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Home My WebLink About07/14/1992AGENDA NAPLEWOOD HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY JULY 14, 1992 7:00 P.M. CITY HALL M~.PLENOOD ROOM 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Minutes a. March 10, 1992 4. Approval of Agenda 5. Communications a. Cottages of Maplewood West 6. Unfinished Business a. Truth-in-Housing Ordinance update b. Annual Report 7. New Business a. Housing Issues from Comprehensive Plan meeting b. City Corridor Study 8. Date of Next Meeting a. August 11, 1992 9. Adjournment HRAAGEND.MEM ~' I 1 I I MINUTES OF THE MAPLEWOOD HOUSING ~ REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ~RCH 10, 1992 CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Fischer called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL HRA Commissioners: Lorraine Fischer, Tom Connelly, Gary Pearson, Larry Whitcomb, Lori Tauer City Staff: Ken Roberts APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. January 14, 1992 Commissioner Connelly moved approval of the minutes of January 14, 1992, as submitted· Commissioner Whitcomb seconded APPROVAL OF AGENDA Ayes--Fischer, Connelly, Pearson, Whitcomb Abstentions--Tauer Commissioner Whitcomb moved approval of the agenda as submitted. Commissioner Connelly seconded Ayes--Fischer, Connelly, Pearson, Tauer, Whitcomb COMMUNICATIONS There was no communications. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. NEW BUSINESS ae Election of Officers Nominations were accepted for chairperson. Commissioner Connelly moved Lorraine Fischer be reele~Cted as chairperson. Commissioner Pearson seconded Commissioner Whitcomb moved Tom Connelly be elected as chairperson. T ] 1 I I HRA Minutes of 3-10-92 -2- be Commissioner Connelly declined. Commissioner Connelly moved to cast a white ballot. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded Ayes--Connelly, Pearson, Tauer, Whitcomb Abstentions--Fischer Nominations were accepted for vice chairperson. Commissioner Connelly moved Larry Whitcomb be elected as vice chairperson. Commissioner Fischer seconded Commissioner Connelly moved to cast a white ballot. Commissioner Tauer seconded Ayes--Fischer, Connelly, Pearson, Tauer, Whitcomb Nominations were accepted for secretary. Commissioner Connelly moved Lori Tauer be elected as secretary. Commissioner Fischer seconded Commissioner Connelly moved to cast a white ballot. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded Ayes--Fischer, Connelly, Pearson, Tauer, Whitcomb 1991-1992 Annual Report Ken Roberts, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. The commissioners discussed the report and made some corrections. Staff was directed to make these amendments and submit this report to the City Council for approval. Commissioner Tauer moved approval of the 1991-1992 annual report as amended. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded Ayes--Fischer, Connelly, Pearson, Tauer, Whitcomb Truth-in-Housing Ordinance Ken Roberts, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Mr. Roberts said the Truth-in-Housing ordinance appears to be working well. The City has not received any complaints from the realtors since the start-up problems were resolved. HRA Minutes of 3-10-92 -3- ¸9. Commissioner Fischer directed staff to poll the Council on this issue for their concerns, questions they may have, or information they may want regarding how this program is working. City Manager Mike McGuire joined the meeting at the request of Chairperson Fischer. She asked the manager if he knew if the Council had any specific concerns of what information they may want about truth-in-housing. Manager McGuire stated that he did not know of any specific concerns of the Council regarding truth-in-housing. Commissioner Pearson moved adoption of the Truth-in-Housing ordinance attached with the staff report of March 5, 1992. Commissioner Whitcomb seconded Ayes--Fischer, Connelly, Pearson, Tauer, Whitcomb d. City Image Ken Roberts, Associate Planner, explained the City Council is requesting the HRA submit ideas on ways to improve the City's image. The HRA commissioners listed the following ideas for promoting a positive city image and directed staff to present them to the City Council: (1) continue the Truth-in-Housing program, Mayor's forum, City Council meeting broadcasts on cable television, monthly Maplewood- in-Motion, and good image of police force; (2) continued commitment to senior housing, NEST, and Share-a-Home programs; (3) community center; (4) provide clean-up days, name tags for City employees, and "Maplewood Volunteer" tags for City commissioners and volunteer committee members. DATE OF NEXT MEETING a. April 14, 1992 ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m. ~ I | I 1 CITY OF MAPL WOOD 1830 E. COUNTY ROAD B MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA 55109 OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 612-770-4560 March 11, 1992 City Council Maplewood City Hall 1830 East County Road B Maplewood, MN 55109 HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT - 14~RCH L99L- FEBRUARY ~992 Following is the Maplewood Housing and Redevelopment Authority's Annual Report for March 1991 through February 1992. It was a busy year with eight meetings. The City Council appointed Lori Tauer to the HRA in March of 1991 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Dale Carlson. A list of the members and their attendance is on page 5. Having monthly meetings has cut the length of the meetings. Program Participation During the year, the City participated in three programs run by the Metro HRA and four programs run by local lenders. I show these seven programs in Exhibit B. A total of 423 housing units received aid through the rental programs (Exhibit C). Of these, 248 had families and 175 had elderly residents. The number of units receiving Section 8 aid decreased from 173 last year to 160 in 1991. This is lower than the 189 Section 8 households in 1989 and the 168 Section 8 households in 1988. Under the loan programs, 34 Maplewood households received more than $780,000. Housinq and Planninq Items Considered The HRA considered a wide variety of housing and planning items in the last year. These included the code amendment about setbacks for single and double dwellings, the Share-A-Home program and the rental housing maintenance code. We also commented on the Ramsey CountyComprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) and discussed residential programs for group homes. In addition, we reviewed the tax-exempt and Equal Opportunity Employer '~ i 11 I'r i tax- increment financing for the Cottages of Maplewood West housing development. The HRA spent several meetings working on the Housing Plan as part of the Comprehensive Plan update. The meeting about Saint Paul and Minneapolis rental housing inspection programs was most informative. Other Areas of Involvement Commissioner Fischer served on the Maplewood Seniors and Others with Special Needs Advisory Committee and on the Home Share Task Force Commission. Commissioner Fischer is also representing Maplewood on the East Metro Senior Information and Referral Advisory Committee. Current and Emerqing Concerns The Truth-in-Housing Ordinance went into effect on January 1, 1991, and sunsets on June 30, 1992. The HRA will be reviewing and making recommendations to the Council about the T-I-H Ordinance before the sunset. After years of looking at senior housing needs, the HRA continues to believe that support services are a necessary part of housing for seniors. There are a wide variety of services available from an equally wide variety of sources--public, private, quasi private and informal. Information on what is available and how to get it is not always readily available for those in need. Others are putting together a comprehensive directory of what services are available throughout the region. However, there are still areas of concern that we could be looking at locally. Having the Maplewood Seniors and Others with Special Living Needs Committee active should be a benefit to the City. A more traditional area of concern to an HRA is that of neighborhoods with deteriorating housing. The HRAwill review the issue as appropriate and consider possible solutions to lessen the problem. This is because Maplewood has areas of older housing that could deteriorate if owners do not care for them. In 1991, the Metropolitan Council adopted its task force report calling for a regional housing plan. Many of its concerns are already our concerns. We will review this and include any necessary recommendations into our work program. Maplewood participates in the Share-a-Home program which is run by Lutheran Social Services (LSS). This program has a 1992 budget of $20,954. This includes $10,754 from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA), $6,000 from City and County grants and from fees collected. Maplewood's share of the cost in 1992 is $3,000 because the program no longer receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Because of a CDBG, we had no funding cost in 1991. Maplewood's share for this program for 1993 will be about $3,300. LSS has received applications from 23 Maplewood residents since 1986 to be in the Share-a-Home program. In addition, there have been 16 total matches and there are now three active matches in Maplewood. 1992-93 Work program Review and make recommendations to the City Council about the Truth-in-Housing Ordinance and program. Review and make recommendations to the City Council about the Metropolitan Council's Regional Housing Plan. Continue to review ordinances and policies that ~ay affect housing. Sponsor or review any necessary code or law revisions to deal with problem areas in housing for City residents. This will include reviewing the Truth-in-Housing Ordinance and any changes about the inspection of rental properties. ¸4. Continue to participate in Metropolitan Council and MHF& programs. Monitor subsidized housing plans for consistency with the City housing plan and the guidelines for tax-exempt, tax- increment and Community Development Block Grant financing. Keep informed on happenings and changes that will influence the availability of low-to-moderate cost housing. Use various media to improve public awareness of housing issues and opportunities. Media could include Maplewood in Motion, Maplewood Review, St. Paul paper, sewer inserts, local cable-access TV, etc. This should include information about housing programs and developments in the City. The Maplewood in Motion could have items on T-I-H, housing maintenance codes, and one explaining what each commission is and does. Another suggestion is an article on each City commission, possibly identifying the current commissioners. This is so the City makes residents more aware of the role and opportunity of citizen involvement in the City. Encourage and aid in the provision of life-cycle housing, including alternative housing for older adults. Strive to develop a strategy for provision of various support services for housing. These enable the elderly to continue to live independently in a suburban city like Maplewood. Determine how Maplewood can maintain an information and referral service to aid older adults in finding services. This could be done with help from East Metro~Senior Advisory Committee. Continue participation in the Older-Adult Home-Share program as an alternative to premature nursing home placement. Recommend necessary code, law or policy revisions that will make the above possible. Have a tour for the HRA, Council and Planning Commission members of development and housing areas of interest or concern in Maplewood. Have the City Council classify each of the above as high, medium or low priority to work on as time permits. Working with the Council If we feel additional input or guidance from the Council is desirable, we will make a request for a shirt-sleeve work session. The HRA also could make a presentation under the "Visitor Presentation" item on the Council agenda. Also included with this report, as Exhibit E (page 12), is an item we thought might be of interest to you. This is a summary of rental housing developed with tax-exempt financing. This includes number of units, amount of the bond issue, fees paid, and federal financing restrictions. LORRAINE FISCHER, CI~AIRPERSON Maplewood Housing and Redevelopment Authority Attachments kr/hrarpt92.mem Name Thomas Connelly 1193 E. County Road B (55109) Lorraine Fischer 1812 N. Furness St. (55109) Gary Pearson 1209 Antelope Way' (55119) Lori Tauer 467 Sterling Street S. (55119) Larry Whitcomb 518 E. County Road B (55117) EXHIBIT & HRA COMMISSIONERS Appointed 1/84, 3/85, 7/90 4/75, 3/81, 3/86, 3/91 11/89 3/91 11/89 Term Expires 7/95 3/96 3/94 3/93 3/92 Meeting 4-9-91 6-11-91 7-9-91 9-10-91 10-8-91 11-12-91 12-10-91 1-14-92 Connelly ATTENDANCE Fischer Pearson Tauer Whitcomb x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x kr/anrepexA.mem ! i 1 i 1 EXHIBIT B ACTIVE HOUSING PROGRAMS IN MAPLFWOOD Managed by the Metropolitan Council HRA Deferred Loan Program - owner-occupied (funded by MHFA): One deferred loan: Total of program was.$2,9$0. Maximum loan amount per application: $9000. Households with an adjusted income of $8500 or less are eligible for this aid. This program offers deferred payment loans. The loan payment is deferred unless the borrower transfers the property within ten years of the loan date. If this occurs, the loan amount must be repaid to the MHFA, but without interest. The purpose of this loan program is to help eligible applicants repair their homes to correct deficiencies directly affecting safety, habitability, energy use or handicap accessibility. The maximum loan amount per applicant is $9000. The State's data privacy act protects the locations of the loan recipients. be Revolving Loan Program - Owner-occupied (funded by MHFA): No revolving loans: Total of program was $0 Maximum loan amount per application: $9000. Households with an adjusted income of $15,000 or less are eligible for this aid. The program offers low- interest (3%) loans to eligible applicants that are unable to get rehabilitation funding aid from other sources. The purpose of this loan program is to help eligible applicants repair their homes to correct deficiencies directly affecting safety, habitability, energy use and handicap accessibility. The maximum loan amount available per applicant is $9000. The State's data privacy act protects the locations of the loan recipients. 6 c. Section 8 Rental Subsidy Program (funded by HUD): Eligible tenants pay a maximum of 30% of their gross income toward the monthly rent payment. The difference between the rent that the tenant can afford and the total rent is the Section 8 paid to the landlord by HUD. In December 1991, 160 Maplewood households (47 senior and 113 family) were receiving rental help. See Exhibit C for more information about this program. Manaaed by Local Lenders a. Home Improvement Loan Program (funded by HHFA): The MHFA made 3 loans for a total of $19,640 in 1991. Households with an adjusted annual income of $27,000 or less may be eligible for home improvement loans of up to $15,000. The MHFA determines the loan interest rates (3 - 9 percent) by the borrower's income· b. Home Energy Loan Program (funded by MHFA): The MHFA made 20 loans for a total of $66,302 in 1991. Homeowners may be eligible for loans at 8 7/8 percent interest rate. Under this program, loans of $1,000 to $5,000 are available for energy efficiency related improvements only. There are no income limits. Ce MHFA Single Family Mortgage Loan Program (funded by MHFA): The MHFA made 10 loans totalling $690,000 in 1991. This program is for first-time home buyers (FTHB). To qualify, an applicant's adjusted gross household income cannot exceed $33,500 to buy an existing dwelling unit in the Twin City metro area. The below-market interest rate mortgage money is available for the purchase of existing single-family units, town homes, condominiums or duplexes. d. Homeownership Assistance Fund (HAF) (funded by MHFA): The MHFA made 0 HAF loans in 1991. Through this program, qualifying lower-income MHFA home mortgage recipients could receive downpayments and help with their monthly payments. Households must have an adjusted annual income of $26,000 or less for this program. kr\anrepexB.mem EXHIBIT C RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS Existing Units - Section 8 Household Types Family Elderly Totals One Bedroom 27 11 38 Two Bedroom 68 36 104 Three Bedroom 16 0 16 Four Bedroom 2 __Q0 2 113 47 160 Of these 160 units, 138 are in multiple dwellings, 14 are in double dwellings and 8 are in single dwellings. Section 8 and Section 236 Family Units Archer Heights(l) Lundgren Maple Knolls Totals One Bedroom 30* - 3 33 Two Bedroom 55** 13 32 100 Three Bedroom 4*** 16 20 26 Handicapped - - --2 2 89 29 57 175 Elderly Units Archer Heights(l) Concordia Village(2) Totals Arms on Woodlynn One Bedroom 64**** 124 20 208 Two Bedroom 40 40 (1) Archer Heights has 121 Section 8 units, 27 Section 236 units and 20 market rate units. Section 8 and 236 income guidelines are the same. Section 8 and 236 rent guidelines vary. (2) The Village on Woodlynn has 31 lower and moderate income units (including 12 Section 8 Units). *There is also 1 market rate unit. **There are also 8 market rate units. ***There are also 2 market rate units. ****There are also 9 market rate units. 8 Section S and 236 Income and Rent Ceilings Household Size (Persons) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Maximum Annual Gross Family Income $16,800 $19,200 $21,600 $24,000 $25,900 $27,850 $29,750 $31,700 Unit Type One Bedroom Two Bedroom Three Bedroom Maximum Allowable Rent (Includes gas and electricity) $526/month $619/month $774/month In the metropolitan area, the Section 8 and 236 programs are available only to the very low income - 50% or less of the median income for the metropolitan area. kr/anrepexc.mem T I I I 1 EXHIBIT D HOUSING AND PLANNING PROPOSALS CONSIDERED Meetinq Date 4-11-91 Item Discussion of Certificate of Occupancy programs (Minneapolis and St. Paul) Code Change: Setbacks Side yard Action Taken Recommended no changes 6-11-91 Discussion of Certificate Of Occupancy Programs (Maplewood) Ramsey County Comprehensive Housing Affordibility Strategy (CHAS) 3. 1990 - 1991 Annual Report Recommended changes Recommended changes 7-9-91 1. 1990 - 1991 Annual Report Setbacks for single and double dwellings Recommended changes Recommended changes 9-10-91 1. Residential Programs Share-a-Home program Discussed and tabled Recommended keeping program 10-8-91 1. Residential Programs Cottages Of Maplewood West Rental Housing Maintenance Code Recommended law change No Action Tabled l0 11-12-91 Rental Housing Maintenance Code 2. Housing Plan Update Recommended approval Discussed and tabled 12-10-91 1. Housing Plan Update Cottages of Maplewood West Recommended revisions and tabled Recommended approval 1-14-91 1. Housing Plan Update Recommended approval kr\anrepexD.mem o O, 12 EXHIBIT E TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: City Manager Director of Community Development Comprehensive Plan Update June 12, 1992 INTRODUCTION I have attached the update of the Comprehensive Plan for the City Council to approve. BACKGROUND The City started work on this plan 3-1/2 years ago. Since that time, we have made many changes. In 1990, the Council started a series of hearings on the land use plans. The Planning Commission and Council made changes to many of the neighborhoods. The Council also changed the land use designations to zoning classifications. As an example, the old RL (residential low density) classification is now R-1 (single-family residential). This change should avoid the confusion caused by two sets of classifications for the same property. The land use maps have not changed since the Council approved them, except the names of the land use designations. After the Council finished approving the changes in the land use plans, the Planning Commission started work on the plan text. They thoroughly edited the text after receiving comments from the HRA, HRC and Park and Recreation Commission. Each of these groups have approved their parts of the Plan. The boards and commissions made editing, rather than policy changes. We have reduced the length of the Plan from 190 to 97 pages. The Plan is also easier to read. We have updated the Plan with new information, such as the 1990 Census. In 1991, the Council changed the density tables to reduce maximum allowed densities. The Planning Commission decided not to hold neighborhood meetings, because the Commission and Council have already held hearings on the land use map changes. On June 2, the City Council held a special forum on the Plan. I have included the changes from that meeting in the attached copy. DISCUSSION The new plan is a big improvement over the current plan. The new plan is shorter and easier to read and use. The new plan h~s been updated to reflect current policies. While we can expect changes to the plan as the City changes, the basic document should serve as an effective foundation for many years to come. ] I I I 1 The next step should be for the Council to approve the Plan. We must then send it to the Metropolitan Council and adjacent cities for their review. RECOMMENDATION Approve the Plan, subject to the review of the Metropolitan Council and adjacent cities. go/b-3:memo23.mem (4.15) Attachments: 1. 1992 Comprehensive Plan Update 2. Planning Commission minutes Maplewood Planning Commission Minutes of 3-2-92 -9- The City Council shall review this p date of approval, based on the code. one year from ires in the (3) The 10:00 p lights. ~ol shall turn the re: Only the schoo court lights off by 1 use the tennis court (4) The school courts and pond route for runn:' the area between the tennis west lot line as a track or shall be limited to fall meets. (5) The City Counc~ driveway to property building. may Road Academy ire that. the Academy build a 'h the School District's the School District's (6) The westE may require that .y access for evening seconded chool chain the .f they become a Ayes--An~i_ berger,? Axdahl, Fisher, Frost, Gerke,.~ar~?h~ Rossbach, Sigmundik, Sinn 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS b. Comprehensive Plan The Commission reviewed the Plan with some changes and requested staff make the corrections. Commissioner Fischer moved the Planning Commission recommend the City Council approve the Comprehensive Plan update with the changes requested at tonight's meeting. Commissioner Rossbach seconded Ayes--Anitzberger, Axdahl, Fischer, Frost, Gerke, Pearson, Rossbach, Sigmundik, Sinn The motion passed.. Th?~9~ere~or presentations. ~' I 1 I 1 MINUTES OF HAPLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL 6:00 P.M., Tuesday, June 2, 1992 Council Chambers, Municipal Building Special Meeting A. CALL TO ORDER: A special meeting of the City Council of Maplewood, Minnesota, was held in the Council Chambers, Municipal Building, and was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Mayor Bastian. B. ROLL CALL: Gary W. Basttan, Mayor Dale H. Carlson, Councllmember Frances L. Juker, Councilmember George F. Rossbach, Councilmember Joseph A. Zappa, Councilmember Present Present Present Present Present m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE C. PUBLXC HEARINGS 1. Comprehensive Land Use Plan Mayor Basttan convened the meeting for discussion and public commentary regarding the proposed update of the Maplewood Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Director of Community Development Olson presented an overview of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, its purpose and the topics covered by chapter. c. Counctlmember Zappa inquired as to the number of builders, developers or realtors in attendance at this meeting. One developer responded. Councilmember Rossbach commented on various matters that Council must consider relative to land use, e.g., zoning, preserving residential areas, and determining what is the highest and best use for a property. ee Mayor Basttan commented on the need to meet various City, State and Federal guidelines relative to pollution, noise considerations and other conditions. Director of Community Development Olson identified the various areas of the City by name, general boundaries and district number, to determine which areas were represented by those in attendance. ge Mayor Bastian stated that if anyone in the cable viewing audience wished to share any views on the Plan, the City Manager would be available to take calls until 8:00 P.M. at 770-4529. h. Mayor Bastian invited commnts from residents and developers by district. The following appeared: I 6-2-92 Dtstrtct 4: Haze]weed Area Vlnce Dressen, representing Ryan Construction, stated his organization is attempting to develop 38 acres at the Southwest corner of White Bear Avenue and 11th Avenue and presented an update of their progress. Resident of the area (did not give name) stated he was in favor of the development but was concerned about the way it was progressing. Zelma Pitzel, 2005 Castle Avenue, stated she is in favor of full development of the area, not partial. The owner of Northern Wood Products, located near White Bear Avenue and Highway 36, stated he is fully in favor of the proposed development. Maria McGraw, 1958 Gervais, stated she felt there should be no development until Ryan has purchased all property in that block and not leave some portions residential. Kay Perron, who owns property at the end of Gervais, inquired why she has been charged a commercial rate for sewer and water since 1971 if her property is zoned commercial. Doug Miletta, 2416 White Bear Avenue, asked for clarification of the term 'sunset' as it relates to a zoning request; suggested the City give a developer a set period of time after the hearing to accomplish their aim or have the property revert to previous zoning. Roger Kult, 2444 White Bear Avenue, stated he supported the proposed development. Nina Hardin, 1970 Gervais, asked about completion of the City Wide Watermain project. District 7: South gladstone Delores Kaufman, Daughter of the Johnson's, who own 1717 White Bear Avenue, inquired about the possibility of rezoning,' since they are trying to sell the house and have been unable to do so. District 10: Battle Creek Area Mr. Nordstrom asked about zoning and commercial areas relative to a filling station and a Tom Thumb store which he stated have become eyesores in this area. District 12: Htehw¢oU Area Bill Poppert, Highwood Avenue, asked about whether open space was taken into consideration when preparing the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and stated he would like to see a more pro-active role taken through the Plan. Les Axdahl inquired about the status of the proposed 4g4/Lake Road interchange and the impact of this interchange on the surrounding R-1 area. 12-27-90 i I I I I Kevin Berglund inquired about various environmental and health matters, and whether there might be consideration of an overpass or underpass for Highway 36 in consideration of people who do not drive cars; also whether there might some other areas which might look forward to something like the proposed community center. Lorraine Fischer asked for additional information on the planned walking trail, bike paths and accessibility, relative to the Seniors Advisory Committee; also commented on park acreage and potential problem areas where commercial and R-3 zoning might create conflict. 1. Mayor Basttan stated the Comprehensive Land Use Plan would appear on the June 2Z, lgg2 Council Meeting Agenda for a vote on its acceptance. M. AOJOURNI~ENT The meeting adjourned at 8:48 P.M. Lucille E. Aurelius City Clerk 3 12-27-90 MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: City Manager Director of Community Development Major Street Corridors Study July 9, 1992 INTRODUCTION On June 18, the City Council requested a report from each Commission and Board. The Council wants to know how the City should study the land along the City's major streets. BACK~ROUND This request is a result of the June 2 Mayor's Forum on the Comprehensive Plan. A resident complained about the residential zoning on White Bear Avenue, north of Larpenteur Avenue. She said that she could not sell her house for residential use, because of the noise and traffic. The Council did not want to change the residential zoning for only one property. They felt that a zoning change should consider the other homes on the street. The Council noted that this same problem occurs on White Bear Avenue, north of Highway 36. The Council discussed this issue again on June 18. They felt that the problems on White Bear Avenue may apply to other major streets, such as Frost Avenue, Larpenteur Avenue, Century Avenue and McKnight Road. The Council wanted input from all the commissions and boards on the process for studying this problem. The Council does not want a recommendation on a specific plan now. They only want a recommendation on a process for studying this problem. DISCUSSION We are preparing a report on this study. When we finish the report, we will present it to each of the City's commissions and boards, including the HRA. Chairperson Fischer requested that we put this subject on the July 14 agenda. RECOMMENDATION We would appreciate any preliminary ideas from the HRA on this study. Until we have presented a staff report to the HRA, we recommend that they not make a final recommendation. go\b-3:streets2.mem (4.55) T ] I I 1 Sune 1, 1992 This is the first of a series of updates you will be _rec~__iving fi'om the homing program ~taff of the Metropolitan Council during the next several months. 'I'nese updates will keep you informed on the prOCeSS and emerging i~ue~ as the Metrepolitam Couaca procee~ with revving the homing chapter of it~ Metropolit~ Develolm~ Gu/de. A~ mint of you k~ow, the homing chapter will be ~ during 1992 and fu~t part of 199~. ~ is the Metropolitan Council's major policy document in the area of housing. It was last revised in 1984. Since that time, major demographic, economic and public policy changes have taken place. These changes have affected how the housing market operates and impinged on some people's ability to meet their housing needs. Furthermore, they have had an impact on thc economic and social stability of many local governments, neighborhoods and some sectors of the housing industry. Revised regional housing policy must respond to these changes and address thc housing needs of a variety of groups. Housing is a multifaceted pln--{-g area. Therefore, development of housing policy needs to involve a variety of comtituencies. It is a goal of this policy revision process to involve a broad range of groups to assist with the identification of housing issues and to start proposing policy direction and implementation strategies. To accomplish this goal, a number of small meetings or forums have been scheduled. Following is a list of the meetings/forums that have already taken place. Many of you receiving this update wer~ invited to and attended them: Af:dc~m-A~edc~ Fona~ Hispanic Forum March 19 Native-American Forum March 24 March ~ Uder / Homek~ May 21 Developmental Disabilities Minority Roundtable Ph3~ically Disabl~ May 28 A large of number of issues have surfaced at the above meetings. Some, as would be ~ are specifc to each group. A number of others, however, cross group boundaries and are emerging as larger, common information provided in a more centrsliT_,~ and less frngmcnted way. Accesdbility for members of some mlnodty assist service applicants with forms and explanation of programa. Acce~ty also means more flextie public agency hours and decentrnl;?,-,4 of T~ce locations-re, ch;nS out to the community rather than havin~ the commtmity cotn¢ downtown. A second recurrent theme, and somewhat connected to the ".a~ce~." theme, is the complexity of;the 'housin[ system.' 'I'ne large number of programs, agencies and groups revolved in housing often make it difficult, if not overwhelmlng, for providers as well as users of housing and services to know where to ~o and to ~ out what is available. A third common theme is the need to provide housing choice related to a variety of both ~ arrangements as well as geographic location. Locational housing choice, partia~ts from aH the groups stressnd, needs to be closely coordinated with transportation. Suburban homing--even when publicly assisted or at affordable prices--is not a housing choice for low-income persons, frail older adults and persons with disabilities unless good quality public transportation is available to acces~ jobs, education, shopping, medical care, recreation, eta. A number of group participants called for an increase in the supply of affordable housing and housing program funding to addre~ the housing needs of the growing number of low-income persom in the region and persom with disabilities, who often have special housing needs, and as one of the tools to help stem homelessnesL During the summer months, the following groups will be convened to discuss additional issue areas: Monday, June I 10:00 a.m.-noon Local Governments (East Metro) Tuesday, Jue2 10:00 a.m.-noon Local Oovernments (West Metro) Thumhy, June 4 10:00 a.m..noon Mentally [] Tuesday, June 9 1~.00 a.m.-noon GoveFnment Levds + Nonproflts Tuesday, June Z3 Developer/builder/finance views La~ Jm'y To be scheduled One or two neighborhood meetings Latter part of August To be scheduled ?~1 of the :cheduled m~t/ngs .~.2I be hel~_ in Confe~nce R_~om ~ of the Me~opolitan Co~mo'l o~ce~ 230 East F'dth Street, St. Paul The only exception is the one for West Metro local governments on ~une 4, which will be hem in the St. Louis Park City Hall In the coming monthly issues of this update, the Council staff will continue to summarize key issues that emerge in these meetings and will identify the more significant findinEs that emerge through analysis of census dam. If you have any questiom on the information provided or are interested in attending any of the upcoming meetings, please contact any of the following staff: Ami Moreno (291-6601) C-uide revision coordination $oanne Ban'on (291-6385) Local government/neighborhoods/housing industry/roles Nancy Reeves (291-6307) Homing needs of special populatiom HO NG An ~pclate on the Process t~. Revise its Housing Policie~ 1992 In .lune the Metropolitan Council's Homing Program continued to hold meetinp with variom groul~ to help lay the groundwork for revi~ing the homing chapter o£ the Metropolitan Development G;dde. IV~ve meetings took place to diseu.~ homing i.~ues and concerto that affect local governments, low-income persom and persom who suffer from mental illne~. The meetings also helped in gathering idea~ about the rolm and respomibilities of variom level~ of government in homing. Sudging by the attendance, the interest in the process for revising the Council's housing guide chapter has been high. About 100 people reprezenting state, county and local government, public homing agencies, homing nonprofits, service providers and consumers attended the Sune meetings. With 14 of 17 planned meetings completed, the initial asseszment of the comments made during the group discussions seem to fall into two main categories: a) humor regional housing problems or issues; and b) the Metropolitan Council's role in housing. The following list summariz~ the major points raised most often during the meetings held to date. (Some of these were mentioned in the .lune update). Re~i_'onal Honsinn Problems and Issu~ · The need for more affordable homing and for additional funding to produce affordable homing. Housing choice both in tenm of geographic location and in tenm of housing type to accommodate special aeex~. The importance of designing homing and housing progranu to promote independence and serf- sufficiency. The need to build flem'bility into housing funding and progrmm (to acknowledge cultural differences, special needs, local needs, community differences). The complexity and fragmentation of the "homing system." The need to break down barriers that make ac, c,e~ to housing programs and housing funding difficult for individuals and organizations. The need to link housing and transportation (thi~ wa~ ~ a~ an iraue in itself and in connection with choice). The integration of housing planning with planning for other metropolitan systems and the need to ar, se~ impact of regional systems plans on the housing market and neighborhoods. · The need for neighborhood revitalL~,.ation and preservation of the housing stock. · The need to reform federal and state tax policy, particularly as it affects rental homing. I 1 1 I 1 MetFopolitnn Council's Role in ttousing ~n some of the meetings, the discu~ion moved from identifying regional housing ~ues to defining the public's expectations of the Metropolitan Council regarding housing,. That was partic~!ndy evident at the Sune 23 meeting, which was convened to discuss thc roles of vadous government levels in housing. The Council's appropriate role in housing was viewed as that of regional leader and coordinator. The Council was not seen as having a role in pwgram implementation or housing funding; local governments, HRAs, nonprofits and so on should be the implementers, meeting participants said. The following activities were identi~ed as appropriate and important activities for the Council to be involved in: Identifying regional housing issues and proposing strategies to address problems. Means to accomplish this include research and production of reports that identify housing market trends, issues, problems; and encouraging group processes that bring people together to resolve housing issues that cro~ municipal boundaries. Example: The need to develop strategies to ensure distn'bution of affordable housing in ~e region- Championing issues. Raising awnreness of housing issues and educating various comtituencies, including local governments and legislators. Example: The plight of rapidly aging suburbs and their housing revitalization needs. Providing housing information and demographic data that is important to local governments and housing providers but which they cannot develop on their own. Example: Gathering and distn'buting information related to tax and housing legislation, housing market analysis, migration trends. Coordinating housing plans for the region. Example: Thc Council could develop an "advisory CHAS' (the federally required Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy) or encourage the development of those plans by the appropriate communities to ensure that regional housing issues and goals get addressed. Next Steps Next month's update will start reporting on findings from the staff's analysis of housing census data. In the meantime, there is one more discussion meeting scheduled for July:. Private housing industry gFoup (developer/builder/finance views) Wednesday, July 22, I0 &m.-noon It will be held in Conference Room 2A of thc Metropolitan Council offices, Mears Park Centre, 230 East F'fth Street, Sc Paul If you have any questions on the information in this update or are interested in attending the luly 22 meeting, please contact any of the following staff: ,ama Moreno (291-6601) Guide revision coordination $oanne Barron (291-6385) Local government/neighborhoods/housing industry/roles Nancy Reeves (291-6307) Housing needs of special populatiom City 'sh .m-pe teeth., of landlord, renter: laws:. ": WALTER PARKER STAFF WRITER J T~htens sanCtions ;gainst '~'uiS;;~;{?-4!:' .... !.~ ": Neighbors and police who grit their teeth about unresponsive~ : property so that civil fines or demolition !'ir~'i. ~ slumlords who ignore complaints about noise, drug-dealing and ...~....~ :;. ...... ~.:,~.. abandoned, ton-down houses were given new tools Tuesday by could begin immediately. .."-,: ~- ': :~.:~':~,~; :,'~ the St. Paul City Council. B Requires absentee landlords to post thei~r, So were tenants who complain bitterly about lost dama~e~ addresses or those of their ma~ager~;!'l~i~j~'!!';.. ~ . -. deposits and landlords whose property is wantonly damaged .bY 24-hour phone number f0r:service~'"neg~th$:f/0r~/~'d°o'i~::' renters. - .... · .... .. · ..... "'.,:~ '~:~.~' ' .-~;,,,.~. -.- The council passed a series of amendments to clarify and I~ Requires prospective, tenants and, landlords of one.-, c .:~ and two:unit dwellingS.to sign a'di~'10sureif°ir~i r~cj~.}:~. }:'. :;:, toughen housing code ordinances, capping a process that began describing th~ prOpe~'~c0ndj~on~'l~':rge~.dW~ilin~"a~e;;~.;I .two years ago when the council passed a resolution urging change and Mayor George Latimer appointed a 40-member ..t~s.k covered.by a different la~. ~..:~!::~'i!ii~;":!!:'~¢::;j;;;i~2"';i~::,. ii'"i; '?:'i!?.}. force. ' P ONEER PRESS GRAPHIC LANDLORDS CONTINUED ON 6A ·~;~ ·" 'IONi[ER'~,ES~''~ ',' ':"~ '~'" ................. ' .... ' .......... ' ......... LANDLORDS · CONTINUED FROM IA Some of the task force commit- tees, which include landlords, real estate firms and tenants' advo- cates, 'among others, have met on. a weekly basis for nearly a year. '!This is hallmark legislation," said Fifth Ward Council Member Janice Rettman, co-chairwoman with Ramsey County Commission- er Ruby Hunt of the so-called "3PR" Task Force. "3PR" stands for property rights, property re- sponsibilities and property reme- "It's one more way to hold ac- countable those who hold property and don't take care' of it," Rett- man said, adding that the ordi- nance changes toughen the city's laws without adding extra bureau- cratic costs. Highlights of the changes,, which ~ke effect in 30 days except for a new rental disclosure provision ef- fective. Jan. 1, are noted in a box accompanying this article. .. City ordinances allow for 'fines 'of up to 8700 per day and/or 90 days in jail for violators of the city's housing code, but in the past those sanctions were often un- available because of loopholes. . .. One classic problem case would be the owner of a vacant, ram-. shackle building who ignored re- pair orders for months until the eve of condemnation proceedings, when he would take out a building' permit and file $2,000 bond. That would give the owner another year to do nothing. "Under the old ordinance, for a building to be considered for de- molition hearings it had to be proven vacant for at least a year," sa~d Charles Votel, the mty s v - ,ant-~rooerty program manager. "Under the new ordinance a build- ing can be judged on merits alone; there is no time period. H a build- lng is truly'a nuisance and should be demolished, we are now able to force it into demolition hearings before the City Council." Rettman denied that the chang-: es amount to a "tear down ordi- nance" because she said their el- fect will be to stimulate quicker repairs. More modest changes en- acted five years ago resulted in five fix-ups for every demolition, she said. Another change approved Tues- day requires landlords to post their names and addresses near the fiont door of their buildings. They must also supply tenants with 2{-hour service phone num- That change should help not on- ly tenants who know only a post office box number, but also police and neighbors trying to stop re- peated noise and drug problems, said Victor Raymond, who chaired the task force's landlord commit- tee. It often is virtually impossible for tenants to find their :even for police, it may take hours of searching through eo.unty prop- erty records, he said.. . A' third major Change enacted Tuesday was the creation of rental disclosure'requirements, ?milar to the city's tough truth-in-housing law. Landlords aren't required to fix all of the problems .in a unit prior to renting it, but-they are required to disclose the problems in writing prior to taking a dam- age deposit. Most good landlords do that now, in part because it protects their investment in the property as well, said Raymond. But others do not, prompting lengthy, costly appeals in Housing Court and else- where. ZONING NOT A TOOL FOR EXCLUDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING Local governments can't use zoning ordinances to exclude affordable housing, the American Planning Association (APA) argues in an amicus curiae brief filed last month with the New Hampshire Supreme Court in the case Brit~on v, Town q)f Che~ter. Earlier this year, a New Hampshire trial court declared the town's zoning ordi- nance unconstitutional because it used land use controls to block affordable housing. The court then imposed a "builder's remedy," authorizing the builder to proceed with construction of a specific housing development that includes affordable housing. The plaintiffs argued that, under the state constitution, New Hampshire towns that regulate land use must, in their zon- ing laws, provide for a fair share of the region's Iow and moderate income hous- ing. This concept, known as the Mt. Laural principle, is based on exclusionary zoning decisions handed down by the New Jersey Supreme Court. "The regional fair share housing princi- ple is basically sound and the New Hampshire Supreme Court's decision in this case has the potential to be a national landmark in zoning law," says APA President Stuart Meck, an Ohio planner. "You can't let towns use land use regulations which say, in effect, to potential residents, 'Pull up the ladder, bosun, I'm aboard'. If there's a constitu- tional wrong, there has to be a just remedy." APA's brief is a powerful argument against exclusionary zoning and for plan- ning remedies to provide affordable hous- ing. "It gives an historic and national per- spective to the problem," says Charles F; Tucker, attorney-of-record for APA, with the Exeter, New Hampshire firm of Donahue, McCaffrey & Tucker. APA attributes exclusionary zoning to reliance on the local property tax which often compels towns to zone for property with high assessed values. "Chester is not unique to New Hampshire or to sub- urban communities elsewhere," says Tucker. "Many rapidly urbanizing com- munities use zoning mechanisms with the same effects, keeping Iow-income people out of certain areas or entire towns." Exclusionary zoning also results when cities and towns, which are free to adopt their own zoning codes, receive lit- tle direction from the state as to the regional goals of land use regulation. The New Hampshire legislature has begun to recognize this problem, notes the APA brief. Through statues, state lawmakers have encouraged regional housing planning and supported the use of innovative local land use measures to encourage affordable housing. The state's Supreme Court also has dealt with the problem by limiting the power of towns to exclude the "unwanted," be they mentally, physically or economically disadvantaged. While APA contends that the ultimate solution to exclusionary zoning is legisla- tive, not judicial, action, the courts must rule forcefully so that state legislators will respond. In its brief, APA urges the court to: · Set clear standards for courts in deciding when to authorize a builder's remedy. · Develop a flexible formula to deter- mine a town's regional fair sh.are obliga- tions for Iow and moderate-income hous- ing. This formula should include an analysis of a town's ability to absorb new affordable housing or rehabilitate existing substandard housing. · Reverse the trial court's decision invalidating Chester's entire zoning ordi- nance since this could, temporarily, allow unacceptable land development to occur. 'q'he objective of this case," says APA's Meck, "is to make certain that, out of all this litigation, affordable housing actually gets built for the people who need it. What happens in New Hampshire may point the way for the rest of the nation." APA's brief was prepared by a commit- tee of lawyers and planners including: Brian Blaesser, Esq., Rudnick and Wolfe, Chicago, IL; Eric Damian Kelly, AICP, Esq., Chairman, Department of Regional Planning, Iowa State University, Ames, IA; Stuart. Meck, AICP, City Planner, Oxford, OH; James M, Rubenstein, PhD., Professor of Geography, Miami University, Oxford OH;; and Norman Williams, Jr., AICP, Professor of Law, Vermont Law School, South Royalton, VT and author of Plannin(] Law. and others. For more information, contact APA's Public Information Office at (202) 872- 0611 or Stuart Meck at (513) 523-2171. ~8N[~'' '' .:'" ...... . SAINT PAUL PIONEER PRESS" WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1991 m'. some. olOer ,~:, ',.- .. . '? ,- ,. ~ ' : , . JIM ~DE ~e ~a 'of ~e"~t ~o ~ b~ ~e}~, P~k Ri]l~ ~d' R07, }~ ]" On · r~t ~ of ~e older nefg. h~.r.h..oo~ls., with..hom~ .costing'. City Coundl'M~n~bor Ric~ard:,· ed to some houses with boats and up w ~ou,uuo..' : ?, ~. ' Montgomery, meanwlfile, has tak' recreation vehicles parked out iv .,. ,But. Ma~or Kefl:Mahle ',sa~d .~l~,,~I en issue with Mnb!e.: "' ". ~.: .:."front. , ,week 'tha, t he has spotted ~Ught ~ "To say there is ~oligh[' in.these' i.,"Some of those boats look homd-. 'in some "of "Woodbury's · older "neD, hborhn~,t~ is · i,t~t ?: 'nl/~in '* ']~ndP_ nnd neighborhoods, and he s out to cor .... - ..... ....- , . · . w~ong, Montgome~ sa~d.. , I . ,Smd. some places could use a Ut-. :r~._t]~e. ,prob!e,m.,~ ..... :, ' . ~ow what bUg~t ts, It's wluit I. :-tie ml~t. But there ,? whe I g ew up on ?g borhoods that are Ut- IO See ,u~ue' .pocKet~ 0! :Dli llt, · . , , h, ' , · ~ ,. . ..g s~de of Cleveland. But t- don t ~ee' tie gems. ,_.. tha~ we do llot ri]low this to go on. "Mnntonm-.-~ ~I~' 'a,~ia:**'~.~m.L · * Matde smd tt ~ best to mp the, ' o rty Yal,es nera l : · OUght problem neighborhoods where'~e*have .al- in~o~''' street im,,rove]n"~'-~,,G ~/*' :"Some homes have fallen into towed bUght to set.in.":~.. ~;'..' ' street Ughts · ~ , ~. ~, .~**,~?'..i ?;***!disrepair/' he said, "and there is: For starters, Mahle i/backing a "The Cit-*Council ~":~J~'~' cintter in some yards. We have. proposal for road impr~vemei~ts ~,,.n,,. ~'~: ...., ~"~,~a'?,,,,,~,,?. nice* and reasonable ordinances in: and the installation of street Ughts there was a fire sWrm of ,,fOrest ~.W°°dbury' But we ar n nfo~ iii neighborhoixis developed mostly from people Uvmg ...... m Woodbttt~.v ..... '.., lng~. them as well as we could.- .. aurmg the 1950s and 1960s - ,, , . · Heights. '- ..... .; :.~'; "..- · People don t violate ordinances ~ The plan calls for these'projects ' Montgomery said that for"some .'intentionally. But they know they to be financed half by a city-wide' tax levy and half by asse~ments ag~ipst the benefited properties. · At the same time, Mnhle would ask residents to voluntarily .iix up their houses and c.!eap, up their De La Sr'd ' Of residents, a $200- or $300-a- can get away with parking two year assessment for improve- boats and recreation vehicles .ih ments would bo equal to'a 20 or ilo their back yards or on the side lo~ percent increase in taxes,~ '. '... when 'it isn't permitted. Some "Senior citizens and others on , .neighbors are unhappy about ii.',. 'fixed incomes can't nfford~lt,'~he .~ But they don't w~nt to say an!/- added. "Anyway,' they :like ,'the ..' thing because it would start a roads ' ' ' " they have just. tine.,. They ? ,'~luabble. : "*" '-' ,' 0 ,;,""" i I I I I