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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 02-14 CCM Work Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL / ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WORK SESSION FEBRUARY 14, 2005 CITY HALL — COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council / Economic Development Authority met in Work Session and was called to order by Mayor / President Myrna Kragness at 9:42 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor / President Myrna Kragness and Councilmembers / Commissioners Kathleen Carmody, Kay Lasman, Diane Niesen, and Mary O'Connor. Also present were City Manager / Executive Director Michael McCauley, Assistant City Manager / Director of Operations Curt Boganey, Community Development Director Brad Hoffman, and City Clerk Sharon Knutson. HMONG - AMERICA SHOPPING CENTER Dan Vang, representing the Hmong - America Shopping Center, addressed the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and said that Mr. Lee, owner of the Hmong- America Shopping Center, was also in attendance at this meeting. He said they are interested in redeveloping the Hmong- America Shopping Center site, noting that they had previously brought before the EDA the Little Asia concept, but the site was too small; and in an attempt to move the Little Asia concept onto an alternative site, the alternative site was too large. He said that they had been working with DJR Architecture Inc., Crockett Associates Inc., Gordy Jensen, and Maxfield Research Inc. on making this a viable redevelopment. He said he was here this evening to present a redevelopment concept to the EDA and looking for direction and guidance from the EDA. Dean Dovolis, DJR Architecture Inc., addressed the EDA and outlined the redevelopment proposal for the Hmong- America Shopping Center site. He displayed a schematic of the proposed redevelopment which showed a combination of condominiums, townhomes, and retail with a detention pond in the middle of the project located underneath the overhead power lines. He said the redevelopment includes 122 condominiums (one three -story building and one four -story building) and 56 townhomes. 5,000 sq. ft. of retail is planned for the corner of the three -story condominium. He reviewed the, concepts and components of the site, including building materials. He explained that the retail space is attached to the condominium which transitions well to the residential area. He said the retail area would be leased by stores such as coffee shops and neighborhood convenience shops. 02/14/05 -1- Mary Bujold, Maxfield Research Inc., addressed the EDA and said that Maxfield had prepared a market study for this project. She said the condominium prices would run $150,000 to $230,000 each. The townhomes would run $200,000 to $255,000 each. She further stated that the market study shows there is demand for owner occupied housing. She said that it was recommended the condominium portion be phased, building the smaller condominium first and then phasing in the second condominium with the townhomes starting construction at the same time. She explained the target market for the condominiums is not only older adults and empty nesters but also younger people just starting out. The target market for the townhomes is married couples with one child or single persons. She said there is a diversity of people attracted to this type of housing. Commissioner Lasman inquired about the request for City funding in the amount of $7,975,000. Gordy Jensen, Jensen & Sondrall, said he is working with the numbers and there are no final costs yet. He explained that this evening they are looking to the EDA for reaction to this concept and whether or not it is an acceptable development. Commissioner O'Connor said she believes it is too expensive for the citizens. Mayor Kragness said that the Maxfield report indicates there is a need for this type of housing and that people do want it. She discussed the 53rd Avenue Project and how there was doubt that those homes would sell at the market rate, but the homes did sell quite quickly. Commissioner Niesen inquired if the drawings that they were reviewing were done specifically for the Hmong - America Shopping Center site. There was also discussion regarding the level of noise from the freeway. Mr. Dovolis responded that the drawings were designed for the site and were a transition between the freeway and housing, balancing in the parking area and green space. He reviewed the geometrics of the site for mitigation of noise from the freeway wall and showed how the placement of buildings allow the noise to flow through. He also discussed that the quality of insulation and type of windows would factor into noise mitigation. He further discussed that this site lends itself to housing as it is orphaned retail property that has been divorced from other retail by T.H. 100. Commissioner Niesen stated that the buildings as presented were attractive and well thought out; and also, that the EDA has discussed retail there. There was discussion regarding the cost of this redevelopment and the need for City financing. Mr. Jensen said that financial numbers can be put together based upon the design and features. Mayor Kragness noted that the land and clean up is quite costly and there is an additional request for public assistance from the City. 02/14/05 -2- Council discussed the density of the housing project and expressed concern that the four -story building was too high and the project possibly too dense. Mr. Dovolis discussed the density and said that it is mid -range with 21 units per acre. He said the density is right for the geometry of the site. Mr. Jensen said he would work on putting a proposal together. He further explained that they could evaluate the plan and reduce the density to finalize the numbers under one or two scenarios. He also stated that they may challenge the eminent domain action to preserve their rights. Commissioner Carmody suggested that there needed to be a deadline for proposals. The EDA agreed that a deadline was needed for this proposal to be brought back, and it was decided the end of May would be the deadline. Developers asked the EDA for their reaction to their design proposal, and the EDA would like to hear more on the design. Mr. Jensen and Mr. Dovolis said that the end of May would work for them to put together their plans and financing requests. COUNCIL MEMBER LASMAN: COMMUNITY CENTER MEMBERSHIPS Councilmember Lasman said that this item relates to the letter that was discussed last year regarding Gay / Lesbian memberships at the Community Center. It was Council consensus to defer this item to the next City Council Work Session. DATE OF FALL CITY COUNCIL RETREAT DISCUSSION There was brief discussion regarding the date of the fall City Council retreat, with mention of September being considered for the retreat. It was Council consensus that this item be deferred to p g the next Work Session. DISCUSSION OF PROSECUTION SERVICES SCHEDULE OF REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS This item was deferred to a future City Council Work Session. INFORMATIONAL ITEM ON CLEANUP DAYS IN BROOKLYN PARK, CRYSTAL, AND NEW HOPE Councilmember Lasman said she had talked with several residents after the last cleanu p and they had expressed that they do not want to do this type of clean up again if it would cost extra money. She said if there was a one -time charge to those residents who use it, then she may be willing to look at a 02/14/05 -3- cleanup day. Mr. McCauley said he provided this information to the City Council to apprise them that the surrounding cities would be having cleanup day and Council may receive inquiries from constituents. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Councilmember / Commissioner Lasman, seconded by Councilmember / Commissioner Carmody to adjourn the City Council / Economic Development Authority Work Se on at 10:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. City Clerk 1Vlayor 02/14/05 -4-