HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982 03-08 HRAMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS Or. THE HOUSING AND
REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN
CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE
OF MINNESOTA
SPECIAL SESSION
MARCH 8, 1982
CITY HALL
CALL TO ORDER
The Brooklyn. Center Housing and Redevelopment Authority met in special session
and was called to order by Chairman Dean Nyquist at 8:20 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chairman Dean"Nyquist, Commissioners Gene Lhotka, Celia Scott, Bill Hawes, and
Rich Theis. Also present were HRA Director Gerald Splinter, Director of Finance
Paul Holmlun_d, Director of Public Works Sy Knapp, Director of Planning & Inspection
Ron Warren, City Attorney Richard Schieffer, and Administrative Assistants Brad
Hoffman and Tom Bublitz'.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 25, 1982
There was a motion by Commissioner Scott and seconded by Commissioner Lhotka to
approve the minutes of the January 25, 1982 Housing and Redevelopment Authority
meeting as submitted. Voting in favor: Chairman Nyquist, Commissioners Lhotka,
Scott, Hawes, and Theis. Voting against: none. The motion passed uanimously.
PRESENTATION OF SURVEY ON SENIOR CITIZEN HOUSING PROJECT
The City Manager explained that this past fall the HRA authorized a market study
to examine the feasibility of a senior citizen housing development in Brooklyn
Center and noted that the contract for the market study was awarded to Gary
Solomonson Associates, Inc. He added that Mr. Solomonson is present this evening
and is prepared to review the survey.
Mr. Solomonson explained that part of the task of the project was to survey senior
citizens in Brooklyn Center regarding their interest in a housing development and
the other portion of the project examined the existing market situation in Brooklyn
Center and adjoining cities with regard to such a development. He explained that
in the market situation analysis his firm felt that a composite study of similar
existing housing projects in the metro area would be helpful. He outlined the
report and noted that the survey responses are summarized in the report. He explained
that all major projects in the metro area similar'to the one being proposed for
Brooklyn Center have been surveyed, and that the report also reviews existing
condominum markets in Brooklyn Center and adjoining cities and what is being
planned for the future. He added that the bottom line of the study indicates
that there is no reason to recommend not to proceed with a senior citizen housing
project and that the personal and market survey show an interest in marketrate
condominums and apartment rentals in Brooklyn Center. He added that more condominum
conversions in the metro area are possible in the near future and that this will
• create more pressure on the existing rental market.
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Chairman Nyquist_inquired whether any of the Commissioners had any questions
for Mr. Solomonson. Commissioner Hawes commented that the report was well done
and inquired of Mr. Solomonson whether he was recommending an additional 100 to
120 rental units be included in the project. Mr. Solomonson explained that rental
housing in Brooklyn Center is at a 1% to 1 1/2% net vacancy factor and added that
any time the vacancy factor drops below 2% to 2 1/2%, it is difficult to predict
how many additional units could be absorbed. He explained that the survey indicated
that interest in condominums versus apartment living situations was about 50/50.
He. noted that the response to condominums in the area in and around Brooklyn"Center
has been very good.
Councilmember Hawes inquired what the saturation point, in terl►s of densi g, woul °
be for the 15 acre site. Administrative Assistant Hoffman explained that the site
could comprehend 100 to 120 senior citizen housing units and 150 to 160 total if
townhouses: are also included in the complex. He added that a planned unit develop-
ment approach may also be used for°the project and noted that no specific numbers
have been focused on at this point. The Director of Planning & Inspection stated
that 120 units is the approximate R3 maximum for the site.
Chairman Nyquist recognized Mr. Phil Cohen who stated that the key section of the
report is Section D which explains the survey results. He stated that this is
one of the first times the City has used a study like this prior to beginning a
project to give a definite direction before the project is started. He added that
this is one of the better studies that he has seen in his experience with housing
projects. He added that he appreciated the HRA funding of this project.
Commissioner Lhotka stated that the report, in his opinion, was easy to understand
and was very well written. The HRA Director stated that the next step in the
process is to begin working with the developer and using the report as a guide.
He added that generally the report will help negotiate financing for the project
and it will be the base upon which the project will be built.
ADJOURNMENT,
There was a-motion by Commissioner Scott and seconded by Commissioner Hawes to
adjourn the meeting. Voting in favor: Chairman Nyquist, Commissioners Lhotka,
Scott, Hawes, and Theis. Voting against: none. The motion passed unanimously.
The Brooklyn Center Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Chairman
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