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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 10-21 HCM F^ MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OE HENNEPIN AND STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION OCTOBER 21,2003 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Yelich at 7;00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Mark Yelich, Commissioners Ernie Erickson, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Mary Barrus, bavid Johnson, Lloyd Deuel, Stan Leino, Judy Thorbus and 7ean Schuster. Also present were Council Liaison Kathleen Cannody and Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz. APPROYAL OFAGENDA Chairperson Yelich added several items to the agenda including Na 8. Presevation of Housing and Housing Maintenance and No. 9 Senior Housing. There was a motion by Chairperson Yelich and seconded by Commissioner Erickson to approve the agenda as amended. APPROYAL OF MINUTES SEPTEMBER 16, 2003 Commissioner Yelich made a correction to the minutes by adding a"review of rental license fees" to the list of items to discuss with the Community Development Director. CHAIRPERSONS REPORT Commissioner Yelich referred Commission members to an article in the St. Paul paper addressing "Scofflaw" landlords and the city's effort to get them to come under compliance with regard to the city ordinance on registration of rental properties. He also discussed the increasing trend in renting single family homes and discussed the requirements relative to rental licensing when an owner lives in a home and rents out a room or rooms to other individuals. The Community Development Specialist was directed to review the requirements xelative to I licensing of rental properties in relation to the renting of rooms where the 'owner also lives in the home. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Carmody distributed a list showing the calls for service at various apartment complexes throughout the city. She noted the Council receives this information on a regular basis. The Housing Commission briefly discussed the list of calls for service and how they fit in with the new amendment to the city's rental license ordinance. -1- F. DISCUSSION WITH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR REGARDING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES It was noted that the Community Development Director had a previous commitment this evening and was not able to attend but would be in attendance at the November Housing Commission meeting. Chairperson Yelich stated that it would be beneficial for the Housing Commission to review questions and issues to review with the Community Development Director at the November meeting. Commissioner Johnson addressed the recent newspaper articles regarding the increased commute time in the metro area and brought up the issue of how the city might address this issue of increased commuting time to the city's benefit. He posed the question of how to position the city with regard to revitalizing it's housing market to capitalize on the increasing commute times in the metro area. He cited the example of the Humboldt greenway in Minneapolis, which is a redoing of post war housing. Commissioner Johnson also brought up the issue of the status of the Brookdale area redevelopment to discuss at the November meeting. Commissioner Thorbus stated she would like to add a discussion of the bus situation along Xerxes for the November meeting. ouncilmember Carmod noted that Metro Transit has until December of 2004 to com lete the C y p transit hub to be constructed on County Road 10. Gommissioner Thorbus also suggested that the Commission should discuss the 1Vletro Transit's commitment to maintenance of transit facilities in Brooklyn Center including bus stops. Commissioner Leino noted another item to discuss at the November meeting is the stafus of the i Rainbow store and he also brought up a proj ect in Columbia Heights, reviewing the use of the old K-Mart site in Columbia Heights for senior housing. Commissioner Johnson suggested that the Jerry's New Market site also be added to the list to discuss in November. Commissioner Deuel stated he would like the Commission to discuss the hotel site near the Earle Brown Heritage Center and the Holiday Inn remodeling to construct senior condos. Commissioner Tharbus stated she would like to review street lighting in the city. Councilmember Carmody stated it has been the policy of the city to provide street lighting at the end of each block and to allow neighbors who want mid street lighting to request it and be required to pay for the additional lighting. -2- t.. Commissioner Barrus inquired as to the status of the group home at S 19-2155�` Avenue North and whether it is a juvenile or a new adult facility. She also addressed the issue of what agency regulates group homes and how they are licensed. A brief discussion by the Housing Commission followed regarding the city's role in group home licensing and it was pointed out that state law prohibits cities from enforcing zoning or land use regulations with regard to group homes if they have six or fewer residents. It was noted that the impetus for this law grew out of a group home in Brooklyn Center known as the "Bill Kelly" house. Commissioner Yelich stated that the City of Maplewood is dealing with the issue of group homes and pointed out that the city is making a case that other cities should take a share of group homes since they feel Maplewood has more than their share. SENIOR HOUSING The next issue Commissioner Yelich addressed was the issue of senior housing and he briefly reviewed a handout he prepared relative to planning for senior housing. Commissioner Barrus stated that in addition to seniors, she would also like to address how the city can appeal to young families moving into the city. She explained currently 37 percent of the students in Districf 286 are non-residents. Commissioner Leino suggested that one of the issues the Commission could look at is where the trends are going in this area as per the demographic data and how can the city approach these changes from a scientific perspective. The Commission again brought up the issue of senior housing and Commissioner Leino suggested that the issue seems to be seniors living in single family homes and how to assist them in maintaining that life style and additionally new construction for seniors requiring housing other than their single family residence. Commission members recalled that staff had prepared a list of senior buildings in the city and requested the Community Development Specialist to research the list showing senior housing in Brooklyn Center for the next Housing Commission meeting. Commissioner Barrus stated that she would also like to see the average age of owners of single family homes in Brooklyn Center. The Commission continued its discussion of senior housing including what kinds of amenities would be needed by seniors in the city. Commissioner Schuster suggested that in certain areas, skyways could be considered in conjunction with senior housing to provide seniors with an easy access to shopping. Councilmember Carmody brought up the issue of how to add amenities to existing housing for seniors and pointed out the city had looked at the possibility of having single contractors: doing a number of similar improvements in a particular neighborhood. This was reviewed by a previous neighborhood group in the southeast part of the city but nothing ever materialized with regard to this approach to maintaining neighborhoods. _3_ Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson stated she was disappointed to learn recently that porches are not allowed to be built in the setbacks of homes and pointed out that she believes adding porches couid add value to existing properties. Commissioner Barrus suggested that the Commission look at the entire list of codes and ordinances relevant to the Housing Commission and review them with regard to any changes that might be suggested by the Commission. Commissioner Deuel suggested that it would be helpful to have a large scale map to be used by Commission members showing all the apartment complexes in the city. He added this would be helpful when the Commission is discussing apartment issues. Commissioner Thorbus requested information on the vacancy rates in senior housing in the city. She also suggested that with regard to promoting new development, the city could possibly look at options like taking out an ad to attract senior housing developments or for other proj ects. The Commission concluded it's discussion of items to be addressed with the Community Developmcnt Director at the November Housing Commission meeting. OTHER BZISINESS There was no other business addressed by the Commission. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Barrus and seconded by Commissioner Erickson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Chairman -4-