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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 12-17 HCM MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION DECEMBER 17, 1996 CONFERENCE ROOM B BROOKLYN CENTER CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Robert Torres at 7:00 P.M. ROLL CALL Chairperson Robert Torres, Vice Chairperson Ernie Erickson, Commissioners Henry Yang, Lloyd Deuel, and Mark Yelich. Also present were Council Liaison Kathleen Carmody, Community Development Director Brad Hoffman and Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz. Absent and excused from the meeting were Commissioners Naomi Ische and Jonathan Carter. Also absent from the meeting were Commissioners Todd Cannon and Michael desParois. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Deuel to approve the agenda, as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OCTOBER 22, 1996 and NOVEMBER 19, 1996 There was a motion b Commissioner Deuel and seconded y s o ded by Commissioner Erickson to approve the October 22, 1996, Housing Commission minutes, as submitted. The motion passed. There was a motion by Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Deuel to approve the November 19, 1996, Housing Commission minutes, as submitted. The motion passed. DISCUSSION OF CURRENT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES WITH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR BRAD HOFFMAN Community Development Director' Brad Hoffman reviewed current community development activities with Housing Commission members, including the project with Carlson Companies for a Country Suites Hotel and T.G.I.Friday's, along with a second restaurant to be named, with an anticipated opening in March or April of 1997. In addition to the Carlson Companies project, Mr. Hoffman reviewed the following projects for Housing Commission members: 12 -17 -96 -1- Development of vacant parcel behind Hilton Hotel for a 70,000 square foot office warehouse development. This project employed the use of tax increment financing to correct extensive soil problems on the site. An additional hotel, AmericInn, will likely be built along Freeway Boulevard and Shingle Creek. It is anticipated this project will be constructed over the summer and will also have a restaurant as part of the development. I Mr. Hoffman pointed out that on December 16, ownership of Brookdale Shopping Center changed hands and is now owned by the fee owner, Equitable Life Assurance Company. He pointed out Equitable has retained the current management of the mall, General Growth, through the first quarter of 1997, and that no additional information was available at the present time regarding the future of the mall. The Rainbow store proposed for 63rd Avenue North and Brooklyn Boulevard is in the process of obtaining permits for sewer and water disconnects and is also in the process of securing building permits. He pointed out steel has been ordered for the construction project, fuel tanks have been removed from the site, and the asbestos abatement has been completed. The Community Development Director reviewed a conceptual drawing for a possible development of the northeast comer of 69th Avenue North and Brooklyn Boulevard, pointing out that if developed as planned on the drawing, it would be a 55,000 56,000 square foot retail center. He added the design is patterned after a shopping center in Phoenix, Arizona, with masonry exterior. He explained a number of options are being obtained on parcels in the area now, and the goal is to bring the project together by 1998. Commissioner Erickson inquired whether any public commitment would be required for development of the 69th and Brooklyn Boulevard site. The Community Development Director explained assistance would likely be needed from the City in the area of clearance of existing properties and to help make the ultimate cost of the land competitive for development. Commissioner Yelich inquired what the motivation was for development of the project. The Community Development Director responded that the primary motivation is that Brooklyn Boulevard is a high traffic count area with 50,000 vehicles per day passing this particular site, and it is primarily all local traffic. Commissioner Erickson inquired as to the status of the Earle Brown Farm area and asked whether the City had entertained any thought to privatize the operation of the Heritage Center. The Community Development Director responded the Heritage Center is now in the black this year. He added that, with regard to privatizing the management and operation of the Heritage Center, this is tied to the financing of the project and options for this would not open up until 2004. 12 -17 -96 -2- DISCUSSION ITEM: COMMISSIONER'S REPORT ON HOUSING CHALLENGE 2020 CONFERENCE It was noted that Commissioners Erickson, Deuel and Council Member Carmody attended the Housing Challenge 2020 Conference, sponsored by the North Metro Mayors Association. Commissioner Deuel stated the conference was an eye- opener for him, and noted that one of the speakers discussed the problems of "point of no return" cities such as St. Louis, Missouri, and Detroit, Michigan. He stated the conference gave him a better understanding of the concerns about the entire metro area, and was an educational experience for him. Commissioner Erickson commented that the problems discussed at the conference have been known for years, and many of the recommendations discussed at the conference are already being done by a number of cities, including Brooklyn Center. Commissioner Erickson noted Norwest Mortgage representatives attended the meeting and made a commitment to write "fixer upper" mortgages, which would mean doing mortgages for more than the value of an existing house. Norwest would provide a mortgage for the after -rehab value of the house. He added he was excited about this concept. Commissioners continued a brief discussion regarding redevelopment issues related to the Housing Challenge 2020 conference. Chairperson Torres stated he was very interested in following up on the purchase rehab loan programs. REVIEW OF DRAFT POINT OF SALE ORDINANCE The Community Development Specialist distributed a draft Point of Sale ordinance for commission members to view, and noted the ordinance is based on the South St. Paul Time of Sale ordinance, which is essentially a second generation ordinance of Bloomington's ordinance. Commissioner Erickson suggested commission members focus on page five of the draft ordinance, which addresses correction of specific hazards. The commission members briefly discussed the ordinance provisions and previous discussion the commission had with Mr. Michael Moser, a private housing inspector. Council Member Carmody inquired whether the definition of a hardship will be expanded and defined on a case -by -case basis. Commission members concluded their brief discussion of the initial draft of the ordinance. There was a motion by Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Deuel to table consideration of the draft ordinance to the January Housing Commission meeting. The motion passed. i 12 -17 -96 -3- OTHER BUSINESS Council Member Carmody pointed out Council Member -elect Kay Lasman will be the new liaison for the Housing Commission, and Council Member Carmody would be the liaison to the City's Human Rights and Resources Commission. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Deuel and seconded by Commissioner Yelich to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:25 P.M. Chairperson I I 12 -17 -96 -4-