HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015/07/20 - ADMIN - Minutes - Economic Development Authority - Regular11ISt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
JULY 20, 2015
1. Call to Order
President Mavity called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.
Commissioners present: President Anne Mavity, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Jeff Jacobs, Gregg
Lindberg, Susan Sanger, and Jake Spano.
Commissioners absent: None.
Staff present: Deputy Executive Director (Ms. Deno) and Recording Secretary (Ms. Hughes).
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Minutes
3a. Economic Development Authority Meeting Minutes July 6, 2015
The minutes were approved as presented.
4. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as presented.
5. Reports - None
6. OId Business - None
7. New Business
7a. Resolution of Support Authorizing a Grant Application to the Metropolitan
Council Livable Communities Transit Oriented Development Program for
PLACE. EDA Resolution No. 15-14.
Mr. IIunt presented the staff report and explained that PLACE plans to construct a mixed
use development on the site that incorporates a number of renewable energy sources. He
stated that PLACE currently has a pre -development grant through the Met Council and is
seeking another Met Council grant through the Livable Communities Transit Oriented
Development Program to be used for storm water improvements, site acquisition, and
fuel cells related to the anaerobic digester. He advised that a supporting resolution from
the governing body of the city where the project is located is required, adding that the
grant request is for $2 million and no local match is required.
It uvas moved by Commissioner Brausen, seconded by Commissioner Spano, to adopt
EDA Resolution No. I5-14 Authorizing an Application to the Metropolitan Council
Livable Communities Transit Oriented Development Funding on Behalf of PLACE.
Economic Development Authority -2- July 20, 2015
Commissioner Sanger stated her opposition to the resolution and explained that while
there are several positive features of this proposal primarily related to sustainability, the
proposal is for 60% of all units to be affordable units and she felt that percentage was too
high and resulted in too much concentration of low income persons on one site, contrary
to the City's policy that calls for 8-10% affordable units in a building. She stated it is
also contrary to Met Council's direction to disperse affordable units throughout the metro
area. She stated when there are buildings with high concentrations of affordable units
there is a tendency to have certain problems and she did not want to go back to having a
concentration of low income units in one building. She stated St. Louis Park is already a
leader in affordable housing and ranks in the top 10% of all communities in the metro
area and did not believe this project was necessary or a good idea. She stated Council has
previously discussed whether there should be an underpass built at Xenwood and the cost
estimate for the underpass has now escalated to $18 million and she felt it was likely the
developer would ask for help with that underpass. She did not think there needed to be
an underpass at Xenwood and did not want to add traffic to this area and felt that Council
needed to have another discussion about this parcel.
Commissioner Brausen stated he would support the application along with this project
and disagreed with Councilmember Commissioner Sanger's characterization of the units
as low income units and stated that approximately 60% of the housing stock in St. Louis
Park is affordable and the PLACE development comports with the City's current
community character. He felt it was inflammatory to characterize the units as low
income and creates connotations that there is going to be a problem and he felt it was
wrong to deny the developer an opportunity to obtain a grant from Met Council.
Commissioner Mavity stated the average income in St. Louis Park is the reason why the
City's housing is affordable and this development targets 50-60% AMI or persons
making $40,000-$60,000 per year and stands in contrast to the luxury units that most
developers are building in the City, adding that this Council has voted numerous times to
support the vision of this development. She stated that PLACE outlined a fairly robust
community process to engage the neighborhood and was concerned about getting too far
ahead in the process without engaging the neighborhood and requested that staff direct
the developer to attend a study session or submit a written report about the neighborhood
engagement process and to fast track that process so the project is not fully designed
before the neighborhood is asked for input.
Mr. Hunt advised that staff has been in discussions with the developer about the
neighborhood process and is anxious to meet with the neighborhood in short order.
ne motion passed 6-I (Commissioner Sanger opposed).
8. Communications - None
9. Adjournment
President Mavity adjourned the meeting at 7:43 p.m.
Secret ry President