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1986 02 06HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 6, 1986 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Whitehill called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Chairman Whitehill, Commissioners Horn, Bohn, and Robbins. ABSENT Commissioner Swenson Staff present were Don Ashworth, City Manager, Barbara Dacy, City Planner, Fred Hoisington, Jim Benshoof, and Larry Smith. CHADDA UPDATE Larry Smith, Housing Alliance, reviewed the Downtown Concept Plan. Smith explained that the south side of West 78th Street would contain the dinner theater and a hotel as major anchors. The hotel would be located west of the bowling alley and would also require the construction of a three level parking ramp. Smith stated that additional office spaces are proposed east of the dinner theater. On the north side of West 78th Street, Smith stated that a shopping center is proposed with a grocery store as an anchor. Smith stated that at the next regular meeting, the phasing and construction costs will be prepared as well as any relocation planning necessary for existing uses on the north side of West 78th Street. He stated that a model is also being prepared. Herb Bloomberg stated that communication has been good between CHADDA and the downtown community. He stated that the contacts with the merchants have been moving along well and Brad Johnson seems to understand their particular needs. Chairman Whitehill asked if the required improvements have been identified and if any type of treatment for West 78th Street is being proposed? Smith stated that the West 78th Street "streetscape" has not been addressed specifically, but the types of public improvements that will be necessary will be included in the financial analysis and as part of planning the priorities for each phase of development. Robbins asked about the possibility of a skyway between the dinner theater and the north side of West 78th Street. Smith stated that there may not be a significant amount of cross traffic from the north side to the south side and vice versa. The strip center is to contain commercial service and retail uses while the south side will contain specialty retail. ~RA Minutes February 6, 1986 Page 2 Bohn asked about the location of the old City ~all. Smith stated that the new angled street from 101 will create a nicer entry into the community and help enhance the historic district with the old church across the street. Bohn suggested that the street be vacated and a pedestrian area be created. Smith stated that this would add a street amenity and would eli- minate through traffic. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Horn moved, seconded by Bohn to approve the minutes of November 7, 1985 and December 19, 1985. All voted in favor and the motion carried. SPECIAL ASSESSMENT REDUCTION REQUEST - OPUS CORPORATION Ashworth stated that Opus has completed the replatting process of the ten lots in the northwest area of the business park. ~e stated that the feasibility study has also been completed which indicates expensive costs for the construction of the improve- ments because of the poor soil conditions. ~e stated that pro- posed is a two tier structure whereby those special assessments on a particular lot are below $30,000, the present 7% reduction would be maintained; however, if the assessments exceed $30,000, a 12% reduction would be triggered. Ashworth recommended approval of the two tier structure subject to the City Attorney preparing the necessary amendments to special assessment reduction agreement resolutions for final action by the HRA. Michele Foster, representing Opus Corporation, supported the staff' s recommendation. Whitehill asked if approval would create a precedent? Ashworth responded that if it is clearly written there should be no confusion for future decisions. Whitehill moved, seconded by Horn, to approve the Special Assessment Reduction request by Opus Corporation, subject to the wording be clear as to not serve as a precedent for future policy and that the approval is contingent upon the City Attorney obtaining approval from the City's bond counsel for this modifi- cation and drafting the specific language which would incorporate the two tier system into the formula and resubmitting such to the ~RA for final action. All voted in favor and the motion carried. HRA Minutes February 6, 1986 Page 3 SPECIAL ASSESSMENT REDUCTION REQUEST - SUNNYBROOK DEVELOPMENT Ashworth stated that the applicant's have submitted a letter requesting consideration of their proposed project for inclusion into the special assessment reduction plan. Ashworth stated that the Dresent agreement limits the reduction area to only those lands north of the railroad tracks. He stated that the Sunnybrook site would be served by Lake Drive East which is to be constructed in part with state aid funds. Because the improve- ments are to be carried out as a public improvement project, Ashworth stated that Sunnybrook is requesting the HRA include the public improvement construction costs under the special assessment incentive program. He stated that should the HRA con- sider including the Phase Two improvements within the special assessment reduction program, that it be conditioned upon suc- cessful construction by Sunnybrook. Whitehill moved, seconded by Horn, to conceptually approve the request by Sunnybrook Development for inclusion into the special assessment reduction program conditioned upon successful construction by Sunnybrook and that the City Attorney's Office draft the specific modifications to the special assessment reduc- tion program for final action by the HRA. Ashworth noted that the HRA would not be providing two forms of inducement in reference to Lake Drive East being a state aid road. He stated that the overall state needs are significantly higher than monies available and it would be proposed that the state aid dollars remain as a part of the overall system and not be allocated unless duplicate reductions are eliminated. Secondly, he noted that Outlot B should be excluded from the special assessment reduction program. He stated that the parcel is now landlocked and Opus is working with city staff to alle- viate the problem. BROADENED STUDY AREA UPDATE Fred Hoisington reviewed Plan A, the concept plan chosen by the HRA and Planning Commission to use as a basis for the traffic analysis in the broaden study area. He stated that they have discovered a discrepancy in the T.H. 212 study whereby population projections have been made in the rural service area signifi- cantly higher than that which would occur in the urban service area. Hoisington stated that they will continue to work with MnDOT to resolve this discrepancy. Jim Benshoof provided a detailed review of the study methods intended to be used for the traffic study. He reviewed the study area boundaries and the procedure for determining the traffic forecasts. Benshoof also reviewed the intersection alternatives regarding T.H. 212. HRA Minutes February 6, 1986 Page 4 NEW BUSINESS Bohn suggested that staff pursue submission of press releases to "What's Happening" in the Star and Tribune. APPROVAL OF BILLS Whitehill moved, seconded by Bohn to approve the bills of January 27, 1986. All voted in favor and the motion carried. Bohn moved, seconded by Horn, to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. All voted in favor and the motion carried.