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4.1. DRAFT HRA MINUTES 12-07-2020 City of Elk Regular Meeting of the Elk River River Housing and Redevelopment Authority Held at the Elk River City Hall Monday, November 2, 2020 Members Present: Chair Larry Toth, Commissioners Denny Chuba, Michelle Eder,Nate Ovall (5:33 p.m.) Members Absent: Commissioner JayTme Swenson -40 Staff Present: City Administrator Cal Portner,Economic Development Specialist Colleen Eddy, Planning Manager Zack Carlton (via Zoom and Sr. Admin. Assistant/Recording Secretary Jennifer Green I. Call Meeting to Order 'er Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting oeeElk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Toth. 2. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. AWSOW 3. Consider November 2, 2020, Agenda' Moved by Commissioner Chuba and seconded by Commissioner Eder to approve the November 2, 2020, HRA meeting agenda. Motion carried3-0. 4. Consent Agen Moved by Commissioner Eder and seconded by Commissioner Chuba to approve the consent agenda as follows: 4.1 October 5, 2020, meeting minutes. 4.2 Check register as outlined in the staff report. 4.3 Balance sheet as outlined in the staff report. 4.4 Revenue/expenditure report as outlined in the staff report. 4.5 Appoint City Administrator Cal Portner as Executive Director of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. 4.6 Satisfaction of Mortgage—William and Denise Hoops. Motion carried 4-0. Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 2 November 2,2020 ----------------------------- 5. Open Forum No one appeared for Open Forum. 6. Public Hearings There were no public hearings. 7.1 HRA Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program Update Ms. Eddy presented the staff report. Chair Toth asked about the target area. Ms. Eddy explained the target area is considere e almost all of Elk River. 7.2 Main and Gates Redevelopment Update Ms. Eddy presented the staff report. Commissioner Chuba asked who pays for testing. Ms. Eddy stated the HRA paid for testing and the home containing the vermiculite was not originally tested. The HRA recessed into work session at 5:37 p.m. and reconvened at 5:42 p.m. 8.1 Main and Gates Redevelopment Discussion Ms. Eddy outlined the staff report and requested feedback from the commission about their vision of this corridor. She introduced Mr. Carlton via Zoom,who provided the HRA with the current zoning of the properties included in the project. He explained the project area is currently zoned C2—Office District,which allows business, medical, and professional services. He stated the land use is guided by the Mississippi Connections Plan,which means we are always continuing to evaluate and review options. The main connection between the Downtown District, and with the redesign of US Hwy 169, this area will become more of a throughfare with Gates as the alternative North/South connection.Mississippi Connections Plan does outline such uses in this area as multi-family, a mixed use, and what type of density, and what kind of layout do we want to see. The city has had some developer interest so what is the HRA's vision for this 1.7-acre parcel. Ms. Eder asked if the HRA was still considering hosting a forum for developers and community members, asking for their input. Ms. Eddy stated they will still schedule a developer forum by the end of this month but the HRA should still set their vision to help facilitate the discussion and direction of the type of developers to seek. Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 3 November 2,2020 ----------------------------- Chair Toth understands the request but doesn't want the HRA to pigeon-hole the project and would rather have developers come in with their experience and knowledge to outline what to consider. Commissioner Ovall explained this is a chicken and the egg scenario because developers are asking us what the city would like. He does not feel the developers would put out any firm guidance until the HRA provides some parameters. He asked Mr. Carlton if the area is currently zoned properly,knowing the Highway 10/169 redesign would affect the area, and having the Comprehensive Plan currently under review. Mr. Carlton stated the area would make a great commercial district and,in his opinion, thinks C-2 zoning is appropriate but current setback or design standards could be limiting and that would help inform developers. He felt some residential properties on the backside would be appropriate along with more office space or medical uses,but not fast-food establishments. Commissioner Eder asked about allowing m ti-family housing options. Mr. Carlton stated multi-family housing could come in different forms, or provide mixed uses in the same buildings, similar to Granite Shores. Commissioner Chuba stated parking would dictate what would be put in there, so the access into the area would be Td St. and he does not see residential fitting there and it also doesn't seem walkable with the railroad tracks and busy highways. He felt it should remain C-2 as the area is a destination. I off' Mr. Carlton stated the standards are different than in the Downtown District,noting this area after the Highway 169 Redefine will provide for a grade-separated pedestrian crossing and great trail and walkway connectivity,which is an important focus of the Mississippi Conn '4,flu Plan and alar er city goal. hair Toth asked if at this point should they worry about Highway 10 and the timing for construction work. Mr. Carlton stated he was not sure,but redesign of Highway 10 will be here before we know it, stating funding could be provided and the city should not be shortsighted by not considering that possibility of construction occurring sooner rather than later. Chair Toth stated the railroad would be a determining factor. Mr. Carlton stated the railroad would be an encumbrance. Commissioner Ovall asked if the zoning could change to allow for a setback change along Main Street. Mr. Carlton indicated a setback change would be allowed under a Planned Unit Development (PUD) or a variance request. Current setbacks are 20' from the front property line. Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 4 November 2,2020 ----------------------------- Commissioner Ovall asked about site lines and Mr. Carlton explained the intersection would remain a full 4-way stop and site lines would remain with separate measurements for safety purposes. Commissioner Eder personally prefers front parking and preferred to accommodate that. Commissioner Chuba disagreed and felt the area has already set a precedence with buildings towards the front and parking in the rear. He stated he would rather look at a building and not cars when driving by. Commissioner Eder agreed but felt it is more attractive for the business owners in that building to have front parking to avoid confusion of rear parking. Commissioner Chuba asked about water retention for storm drainage Mr. Carlton stated stormwater considerations are always a concern,but'n"ithis situation,you should match the current rate and volume discharge so less stormwater needs would be required. You would also have to match any additional impervious surface added that is not currently there today. Chair Toth asked if the state requires w ter retention requirements. Mr. Carlton stated yes,the city has adopted those requirements. He explained what the current system can handle today with pipe sizing and current stormwater ponding and what our current standards are today. Considering the downstream infrastructure is important and the city could do payment in lieu of fee to offset some of those impacts with clean outs or increase in size. Chair Toth suggested informing developers know all these ins and outs so they understand what we're looking for. He also asked if the current uses could be explained to developers with the possibility of adding a housing component. r. Carlton explasri'ed the eveloper will propose a concept and will contact the city Standards such as setbacks and stormwater requirements. Mr. Carlton stated the city could tell them that we like the current uses of commercial in this area but would be open to seeing options. Commissioner Eder agreed with that approach so as not to limit possibilities. Commissioner Chuba felt it was important to remember this is a TIF district and residential uses would not be taxed the same way. It was the consensus of the commission to propose the block to have a focus on commercial uses,generating property taxes but open to residential use, focusing on the TIF district but open to options. The area is part of a walkable community, and parking needs being addressed for whatever is proposed for the area,with it likely being accessed from Gates or 3rd Street. Housing and Redevelopment Minutes Page 5 November 2,2020 ----------------------------- Commissioner Ovall stated the primary objective in this whole development has been seeking the function of opportunity when these properties became available and this has been accomplished by getting a clean canvas. Chair Toth asked about extending this project area. Commissioner Ovall already did that with one parcel he hoped that would spur this corridor. He felt it would be worth entertaining proceeding with this. Chair Toth asked about putting sidewalk on north side of Main Street. Mr. Carlton stated that should be part of the conversati to allpw creation of the connection further east. Commissioner Eder suggested going through with the developer fo fore proceeding with expanding the area. 9. Adjournment Chair Toth adjourned the meeting at 6:13 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jennifer Green. Tina Allard, City CIe Larry Toth, Chair Housing&Redevelopment'iAuthori