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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 04-21 HCPAGENDA BROOKLYN CENTER HOUSING COMMISSION Tuesday, April 21, 2015 7:00 p.m. Council Commission Room Brooklyn Center City Hall 1. Call to Order: 7:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes: March 17, 2015 5. New Neighbor Program Discussion  Incorporation of BCBU into Program  Discuss content list  Determine date to begin assembling bags  Determine search criteria for new owners  Discuss delivery schedule 6. City Council Liaison’s Report 7. Chairperson’s Report 8. Other Business 9. Adjournment Page 1 3-17-15 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 17, 2015 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Johnson at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson David Johnson—Present Judy Thorbus—Present Leroy Houston—Present Mark Goodell—Present Zachary Marko—Excused Kathie Amdahl—Excused Also present: Council Liaison Kris Lawrence-Anderson and Staff Liaison Jesse Anderson. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Goodell to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Thorbus. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There was a motion by Commissioner Thorbus to approve the minutes of the Housing Commission meeting on January 20, 2014. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Goodell. The motion passed. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson reported the Cars for Courage site has preliminary plans to construct a senior housing unit with 140 beds. It will include a small memory section. It would be 4 stories high. It is suggested that the Housing Commission review the preliminary plans when they become available. Michaels and TJ Maxx is progressing well. Demolition bids have been requested for some of the buildings at the Opportunity Site. Mixed-use developments are being discussed for that location. The BCBA is willing to work with the housing commission. They are willing to provide 150 backpack bags for the New Neighbor Program. The BCBA would be interested in coming to the Page 2 3-17-15 next meeting to discuss adding promotional items for the program. They could also provide more help to deliver the bags. Chairperson Johnson stated he met with Cub Foods and they are willing to provide bags. They would like to put a coupon inside of the bags that would encourage them to come into their store. There could be a real value in including business donation inside the new neighbor bags. The Chairperson asked if the Housing Commission would allow that. Commissioner Goodell asked if there would be an issue of non-BCBA members not being given the option for this. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson suggested it be something of value rather than just advertising. Commissioner Thorbus stated they should review what other cities do. The Commissioner offered to call Brooklyn Park to see how they handle this program. The Housing Commission agreed to have a discussion at the next meeting with the BCBA about partnering with them on the New Neighbor Program. Commissioner Goodell stated the city needs to be fair to all businesses in the city. We can listen to their proposal and have a discussion after and make a proposal to council. CHAIRPERSONS REPORT In the absence of the Chair, no report was submitted. Chairperson Johnson reported all member of the Housing Commission should try and attend the Joint Commission Meeting. Chairperson Johnson stated he was invited by a resident, Diane Sannas, to have a meeting with Gary Eitel to discuss the plans for possible senior housing. Earle Brown Terrace is in receivership as a result of a foreclosure. Gary Eitel talked that there have been no apartments build in the City since the 1970s. They reviewed the long term plan for Brooklyn Blvd. Brooklyn Center and Hopkins were awarded a grant for a Healthy Community Program. FRONT PORCH ZONING CODE AMENDMENT DISCUSSION The Housing Commission reviewed the following questions relating to the front porch discussion and provided the following feedback: 1. Should front porches be allowed to encroach on the front setback? The Housing Commission agrees that front porches should be allowed to be constructed in the front setback with effective restrictions. Porches would improve housing stock and curb appeal. 2. Currently the code has a 35 foot setback for the front yard. What should be the allowed encroachment for front porches? The Housing Commission agreed that up to 10 feet closer to the street would be an acceptable distance. This would allow properties to have a functional porch that would stay within the standards of the neighborhood. 3. Should there be a maximum width of the porch? If yes, how much? Page 3 3-17-15 The Housing Commission discussed the maximum width of the porches and thought that Brooklyn Center houses typically are not narrow homes. Therefore, it is their recommendation that porches be allowed to be no wider than 15 feet or 50% of the face of the house excluding the garage, or whichever is greater. For example, if a house was 25 feet wide they could build a 15 foot porch and if a house were 32 feet wide they could build a porch that was 16 feet wide. 4. Should there be a maximum size for the porch? If so, How many square feet? The Housing Commission discussed size and thought that the regulation of setback and width would cover the front porch requirement. 5. Should a fully enclosed porch be allowed? The Housing Commission agreed that the porch should not be enclosed and could not be used as living space. 6. Should a front porch be required to have a Roof? The Housing Commission agreed that a roof should be allowed, but not required for a porch. 7. Should a front porch be allowed to be enclosed with insect screens? The Housing Commission agreed that insect screen should not be allowed to screen in front porches. They felt that this would be similar to being enclosed and would take away the benefit of the porches allowing neighbors to be more connected. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Thorbus to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Houston. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:30 p.m. __________________________________ Chairperson