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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 11-09 CCM Study Session11/09/20 -1- MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA STUDY SESSION NOVEMBER 9, 2020 CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Study Session called to order by Mayor Mike Elliott at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was conducted via Webex. ROLL CALL Mayor Mike Elliott and Councilmembers Marquita Butler, April Graves, Kris Lawrence- Anderson, and Dan Ryan. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Deputy City Manager Reggie Edwards, Community Development Director Meg Beekman, City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Troy Gilchrist. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS AND QUESTIONS Mayor Elliott requested that Consent Agenda Item 6c related to Radisson Hotel Brooklyn Center be moved from the Consent Agenda and addressed as Regular Session Agenda Item 10a. He added the hotel’s owner plans to join the meeting. MISCELLANEOUS -None. DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEMS AS TIME PERMITS EDA-OWNED SCATTERED SITE DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION Community Development Director Meg Beekman requested City Council feedback and comment regarding potential divestment strategies for several EDA-owned sites around the City. She added, for many years, the City acquired properties for neighborhood revitalization and development of owner-occupied housing. She noted these properties were not acquired through that process. Ms. Beekman reviewed the properties: -902 53rd Avenue N, a small lot that is currently zoned R-2, was acquired in 2014. -3401 53rd Avenue N, currently zoned R-5, was acquired in 2012. This parcel is adjacent to the Lake Pointe Apartments. 11/09/20 -2- -4800 and 4812 71st Avenue N, two separate lots zoned R-1, were created when the roadway was diverted, would need to be combined due to street access and could be a location for a single-family home, duplex or triplex, given the size of the lot. -5401, 5407, and 5415 Brooklyn Boulevard were re-platted and combined as part of the Brooklyn Boulevard frontage realignment for nearby school access. This property, approximately 1.5 acres, could accommodate 6 units of housing. The lots are zoned C-1 and R-2. -A unique parcel, (PID 3311921430087) owned by the Village of Brooklyn Center, was probably part of the City at its origination and was never developed. This parcel, near the airport, is a legal single-family lot that is zoned R-1. -Another unique parcel, (PID 3611921120008) owned by the Village of Brooklyn Center, with river frontage, is zoned R-1 but was not developed by the City as it was seen as a potential water source access. The Public Works Director has indicated it is unlikely that this property would ever be required for water access. Ms. Beekman stated City Staff receives regular inquiries from interested parties on these properties, which are low priority development sites due to targeted redevelopment of other areas. She added City Council direction is requested regarding divesting these properties. She noted City Staff does not have the resources or capacity to complete a consolidated RFP. Ms. Beekman stated the options available to the City are to hold off on developing these sites until City Staff has the capacity to issue an RFP for development, to be reviewed again in one year (Option 1); or the City Council could identify priorities and development goals for the sites to assist City Staff in evaluating development opportunities on a case-by-case basis through the typical development process (Option 2). Mayor Elliott stated he would like to hold onto the properties while waiting for the results of the Housing Study that the City has commissioned from Dr. Brittany Lewis, to assess the needs of the community. He added one thing he hears a lot is the need for multi -generational housing. He noted he would like to see some data to help shape policy around how to use the City’s available land as it is a great asset. Councilmember Graves stated she agrees with the Mayor not to go too far with these properties. She added development of these properties does not seem like the correct use of City resources right now, although she would be interested in hearing proposals from developers proposing affordable housing that is below 50% AMI, which she does not believe would fit any of these properties. She noted she is okay with waiting and being more strategic about an overall housing policy and reviewing gaps that need to be filled. Councilmember Ryan stated he is leaning towards Option 2, identifying development goals for these sites. He added the number of parcels is relatively few and could return something to the City in terms of development, with the exception of 3401 53rd Avenue that is imbedded in the Lake 11/09/20 -3- Pointe Apartments site. Asked whether City Staff has contacted the apartment complex about this property. Ms. Beekman stated there have not been any discussions about selling that property. Councilmember Ryan stated the City should consider reasonable development opportunities for these smaller sites. He added the City’s broader housing goals can be accommodated by several other large-scale development opportunities. He noted this is an opportunity to increase the tax base and develop more owner-occupied units, of which the City has relatively low numbers. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated she has heard from constituents that they want to see more owner-occupied housing in Brooklyn Center. She added she would like to see the City take advantage of opportunities to build single family homes for ownership. Councilmember Butler stated she supports Option 2, identifying development goals and priorities. She added she agrees with the Mayor’s comments about the Housing Study. She stressed the importance of identifying priorities before moving forward with developing these properties. She noted this is a combination of both options, to hold onto the properties but also identify priorities through the Housing Study. Mr. Boganey stated there seems to be a consensus of the City Council to hold off on establishing priorities for these lots until after the Housing Study has been completed. Mayor Elliott agreed. Councilmember Graves stated she mostly agrees but if City Staff comes across a developer that they feel is too good to pass up, proposals should be brought to the City Council for review and consideration. She added, in general, she agrees with Mayor Elliott and Councilmember Butler. She noted she would like to wait until there is more direction, but she trusts City Staff to make decisions and provide recommendations. Councilmember Ryan stated infill housing through the City’s financing mechanism has been a successful and ongoing program in Brooklyn Center. He stressed the importance of considering all such opportunities, including multi-family housing. He added this is a relatively few numbers of sites, and the City could gain a return, as well as acquiring housing types that are in limited supply in Brooklyn Center. Councilmember Lawrence-Anderson stated she would support having a sit-down restaurant in Brooklyn Center, like Manny’s or Pittsburg Blue, if land sales are being considered and an opportunity comes along. She added she trusts City Staff to pursue potential opportunities. Mayor Elliott stated the City Council consensus is to wait for the results of housing research by Dr. Brittany Lewis that will guide land use policies for City-owned property, and instruct City Staff to bring forward any really good proposals. Mr. Boganey agreed. ADJOURN STUDY SESSION TO INFORMAL OPEN FORUM WITH CITY COUNCIL Mayor Elliott adjourned the Study Session to Informal Open Forum at 6:50 p.m.