HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/12/05 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionIJFSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
DECEMBER 5, 2016
The meeting convened at 6:15 p.m
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg,
Anne Mavity, Thom Miller, and Susan Sanger.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director
(Ms. Deno), Planner (Ms. Monson), Senior Planner (Mr. Walther), and Recording Secretary (Ms.
Pappas).
Guest: Dean Dovolis, DJR Architecture, Inc.; and, Don Kasbohm, Developer
1. Review 2017 City Council Workshop Draft Agenda
Mr. Harmening noted a subcommittee of the council, comprised of Councilmembers Brausen,
Miller and Sanger, was assigned to develop a draft agenda for the 2017 City Council Workshop
for the council to review.
Ms. Deno stated the first day will be facilitated by Bridget Gothberg, BG Consulting, and will be
on relational learning, council norms and an interactive session on Carver Governance. Friday
will be facilitated by Gordon Goodwin from the Center for Social Inclusion. He will work with
the council on racial equity for the majority of the day along with a brief discussion on
redevelopment.
Councilmember Mavity stated the council needs more background in advance of the workshop
regarding the policies that have been developed related to racial equity work. She added they will
need more examples if they are to come up with three measurable steps and to make good use of
the workshop time.
Councilmember Mavity also commented on the redevelopment section of the agenda, saying it is
not clear what the council hopes to get out of that section.
Councilmember Brausen stated that related to the race equity portion, he would like to see some
action plans that other cities have adopted, and he asked if staff will be observing or participating
with the council on this topic.
Ms. Deno responded it is anticipated the session will consist of a council education/information
piece that staff has already received, which ensures that both council and staff have the same
basic understanding and language related to race equity. The council will have interactive
sessions structured to talk about individual experiences, similar to what staff shared, and then go
deeper into the topic. She added that examples will be provided from other cities, as well.
Mr. Harmening added that department heads will attend the retreat, and it will be up to the
council how interactive the department heads will be with the council during the workshop.
Councilmember Sanger noted the cultural competency piece is an important topic to pursue, also.
She was disappointed to see that this is an all -day topic and, due to time constraints, could not be
accomplished during the retreat. She wondered if it might still be done in a more streamlined
fashion, and hoped to be able to discuss this if possible.
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Councilmember Lindberg agreed, noting that building common language among the council is
very important. However, he realized that there won't be enough time to discuss this, and it
would be a disservice to have the discussion if the council were not able to have the debrief
session, as well.
Councilmember Miller asked about the cultural interaction portion and if this related to the
council sharing their own cultural biases with each other. Ms. Deno stated yes, this is a starting
point and an exercise with objectives. She added that the facilitator will go through this portion
to discuss the councilmembers' early experiences with race and have conversations on racial
inequity.
Councilmember Brausen added that the council should all undergo the basic part of the training,
as everyone is at a different place, and then dig deeper.
Councilmember Mavity proposed the council spend more time on race equity at the retreat.
Councilmember Sanger noted that redevelopment will also need to be discussed, especially with
all the feedback being received from residents. People are concerned and wonder if we are going
in the right direction. She added that the councilmembers may not all be on the same page
regarding redevelopment. Each may have different priorities, and this will need in depth
discussion. Councilmember Sanger added that up until now, the council has been mostly reactive
to proposals from developers vs. proactive with a plan. Discussion is needed about what the
council wants to do going forward.
Mayor Spano gave the West End development as an example. Councilmember Sanger stated that
the developers of West End approached the council on this redevelopment project.
Councilmember Mavity said that when looking at a map of the Elmwood Neighborhood from
2003 which outlined a vision for this whole area around 36`x' and Wooddale, it is stunning how
much it adheres to this plan. It is the same situation with the Beltline development and Excelsior
and Grand. She added that the council initiated this redevelopment so it is not accurate to say the
council has only been reactive to development.
Mayor Spano noted that he does not think 90 minutes is long enough to answer the five questions
on redevelopment. He would like to see the whole retreat spent on race equity.
Councilmember Brausen stated managing growth is a responsibility of the council and an
ongoing dialogue, which will continue. He stated this should be a discussion to share each
councilmember's thoughts, talk about vision, and learn from one another. He added that race
equity is a priority, but he would like to see some time spent on the redevelopment discussion, as
well, in order to form more clarity.
Councilmember Hallfin thanked the subcommittee for their work on the agenda, noting he
respects what they have done. He added he would like to see both the race equity and the
redevelopment discussions take place, as they are both important. He suggested extending the
meeting time in order to cover both topics.
Mayor Spano asked if staff and the subcommittee could refine the list related to redevelopment,
to give it more clarity, and help with the visioning process.
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Mr. Harmening stated staff will work on refining the questions to help structure the conversation,
and the meeting time can also be extended.
Mayor Spano added he is fine with the first half of the day, but he would like to spend most of
the first day on relational learning and the next day on race equity work.
Mayor Spano stated he would also be interested in learning more background about the history
of St. Louis Park as it relates to race in our community, noting this would be helpful.
2. Alternative Development Concept Plan for "The Elmwood"
Ms. Monson noted the project proposed for development is a mixed-use building marketed
toward St. Louis Park's active residents aged 55+. The original proposal, previously reviewed by
the council, was a 5 -story, 70 -unit mixed -used apartment building on the one acre site, with 10%
(7 units) as affordable at 60% area median income. However, some members of the council had
expressed an interest in a larger number of affordable units and asked the developer if he was
able to increase the density to offer a greater number of affordable units. The revised proposal is
for a 6 -story, 85 -unit mixed-use development with 23.5% (20 units) affordable at 60% area
median income. Due to the cost of additional parking accommodated by a second level of
underground parking, the developer would be seeking an increased TIF amount if the 85 -unit
alternative plan is pursued. The application for TIF assistance is pending and will defray a
portion of the building demolition, site preparation, and structured parking costs.
Councilmember Mavity asked if the rent will be affordable and what the cost is per month for a
two-bedroom unit. The developer stated the cost per month would be $1,250.
Councilmember Mavity noted that 10 people attended the neighborhood meeting related to the
development, and their main concerns were traffic and parking issues.
Councilmember Sanger noted that with the larger project, the number of years needed to
generate the TIF will increase, and this is a concern related to affordable units. She added there is
no requirement to go to 23% affordable. It only needs to be at 10%.
Councilmember Miller added he has concerns with the Bridgewater building, as it overlooks
many single-family homes in that area. However, he would be okay with another story on The
Elmwood project as it has wider setbacks and first floor retail that is set back as well. The area is
more pedestrian -friendly than Excelsior and Grand, and he would like to see this project allow
more walking space. Councilmember Miller stated he is fine with the TIF and would ask that the
building be stepped back from the second to sixth floor, also, similar to Harmony Vista across
the street.
Councilmember Brausen added he likes the proposal but does not want to design the building.
He is fine with the increase in TIF and committing future tax dollars to get strategic development
and affordability in the area, especially with SWLRT coming. He added this development is well
worth it; however, he has questions on staffs recommendations for parking, noting he would
prefer less parking at the development and more units, if possible.
Mr. Walther stated staff is not asking the developer for more parking than required, but the
developer explained that once they expend the money to drive pilings deeper for a partial second
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level, it is economical to add a full level of parking. Mr. Walther added they can look at other
uses of the underground building space besides parking, as well.
Councilmember Brausen stated he hopes a green wall would be considered and an
environmentally -friendly building with a reduction in its carbon footprint.
Councilmember Hallfin stated he is fine with the new design and the extra TIF. He added that the
additional affordable units will help the city, especially in light of St. Louis Park's huge empty
nest group.
Mayor Spano stated he is also fine with going higher in this area. He would like the developer to
think more about the additional parking spaces and how to use the space differently. He is
concerned about losing the DORA in order to step the building back in the ftont.
Councilmember Sanger asked if the developer could revisit this and come back with more
options. Mr. Dovolis stated the designers moved the building back as far as possible. He added
there is a normal sidewalk .set an additional 10 feet back. With the added landscaping, the
building has become narrower. He added they have already done a lot of work to accomplish the
goals outlined by the council related to the setback.
Councilmember Brausen stated he is fine with this plan, especially since seniors have stated they
want more space.
Councilmember Mavity stated she is supportive of the direction of the project, which is filling
the gap for seniors. However, she added that $1,200 per month is still a high rent. She cautioned
the council about trying to micromanage a recessed floor and the plan, noting this is not a good
way to review it.
Councilmember Lindberg stated he is not overly enamored with the project and has concerns
about the increase of TIF and time. He felt the first design was better, and he is not convinced
60% area median income is affordable enough for senior housing. He added he would like to see
more affordable and fewer units.
The developer, Mr. Kasbohm, added he would like to incorporate the recess but doesn't want to
shrink the depth of the units more. Then he would have to use concrete construction in order to
increase the building height to seven stories, which would make the project unaffordable.
The consensus of the council was that they are comfortable with the project and the TIF requests
Communications/Meeting Check -In (Verbal)
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
3. Solid Waste Update
MelisL Kennedy, City Clerk