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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/09/2000 AGENDA MAPLEWOOD HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2000 7:00 P.M. CITY HALL MAPLEWOOD ROOM 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Minutes July 21, 1999 4. Approval of Agenda 5. Communications 6. Unfinished Business 7. New Business a. Home Replacement Program - Operations and Procedures Plan b. Van Dyke Street Tax-Forfeit Land c. Applicant Interviews 8. Date of Next Meeting 9. Adjournment c:memoIHRAAGEND.MEM MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MAY 9, 2000 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Fischer called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL HRA Commissioners: Lorraine Fischer, Gary Pearson, Torn Connelly, Joe O'Brien 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Cornmissioner O'Brien moved approval of the minutes of July 21, 1999, as submitted. Commissioner Connelly seconded. Ayes-all The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner O'Brien moved approval of the agenda as submitted. Commissioner Connelly seconded. Ayes-all The motion passed. 5. COMMUNICATIONS Ken Roberts, associate planner, reminded the cornmissioners of the annual summer tour scheduled for July 31, 2000. He welcomed the applicants that were present to be interviewed for the vacancy on the commission. Melinda Coleman, director of community development, mentioned that she sent a letter to the director of the CURA program at the Humphrey Institute. They have a competitive program for an internship which will pay for half of a student's salary and the city would pay the other half. She said Maplewood has made a submittal for someone to work with the city on a proposed housing program. Ms. Coleman also announced that there was a position open on the planning commission. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. 7. NEW BUSINESS A. Home Replacement Program-Operations and Procedures Plan Ken Roberts, associate planner, presented the staff report. Chairperson Fischer questioned how many of the homes on the dilapidated/substandard list were actually "structurally troubled" as opposed to "housekeeping" problems. Ms. Fischer said, as she viewed the homes on the list, some definitely had housekeeping issues. Melinda Coleman, director of community HRA Minutes of 05-09-00 2 development said that Bob Wenger, the environmental health official, will be asked for input on the homes because he probably has been in some of them. The board discussed how and to what extent the city would monitor new house design and site plans for these properties. Ms Coleman suggested that city staff, the HRA. or a subcommittee of HRA with the design review board as possible reviewers. Comments were made about the diversity of housing styles in most Maplewood neighborhoods. Ms. Coleman asked the HRA if they thought it was appropriate for the city to have some control in this matter and what they felt was to best way to do it. Mr. Roberts noted that he had included a provision in the staff recommendations whereby the builder or developer could appeal the staff decisions to the community design review board. Ultimately, those decisions could be appealed to the city council. Chairperson Fischer recommended making sure that the HRA was in general agreement with the city council since this was a new program in Maplewood and a new council. Ms. Coleman felt the council would be receptive to considering this proposal. She said she would request that they put this on the agenda for their council/manager workshop which meets an hour before the regularly scheduled Monday night city council meeting. Ms. Coleman asked the HRA to decide whether participation should be restricted to a low- income family. Various questions were considered about the value and policies for Habitat for Humanity homes. She thought the city council would be interested in hearing what the HRA's priorities were and what they thought was the most important area to focus on. Chairperson Fischer suggested establishing some criteria on which lots should be sold and which would be for Habitat for Humanity. Ms. Coleman recommended that staff gather additional information on the listed homes (lot size, etc.) and list various options for city council consideration. This material will be presented to the HRA at their next meeting. The commission chose to table this item for more information. Commissioner Connelly asked that certain aspects be more detailed since he was concerned about giving some people the impression that they could get a lot for free, build a house on it, and then sell for a good profit. Ms. Coleman spoke about a proposed housing project west of Highway 61 near County Road D East. The developer of this development has asked if the city would be interested in participating with him to purchase the two houses that are near the site. These homes are both on this home replacement list. There was some discussion on rebuilding new homes on smaller lots or dividing the substandard lot between the adjoining property owners. Mr. Roberts spoke about the vacant house at 1744 Prosperity Road. There was a fire in this house in 1977 and it continues to remain empty. There have been inquiries from many individuals through the years about purchasing the property. Mr. Roberts suggested using some of this money and approaching the owner to buy the house. It could then be deeded to Habitat for Humanity and let them rehab it. The owner has not been receptive to sale. Mr. Roberts asked the commission to consider whether they wanted to get into forcing this sale. Ms. Coleman was concerned about the amount of time and money involved in condemnation. She did not think this was a good use of the money. This property could possibly be looked at from a health issue standpoint. Staff said their plan was to begin by contacting the owners of the properties on the list. Chairperson Fischer suggested publishing something in Maplewood in Motion. Ms. Coleman thought this might be the second step after determining if there was any interest first. HRA Minutes of 05-09-00 3 B. VanDyke Street Tax-Forfeit Land Ken Roberts, associate planner, summarized the staff report. If purchased by the city from Ramsey County, this property must be used for some type of public purpose, i.e. low- and moderate-income housing. It cannot be deeded to a developer. The city council considered this purchase, thought it was a good idea, and asked that it be brought before the HRA for their input. Mr. Roberts said a possible funding source would be the housing-replacement program money. Melinda Coleman, director of community development, noted that there are many developers interested in partnering with the city on a project for this site. Mr. Roberts commented that it would be "a new thing for the HRA" to become involved in a development project. Ms. Coleman said the county wanted $155,000 for the three parcels. She pointed out that there is an easement that runs through the property to the NAPA store on White Bear Avenue. This would require some type of an arrangement, possibly purchase of the strip. Ms. Coleman said the city council thought this purchase was a good idea. She asked the HRA to pass a recommendation to the city council, if they supported it, and then the council would pass a resolution authorizing the city to purchase the land. If the city does not buy the site, the county will auction the land. Commissioner Pearson anticipated that BC and R-3 developers would be interested in purchasing it. Commissioner Connelly advocated the city purchasing the property in order to have better control of the development. Commissioner Pearson moved the HRA recommend approval of the staff recommendation to consider and take action in the purchase of the four tax-forfeited properties on the west side of VanDyke Street between County Road B and Cope Avenue for the development of low- to moderate- or mixed-income housing. Commissioner Connelly seconded Commissioner O'Brien asked if any soil testing was done on the property. Mr. Roberts said he doubted that there had been any but he wasn't worried about it. Ms. Coleman did not see this "as a major obstacle." Ayes-all The motion passed. C. Applicant Interviews Melinda Coleman, director of community development, asked those in attendance to introduce themselves. The applicant interviews began alphabetically with Rita Ander. The other candidates retired to another room. Ms. Coleman informed the HRA that she did know Rita Ander and had previously worked with her in another city. Rita Ander works for the St. Paul Public Housing Agency and has no conflict of interest. She has had a "long-time interest in housing issues" but no actual experience in development. Ms. Ander commented that she was interested, but not limited to, issues in affordable housing. Ms. Coleman asked Ms. Ander if she could be an advocate for affordable and higher density housing. Ms. Ander replied that she saw a need for all types of housing and could, depending on the particulars, support higher density. HRA Minutes of 05-09-00 4 Ms. Coleman explained that the new city council would like to see all applications for all of the city commissions. They welcome recommendations from the particular commission for their top two picks and but want to interview all applicants. Ms. Coleman felt there were "excellent candidates" for this position. John Griffith also had no conflict of interest. He strongly encouraged renovation and remodeling as an important option to replacement. Mr. Griffith has a "passion for housing issues" but would also be interested in a position on the planning commission. Mr. Griffith thought affordable housing was anywhere from $90,000 to approximately $120,000. He said it was even difficult to find homes in this price range. Ms. Coleman informed Mr. Griffith of the selection procedure. Keith Turnquist was the next applicant to be interviewed. Mr. Turnquist had no conflict with attending the meetings or any conflict of interest. He said he was interested in housing issues, primarily from the aspect "of keeping our neighborhoods pleasant and livable." Mr. Turnquist also was involved in trying to figure out ways to keep senior citizens in their homes as long as possible through volunteers and professional assistance. He felt Maplewood rated very high in safety. Mr. Turnquist thought the home replacement program was a good policy. His idea of affordable housing is that under $100,000. Beth Ulrich was the fourth and final applicant. Ms. Ulrich works for the St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority and "truly enjoys" working with housing issues. She spoke about infill housing and mentioned that the value is not being recouped on the housing that is being provided because construction is so expensive. Ms. Ulrich said she has a "passion" for rehabing houses. She commented on various housing projects and financing methods being done in St. Paul. According to Ms. Ulrich, affordable housing depends on which group was being targeted. She was open to an appointment to the planning commission if not chosen for this board. The board chose to use a point system for rating the candidates-four points for first choice, three for second, etc. Associate Planner Roberts counted the ballots. The results were: Rita Ander - 12 points, Beth Ulrich - 11 points, Keith Turnquist - 8 points, and John Griffith - 5 points. The city council will interview the four individuals and make the final decision. The' board was pleased that there were excellent candidates. Chairperson Fischer suggested looking at some of the homes on the replacement list as part of the annual city tour. She also mentioned areas where there are other homes that might be ideal for rehab. Mr. Roberts said the Habitat for Humanity home that was built in Maplewood would also be pointed out on the tour. The board discussed the waiting list for the senior cottages. Boardmember Pearson felt "just about anything we do in this community for senior housing is going to be snapped up faster than you could build it." 8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the HRA is scheduled for June 13, 2000. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m