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The Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Christensen at 7:00 p.m.
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Chair Randall Christensen, Commissioners Alexander Koenig, Jack MacMillan, Stephen
Schonning, and Susan Tade were present. Commissioners Rochelle Sweeney and Carlos
Morgan were absent and excused. Also present were Secretary to the Planning Commission Tim
Benetti, Director of Business & Development Gary Eitel, and Michaela Kujawa-Daniels,
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
There was a motion by Commissioner Tade, seconded by Commissioner Schonning, to approve
the Planning Commission Meeting Agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
There was a motion by Commissioner Schonning, seconded by Commissioner MacMillan, to
approve the minutes of the November 17, 2016 meeting as submitted. The motion passed
unanimously.
5. CHAIR'S EXPLANATION
Chair Christensen explained the Planning Commission's role as an advisory body. One of the
Commission's functions is to hold public hearings. In the matters concerned in these hearings,
the Commission makes recommendations to the City Council. The City Council makes all final
decisions in these matters.
6. PLANNING APPLICATION ITEMS
None at this time.
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PLANNING STAFF INTRODUCTION1, DISCUSSION OF NEW HOUSING
CONCEPT. I 1 HOLDINGS REGARDINGOPPORTUNITY
SITE
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Mr. Eitel introduced this item and provided a presentation on the background of this item.
Chair Christensen asked what direction the City Council would like to see this plan go. Mr. Eitel
stated their 2016-2018 strategic goals are to have the first phase of market rate apartments
completed by 2018.
Chair Christensen stated he is only concerned that the opportunity site is supposed to draw
people into the City and he isn't sure this residential project will do that. Mr. Eitel stated the
residential housing will draw in many people.
Commissioner Tade asked if there is a market to fill 200 rental properties in the City. Mr. Eitel
stated according to the market analysis report, yes. Commissioner Tade stated she wonders if
people will want to come rent one of these homes if there aren't any good retailers and
restaurants in the area. She stated she feels they should probably build that first. Mr. Eitel stated
that is what the Brew House and community center in the proposed plan would provide the local
hang out restaurant and activities center. He stated if the apartments have good amenities and
those gathering locations nearby the hope would be that people will come to stay.
Commissioner Koenig inquired about the residential apartment market analysis, HUD's
recommendation on the preliminary mortgage application by Sand Development to reduce the
number of units from 300 to 200 units and what's the difference which makes one project more
feasible than the other.
Mr. Eitel stated the difference between the two financing plans is the use of tax increment
financing, the George Group are proposing economic assistance through a TIF Pay -As -You -Go
Note vs the Sand Development proposal required the sales of a TIF Bond by the City with
economic assistance with an upfront cash contribution to bridge the financial mortgage gap.
Commissioner MacMillan asked what the plan is with the MN School of Business building and
asked if the City intends to purchase it. Mr. Eitel stated he would like to see a partner purchase
the building and the City could assist them in the process.
Commissioner Tade asked if there will be too many senior living homes if they put them into this
new plan considering the assisted living place that was just completed on Brooklyn Boulevard.
Mr. Eitel stated the senior living homes off Brooklyn Boulevard are income limited so you can
only make up to a certain amount annually to qualify to live there. He stated the new ones will be
regular income based but for senior citizens only still.
Commissioner Koenig stated he believes the millennials who would maybe live in the new
developments in the plan would be those who will want to be close to the City but not live in
Downtown.
Mr. Benetti stated he believes these new developments can be looked at as life cycle housing and
a place where people will start their lives after college, then when they are ready to move on and
start a family they will buy a home, and when the kids are out of the house they may return to the
housing developments where they started out.
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Mr. Eitel explained that the planning and engineering work completed in 2016 has determined
that the Opportunity Site's infrastructure can support the development of 750+ units and the
financial work has identified the potential tax increment which could be generated by the
development of market rate apartment units with an assessed valuation of $135,000 each.
During the next 60 days, the City will be working with the Devean George Group on the
financial feasibility of their financing package to fund the first phase of this apartment
development, public infrastructure improvements, a strategy for future phases, and the use of a
TIF Pay -As -You -Go Note to bridge a potential financial mortgage gap and economic assistance
to enhance the project.
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Commissioner Schonning provided some information on this item. He stated he was at the Met
Council Conference and they had great content and breakout sessions. He stated one thing he
learned is that there is a possibility of mixing low-income and regular priced housing and
apartments all mixed together within one building. Mr. Benetti stated the Met Council is going
to be doing some more conferences and online meetings and he will keep the Commission
informed of these opportunities as they come.
Mr. Benetti stated the City has about a year and a half until they have to get their plan wrapped
up and submit the plan to the district for review. He stated they really want to get into the
community and get involved more in the coming year. He noted the Commission should be
thinking about activities to engage residents for the upcoming year.
Mr. Eitel stated the City is putting out a survey that will rate the City and ensure we have
outreach to the youth; our immigrant population, and the elderly. He stated they want to make
sure the City is giving residents a voice.
RWLIMINARY DISCUSSION OF NOMINATIONS/ELECTION
CHAIRPERSON!' 2017
Mr. Benetti asked if there was any input on who will run for Chairperson. Chair Christensen
stated he is content with running for Chairperson again. Mr. Benetti stated they will vote on this
at the first meeting of the year and at that time, the Chairperson can nominate a Vice
Chairperson.
Chair Christensen asked if there was any interest from the Commissioners in being Vice Chair
for the next term. Commissioner Koenig stated he would like to be Vice Chair again. It was the
consensus of the Commission to elect Chair Christensen and Commissioner Koenig for the next
term as Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning Commission.
I
None at this time.
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9. ADJOURNMENT
There was a motion by Commissioner Tade, seconded by Commissioner MacMillan, to adjourn
the Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at
9:04 p.m.
STATE OF MINNESOTA )
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN ) ss. Certification of Minutes
CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER
The undersigned, being the duly qualified and assigned Secretary to the Planning Commission of
the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies:
That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of a Regular
Session of the Planning Commission of the City of Brooklyn Center held on December
15, 2016.
2. That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at
Brooklyn Center City Hall.
3. That the Planning Commission approved said minutes at its January 12, 2017 meeting.
Tim Benetti, Secretary Randall Christensen, Chair
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