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03-24-2003 HR MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER • HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2003 Members Present:: Chair Toth,Commissioners Lieser,and Motin Members Absent:: Commissioners Wilson and Thompson Staff Present: Executive Director Catherine Mehelich,Economic Development Assistant Heidi Hall,Director of Planning Michele McPherson,Planner Chris Leeseberg, City Administrator Pat Klaers, and City Clerk Sandra Peine 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chair Toth. 2. Consider March 24.2003 HRA Agenda COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MARCH 24,2003, HRA AGENDA AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER LIESER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. • 3. Consider Consent Agenda COMMISSIONER LIESER MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. FEBRUARY 24,2004 HRA MINUTES 3.2. CHECK REGISTER 3.3. REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT 3.4. BALANCE SHEET COMMISSIONER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 4. Open Mike There was no one present for Open Mike. 5. Comprehensive Plan Update Commissioner Lieser indicated that the next Comprehensive Plan meeting would be held on March 27 at the Lions Park Center. Housing and Redevelopment Authority Minutes Page 2 March 24,2003 • 6. Downtown Revitalization Project Update Catherine Mehelich presented a status report on the downtown revitalization project. Catherine indicated that MetroPlains is requesting the HRA's consideration of a 6-month extension to the preliminary redevelopment agreement. Mr. Vern Hanson representing MetroPlains indicated that the current agreement expires on May 1, 2003. He indicated that MetroPlains is requesting a 6-month extension of the pre- development agreement to complete the process. Mr. Hanson reviewed the activities that the developers have been working on over the past months. It was the consensus of the HRA to extend the pre-development agreement for a six-month period. Catherine reported that she would work with the attorney to prepare a formal amendment to the agreement for the HRA's formal action in April. 6.1. Review and Comment on New Downtown District Planner Chris Leeseberg reviewed the proposed downtown district standards. He indicated that staff drafted the guidelines after visiting several downtowns in other cities.Mr. Leeseberg noted that the Planning Commission,Heritage Preservation Commission,River's Edge Downtown Business Association and MetroPlains have reviewed the guidelines. He explained that the design standards are meant to be a framework for the future design of the downtown area.Mr.Leeseberg explained that the area to be included in the new Downtown District area is located south of Highway 10,north of the Mississippi River from where Main • Street and Parrish Avenue meet, and east of Lowell Avenue. He indicated that the Planning Commission felt this area would be a good starting point. Mr.Leeseberg indicated that staff is looking for F-IRA input regarding the proposed guidelines and the development district. Chair Toth questioned whether some of the property west of Lowell and south of Main Street could be included in the district. Director of Planning Michele McPherson indicated that the Planning Commission's suggested district did not include that area and felt that Lowell seemed to be a logical physical break point. Commissioner Motin questioned if MetroPlains had reviewed the proposed guidelines. Chris Leeseberg indicated that the two main issues that MetroPlains had after reviewing the guidelines include the building height and unit width. Commissioner Motin stated that the guidelines are too restrictive, as they seem to preserve the downtown as it currently is. Commissioner Motin indicated he would rather see what could be changed to help the downtown rather than maintain the exact same look as it currently has. Commissioner Motin noted that it would be good to keep a traditional theme but not necessarily a 1900's theme. Commissioner Motin indicated that he does not feel that the existing downtown should be preserved. Commissioner Lieser indicated that trying to preserve some of the unique buildings would be helpful for everybody's future. She noted that the guidelines are too restrictive. Commissioner Lieser suggested working with the existing building facades. She further noted that it might not be feasible to renovate some of the older facades. • Housing and Redevelopment Authority Minutes Page 3 March 24,2003 • It was the consensus of the Commission to review the standards at a later time when a full Commission was present. Commissioner Motin requested to see a draft concept from MetroPlains to show different options. 7.1. Sherburne County Chapter Habitat for Humanity Update Commissioner Lieser indicated that the Habitat for Humanity is looking for assistance from a well driller, septic tank and drain field company that would be interested in assisting. She further indicated that they are looking for an older home in Elk River for the purpose of rehabilitation. 7.2. Housing Work Plan Recommendation Economic Development Assistant Heidi Hall indicated that a housing presentation by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency has been scheduled for the next HRA meeting. Ms. Hall reviewed the proposed 2003 Housing Work Plan Schedule. She indicated that the work schedule runs from March through September and will tie together all the aspects of housing for discussion. Chair Toth stated that he felt the work program may be too long and will limit the HRA in its ability to provide assistance until after the 6-month work program is complete. Ms. Mehelich indicated that the work program would not preclude the HRA from taking any action to provide assistance for projects such as Habitat for Humanity. COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2003 HOUSING WORK • PLAN SCHEDULE. COMMISSIONER LIESER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 8. Other Business 8.1. Proposed Workforce Housing Development Chair Toth provided information about a proposed project that consists of workforce housing. He indicated that the HRA should become more familiar with the proposal. Chair Toth reviewed the concept of the development and questioned whether staff was familiar with the proposed development. Catherine Mehelich indicated that staff is not very involved with the project and questioned if the HRA would like to be provided with more information on the proposal. Commissioner Motin indicated he would like to know more about the project and not just receive updates as the City needs an opportunity to discuss the project before it gets too far along. He indicated that he feels there will be strong opposition to the project because the property is not zoned for the type of project that is being proposed. Commissioner Motin suggested expanding the radius of the housing study by ten miles from the City limits. Director of Planning Michele McPherson indicated that there are policy and goal issues that need to be considered before considering this project. She indicated that the City Council and HRA should discuss the City's goals pertaining to housing. She indicated that prior to moving forward with a project like this the policy makers should determine what the current 11111 housing balance is,what type of housing balance does the City want and how does the City Housing and Redevelopment Authority Minutes Page 4 March 24,2003 • participate in achieving the desired balance. Ms. McPherson indicated that the City policymakers have addressed none of these issues. It was the HRA's consensus to request the developers provide the HRA with a presentation and information about the development at a future meeting. Affordable Housing Conferences Catherine Mehelich provided information on two conferences;Making Affordable Housing Affordable and The Small Cities Initiative—Promoting Strong Partnerships. She indicated that anyone interested in attending should contact her. 9. Adjournment There being no other business, COMMISSIONER MOTIN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER LIESER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 3-0. The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 6:35 p.m. (at...4A, a 6?".. Sandra Peine • City Clerk