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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 07-16 HCPAGENDA BROOKLYN CENTER HOUSING COMMISSION July 16, 2019 7:00 p.m. Council Commission Conference Room Brooklyn Center City Hall 1) Call to Order: 7:00 p.m. 2) Approval of Agenda 3) Approval of Minutes: May 21, 2019 4) Development Update 5) City Council Liaison’s Report 6) Chairpersons Report 7) Other Business 8) Adjournment Page 1 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 MAY 21, 2018 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Goodell at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson – Mark Goodell - Present David Johnson - Present Tamika Baskin – Excused Kathie Amdahl - Present Joan Schonning – Present Michael Stokes – Present Paul Oman - Present Also present was Staff Liaison Jesse Anderson and City Council Liaison Kris Lawrence-Anderson. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There was a motion by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Schonning to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Oman requested the following corrections to the March 19, 2019 Housing Commission minutes: -Page 2, Paragraph 3, Line 1 - replace “anti-slip” with “anti-tip” -Page 10, Paragraph 6, Line 1 – replace “Johnson” with “Oman” -Page 10, Paragraph 11, line 1, should read, “City Code 605.5 refers to using an extension cord to connect something that should be hard-wired.” Page 10, Paragraph 6, line 1 - remove “it should not be a violation if it is not plugged in”. Page 10, Paragraph 8, line 1, should read “Commissioner Oman stated he does “daisy chain” outlets which is a desirable thing to do.” There was a motion by Commissioner Schonning and seconded by Commissioner Amdahl to approve the minutes of the Housing Commission meeting on March 19, 2019. The motion passed. Page 2 NEW NEIGHBOR BAG DELIVERY SCHEDULE Chairperson Goodell requested the Commissioner’s consideration of a schedule for delivering New Neighbor Bags. Commissioner Schonning stated she requested that City Staff provide Census information that can be included in the New Neighbor Bags, as this would be a good opportunity to let people know that the Census will be happening in 2020. Chairperson Goodell stated the Commission’s next meeting is scheduled for June 18, 2019. He asked whether Commissioners are available on weeknights or weekends to distribute the bags. Commissioner Amdahl stated invitations were sent to members of other Commissions to enlist their help in this effort. City Council Liaison Lawrence-Anderson requested that the schedule be provided for the City Councilmembers for their participation. She added 2020 is an election year and two City Council seats will be open. It was the consensus of the Housing Commission to deliver the New Neighbor Bags on the following dates: June 5, 12, 19 and 26. The Commissioners agreed to meet at City Hall at 6:15 p.m. Chairperson Goodell requested that City Staff provide maps and routes for the Commissioners in advance and add this to the City Council’s weekly update. Mr. Anderson agreed. HOUSING PROJECT DISCUSSION – 5801 XERXES AVENUE N Mr. Anderson provided an overview of a development proposal from Real Estate Equities to develop the former Jerry’s Food Site, which is currently vacant. He added this presentation was given to the Planning Commission at their May 16, 2019 meeting. He noted the proposal for 270 senior and workforce apartments requires a zoning amendment to remove it from its current Zoning District, as well as a Planned Unit Development. Mr. Anderson showed the proposed site plan, depicting the senior component on the north and workforce housing on the south, with a central parking lot. Mr. Anderson stated the term “workforce housing” refers to housing that is affordable for the average worker and is not subsidized. City Council Liaison Lawrence-Anderson stated she was not supportive of the plan. She added she recommended to City Staff that the developer provide a new site plan with more green space and parking on the perimeters rather than the center. She added this would give the development more of a community feel Mr. Anderson stated a traffic study was conducted and no traffic mitigation measures will be taken. He added the development’s proposed parking will accommodate the anticipated peak demand of Page 3 325 parking spaces. He noted public comment has been received by City Staff, and residents have expressed concern regarding the large size of the development for the site and the amount of traffic that will be generated. Mr. Anderson stated no action is required by the Housing Commission. He added the proposal was approved by the Planning Commission on May 16, 2019 and will be reviewed by the City Council at their May 28, 2019 Regular Meeting. Chairperson Goodell stated he received a call from former Housing Commissioner Judy Thorbus expressing concern that the Housing Commission was not asked to review the development. He added a letter from Ms. Thorbus was included in the meeting packet. He asked whether her comments prompted City Staff to present this information to the Housing Commission. Mr. Anderson stated the intent was to provide an update for the Housing Commission. City Council Liaison Lawrence-Anderson stated a playground area and stormwater pond are proposed on the site plan. She added the playground should be situated in a more safe, secure location, away from traffic and the pond. She noted she supports the zoning amendment but she does not support the site plan, which requires more work. Chairperson Goodell asked whether the developer will require tax incentives. Mr. Anderson stated some Tax Increment Financing is being requested. Mr. Anderson stated the developers are proposing community meeting spaces inside the two buildings, including a club room, hobby room, fitness center and lounge. He added a rooftop patio is also planned, and the development will have on-site management around the clock. He noted the proposed development is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Johnson stated he would support having a fence along Bass Lake Road. He added this would help prevent pedestrians from cutting across the road to get to shops and restaurants. City Council Liaison Lawrence-Anderson stated she supports that idea and agreed to bring it to the City Council for review. Mr. Anderson stated City Staff have had discussions with the developer. He added the sense is that residents will not exit from the building on the Bass Lake Road frontage, and the building itself serves as a screen. City Council Liaison Lawrence-Anderson stated there may be some room for discussion about installation of a fence, like other fences that have been installed by the City on Bass Lake Road. Commissioner Amdahl stated a solid composite fence would be the best option, to make it difficult for people to climb over, and because it will look better. Page 4 Chairperson Goodell stated the City should consider ways to make the intersection more attractive and accessible so more people will actually use it. Commissioner Amdahl stated people use the intersection to cross Bass Lake Road without waiting for a crossing light. Mr. Anderson stated the site plan is a grading map, and the holding pond mentioned by City Council Liaison Lawrence-Anderson is not shown. He added this might be a revised plan, and it has been reviewed by the Public Works Department. He noted the developer can be asked to provide more details. Mr. Anderson summarized the Housing Commission’s comments and feedback related to the site plan: more green space; a fence along Bass Lake Road similar to the fence at Gateway Commons; and overall support for senior living and workforce housing options. CITY COUNCIL LIAISON’S REPORT City Council Liaison Lawrence-Anderson stated the City’s recent Opportunity Site workshops provided good public feedback from residents who participated. City Council Liaison Lawrence-Anderson stated the City Council recently approved purchase of a lot and site plan for construction of a new larger Liquor Store #1, across from Applebee’s. She added all profits from municipal liquor sales go to the City’s General Budget. She noted the City Council’s discussion included pedestrian safety issues, raised crosswalks, and possibly speed bumps for traffic speed reduction. City Council Liaison Lawrence-Anderson stated the proposal was approved by a narrow margin, with Mayor Elliott and Councilmember Butler in opposition due to its proximity to the transit station. She noted the current Liquor Store #1 is also close to the transit station and has insufficient parking. City Council Liaison Lawrence-Anderson stated the City Council reviewed the issue of a City-wide ban on on-street parking. She added City Staff are looking into which apartment complexes have insufficient parking. She noted this is an on-going discussion. Chairperson Goodell stated the issue many apartment complexes do not have enough parking for the number of people who live there. City Council Liaison Lawrence-Anderson agreed, adding she requested that City Staff conduct a traffic study. She noted she believes on-street parking is a safety issue. Chairperson Goodell stated solutions can be found for specific problem areas without adding parking restrictions for the entire City. City Council Liaison Lawrence-Anderson stated an office for use by the City Council has been established at City Hall. Page 5 CHAIRPERSONS REPORT Chairperson Goodell stated he attended the last Opportunity Site meeting. He added he supports the format, as it is important to only discuss and solicit feedback on the proposed development, to encourage community engagement. Chairperson Goodell stated the food enjoyed by residents for the last 2 meetings was from Jamaican Restaurant. Mr. Anderson stated the City’s curbside clean-up day was a big success. He added the cost for residents for this service is $12 per year. Mr. Anderson stated the City Council approved a predevelopment grant application for the City’s Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA) to support a development proposal in the Opportunity Site. Mr. Anderson stated the Housing Commission’s next meeting will be held June 18, 2019 at which Community Development Director Meg Beekman will provide a development update and Opportunity Site discussion. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business addressed by the Commission. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Oman and seconded by Commissioner Schonning to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:30 p.m. __________________________________ Chairperson