motion by Commissioner Arm and Seconded by Commissioner Deuel to accept the resignation of James Lano with regret and to thank him for his contribution to the Housing Commission. The motion passed Housing Commission members requested the Community Development Specialist to send a copy of the Housing Commission minutes to Mr. Lano. SE1vIOR HOUSING DISCUSSION AND UPDATE ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES Chairperson Erickson welcomed Community Development Director Brad Hoffinan to the meeting and invited Mr. Hoffman's comments on senior housing issues and general community development activities in the City. With regard to senior housing, Mr. Hoffinan noted that a project had been proposed in the City of Brooklyn Center within the last year for a senior condominimum project on the EDA owned property at 252 and 65th Avenue North. He explained the proposal was for a senior cooperative with underground parking similar to the senior cooperative built in Brooklyn Park. He explained the proposal did not meet with the acceptance of the surrounding neighborhood and was not pursued by the developer. He also noted the City Council did not have the benefit of current data on senior housing needs when considering this project. Mr. Hoffinan stated he believes senior housing is a good issue for the Housing Commission to review noting that the senior population by the year 2010 will represent 27 of the total population. The demand for senior housing will be increasing over the next few years. He also noted the variety of senior housing possibilities including single family, townhomes, cooperatives, apartments and assisted living. In addition to the types of senior housing, other issues include what price ranges will be needed, including what demand there will be for affordable senior housing. The Community Development Director commented that the Housing Commission was the logical group to examine the issue of senior housing and prepare a report for the City Council. He explained the Housing Commission's research will help the City Council focus on areas of need with regard to senior housing. Commissioner VonDeLinde arrived at 7:15 p.m. The Housing Commission discussed the senior housing market in Brooklyn Center and in the metropolitan area in general. Commissioner Arm inquired what could be done for persons 55 03-21-00 -2- and over who want living arrangement other than single family. The Community Development Director replied that this would be one of the key subjects to address in the Housing Commission's study. Commissioner Carmody inquired as to what space is left in the City for new housing. The Community Development Director acknowledged that space is limited but there are potential sites for senior housing. He suggested that the Commission look at where other cides have built senior housing in their communities. He also suggested that even though the study is dated, the Housing Commission might want to refer to the old Maxfield study that examined housing market issues in Brooklyn Center. Chairperson Erickson noted that one of the areas the Housing Commission could review would be to determine what kinds of amenities people may want in senior housing. Commissioner Carmody again emphasized the need to address the land space and funding issues. The Community Development Director noted that there are at least three areas that are potential sites including the 252 and 65th area, the vacant land south of 69th and west of 252 and the azea near the water tower on the south side of 69th Avenue near France Avenue North. He also noted that proposals have been received for development of the northeast comer of 69th and Brooklyn Boulevard which would include senior housing. Commissioner Carmody inquired as to the kind of senior citizens living in the city in terms of demographics. The Community Development Specialist noted that the county may have information on age breakdowns of senior citizens in the City but that current data would be obtained when the 2000 census is complete. The Community Development Director commented that it might also be possible to convert apartment buildings to senior housing since estimates are that the 20 to 30 age group who typically rent apartments, will be shrinking in the next few years. Additionally, he pointed out it may be advisable to look at incentives to get seniors out of their single family homes to open them up for families. Commissioner Deuel stated that he has been involved with several nursing homes lately and noted that many assisted living and nursing home projects have become old and obsolete in design and are no longer making it economically. The Housing Comrnission continued a brief discussion of senior housing and agreed to continue the discussion at its May meeting. Chairperson Erickson inquired whether the Community Development Director had any comments on the Brookdale developments. The Communiry Development Director noted that the City now has a development agreement with Brookdale and also plans for the remodeling. He pointed out that steel has been ordered for the project so it appears definite that it will occur in the near future. 03-21-00 -3- Commissioner Arm addressed the issue of upgrading the exterior appearance of Brookdale noting that it had not changed since it was originally built and pointing out that this was especially important since the exterior remodeling was apparently scaled down. The Community Development Director commented that the total remodeling was scaled down from approximately $120 million to between $80 and $85 million. The Community Development Director discussed the new Cub store noting that Cub is owned by the same owners of Jerry's New Market. He noted they are the largest owners of Cub franchises. The Community Development Director explained there are two priorities for the community development department in the year 2000 with regard to development, one is the development of the northeast corner of 69th and Brooklyn Boulevard. He pointed out that the likely development here would be a combination of retail at approximately 25,000 feet with as much as 60 units of senior housing with underground parking. The next priority is the completion of the development of the Joslyn site. He explained several proposed projects have been lost to other cities who have essentially outbid the city with incentives. The Community Development Director also noted that potentially, the Sketchbook Tile property may be included in future developments at the Joslyn location. This two acre parcel would make a difference in the overall development of the site and improve the options for development of the remainder of the Joslyn site itself. Acquisition of the parcel would improve access and traffic flow in the area. Upon questions from commission members the Community Development Director discussed the history of the Joslyn site as wood pole treating site and reviewed the history of the cleanup of the site as an EPA Superfund Site. He explained development of the site necessitated a cleanup to a higher level than was done with the initial cleanup performed by Joslyn. The end product will result in a significant increase in tax base of the property. With regard to overall development of the City the Community Development Director noted that he has been working on potential development opportunities which will be presented to the City Council in the near future. He explained the tax increment financing districts will provide the cash flow necessary for development projects over the next 5- 10 years. CITY COUNCIL DIRECTIVE TO HOUSING COMIVIISSION REGARDING REVIEW OF CITY ORDINANCES The Community Development Specialist referred commission members to memorandums from the City Manager regarding the Housing Commission's review of code enforcement ordinances. Chairperson Erickson commented that at the City Council meeting with Commission Chairs the Council discussed the issue of the Housing Commission's review of code enforcement ordinances. He pointed out that the Housing Commission should address Mr. Clelland's suggestions regarding restrictions on collector cars and the issue regarding green spaces in rear yards. He noted one of the other issues the Commission wanted to address was the issue of the appearance of fences. 03-21-00 -4- r Due to the lateness of the hour the Commission deferred review of the ordinances until next manth's meeting. OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Erickson reminded commission members of the Northwest Suburban Remodeling Fair coming up on April 8th from 9- 3 p.m. Councilmember Lasman, who stopped in at the Housing Commission meeting after adjoumment I of the Park and Recreation Commission meeting, inquired about the Housing Commission's tour it takes in the spring. Commission members agreed to discuss the Housing Commission tour at the next meeting. Commission Carmody inquired as to what the Commission would do with regard to senior housing at the next meeting. The Community Development Specialist noted he would begin to develop information sources for the Conunission to study and to start to pull together issues for commission consideration. Chairperson Erickson suggested that the original Maxfield report be distributed to new commission members. The Community Development Specialist indicated he would do this. Also, the Communiry Development Specialist was to distribute copies of the Maxfield Senior study done for the City of Brooklyn Center. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Co�missioner Carmody and seconded by Commissioner Arm to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:20 p.m. 03-21-00 -5-